Mozzi
https://imgur.com/user/BAMozzy/posts
- Joined
- Jun 2, 2018
- Messages
- 4,153
I respect that viewpoint, but I would play it. I might not broadcast that I had it, but I wouldn’t hide it. I have a fundamental belief that I am wasting my money if I buy something for it’s possible future value. If I am not going to get enough joy out of it just by owning it, I walk away.
The only way I would be purchasing 'vintage' instruments would be if I happened to find someone selling an 'old' relic guitar that they think is just 'used' and selling as a 'used' cheap guitar that I could immediately make a sizeable profit on. For example, if I found a 57 Strat being sold at a car boot sale for under $1k because the owner doesn't know they have a 'vintage' instrument that I could sell for $20+k - I certainly wouldn't be buying one as an 'investment' piece in the hope my $25k can be doubled in 10yrs.
I tried to use 'Cars' as an analogy - that someone may buy a 'Vintage' Ferrari that sits in their garage year after year after year. Only taken out on sunny days to make sure its still running barely putting any mileage on to it. Also having a better more modern car that gets used everyday, something that means you don't have to or need to drive the vintage car that is accruing more value by just sitting there. That owner still loves his vintage car, still cherishes it and doesn't want to drive it everyday to ensure its safe, its protected and has absolutely no desire to sell - despite its increasing value - they love it more than its monetary value.
I guess there is a part of me that sees Guitars as more than 'just' a tool for making music. Part of me that sees guitars as 'Art', that appreciates the craftsmanship that goes into making an instrument. Maybe that's like the car owner that has a daily drive that they maintain, clean and polish regularly, the car owner that appreciates the design, the form factor and artistic/aesthetic of vehicles. The person that would look at a Ferrari or Lamborghini as things of beauty rather than just a car for going very fast in. If I owned a PRS Dragon, I would be pretty much the same as I would with a Vintage LP or Strat - keeping it locked away, safe in a conducive environment only taking it out periodically to play, to look at, to check everything is OK before putting it away and playing on my Core PRS guitars. If I was a recording artist, maybe the 'dragon' would be used occasionally if I needed it for a specific tone but it certainly wouldn't go on tour, wouldn't be played daily or put in a glass case so the UV can affect it or others see it. I would rather buy a core PRS and try and give me the sounds of the Dragon so I wouldn't 'need' to play it. For me, it would be more about appreciating and protecting its beauty, its aesthetic. I would be an incredibly proud and honoured to own such an incredible piece of craftsmanship - so much so that I would do everything I can to ensure it is protected and safe. It wouldn't necessarily be 'just' an investment (same as with a Vintage guitar) - its monetary value is secondary.
The reason I would 'hide' it away is to make sure it stays in exactly the same condition and so I wouldn't be tempted to take it out and maybe adding to its 'ageing'. It would purely be an 'investment' purchase and I would see little reason to 'play' it if I had a Silver Sky. I maybe would be tempted to trade in a vintage strat for $28k (but only as I am not really a strat player - if it was a real 50's Les Paul, I would sell other things to get a 594 and do what ever I can to keep the vintage LP safe, protected etc) and spend $2.2k of that on a Silver Sky to replace it but I know I would feel a bit annoyed if in 10yrs time, that Strat is now worth $50+k. I would certainly prefer to just buy a SS and let that take the brunt of playing whilst the old Strat sits safely in its case, maturing in value as the years go by. Even still the financial value wouldn't be its primary concern to me, its historic value as well as appreciation of the aesthetic etc it weighs its financial value and, it would be the last thing I would sell because getting another one would be extremely unlikely.
Its not 'hiding' them away just to accumulate financial value, its hiding them away because I love and cherish them more and wouldn't want to risk any damage or additional wear to keep them at the condition they are in - keeping any wear to the barest minimum. I would buy alternative options as my 'daily' player to replace the need to play a vintage option. I wouldn't buy just any 'Vintage' instrument as an investment, I would only buy instruments that I love and cherish for what they are first and foremost. Its like someone who loves Lamborghini Countach for example and would only buy these because they love them, not because in 10yrs tome they maybe worth a lot more, doesn't buy just any vintage cars either because they aren't 'special' to them.