How do you let good guitars go?

[vchizzle]

NGD: How do you let good guitars go?

Here's my situation. I picked up a nice 1957/2008 McCarty in blueberry that the finish faded on. Kind of an impulse buy(although, I waited a couple months to pick it up). I knew going in I had guitars of a similar ilk(2 McCarty stds - 1 with 5708s 1 with 5909s). I knew the new one might be similar enough that it wouldn't be worth getting but decided to get it anyway knowing I could return it within 30 days and get something else if I wanted. So I spent a good couple hours going back and forth between the new one and my older guitars. Yes, there were definite tonal differences. I didn't find any of them remarkably better sounding. I like the new guitar A LOT. Love the faded quilt top, #95/150 and the tone. The paua hollow bird inlays look great. I don't really want to take it back. The logical side of me says, "just take it back and get something else that will add more to your tonal pallette."
I've been wanting a piezo equipped prs for quite awhile. I even took the new guitar to a store and played it back to back with a HB II, SC HB II and a P22. I liked the SC HB II the best. That particular one sold a day later. I found another one that I love the looks of - fabulous top & back. Can't play it because its too far away.
So how do you let a really nice guitar go? I'm not one who can afford to keep both new guitars and I'm not really willing to give up any of my current older guitars.

I realize there are far worse problems to have and feel extremely fortunate to have 5 or 6 prs that I love.

 

[sergiodeblanc]

Realize what a shame it will be to not play it often and think about how somebody else will be super psyched to get a great Mac.

 

[vchizzle]

That's a good perspective but I rotate my guitars pretty well, but I suppose it could be someone's #1 pretty easily. It's a great guitar.

 

[s.fitzsimmons]

So you have three McCarty's? What makes you want to hang on to the older ones if you like the new blueberry so much?

 

[AP515]

To me, returning it for the money that I am going to use on the HB would be all the motivation I need.

 

[bluefade]

Here's my situation. I picked up a nice 1957/2008 McCarty in blueberry that the finish faded on. Kind of an impulse buy(although, I waited a couple months to pick it up). I knew going in I had guitars of a similar ilk(2 McCarty stds - 1 with 5708s 1 with 5909s). I knew the new one might be similar enough that it wouldn't be worth getting but decided to get it anyway knowing I could return it within 30 days and get something else if I wanted. So I spent a good couple hours going back and forth between the new one and my older guitars. Yes, there were definite tonal differences. I didn't find any of them remarkably better sounding. I like the new guitar A LOT. Love the faded quilt top, #95/150 and the tone. The paua hollow bird inlays look great. I don't really want to take it back. The logical side of me says, "just take it back and get something else that will add more to your tonal pallette."
I've been wanting a piezo equipped prs for quite awhile. I even took the new guitar to a store and played it back to back with a HB II, SC HB II and a P22. I liked the SC HB II the best. That particular one sold a day later. I found another one that I love the looks of - fabulous top & back. Can't play it because its too far away.
So how do you let a really nice guitar go? I'm not one who can afford to keep both new guitars and I'm not really willing to give up any of my current older guitars.

I realize there are far worse problems to have and feel extremely fortunate to have 5 or 6 prs that I love.

I had a 57/08 from that batch of guitars. I traded it in and got a nice tastey fire red siggy!!! I'm not missing the 57/08 at all. Besides, i've got a set of 57/08's in my private stock custom 24, so that tone trip is covered...You only pass this way once...GO FOR IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[vchizzle]

So you have three McCarty's? What makes you want to hang on to the older ones if you like the new blueberry so much?

the older 2 are standards, they are my main gigging guitars and my favorite overall model. These 2 ring like a bell and are spectacular. The new BB is awesome as well in a different way.

 

[vchizzle]

To me, returning it for the money that I am going to use on the HB would be all the motivation I need.

Yes, I've thought about that, even if it will be a little wait for me to bank the additional $ on the HB.

 

[László]

I've let go a few that I truly regretted.

If you like this one, it's a bird in the hand. You have to save up for the other one anyway, so maybe it's best to hang onto this one, and just save a little longer.

 

[C&M Music - Lafayette]

How Do I let Good Guitars Go?

Being a music man does not always pay well enough to keep them. It does keep the blues comin' though!

 

[Steph]

I guess the easiest answer is: You don't.

 

[BostonGuitar]

I had to face this last month and it was VERY difficult...
I ended up letting a STELLAR DGT Standard fly away only to keep a STELLAR DGT in one-off McCartyburst...
The standard complimented my goldtop DGT and Lester better, but the McBurst REALLY stood out as a guitar I NEEDed...
Tough choice, but it is hard to regret. Just wish I coulda kept them both...

 

[s.fitzsimmons]

How about just throwing a piezo in one?

 

[garrett]

I guess the easiest answer is: You don't.

This, pretty much. I did let go of my CU24 though, and used the same logic as Sergio's...

Realize what a shame it will be to not play it often and think about how somebody else will be super psyched to get a great Mac.

Great as it was, the guitar just didn't work for me anymore and spent a few years mostly sitting in its case in the closet. I'd like to think the guy who bought it from me was stoked to have it in his hands.

 

[Rango]

How about just throwing a piezo in one?

I've seen a few guys lately going this route.

Just depends on what tones you are after besides the Piezo - McCarty or HB?

I've really bonded with my P22 - I'd nudge you that way.

I get your dilemma - I've only returned one ever - for just the reason you descibe. It was a MINT used '52 RI Tele - but I discovered it didn't give me any tones I didn't already have with my Tele Deluxe. So I took it back - hard to do, it was a great guitar. I did put that money toward a the P22!

 

[dmorton67]

I've never returned a guitar. I have all the ones I've ever owned. I can't let any go. I just can't do it.

 

[vchizzle]

I've let go a few that I truly regretted.

If you like this one, it's a bird in the hand. You have to save up for the other one anyway, so maybe it's best to hang onto this one, and just save a little longer.

Yeah, but I don't need 2 new guitars...if money were no object - 100% different answer, but well, you know..

How about just throwing a piezo in one?

If I had a HB already without it, I'd do it in a heartbeat. If I could get the PRS system in a solidbody, would seriously consider...I don't care for the graph tech saddles on guitars.

I've seen a few guys lately going this route.

Just depends on what tones you are after besides the Piezo - McCarty or HB?

I've really bonded with my P22 - I'd nudge you that way.

I get your dilemma - I've only returned one ever - for just the reason you descibe. It was a MINT used '52 RI Tele - but I discovered it didn't give me any tones I didn't already have with my Tele Deluxe. So I took it back - hard to do, it was a great guitar. I did put that money toward a the P22!

I like the p22, will probably like the new 5708 loaded one even better. But when I played the SC HB II and the P22 I liked the electric tone of the SC HB II better. It had a different depth to it and sounded great clean and with high gain.

 

[vchizzle]

Since I didn't do a NGD, and that's frowned upon. I'll post a pic here. I didn't really want to do a thread as I didn't know if I was keeping the guitar. Stupid reasoning I suppose. But here is the new 1957/2008 McCarty...#95. Blueberry finish faded to a kind of charcoal with faint purple/blue hues.

 

[C&M Music - Lafayette]

Since I didn't do a NGD, and that's frowned upon. I'll post a pic here. I didn't really want to do a thread as I didn't know if I was keeping the guitar. Stupid reasoning I suppose. But here is the new 1957/2008 McCarty...#95. Blueberry finish faded to a kind of charcoal with faint purple/blue hues.

I like that guitar. That is really nice! good Score!

 

[cosmic_ape]

Carl Verheyen once told me: "If it sounds good, don't get rid of it!"