Official Luthiers Forum!

Ok, so most of us build guitars, or try to, like in my case. I'm curious what your thoughts are on buying guitars? Do you still buy them, or have you given up and only use your own?

I ask because I've only made two classicals, and I'm not very good, and probably won't make a wow! guitar for some time. I have the chance to buy a Gutmeier for a decent price and I'm wondering if I should get it, or keep building until I make something like it. The last time I heard this guitar though, I almost got whiplash from turning my head towards the sound. Then again, I'm not a very good player at all, so it might be silly for me to get it. On the other hand, I could use it as a benchmark to builds toward.

Anyway, I'm curious what you all do.

You can buy it, learn from it..... inspect it well and whenever you reach your building expectations, resell it!

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Peter M.
Cornerstone Guitars
http://www.cornerstoneukes.com

If you have the funds, and really want it, I would get it. Plain and simple. I LOVE guitars, and want as many as I can get. Heck I just got a Watkins Electric because I "had to have it"

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Lance@LuthiersForum.com

I wouldn't hesitate to buy it. You like it, it's for sale, you've got the money.....the decision almost makes itself.

I couldn't begin to tell you how many guitars I've built and/or could have built with the parts I've churned out, yet I've been playing the same factory guitar every day since 1991.

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John Watkins
CNC Guitar Parts

If it's that great, buy it! If nothing else, it may help motivate you to play more, and improve as a result. Perhaps someday you will build one you like just as much. Then again, you may not.

Strike while the iron is hot!

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"I want to know what kind of pickups Vince Gill uses in his Tele, because if I had those, as good of a player as I am, I'm sure I could make it sound like that.
Only badly."

First, if you get it at a good price, it should be an 'investment'- this is also a great argument to use with ...(fill in blank with appropriate person).
As you suggest, it will also be a benchmark for your building projects.
And, it will improve your playing if you have a good guitar as well.
My advice would be to buy it- assuming you still have space around the house for another guitar!

This is the OLF, after all. This is like asking around a bar at 1am whether you should buy a bottle of fine Scotch....

Cheers
John

What a good discussion.

If we view what we do artistically, we probably tend to go in certain
directions. I have a picture on desk that my friend Kayla took. I don't
even think I'd be able to copy it if I wanted to. Everyone has different
ways of speaking, ways of looking at things, executing them, and all that.

I'd love to own a Walker small jumbo and a Senn stratocaster.    

If it inspires you to play or make a better guitar,
Either way, its a win!

Wade

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Wade
Nashua, NH
http://www.wadefx.com

If you buy it, sooner or later you can sell it again as Peter suggest.

However, if you don't buy it, you may wind up regretting it sooo much that you become bitter and twisted and unable to share even a simple buffalo wings recipe, just like what happened to The Don after not buying that mahogany Lowden all them years ago.

Ain't that right Don

Cheers

Kim

Well I intend to hopefully own one professionally made guitar (just incase) and own a few personally handbuilt ones. I would hope that they would be good enough to play on a regular basis.

I guess I see it just like music...Just becuase you write your own music doesn't mean you have to stop enjoying others. I can't wait to finish my first but I still am fascinated the truely great guitars by others and would own many of them if I could.

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Brad
Avon, OH

[QUOTE=larkim]However, if you don't buy it, you may wind up regretting it sooo much that you become bitter and twisted and unable to share even a simple buffalo wings recipe, just like what happened to The Don after not buying that mahogany Lowden all them years ago.

Ain't that right Don

Cheers

Kim[/QUOTE]

Good heavens! I give up!

Ok Kim, I'll be happy to share my recipe with you...
Look for a PM....

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"I want to know what kind of pickups Vince Gill uses in his Tele, because if I had those, as good of a player as I am, I'm sure I could make it sound like that.
Only badly."

Yes, buy it. The more the merrier. Each instrument is different and picking up a different one every other night is like a different date each time. Don't tell the wife I said that. Hey these instruments are great and if you've got the chance to add to your collection then do so. From what I've see on this board, I hope someday I'll be able to buy guitars from the builders represented here.

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Michael Lloyd

“I was born to ignorance, yes, and lesser poverties ...
I was born to privilege that I did not see ... I didn’t know it, but my way was paved” – John Gorka

[QUOTE=JohnAbercrombie] This is the OLF, after all. This is like asking around a bar at 1am whether you should buy a bottle of fine Scotch....

Cheers
John
[/QUOTE] What I was thinking!

If you love it, buy it. A lot of guitars have come and gone in my life. The only ones I really miss are the two that I passed up after hearing them call out to me.

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D..

I'm with the others on this, buy it, study it, enjoy it and then if you do one better (which could happen!) sell it if you want.

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Jim Watts
http://jameswattsguitars.com

I always feel guilty when I am looking at guitars in the store. Some of them are really nice but I always find myself saying "I can build this better" (keep in mind I am talking about 300 dollar imports). I dont have the money to buy anything real pricey right now that I would like to buy. So for now I just build what I think I might like. But......... if I had the money, I would go for it. Guitars are like snowflakes buddy!

Blake

As to your questions "do you still buy guitars"? my answer is yes.

Mike

[QUOTE=Don Williams] [QUOTE=larkim]However, if you don't buy it, you may wind up regretting it sooo much that you become bitter and twisted and unable to share even a simple buffalo wings recipe, just like what happened to The Don after not buying that mahogany Lowden all them years ago.

Ain't that right Don

Cheers

Kim[/QUOTE]

Good heavens! I give up!

Ok Kim, I'll be happy to share my recipe with you...
Look for a PM....
[/QUOTE]

That was the funniest thing I've seen in ages.

I wouldn't mind that recipe too!

Nothing wrong with buying a guitar - I can think of at least 10 makers I'd love to own a guitar from in the future.

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Instagram: @jfrenchluthier
Web: https://www.jfrenchguitars.com/

I really like the suggestions along the line of having it around to study. If there's a sound in that guitar that speaks to you, that will goad you on in the direction you should go. Buy it.
I've kept my '78 Gallagher around as a bench mark, and it has helped me immeasurably. I still refer to it when I need some "advice".

Steve

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From Nacogdoches...the oldest town in Texas.

http://www.stephenkinnaird.com

And I should add to that, even though it is a Sitka-topped dreadnought.

Steve

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From Nacogdoches...the oldest town in Texas.

http://www.stephenkinnaird.com

Like the others have said, if you want it and have the readies, then buy it. If you don't you may come to regret it later. If you do and then regret it, you can always sell it again.

Colin

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I don't believe in anything, I simply make use of a set of reasonable working hypotheses.

[QUOTE=Hesh1956]
This would entitle Kim to wear a Mr. Coffee filter on his head while guitar building........ [/QUOTE]

Holy shomoly ya big paluka, I caan't go wear'in tha corefee filter and tha Caaarmen Miraaanda fruit haaat at tha same toymm! Oiy dee oiy dee oiy dee, tha kid build himself a few guitars and all of a sudden he he's tha faaashion expoit? oiy dee oiy dee oiy

Oh and thanks Don, I knew you would come through for me mate    

Cheers Kim