Buying a new guitar: like adopting a child?

[dead of night]

Hi. For me, buying a new guitar is as serious and traumatic as adopting a new child, almost.

I have to consider, can I afford her? I figure out my budget, my expenses, how much will I have left after I take her in. How about the upkeep and extra maintenance the new one will require.

Is there room for this new child? Let's see the bedroom is all full. Should I use another room, or put her under the bed? Maybe if I prop her up against the dresser she will be fine there.

Will she take up attention from the other children? Maybe I have enough as it is, more than I can play. If I have one more, perhaps the other children will be neglected. Maybe the new one will not offer much more than I already have. Maybe it would not be fair to the other kids to bring in a new one.

[maltomario]

one big difference. I can take my guitar out to bars, spank them hard in front of people without anyone calling child protective services

and i get paid for it! lol.

[A-Bone]

Plus if you do not bond with the guitar it is legal (albeit not always easy) to sell it.

[cutaway]

if i put a g-string on a guitar, no one calls me a sicko :dunno

[sundaypunch]

I take it you don't have children.

[mcdonaldkd]

I take it you don't have children.

Clearly.

[Huckleberry]

It's a process for me, for sure. I don't have unlimited resources so "making sure" is a big issue for me.

Take my last purchase: a G&L SC-2. I lusted after it for months, I played it a lot in the store. Talked a lot about it at home. My wife first mentioned it was "the next one" before I did.

i could easily afford it, but stil thought it over hard. In the end, it came down to how I was gonna feel if I get it get away.


I just finished playing it through my MAZ 18. My mouth hurts from smiling.

[khromagi]

Clearly.

Got that right

[bluesjuke]

Plus if you do not bond with the guitar it is legal (albeit not always easy) to sell it.



Yeah, then it's more just like babysitting.

[Pietro]

I'm in the process of adopting two kids out of foster care. The comparison is ridiculous... with all due respect...

[Ishmael8765678]

children are much more expensive, but i would probably love my guitar more.

:D just kidding, but seriously, i couldn't stand holding a baby for that long and in those areas too

[sanhozay]

I wish I could put my children under the bed. Sometimes.

[serviviente7]

I'm in the process of adopting two kids out of foster care. The comparison is ridiculous... with all due respect...

:dude

[khromagi]

Actually it's just like buying a guitar, a piece of freakin wood with little metal things on it. It's not alive, it has no soul, just like a paint brush or a chisel.

[BigPapiFan]

Actually it's just like buying a guitar, a piece of freakin wood with little metal things on it. It's not alive, it has no soul, just like a paint brush or a chisel.

Thank you! You are very correct. I love guitars and buying gear as much as the next person but, please, let's not confuse shopping with parenthood.

[dank]

My wife and I have three children, one of whom is adopted. There can be no comparison between our children and my numerous slabs of wood. For that matter, I have always thought it quite absurd to refer to a piece of gear as "she." Makes me think of someone cuddling with it like a blow up doll! :nono

[shane88]

if u bring a new one in ya gotta let an old one go :aok

[GuitarsFromMars]

I'm in the process of adopting two kids out of foster care. The comparison is ridiculous... with all due respect...


There's enough hyperbole for both of us....to choke on:dude

[bluesjuke]

"Fly upon wings as Eagles"

"Free as a bird"

"Happy as a Lark"

Lighten up people.
You don't really think anyone really means to imply that a guitar is actually like a real child do you?

Talk about creative people squashing a metaphor.......

Relax, maybe even play a guitar.

[FFTT]

Well it might be kinda cool if our kids were equipped with truss rods, so we could
straighten them out when they got out of line.

[TBIRD Phil]

"Fly upon wings as Eagles"

"Free as a bird"

"Happy as a Lark"

Lighten up people.
You don't really think anyone really means to imply that a guitar is actually like a real child do you?

Talk about creative people squashing a metaphor.......

Relax, maybe even play a guitar.

:agree

[Jimi D]

"Fly upon wings as Eagles"

"Free as a bird"

"Happy as a Lark"

Lighten up people.
You don't really think anyone really means to imply that a guitar is actually like a real child do you?

Talk about creative people squashing a metaphor.......

Relax, maybe even play a guitar.
This "metaphor" sucks... for reasons obvious to anyone with children in their lives. Squashing it is an act of mercy. :rolleyes:

As far as relaxing is concerned, no one here looks too worked up to me... :rockin

[sundaypunch]

"Fly upon wings as Eagles"

"Free as a bird"

"Happy as a Lark"

Lighten up people.
You don't really think anyone really means to imply that a guitar is actually like a real child do you?

Talk about creative people squashing a metaphor.......

Relax, maybe even play a guitar.

Yeah, the OP is a master of metaphor........

[musicofanatic5]

I refer to any gtr of mine as "it", and most definately not "her". Perhaps that is why I am spared the angst you subject yourself to.

Hi. For me, buying a new guitar is as serious and traumatic as adopting a new child, almost.

I have to consider, can I afford her? I figure out my budget, my expenses, how much will I have left after I take her in. How about the upkeep and extra maintenance the new one will require.

Is there room for this new child? Let's see the bedroom is all full. Should I use another room, or put her under the bed? Maybe if I prop her up against the dresser she will be fine there.

Will she take up attention from the other children? Maybe I have enough as it is, more than I can play. If I have one more, perhaps the other children will be neglected. Maybe the new one will not offer much more than I already have. Maybe it would not be fair to the other kids to bring in a new one.

[DC1]

When you have a child, you will change.


Trust me on this...



dc

[cmatthes]

Yeah, the OP is a master of metaphor........

He's the master of something all right.

[Amp360]

My wife and I have three children, one of whom is adopted. There can be no comparison between our children and my numerous slabs of wood. For that matter, I have always thought it quite absurd to refer to a piece of gear as "she." Makes me think of someone cuddling with it like a blow up doll! :nono


I have to agree.

[pcovers]

Actually it's just like buying a guitar, a piece of freakin wood with little metal things on it. It's not alive, it has no soul, just like a paint brush or a chisel.

A breath of fresh air. I will add, it also has no gender - much as many would like to believe otherwise. It is wood and steel that sometimes makes incredible sounds, but almost always provides great enjoyment in ownership.

[pcovers]

Yeah, the OP is a master of metaphor........

That would be "master of simile", not metaphor. Not that it's important.

[buddastrat]

You don't find a good guitar...it finds you.

[GreenKnight18]

You don't find a good guitar...it finds you.

Doesn't that happen with orphans in movies sometimes?

[dead of night]

I brought my new guitar home today and introduced her to my other, real children.
To my daughter I said, "Patti, meet your new baby sister. Don't tell mom about this, she wouldn't understand."

To my son I said, "Bob, this is your new sister." He said, "wow, she's hot!" I told him not to touch her, she's all mine.

[DC1]

Funny how different perspectives can be innit?

To me, as soon as someone calls their guit a "she" or talks about "adoption" I know the price is going to be in gouge-territory. At that moment a timer clock starts in my head. If they can go another five minutes without talking about all the "case candy" they have, I let it go, but if not, or if they say "she" again, I am outta there...


:Spank



dc

[sundaypunch]

That would be "master of simile", not metaphor. Not that it's important.

Not important, but that is a good catch.

[BlackIrish]

---

[Rotten]

I've got three young kids. Sure, they are completely different experiences, but I think I get what the OP was after -- I think there is plenty to try to help the metephor out.

When we had the fires here in San Diego a few years ago, it was a real eye opening experience evaluating what's important to you when you are loading the cars up to evacuate. Once my kids were safe with relatives, we loaded a box of important documents and a box of baby albums. After that, it was my guitars.

Everything else, I could really care less about; it's just stuff. Guitars, however, have defined my life.

[TBIRD Phil]

I've got three young kids. Sure, they are completely different experiences, but I think I get what the OP was after -- I think there is plenty to try to help the metephor out.

When we had the fires here in San Diego a few years ago, it was a real eye opening experience evaluating what's important to you when you are loading the cars up to evacuate. Once my kids were safe with relatives, we loaded a box of important documents and a box of baby albums. After that, it was my guitars.

Everything else, I could really care less about; it's just stuff. Guitars, however, have defined my life.

Right now, once again half of SoCal is on fire. I was watching on the news of all these poor people having to evacuate their homes. I do not have children, but my wife and I have a dog. I was running the thought through my head of what I would grab if I had to evacuate. Wife, dog, laptop and all my guitars. If I had children they would be priority #1 and I'd make sure they each grab a guitar case on the way out.
I feel that my guitars are just as much a part of my life as my family so I hold them very close to me.

Of course I know that if push came to shove my wife could walk to a safe spot if I needed an extra spot on the front seat for my amp!:rockin

[RectoGriz]

Right now, once again half of SoCal is on fire. I was watching on the news of all these poor people having to evacuate their homes. I do not have children, but my wife and I have a dog. I was running the thought through my head of what I would grab if I had to evacuate. Wife, dog, laptop and all my guitars. If I had children they would be priority #1 and I'd make sure they each grab a guitar case on the way out.
I feel that my guitars are just as much a part of my life as my family so I hold them very close to me.

Of course I know that if push came to shove my wife could walk to a safe spot if I needed an extra spot on the front seat for my amp!:rockin

Now you're talkin'!

[pcovers]

I think there is plenty to try to help the metephor out.

Just to reinforce the point, it is a simile not a metaphor. And in the context of comparing guitars to the adoption of children, it is a bad one - no matter how important our guitars are to us.

[GuitarsFromMars]

That would be "master of simile", not metaphor. Not that it's important.


:dude:):jo:facepalm

[Rotten]

Just to reinforce the point, it is a simile not a metaphor. And in the context of comparing guitars to the adoption of children, it is a bad one - no matter how important our guitars are to us.

I thought you said it wasn't important? I realize I can't spell metaphor, but are you sure it is a simile? Actually, I don't think it is either. I think it is just a comparison. I think the OP is comparing the act of buying a guitar to the act of adopting a child. While they may be different experiences and may be too simplistic to not offend a few of us who have adopted, I think the intent was to describe, as best as the OP could, the anticipation of adding something that will be special and with you for the rest of your life.

[straightblues]

As a guy who has adopted three kids from foster care,:eek: I can assure you it isn't close to being the same.

However, I do take my guitar buying seriously as well and your points are well taken.

[pcovers]

Actually, I don't think it is either. I think it is just a comparison.

Thinking it is a comparison puts us on track to understanding it was a simile. A simile is a figure of speech comparing two unlike things - most often comparing those two things using the words "like" or "as", as in:
"...buying a new guitar is as serious and traumatic as adopting a new child...."


Comparing two very unlike things: a textbook simile. While not itself too important, some may walk away thinking this a metaphor....maybe answer a test question wrong, keeping them from that "A" they needed. A little literary use of speech lesson in a guitar forum is not a bad thing. And for what it's worth, both my children are adopted. My guitars are special. But buying them was nothing remotely as serious as adopting a child. Not even in the same universe level of remotely....which is not to say I don't really, really treasure my guitars....it is just to say that acquiring them, or any future ones, will be nothing like..................well, you get the idea.

[Rotten]

I understand. I, too, am interested in making sure that TGPers get good grades. I am just not sure it is a figure of speech. I also don't believe he was comparing two unlike things. He wasn't comparing the guitar to the child, he was comparing buying to adopting, which, depending on the context, can be quite similar. In the OP's context, I think he was trying to illustrate adding a member of the family. If he said buying a guitar was like pulling teeth, I would agree that it is a simile.

[khromagi]

Good grief, who let the frick'n English teachers in here?
http://static.guim.co.uk/Guardian/culture/gallery/2008/oct/23/television/GD9313478@Title-BOY-NAMED-CHARL-8397.jpg
Just kiddin

[Rotten]

LOL! If I didn't have anything to argue about, I'd have to get some work done.

[Ishmael8765678]

besides, you don't really buy, sell, or borrow children...i guess borrowing them would be like babysitting

[Rotten]

I think you do adopt guitars, though. If you didn't, places like this would not be in business:

http://www.guitaradoptions.com/

[khromagi]

I think you do adopt guitars, though. If you didn't, places like this would not be in business:

http://www.guitaradoptions.com/

More like lady from the site (and please no one say they would rather have the tele):
http://www.guitaradoptions.com/images/ad_banner_images/ad_banner7.jpg

[Ishmael8765678]

man, some of these people on this thread are taking this whole thing waaayyy too seriously

[Mark Robinson]

Speaking as an adoptive parent, and a purchaser of many fine guitars over the years, there is little similarity for me.

In terms of cost, adoption is like buying a Gustavsson and a DePergo simultaneously, or maybe a vintage '50's goldtop with p-90's.
You don't have to get an AIDS test to buy a guitar.
Nobody comes to your house, or contacts your neighbors, because you went to Norm's rare guitars.

There is not a guitar made in the world which could make me as happy as my child, or that could ever command the interest, love and commitment she provokes in me.

I appreciate the good hearted but clumsy construct but it's magnitudes off.

I buy guitars for fun and pleasure of a certain sort, play them a few at a time and stand others up in a closet for attention maybe months or a year later. Being a parent is like whooshing into a different universe or something. It's hard for me to characterize the breadth and complexity of the change.

Buying a new guitar really only affects which guitars make it out of the house to a gig. That's about it.

[pcovers]

I think you do adopt guitars, though. If you didn't, places like this would not be in business:

http://www.guitaradoptions.com/

Rotten, all due respect, but I've done business with said company and I assure you, they do not adopt out guitars, they sell them. I think all are taking the topic is the spirit that it was originally offered: a poorly considered construct in comparing the seriousness and truama associated with acquiring a guitar with those of adopting children. It just doesn't work, but is a fun forum exercise.

[khromagi]

seriousness and truama associated with acquiring a guitar

Huh?

[pcovers]

Huh?


From the post that started this thread"

For me, buying a new guitar is as serious and traumatic as adopting a new child, almost.

[oslo]

I guess, for a lot of us here who are not ready for wife and kids, and a golden retriever in the backyard, it could be kind of true. It can be because of young age, Peter Pan syndrome, or other reasons people may have, but guitars are kind of our kids, as it is one of the things we spend the most time with, miss the most when we are away, and its what we put most of our feelings into. A lot of the parents in here object to that, which is of course only natural, as everything changes as you start a family. But for a lot of us who got no family that waits for us to come home at night, (only dirty laundry) then a guitar can mean quite a bit. But can getting a new guitar ever really be compared to becoming a father for the first time? of course not!! It is a feeling that lies deep within human instincts that I think can not be compared to anything in the world. But for us with no kids, no wife, no girlfriend, the guitar can begin to play a substitute role, as we have not much else to take care of. But the guitar can be so many things...among...A **** it...It´s in the middle of the night, im drunk...Why the hell am i rambling about this?? I´ll come back to humans intricate emotional attachment to guitars, when the sun is in the sky, and the viscosity of the blood in my veins is no longer affected by mr. Jack Daniels...
Peace...

[Boris Bubbanov]

I don't think the Original Poster intended to inflame emotions or cause turmoil.

And I also don't he intended to make us think seriously as I have.

But the question (although silly on its face) serves to remind us how important our families and loved ones, our circle of people actually is.

Guitars are just inanimate objects. Their purpose is to help us express ourselves to others, and in so doing they have great value.

But their value is kinda puny next to a few other things then. And the Original Question (perhaps without meaning to) really serves to remind us how lucky we are.

I remember a judge friend of mine who was feeling kinda down, but then he officiated over a step-parent adoption of this little 11 year old girl and suddenly, the spring was back in his step and he was smiling. He knew he was part of a very good thing.

So, thanks, Dead of Night, for the wake up call!