what guitar have you had the longest or will never sell?

[elguicho]

It seems like guitar players have a real problem with buying and selling so I was wondering what guitar have you owned the longest or which one you will never sell. All my guitars are pretty new but the one I will never sell is my Rice Custom. It has a lot of sentimental value and it is one amazing tele. I'm actually thinking about selling my 70's fender tele and keep only the Rice because I know the fender won't get played much anymore.
http://s1.simpload.com/122045895fd657c93.jpg

[dhdfoster]

I will never sell my 59 Guild X175. Ever, ever....ever, ever.

[Don L]

The guitar I had the longest is a 1985 Martin D-28 that I bought used in '87. Wifey won't let me sell it.
The one I should never sell would be the 1964 ES-335...

http://mywebpages.comcast.net/dhl67/cherry1.jpg

[Bluewail]

In 1966 I worked the entire summer to save up $660 for a Gibson ES-345. Still have it to this day and it being buried with me when the music stops.

[cram]

It's a peice of crap kramer that I never (or rarely) play anymore, but I don't care. It's my first guitar. It's the one I played hours and hours of scales, chords, rhythms and doing anything I could to learn more.

It was made in neptune nj. It's from the early 80's I believe. I keep it stringed and in the case. I pull it out once in a while and play it for a bit. It's a great playing guitar, but the electronics are a bit worn and if I don't keep the input jack *just right*, it cuts out. hehehe.

My reasons are sentimental and that is all.
I'll never get rid of it.
Period.

[Crazyquilt]

The guitar I've owned the longest is my '93 Hamer Special P-90. Still a great guitar, although I do sometimes consider selling it. Thing is, the amount I'd make from it keeps it from going on the block, even if sentimentality gets overridden.

There are two guitars I definitely will never sell, and, if I did, my wife would probably beat about the head & shoulders & then buy them back. The first is my National Delphi. The second is my late '40s ES-125.

http://www.crazyquiltarts.com/images/remote/125-5.jpg

Now, admittedly, the honeymoon isn't over yet, but I've become almost unhealthily attached to my Gretsch 6120, aka Yojimbo:

http://www.crazyquiltarts.com/images/remote/Yojimbo/12-19-2006%2011-35-06%20AM_061.JPG

[StJimmy]

1959 Stratocaster is the one I've owned the longest (over 30 years), but the one I'll never part with is an inexpensive Epiphone Beast that belonged to my late son. He got it for Christmas in 2002 and played the snot out of it until he died in 2004.
http://www.williamjakeaustin.com/images/JakesRoom.jpg

[KRosser]

I have a Guild D-25 acoustic that I bought in 1976, when I was 14 years old. Saved up my lawn mowing money, rode my bike to the guitar store, and made the very rickety and awkward bike ride back home with the guitar. It's been through all manners of gigs & the vicissitudes of life and has the battle scars to show for it. That one's going to the grave with me.

I have two Saul Koll Custom T-types I will never sell.

I have four Jerry Jones guitars I will never sell

I have a G&L ASAT and Legacy it's highly, highly unlikely I would ever sell.

I have a Gibson 335 and Goldtop LP that aren't going anywhere anytime soon either.

For me, gear auditions are always real short. If I turn it around, it's going to be very quickly. Once I start working with it, it's around to stay for a long time.

But, you know - it's all relative. If something happened to my kids where I desperately needed the money, out they all go. It'll just be me & the Guild at that point.

[MarcJ]

I've got a '74 tobacco burst Standard my Father bought for me when I was 16. My Dad died 4 years ago. The Standard will be with me until I die.

[buddastrat]

My nocaster '02. They screwed up at the factory and put the hotter (10K) tele pickup in it. I sanded off all the finish from the neck then had a thin sealer applied to protect, a vintage compound radius and big frets put on. It's awesome and I'll never sell...and I hate teles, or used to.

Next thing I might do is paint it. I hate the yellow Keith Richards look.

[DejavuDave]

1967 Rickenbacker 360-12. :D

[FlyingVBlues]

I have a 1959 ES-355 that I bought new in 1961 when I was 11 years old. I've used it on thousand's of gigs, and I have a great sentimental attachment to it. I will never sell it. It's completely original except for 2 refret's, the reversed bridge pickup (a great Danny Gatton story is behind that) and replaced pots and knobs. I still have the original pots and knobs, along with the sales receipt, the hang tags and all of the other stuff that Gibson included with the guitar.


http://members.aol.com/flyingvblues/images/ES355.jpg

FVB

[bynt]

84' MIJ Strat. I've been broke, lost, relatively homeless, rehab, carreer change, one exwife, one current, style changes, personality changes, crisis and joys of various types and have gotten rid of almost every peice of gear I've ever aquired, but that one stays. I think my current wife and I were meant to find each other and feel the same way about that guitar. I really love it considering it would be a nominal guitar to most people that didn't play it. It's one of the magic ones though. I know, hoakey, but....:)

[drolling]

Some really nice gits in this thread!

I've also got an ES-125.. a '59 that's really been thru' the mill - neck reset that was done at least 20 years ago & new med-jumbo frets (they were right down to the wood when I got the guitar!) Also had to replace the non-original tuners b/c the buttons were dissolving! But there's magic in this one..it's been played A LOT.

My main guitar's a '52 RI tele.. from the very first batch in 1982. Played the finish right off the neck and just had it planed into a compound radius & my favorite med. jumbos installed. The most comfortable electric I've ever played with the flatter radius & bigger frets - I plan on doing this to my '54 RI strat, but the frets still have a couple more years in 'em.

I also put an SD Nashville Studio in the neck.. Seymour's changed the name as well as the recipe for these p-ups - The new one's aren't RW/RP & just don't sound the same, either. The last thing I "fixed" on this guitar were the saddles. Mine are made by Dale Clark @ Glendale; extra-large & compensated.. plays in perfect tune all the way to the TOP fret now, w/twice the sustain! From jazz thru' fusion/funk to squeaky clean chick'n pickn.. I can pull it all out of this old tele!

[mprvise]

1982 Washburn T-bird - my first "real" guitar. It's been a a friend's house for 12 years now and still gets played regularly. Great sounding humbuckers in that guitar! (No photo available.)

1986 ES-335 - Bought new with high school graduation money (and a crappy Kramer trade).

http://i101.photobucket.com/albums/m50/mprvise/335close.jpg

[Telecaster62]

1971 Goldtop Les Paul Deluxe. My dad helped me buy it in '76. It was my first "real" electric and I worked all summer to save for it. I was 14 and the only job I could get was cutting grass. No wonder I hate to cut grass now. Still my dad ended up paying more than half. I'm sure he did it out of love. He died in '95. The guitar will never leave me until I'm gone. Then it will go to my son or daughter. It's strange but that guitar is one of the few Norlin era Gibbies that somehow has the magic. I guess I'm just lucky and hope I've made Dad proud.

[Aaron Cheney]

I have one of the earliest EBMM Silhouettes, a 95 Taylor 514C, and a 2000 strat that I'll never sell.

A

[drolling]

It's completely original except for the reversed neck pickup (a great Danny Gatton story is behind that)HAH! The very first mod I ever did was to flip over the bridge p-up! Back then (late '60s), there was a rumor going around that you'd sound like Hendrix if you turned your pickups upsidedown!!

But it sounds like you may have had your guitar worked on by Danny when he was doing that for a living.. Is that the story??

[gkoelling]

1966 Fender Music Master II. I got it brand new in 1968. Yep, it hung on the dealers wall for two years.

[Don L]

I have a 1959 ES-355 that I bought new in 1961 when I was 11 years old. I've used it on thousand's of gigs, and I have a great sentimental attachment to it. I will never sell it. It's completely original except for the reversed neck pickup (a great Danny Gatton story is behind that) and replaced pots and knobs. I still have the original pots and knobs, along with the sales receipt, the hang tags and all of the other stuff that Gibson included with the guitar.

http://members.aol.com/flyingvblues/images/ES355.jpg

FVB

That's fantastic!!

[stratzrus]

1991 Mattocaster - bought new in '91.

This was a Fender Custom Shop Strat designed by Zeke at Matt Umanov's, I think less than forty were made during it's two years of production.

Ebony board w/MOP dots, graphite nut, medium jumbo frets, swamp ash body, nitro vintage sunburst finish.

My coffin guitar.

stratzrus

[michael patrick]

I've already sold one of the two guitars I mentioned the last time one of these threads came up... :o

[r9player]

Several guitars I wont part with ..
EF-341SC Takamine .. work horse, used it at my wedding, wife says I can't sell it. and .. it wont make me any money.
My cheap Eleca strat with Langcaster pick ups .. cuz who would buy it?
I'd love to keep my Charis SJ forever but finances will dictate that same as my Langcaster Cobra two last ones to go if must.

[doctorx]

My 1960 Strat I bought for $300 in 1976. As it has been said, this guitar will be buried with me.

http://www.regiscoyne.com/60_strat/60%20strat01.jpg

[Old Tele man]

...still got and playing the 1968 Telecaster that I bought new in 1968 from Henson's Music, Oxnard, CA.

[stratzrus]

My 1960 Strat I bought for $300 in 1976. As it has been said, this guitar will be buried with me.

http://www.regiscoyne.com/60_strat/60%20strat01.jpg

Now that's what I call relic'd!

Where you bein' buried? Igor and I have our work cut out....

stratrzrus

[Mike Duncan]

http://pic16.picturetrail.com/VOL664/3909625/8084735/143480776.jpg

All others can come and go, but this '93 SRV Strat is my most special! My Mom and Dad bought it new for me after having a VERY rough time in my life (I did trade an American Standard to my Dad in the deal). It's like putting on a comfy pair of jeans.

http://pic16.picturetrail.com/VOL664/3909625/8084735/170534068.jpg

[scottlr]

When you die, your body is just an empty shell. Don't bury a vintage guitar with an empty shell! Leave it to someone that will take over for you as its caretaker. You really can't take it with you. ;)

[Hackubus]

My '79 Les Paul Custom. I busted my tail to get that, starved myself in the process. For the longest time, I thought it would be my 'goin' in the ground with me' guitar, but I've reconsidered that a bit. lol

[doctorx]

Now that's what I call relic'd!

Where you bein' buried? Igor and I have our work cut out....

stratrzrus

:rotflmao

Yeah, it's pretty beat up. Rory Galleghers guitar is worse, but not my much.

Maybe I should get my body and the guitar covered in lighter fluid and sacrificed to the gods of rock and roll, aka Hendrix!

[r9player]

yeah don't get buried with yer guitar .. man you'll prolly need to sell that to pay for the funeral ...

[Bushman]

I don't think I'll ever sell my #1

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v203/Bushman2/LesPaulCustom1sm.jpg

[enharmonic]

I don't know that I'll ever sell my Ian Anderson Standard. I have owned guitars longer, and loved them all for what they did, but something about the IA speaks to me in a way that few other guitars ever have.

I love the nods to classic designs without being a clone of any. I love the neck dimensions. I love the way the entire guitar just vibrates when I play it. The only thing that I am learning to live with are the small frets, but worst case scenario I could always get a refret (and Phil Jacoby would be just the man for the job)

The guitar has got "it". Matte told me it did, and he was on the money.

Having said that...never say never. If through some twist of fate the IA's went into the stratosphere like early Baker's or the JG's, I'd likely be motivated to sell...but only because I could probably find something else that I would be happy to play, and could use the difference to make a house payment or two :D

[Aahzz]

I've sold every guitar that I said "I'll never sell", therefore I refuse to say that any more.

[dave s]

About 5 years ago I spec'd and purchased a Grosh Retro Classic. It was such a wonderful guitar, I ordered a second (from stock) from FatSoundGuitars.

The stock Grosh from FSG was even better, MUCH better as a matter of fact, than the one I spe'd and ordered that it quickly became my #1 gigging guitar.

It still is.

The Oly White Grosh RC in alder/rosewood with fralin vintage blues and a steel pole 43 in the bridge hasn't been knocked from the top spot by several worthy contenders.

This guitar will never get away!

dave

[EunosFD]

I've owned my CS "American Classic Strat" for approximately 13yrs. now and I have absolutely no intention of ever selling it. The neck isn't as chunky or wide as I'd prefer, but I've come to love it as-is and can't imagine ever selling it. Plus I freakin' LOVE the majorly pimptastic "Aurora Glow" (holoflake) finish:

http://thumb9.webshots.net/t/56/56/6/49/7/473264907DiDIUB_th.jpg (http://home-and-garden.webshots.com/photo/1473264907075617209DiDIUB)

[codeorama]

This LP Custom.
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y12/codeorama/3d6b0489.jpg
A white custom has always been my dream guitar and I was finally able to buy one in 2005. We found out my wife was pregnant shortly afterwards with our first son whom we had tried to conceive for 6 years. This guitar will get passed down to him someday. Don't get me wrong, it gets gigged with and isn't babied, but I couldn't sell it.

[Zero]

I have a '78 Strat that I've replaced the neck, trem (OFR), bridge pickup (hum), pickguard, output jack, strap pins, and tuners. I don't even like playing it anymore. It weighs a ton, and I'm used to Ibanez RG's now but I wouldn't sell it (not like I could anyway).

[Mullet Kingdom]

Wow! Lots of great gits here!

If the parts themselves count, I've had the neck since '94 and the body since '95 -- though it wasn't technically a guitar until January '99 -- just a collection of parts waiting to be assembled.

http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g227/greg-78704/guitars_01/100_0096.jpg

http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g227/greg-78704/guitars_01/juanita02.jpg

It's a bit too bright for my liking -- which I suspect has something to do with the combination of a swamp ash body and a neck with a double expanding truss-rod. I can't bring myself to sell it, so I'm going to try a vintage construction neck with a single truss-rod and put the other neck on a hardtail alder body.

[MightyGuru]

1980 ES 175D I've had since '85.

[scottlr]

I haven't had my current herd all that long, maybe 5-6 years tops. Before that, I had a G&L Skyhawk that I'd had for over 20 years. Never played it anymore and finally sold it. Probably the only possible guitar I might consider selling is my Gretsch 57 RI Silver Jet, and it is not too far from the "bonding" :) Once bonded, they become permanent these days. Too many cool guitars I have let slip through my fingers over the last 40 years!

[Brett Valentine]

'65 ES 335 that I traded a Les Paul SG for in 1979

http://img19.imageshack.us/img19/28/65335a3aol5.jpg
Brett

[Gavin]

Owned my Driskill longer than any other guitar. Thought I'd never sell it but just took in some foster kids that will most likely be staying with me permanently. Probably going on eBay in the near future.:puh

http://www.driskillguitars.com/images/Gavin/Gavin%20Blue2.jpg

[r9player]

Great looking guitar and even more wonderful to hear you are taking in some foster kids!

Owned my Driskill longer than any other guitar. Thought I'd never sell it but just took in some foster kids that will most likely be staying with me permanently. Probably going on eBay in the near future.:puh

[FlyingVBlues]

HAH! The very first mod I ever did was to flip over the bridge p-up! Back then (late '60s), there was a rumor going around that you'd sound like Hendrix if you turned your pickups upsidedown!!

But it sounds like you may have had your guitar worked on by Danny when he was doing that for a living.. Is that the story??

Danny and I were friends since the late 70's. My 355 had seen a lot of use and the pots started to get really scratchy. I was going to bring the guitar up to New Jersey to have a friend who was a luthier change the pots and do a few other maintenance items. When I mentioned this to Danny he said he could do it in about an hour, and so one Saturday afternoon I drove out to his place with the guitar. Changing the pots in a 335 is bad. Changing them in a 355 is worse, because of the inductor for the Varitone and the set of shields that protect the pots from interference. It took us a couple of hours to get the pots out, and by that time Danny was pretty mad. We went out to do a beer run, and came back with a couple of cases of beer. Getting the new pots in wasn't any easier, especially since we started drinking pretty seriously. In order to fiddle with the wiring harness we pulled the bridge pickup. We finally got the guitar back together, which was pretty amazing considering we were both pretty drunk. When we put the pickup back in it was backwards and neither of us was coherent enough to notice. I always intended to pull the pickup and put it back in correctly, but I never got around to it. After Danny died I decided to leave it the way it was as a way of remembering him.

FVB

[Pete Galati]

http://lasttelecaster.home.comcast.net/OldTele/oldTeleAfter.jpg

Although, I suppose I've owned my Martin knockoff longer.

[LPSlinger]

The guitar I've had the longest is a MIM Stratocaster. If someone made me a decent offer on it I would sell it because it doesn't play that great...plus I could use the money to get a GOOD Strat.

The one I'll never sell is a 1998 MIM Fender Telecaster. For some reason it plays better than any other Telecaster I've tried. It also has the weirdest skunk stripe I've ever seen. It is actually is a light golden color near the heel getting darker to a golden brown toward the headstock. It doesn't look like any walnut I've ever seen on a guitar. It is really strange and is one of the reasons I bought it.

[Dana Olsen]

http://i68.photobucket.com/albums/i40/danacaster/NAMM2005031.jpgThat's my '59 ES-335, my '56 Tele, and my co-owned w/ Mark Robinson '56 LP Junior along with Mark Bartel of Tone King (back to the camera) and his mid '80's Strat. I probably won't be selling any of them soon, or my '56 TV LP Special.

I love old guitars, and those are all keepers.

Dana O.

[kingsleyd]

1957 gibson es350TDN.
purchased in 1968.

dt / spltrcl

big fan of that one, dt! :dude

For me it's a Martin D35 that I purchased on 1/2/89.

With electrics, i've been a terrible love-em-and-leave-em type over the years. But i'm a few months shy of 10 years with this one: http://images.lilypix.com/displayimage.php?album=1374&pos=1 which will be the first time i've ever kept an electric guitar for that long.

[walpow]

1954 Gibson ES-125. My father bought it for me in the late '50s, when I was nine or ten.

http://walpow.com/images/palers/gibson.jpg

[Dave Orban]

I've owned this for a little over 4 years now... it's a '53 Gibson ES-175, and it's my main gigging guitar. I had a forced sell-off last year, due to being unemployed, and a LOT of guitars and amps went. This, fortunately, was not among them... ;)

http://www.oydesign.com/gypsies/pictures/53es175case3.jpg

On the acoustic side, I have a '56 Gibson LG-2... it's a real beater -- lots of stabilized top cracks -- but it sounds like a million bucks. Those two would be the ones that I would try like hell to hold on to...

[mad dog]

'61 strat, bought it in '75. Next longest owned, Conde Hermanos classical, bought in 1980.

[Mark Kane]

'69 Deluxe. Put a deposit on this one in November of '69 and paid it off in Feb. '70. In March my brother and I routed it out for humbuckers, scraped the gold off and sunbursted it. It's on it's 4th finish and 4th set of frets. I played this guitar pretty much fulltime, 5 or 6 nites a week, 4 to 6 sets for over 10 years. Dozens and dozens have came and gone since including many '50's gibsons and fenders and this one always made the cut.

http://images.lilypix.com/albums/olddata/1679091c5a880faf6fb5e6087eb1b2dc/normal_17_p44976.jpg

[hogy]

'69 Deluxe. Put a deposit on this one in November of '69 and paid it off in Feb. '70. In March my brother and I routed it out for humbuckers, scraped the gold off and sunbursted it. It's on it's 4th finish and 4th set of frets. I played this guitar pretty much fulltime, 5 or 6 nites a week, 4 to 6 sets for over 10 years. Dozens and dozens have came and gone since including many '50's gibsons and fenders and this one always made the cut.

http://images.lilypix.com/albums/olddata/1679091c5a880faf6fb5e6087eb1b2dc/normal_17_p44976.jpg

Damn, that gold finish did age nicely since I last saw it. Sweet!


Hogy

[Shnook]

The one I'll never sell...

http://i136.photobucket.com/albums/q196/Noitpure/IMG_0176.jpg

[Marty s Horne]

I bought a McNaught Phoenix 4 1/2 years ago and it's my all time favorite. I use it for all my gigs except outdoor ones and it's going the distance with me.

[Mark Kane]

Damn, that gold finish did age nicely since I last saw it. Sweet!


Hogy

You really nailed the color my friend, it looks great, right in between your old '53 and Mike's '55.

[Dabluzeguy]

My '79 Lester, K.M. model... http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y168/dabluzeguy/6b674b2f.jpg
The coolest gift from my mother, 6 months before she passed away. It's retired now, but will definitely stay in the family.

[slipbeer]

1960 beat to shit LP Standard. I've had it since 1970 and it's candidate for one of those full on ground up restorations. Original hardware, pickups and plastic all busted up and gone along with alot of the finish.

I really need to get a decent picture of it in all it's hacked up glory. But even though I've had a couple of ridiculous offers for it, considering it's condition, it ain't goin' nowhere.

[HEY!YOU!]

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v520/bh2285/IMG_0003.jpg

[morlll]

68 Tele I got in the late 70's and a Les Paul 96 Goldtop LE. I got in 2000.

Both very nice. Keepers.

I need another acoustic that would be a keeper. My Gramer is getting old.

[Deaj]

My 1988 PRS CE24 stays. It will go to my son when I die. It's not the guitar I play regularly (I'm a strat man) but I love playing it and it sounds amazing! That one's the keeper.

[SFK]

I've had this one since Christmas '85. It was quite a pleasant surprise.

Thanks Mom!

http://pic40.picturetrail.com/VOL361/492960/12708914/187331895.jpg

[SFK]

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v520/bh2285/IMG_0003.jpg

You better give that back. ;)

[Csapo]

Waited too long and searched very hard. This one will be passed on through the family.

http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f399/Csapo/01CustomShopMartyStuartSignatureTel.jpg

[BuddyGuit]

1964 Howard Roberts Epiphone

[tonedaddy]

'63 Strat owned since the mid-70's.
Everything I have is for sale for the right price.
My kids are out on their own now, but I would have cut a nice deal on the pair on the right day.

I've never understood the "they'll bury me with this guitar" thing either since I first heard it 30+ years ago. Come to think of it, Joe said it about his '54 Goldtop and '54 Strat. I wonder if he ever recovered......
:eek: :D

[avincent52`]

My kids are out on their own now, but I would have cut a nice deal on the pair on the right day.

Tonedaddy
There are days I think about selling my kids. But the child welfare authorities frown on such things. Maybe I can trade them for a dog or something.

Threadwise, the first two objects out of the house in case of fire or natural disaster would be acoustic guitars--a 1929 Martin 00-28 and a Wayne Henderson 000-42. Other acoustics would follow.
But I'll never sell my '66 Fender Tele Frankencaster. I've had it since 1983, and I paid $250 for it. It's been stripped and rather badly refinned to a natural, the neck is from a '74 and some of the other parts are non original.
Rosewood fretboard aside, it looks quite a bit like Bruce Springsteen's Esquire.
On some level, its lack of originality kind of annoys me--especially since I could have bought a much cleaner guitar for what I spend on pedals and strings today.
I think I've hit on a plan. Buy a replacement maple neck (while stashing the original, of course) and turning it into a true Bruce/Esquire clone.

best
Allen

[Johnnyr]

My 1956 Les Paul which I bought in 1969 for $100. It is and always will be my main guitar.

Johnny

[Cross]

The second guitar I have ever owned is an Epiphone Les Paul Studio. Since Epis are generally a hit and miss brand, I definitely picked up a guitar that has caused me a bunch of problems, mainly with the input jack being loose and pickups giving out. After having SEVERAL repairs done on it over the years, it has finally been tamed, and i've used it as my "beater" guitar. I've played the bejeezus out of it, and over the years I have grown quite attached to it. My main guitar is a Gibson SG Standard, and I recently purchased another Epiphone LP as a backup, as I would like to retire the Studio LP from gigging as I can't bear to play it to death (literally!)

[GuitarsFromMars]

Danny and I were friends since the late 70's. My 355 had seen a lot of use and the pots started to get really scratchy. I was going to bring the guitar up to New Jersey to have a friend who was a luthier change the pots and do a few other maintenance items. When I mentioned this to Danny he said he could do it in about an hour, and so one Saturday afternoon I drove out to his place with the guitar. Changing the pots in a 335 is bad. Changing them in a 355 is worse, because of the inductor for the Varitone and the set of shields that protect the pots from interference. It took us a couple of hours to get the pots out, and by that time Danny was pretty mad. We went out to do a beer run, and came back with a couple of cases of beer. Getting the new pots in wasn't any easier, especially since we started drinking pretty seriously. In order to fiddle with the wiring harness we pulled the bridge pickup. We finally got the guitar back together, which was pretty amazing considering we were both pretty drunk. When we put the pickup back in it was backwards and neither of use was coherent enough to notice. I always intended to pull the pickup and put it back in correctly, but I never got around to it. After Danny died I decided to leave it the way it was as a way of remembering him.

FVB

From a guy who was merely an acquaintance of Danny's-that sounds like a Southern Maryland lets get drunk and fix it story and sounds just like Danny with a fairly large buzz on...

:cool:

[clothwiring]

I don't know but I can say this. At the beginning of last year I had 7 Stratocasters, I now have 4 and I've rotated the entire stock. I'm very happy with these, 1966 Stratocaster, 2006 EJ Stratocaster, 2006 Partocaster Gold Metalflake and 1998 Cunetto Era 50's Relic. I honestly couldn't be happier between those 4 guitars for Strats.

[TopJimmy5150]

I will NEVER sell my mid 80's Squier Stratocaster. It's a Japan-made model and it's just the sweetest guitar I've ever had the pleasure of playing. I've bought US models and wound up selling them because they never got played. It's my go-to guitar. It has Vintage Noiseless pickups and for some reason they work in that particular guitar...they seem to offset the darkness of the basswod. To be honest, the original japan single coils, although really lousy, even sounded good in that guitar.

[Norse]

My dream guitar... 73 Tele - neck replaced twice, and the body once... Essentially, we will never part....

[jgyn]

Longest: 1979 Les Paul Custom (bought mid 80s)
Never Sell: 1969 Les Paul Deluxe (bought 2004)

[Butterfly]

Longest and I guess at this point never sell
79 Les paul doublecut with P90s

http://36.photobucket.com/albums/e18/Butterfly5310/Picture151.jpg

[Frater B]

the longest and will never sell: Silvetta
I don't see my Koll going anywhere either!

[jonleecourage]

Schechter Jimi Hendrix strat, mid-80's vintage, in white on white.

[Alvis]

I would like to sell none of 'em ,but they're all for sale if need be.
It's great to read everyones guitar stories ,especially this time of year.So many common experiences,throwin papers,mowin lawns,workin in factories or gifts from mom & pop because they knew how much it meant to ya.

My parents were NOT into us boys becoming musicians,but I remember my dad goin around to music stores in 1970 because my oldest bro wanted a fuzztone

My dad bought me this guitar in Detroit when I was in the 10th grade.Horrible rod ,but I learned a lot of stuff on it tryin to play along with Montrose,Albert King,Skynyrd ,Lizzy.It left me in a gear trade in '84,but came back some how last year

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v36/ayhcult/stax025.jpg

My senior year o' high school my parents got me this dog ass heavy '79 Strat that the woman is holding,at Guitar Center in Chicago.They thought I was fairly serious about playin the instrument and they felt kinda bad that I was goin to 3 high schools in 3 time zones.My 1st good guitar anyhow

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v36/ayhcult/Stratwife.jpg

Unfortunately,I've parted that guitar out over the years ,trading the body to Fatdog for a light re-re-finned '72 body.Sold the skinny neck,replaced with an allparts FAT nexk.I only have the neck pickup ,tuners and the neck plate from the guitar my parents bought.What a rotten kid!

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v36/ayhcult/stratzrboring.jpg

[glaswerks]

This one I bought in 1986. I was wandering through Milanos in Mesa and spotted it. First time I had ever seen a rosewood Tele. They had got it that day and I bought it on the spot. It was my number one gigging guitar in my C&W years. I will die with it in my hands!

Still has original pickups, frets and pots. I did have to replace the switch about 3 months ago. This guitar weighs in at about 8 1/2 lbs.

http://glaswerks.com/images/guitars/86rosewood.jpg

[Teleplayer]

I've had my '57 LP Jr. for 27 years.

[Fripperton]

I've had my BC Rich Eagle since 1978. My wife bought it for me and it will never leave.

http://www.guitarsandaudio.com/extras/vincegear/BCRichEgl/zBCRegl.jpg (http://www.guitarsandaudio.com/extras/vincegear/BCRichEgl/BCRegl.jpg)


http://www.guitarsandaudio.com/extras/vincegear/BCRichEgl/zBCReglbod2.jpg (http://www.guitarsandaudio.com/extras/vincegear/BCRichEgl/BCReglbod2.jpg)


This is my 1958 Epiphone Texan. It means a lot to me. When my grandfather was dying, he called me to his death bed, and knowing I always admired it, he sold me this guitar.


http://www.guitarsandaudio.com/extras/vincegear/Texan/z58Texan.JPG (http://www.guitarsandaudio.com/extras/vincegear/Texan/58Texan.JPG)

http://www.guitarsandaudio.com/extras/vincegear/Texan/z58Texanbody.JPG (http://www.guitarsandaudio.com/extras/vincegear/Texan/58Texanbody.JPG)

[usc96]

Here's a 1976 Fender Mustang I've had since 1982 or so. I traded a rich kid a surfboard for it in the early 80s. His parents had just bought him a Gibson LP or some equally inappropriate guitar for a 10 year old, so he had no need for this lesser guitar anymore. His loss = my gain. I still have this, my first guitar, and it's in great condition. In fact, I was playing it earlier today. :JAM

http://www.fittobemen.com/forums/gallery/files/2/3/1/guitar1.jpg

[phoenix 7]

A 1977 Ramirez 1a classical guitar. Bought in December '86 with my first decent bonus and money my grandmother left to me. First great guitar I ever owned. Played it constantly as a classical guitar major in college. With me almost exactly 20 years now.

[ThatGuyChris]

I've had my Schecter since the beginning, I don't think I can part with it.

[mtndog]

68 Les Paul Custom. Original owner. It will pass on to my son.

[JimAnsell]

http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2005-2/951008/DSC03780b.jpg
these are the big 3 that i will never sell.
i've had the deluxe the longest. I've only had it since march of 04 i think if someone put a gun to my had and said i had to pick just one, it would be the deluxe. i found it on HC classifieds for $1000 with no pictures. the guy just knew it was 70's and wine red. the guy was local, so i bombarded him with calls until i got ahold of him. I showed up at his house later and as soon i saw it, i knew i had to have it. that top is so cool. its been refretted with Stainless steel 6100's, duncan mini buckers with coil splits on both. all new electronics, new tuners, new nut. i absolutly love it, and it can do ANY style of music and do it well.

the custom would stay 2nd. its all orignal sans the bridge pickup and frets, which are also SS.

the strat i would never sell because for one thing, its so beat up i probably wouldn't get much for it. refretted w/ jumbos, aftermarket everything except body, bridge, neck, and pickguard. The neck is what i really love about it. i love the color too.

[pbradt]

This one goes in the crematorium with me. The amp, too.

http://www.guitarpete.net/images/tele2.jpg

[mikeller]

I have had very expensive guitars over the years - or should I say guitars that would be very valuable if I still owned them now. But for me, my longest and one I can't imagine ever parting with is a 1987 American Standard Strat. It is a very early production AmStnd with a glossy finish on the neck. I purchased it new. It has been the most solid, reliable and trouble-free guitar I have ever owned. Plays and sounds wonderful. It is currently fitted with OC Duffy pickups.

[ford]

I will NEVER sell my HamerUSA Daytona strat...green see-through finish over Ash... maple neck.....simply a great sounding, great playing guitar.. I've had it since 1996 or 97....

Man I love this guitar... it's about time for a refret actually..

rock

bford

[oddguitar]

Of all the guitars I've owned and currently own, the one I will never sell is my Maple neck/Alder body Klein electric. When I play at home I almost always play sitting down, and this guitar is so comfortable to play, that it makes all other guitars feel uncomfortable. The guitar originally came with a solid Rosewood neck, which I never liked the tone of, but since I had Lorenzo make me a custom Maple neck with Maple fingerboard, I love the tone of it as much as the playability and feel. I have a Teuffel Tesla on the way, so I'll have to see how it compares.

-oddguitar

[rockinh]

My '68 Tele (bought brand new) and my '65 D-35 (bought from a friend who needed $200 in 1972). Both have been over the mountains, down the trails and crossed the rivers with me; to many memories to ever part with either.

[BDUNN]

I wonder how many guitars listed previously have been sold already...... never sell..... yeah right!:)

[phretbored]

PRS CU22 Artist Package Semi Hollow Trem Burst.
Dragon II pickups that can be tapped via the push/pull tone control.
The heart and soul in this one was evident right away when I first played it.
It's one of those guitars that feels, sounds, and plays like much more than the sum of it's parts.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v357/phretbored/EBAY%20GUITARS/99PRSCU22ARTISTQUILTSEMIHOLLOW-5.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v357/phretbored/EBAY%20GUITARS/99PRSCU22ARTISTQUILTSEMIHOLLOW-7.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v357/phretbored/EBAY%20GUITARS/99PRSCU22ARTISTQUILTSEMIHOLLOW-4.jpg

[Josh O]

Ovation Standard Balladeer, limited Rubyburst finish. My wife bought it for me for Xmas back in '98. It was a complete surprise as I had picked up my first PRS, a SAS which was supposed to be my Xmas gift. She sure shocked me when I opened up another large box and had an Ovation case in my lap, open it up and whammo! Very special, my one and only acoustic.

[guitarmook]

"My" first guitar - a squier strat I won in a radio giveaway. It's been autographed by Robert Cray, Albert Collins, Buddy Guy, and Dave Alvin. I replaced the neck, pickups, and pickguard. I'll keep that one.

A 90s Gibson ES-295. Not a custom-shop, but limited production, I think. I traded the first guitar I played regularly (a Gretsch Corvette) for that one...

and finally, my first good tele - an early RI tele (4/83) a really good one that I've done a lot of cool things with.

[cmatthes]

My '81 LP Custom. Purchased it new in high school with all my hard-earned fast food money. PRS did an "Experimental" finish on it over 10 years ago, and I'll never see that one going away:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v75/cmatthes/MyBlueFlakeLPCustomtoggle.jpg

[emjee]

I have a 1959 ES-355 that I bought new in 1961 when I was 11 years old. I've used it on thousand's of gigs, and I have a great sentimental attachment to it. I will never sell it. It's completely original except for 2 refret's, the reversed bridge pickup (a great Danny Gatton story is behind that) and replaced pots and knobs. I still have the original pots and knobs, along with the sales receipt, the hang tags and all of the other stuff that Gibson included with the guitar.


http://members.aol.com/flyingvblues/images/ES355.jpg

FVB


Very cool story. I bought my first electric, a 76 in '79 (I was 19) 'baccy burst LP for five hundred, sold it a yr later for five hundred.
But today I own a 100th Anniv. NAMM Baker B1 that they will have to pry from my cold dead hands! Love to hear all these great stories.

[emjee]

My '81 LP Custom. Purchased it new in high school with all my hard-earned fast food money. PRS did an "Experimental" finish on it over 10 years ago, and I'll never see that one going away:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v75/cmatthes/MyBlueFlakeLPCustomtoggle.jpg

Absolutely SPECTACULAR.

[bowlingballbaby]

Alright...here goes. The acoustic story. Electric story to follow. Some really great stories in this thread, and I think this one has about as much sentimental value as any. Check this out.

My dad purchased this 1962 Gibson J-45 used in 1963 for like $250. Somebody didn't like it and took it back to the dealer - Robbie's Music on Rte. 46 in north Jersey. Then I was born in 1964.

Most of my earliest musical experiences were with this guitar. In addition to this photo of me...uh..."playing" the guitar as a toddler, I also have a set of photos of my dad playing to my mom while she was pregnant. I was literally hearing the music from this guitar while still in the womb!

So, yes, flash forward many years and go figure...I become a full-time pro musician. My dad's been able to see me play this guitar all over the country in venues of all types; he's heard the guitar on the radio and TV; he's had a chance to meet some oh HIS musical heroes hanging around with me.

I've bought him other guitars - he still plays around the house - because he gave me the J-45 years ago and it's been an integral part of my musical career.

http://i41.photobucket.com/albums/e253/bowlingballbaby/asst%20guitar%20stuff/CCF12252006_00000.jpg

[bowlingballbaby]

And now, the electric story (see above acoustic story!).

It also involves my dad, though it's not quite as cool a story. Also back in the 60's my dad had a friend who had a young son who wanted to play guitar. My dad, who had another guitar in addition to the J-45 from the story in the post above, gave it to him. It was a Gibson Roy Smeck model flat-top.

This young son grows up, becomes an amazing player, collector and pal of everyone from G E Smith, to Cesar Diaz, to the founder of ESP Guitars and everyone...and remains a family friend of mine. So, while I''m learning to play in high school I ask him if he's got a really good, not too expensive guitar for me. He sells me this 1967 ES-335 for about $500. Seemed like a lot to pay back then, but I trusted him as a family friend, and an expert, and as a guy who got his first guitar from my dad.

To think, I could have also bought the '58 Gretsch 6120, the '65 Esquire and the '64 Strat he offered me that day. I did end up with this really good ES-335 though - not a dot-neck, not a stop tail, and not the coolest ES-335 ever, but a good one, and the story, like the J-45 story is so connected to my dad that I'll keep both of these guitars forever.

Thanks for starting this thread and for this little trip down memory lane!

http://i41.photobucket.com/albums/e253/bowlingballbaby/asst%20guitar%20stuff/GibsonES-33567-1.jpg

[jonleecourage]

I'd find it really tough to part with either my mid-80's Schechter Jimi Hendrix Strat or my '99 Custom Shop 60's relic Strat.

Have cycled through many others including some very exceptional guitars, but these two are a part of me.

[stratopedia]

My first guitar of course. Since '95 (I'm 23) and it's been through a lot...

http://depot.northwestern.edu/yac501/kapok1.jpg

http://depot.northwestern.edu/yac501/kapok2.jpg

[The Golden Boy]

Man, there's some great guitars in this thread!

As far as "had the longest..."

1971 EB-0, it's my first bass that I got in like 1985 or so- I REALLY learned to play on this thing- I'd taken lessons and theoretically "played" for several years- but after I got this, I actually started playing with people in bands or just jams- It's been through the wringer, I've learned a lot from this thing. It feels and plays great, it sounds OK, but I don't think I'd sell it because I'd probably have to pay someone to take it from me.

http://images.lilypix.com/albums/userpics/10038/normal_EB-0body.jpg

The guitar I've had the longest would be my 59 Special that I've had since 1992:

http://images.lilypix.com/albums/userpics/10038/normal_59Special.jpg

And my favorite guitar- the one I would part with last... Probably my 01 R8:

http://images.lilypix.com/albums/userpics/10038/normal_01R8.jpg

[JackButler]

Out of the genre here, but a '89 Jackson customs hop they made for me when I was an endorsee. Tehyw ent above and beyond with the guitar. Whiel it has a pointy head and Floyd, every time I get the guitar out I just smile, truly awesome. It will never leave me.
Also, a parts o Caster I built int he early 90's, I've bled and everything you can imagien with that guitar. The neck is screwed from all the SRV skateboard tricks through the years. I recently just set it up for slid eonly and it still rocks with the old man wound Van Zandts.
#3 never sell, an awesome Nash S he did for me around 4 years ago, it is amazing and by far my favorite. Anytime i pick it up (all the time) it's like going home.

[billyguitar]

My Dads wartime LG2 with the banner head will never go. Some years ago I sold some vintage guitars, never again. I still miss my little buddies, and the monetary increas that I could have had in value! New guitars I can buy and sell but old ones have a hold on me, same with amps.

[zsno]

I won't ever be able to get rid of my G&L S-500, I got it for my 16th birthday, plus Warren Haynes has since signed the inside of the trem cover at a Gov't Mule show.

[mockoman]

http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c236/mockomcstrat/000_0359.jpg
I spec'd this out the way I wanted,& got lucky.Fits me like a glove...

[go7]

G+L ,Legacy and my very fav ASAT classic. To the grave.

[JDJ]

I had a 1959 Gibson ES-345 w/ PAFs in excellent condition for seven years. Sold it when I finally discovered that today's instruments just smoke the older ones, IMO. Of course that generality doesn't apply across the board. I've got photos of it, but I'd have to scan them in, and I really don't have that capability at home.

Anyway, IF I HAD KEPT IT, I'd certainly be richer. Oh well...

[Jeff_H]

Lots of really cool stories on here. Mine is an old Yamaha double fat strat copy from the early to mid 80's. I bought it in 89'. It was the first guitar I'd ever purchased, and I learned to play on it essentially. The first complete song I ever learned to play was "Love Song", by Tesla. My daughter had just been born in 1991, and her mom and I split. That guitar gave me a lot of solice, and I played love song for my little girl many, many nights when she was with me...it made me feel a lot better.

It was an ugly black sparkle, and once I became somewhat knowledgable about guitars, I decided to refinish it and redo the electronics. It took a lot of work, and I did a lot of things wrong, and a lot of things you should never do when refinishing a guitar...things I would never do again. However, it turned out pretty good, and I'll always hang on to it.

http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2005-4/988965/NewPickups009.jpg

[dash_doc]

Deffinitly a bunch of cool stories here, mine is a '63 Melody Maker I've had it since I was 16. Unfortunatly she needs some work maybe I'll get her put back together this year.

Also this '57 ES225 isn't going any where.


http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y9/Dash_Doc/ES-225Far.jpg

[ES350]

my '55 ES350, had it since the mid-80's...the kids can have the other stuff.

[mdog114]

A highly modified Ibanez ST50, I bought it new in 1979. It was my first electric guitar, and I still play it.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v35/mdog114/79IbanezST-50.jpg

[dskynyrd]

Nice Thread.
I have two guitars that I'll never sell. My 1980 Ibanez DestroyerII , The first desent guitar that I owned and My 2004 Les Paul Standard Plus that My wife bought me to replace 2 Standards that I owned in the early 80's before we met . I will keep these for sentimental reasons and because she would kill me if I let them go.
My new Hamer Studio Custom may make the list soon though..:)

[snarkle]

The 1962 Strat I traded an ES-125 for in 1972, when I was 17. It was beat and the body had been stripped but it sounded amazing...when I took it apart to clean it I found it had originally been Fiesta red, so got it refinished by Angela Instruments years ago. It's just starting to get nicely reliced now...and after 34 years it's not going anywhere.

Not only is it one of a handful of guitars I wouldn't consider selling, it's also the guitar I've owned the longest by a considerable margin.

[amc]

I've had my 1958 Tele since 1969 when I paid $100.00 for it

It will be with me until I take a dirt nap

[mmcquain]

I have 3 that I'll never sell: Gibson CS-356, Gibson Les Paul Custom Premium Plus, and my Taylor T5.
Probably the guitar I had the longest was a 1980 Les Paul Custom - had it about 12 years before selling
to help pay for my current Custom.

http://www.mcquain.com/lespaul/CS356_Small.jpg
http://www.mcquain.com/lespaul/LPCase2.jpg
http://www.mcquain.com/lespaul/T5_BlueEdgeburst.jpg

[Crunchyriff]

Guitar I've had the longest: 1979 Ovation 12-String that I got new in '79.

Next in line: my '88 PRS Cu24, that I ordered in Jan '88, and took delivery that May.

[noyank11]

Guitar I've had the longest-Kramer single humbucker,locking nut,floyd rose,one volume knob only Never sell?My '90 Gretsch White Falcon-Great wood tone,very complex beautiful tone.

[matte]

martin om28hbc, bought in 1987.

[candid_x]

First elec. and longest played, bought new in 1966: Gibson 330. Wore the board out before selling it.

haha! http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y180/Candid_X/gibson330.jpg

[dazco]

Of the 100 or so guitars i've owned since about 1970, only one has earned the coveted "going to the grave with me" award. I wouldn't sell this under any normal circumstances. (as opposed to abnormal such as a gun to my head)

http://i24.photobucket.com/albums/c39/dazco/1.jpg
Note the LARGE dots as opposed to Larrivee's tiny markers. The one thing i hated about it, but now it's POIFECT ! Oh, and i added pearloid key heads too, mainly for weight reduction at the head but also like the look. This will be mine till i croak.

[slowburn]

I had to sell a bunch of guitars / amps / other things, and save up like crazy, but almost 8 yrs ago, I bought a fantastic grosh retroclassic from fatsound (and I'll hopefully never sell it).

[dhodgeh]

My 1969 Stratocaster that I've since high school:

http://www.pbase.com/dhodgeh/image/72762023.jpg

Unfortunatly, I have yet to figure out what to do with it when my time on this world is up. We have no kids, but I do have a couple of nephews that are starting to show an interest in guitar, so if one of them plays their cards right, he could get it.

If not, hmmm, dunno.

D

[Tweedledee]

I don't ever see myself getting rid of my Gretsch Country Classic Junior. It makes me smile every time I pick it up.

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a167/KyleWagner/gretsch3.jpg

[HHB]

84 Kramer Pacer, not even working at the moment, but I cut my teeth in a working band on that guitar for 10 years straight and it remains a special totem for me, kinda sad some guys have 59 LPs as their special totems, mines a frikin Kramer LOL

[ssdeluxe]

When you die, your body is just an empty shell. Don't bury a vintage guitar with an empty shell! Leave it to someone that will take over for you as its caretaker. You really can't take it with you. ;)


yes !!! yes !!!!! pass it on, you won't need it @ that point !!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Iralovesguitars]

2 guitars i won't ever sell:

1. my 2000 Taylor 310ce. fits me perfectly. switched out pickups, added new hardware, upgraded case, and even a new custom graphite saddle. acoustically, something like a Cedar/RW GS with slightly less volume. Also has Phil Keaggy's signature on it (he signed multiple guitars that night and my close friends from columbus got their guitars signed that night too).

2. lemme talk about my dad about this one. i guess around 1988 he bought some walnut. enough to make some flooring out of. he made the flooring. had a piece left. held onto it until he gave it to me to build my first guitar out of. so i had these pieces of bookmatched walnut, glued them to some purplehart, maple, ebony, and rosewood and made this:
http://i93.photobucket.com/albums/l74/Iralovesguitars/myguitar.jpg
http://i93.photobucket.com/albums/l74/Iralovesguitars/P9230001.jpg

Phil Keaggy signs one guitar, and my dad gives me the basis of inspiration to build my first. They're not for sale :)

[TattooedCarrot]

I've bonded quite nicely with the gold top, it's lasted over a year and for a gear-whore like myself, that's saying something.

The brown 333 was one I sold regrettibly only to locate it again 2 years later, so it's sticking around a while as well (it has major mojo).

The custom is a fantastic guitar, and my best looking. But it couldn't top the bond with the GT so it will be on ebay in Feb as I don't need two Les Pauls and could use the money to feed my new PRS SAS GAS.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v367/tattooedcarrot/Gear/Current%20Gear/MoneyShot.jpg