“The Joy of Collecting the Best Guitars: A Guide for Enthusiasts.”
For musicians and guitar enthusiasts, the joys of acquiring, restoring, and creating unique collections of guitars can be downright electrifying. From the thrill of the hunt to the soulful sound of a vintage axe, collecting guitars can be a rewarding and incredibly satisfying hobby. Whether collecting as an investment or with an eye toward bragging rights, many guitarists around the world enjoy tracking down and owning the best guitars they can find.
This blog post serves as a comprehensive guide to the hobby of collecting guitars. Here, we take a look at what it takes to start and maintain an impressive guitar collection. From helpful tips to insider advice, this blog post is sure to provide you with the knowledge and insight you need to start collecting the best guitars out there. Read on to learn more!
What is Guitar Collecting?
Guitar collecting is the practice of assembling an inventory of guitars for the purpose of restoration, resale, or display. Guitar collectors can choose from a wide range of instruments, from classic models to vintage masterpieces to custom-made creations. In some cases, collectors may focus their efforts on one particular type or brand of guitar.
The Reasons for Collecting Guitars
The reasons behind collecting guitars can vary as much as the collections themselves. For some, collecting guitars is purely a matter of financial investment, while others may be after the bragging rights associated with owning rare and valuable instruments. For others, collecting guitars can be a way to connect with history and experience the thrill of restoring vintage instruments. Each collector’s individual motivations will ultimately guide the nature of their guitar-collecting pursuits.
Getting Started with Guitar Collecting
When starting out as a guitar collector, there are a few key steps and considerations you’ll need to take. Here, we take a look at some of the most important aspects of how to get started collecting guitars.
Do Your Research
When it comes to guitar collecting, knowledge is key. As such, it’s important to do your homework and become familiar with different types and models of guitars, as well as their approximate market values. Networking with other guitar collectors and reading up on vintage instruments and collectibles can help you build your understanding of the hobby and the gear involved.
Set Your Budget
Once you have a good idea of the types of guitars you would like to focus on, it’s important to set a budget and stick to it. When starting out in the guitar-collecting world, it can be easy to get carried away with the thrill of the hunt. Knowing how much you have to spend and where your limits lie can help you make smart decisions and ensure that you don’t overextend your wallet.
Find A Geographical “Base”
For many collectors, finding deals and sourcing instruments is all about location. Depending on where you live, you may want to focus your search in an area known for its greasy garages, dusty attics and antique stores. The closer you are to sources of vintage guitars and parts, the easier it will be to put together an impressive collection.
Familiarize Yourself with Repairs
Unless you are only collecting already-assembled instruments, you will likely need to become familiar with the process of repairing and restoring guitars. You’ll need some basic tools and the ability to solder, plus you’ll need to understand the inner workings of guitars and the common problems that can be encountered. If you don’t have the skills or knowledge to do repairs yourself, finding reputable professionals to help can be a huge plus.
Find a Good Source of Supplies
Whether you are restoring, repairing or just buffing up your collection, you’ll need access to the right parts and supplies. This means finding a good source of replacement parts, as well as supplies for personalizing your collection. A good source of supplies will not only have quality items at reasonable prices, but will also provide helpful advice and potential resources for finding obscure or hard-to-find parts.
Know Your Values
In addition to judging a guitar based on aesthetics and sound, collectors must also be familiar with the market values of pieces in their collection. Knowing what a guitar is worth (both monetarily and historically) is key for determining both the short-term and long-term worth of a collection piece.
Avoid Common Mistakes
When starting out, it’s important to stay away from common pitfalls and poor decisions. This includes understanding hidden fees that may be associated with deals, such as shipping and repair costs. Similarly, it’s important to avoid overpaying for a guitar or putting too much money into a ’fixer-upper.’ Finally, it is suggested to budget your time and resources, as many vintage pieces can require intensive restoration before they play like new.
Caring For Your Collection
Discounting guitars that will serve as investments or not be actively played, maintaining a guitar collection is essential. Proper care can ensure that guitars are kept in working order and hold up to the test of time. Here, we’ll look at some of the steps and tips to caring for a guitar collection.
Keep Them Clean and Dry
An important part of caring for a guitar collection is keeping the instruments clean and free from dirt and dust, as well as moisture or other liquids. Guitars should be wiped down after each use, and should be stored in a cool, dry place when not in use. It’s also important to be aware of how humidity or other temperature variances can affect the longevity of a guitar’s condition.
Polish If Necessary
If needed, instrument exteriors can be polished and buffed. Be sure to use a quality guitar polish, and avoid using any harsh chemicals or abrasive polishes. Additionally, plastic parts may require special care, so be sure to research which polishes are safe to use on such materials.
Store Carefully
When storing away a guitar, it’s important to make sure that it remains unaffected by changes in the atmosphere. Most importantly, never place steel strings on a guitar that is not in use for an extended period of time. Fretboard woods can crack or warp due to humidity changes, so it’s best to store instruments in cases filled with padding or other supportive materials.
Get Expert Opinion
If you are not sure on the value or worth of a guitar in your collection, it’s important to reach out to an expert in such matters. Appraisers can provide you with a comprehensive assessment of the guitar and its history, as well as its current market worth. Although such appraisals aren’t foolproof, they can provide a valuable resource for those looking to get the most out of their guitar collection.
Insuring Your Guitars
While there are different forms of insurance available, it is generally advised to invest in general property and casualty coverage with extended coverage tailored to instruments and collectibles. If you choose to go this route, be sure to work closely with an experienced insurance agent who can advise you of the best options for your needs.
Where to Buy Guitars
Now that you have a better understanding of how to get started investing in your guitar collection, we’ll take a look at some of the best places to find the instruments you need.
Online Auctions
Online auctions are a great way to find affordable, quality pieces for those on a restricted budget. Popular sites include eBay, Craigslist and Reverb, where you can find a wide variety of vintage and modern guitars. When searching, be sure to read up on the seller and make sure to ask plenty of questions before submitting an offer.
Antique Stores
As previously mentioned, antiquing can be a great way to find gems in the rough. If you live in a region known for its antique stores, be sure to visit regularly, as individual stores may cycle through their products and inventory on a regular basis. Additionally, many antique stores will also be more than happy to work with you on trading goods or bartering prices.
Private Re-sellers
While looking for used goods can be a great way to find gems, be sure to thoroughly investigate potential deals and understand the common pitfalls associated with used goods. Always be sure to ask for proof of ownership, and to negotiate only with reputable and trusted sellers.
The Joys of Collecting
At the end of the day, the enjoyment in collecting guitars comes from discovering and appreciating pieces of history along the way. Whether for personal entertainment and use or for investment value or bragging rights, creating and curating collections of guitars has long been a rewarding pastime for generations of musicians and enthusiasts alike. With the insight offered in this blog, we hope that you’ve learned the tricks to starting and maintaining an impressive collection of the best guitars out there. Good luck in your pursuits!