Is sentimental value really all that important?

[slpayne]

OK so, I have a bunch of guitars sitting around the house that I came in to when I was first playing, played them out when I first started gigging, and just held on to. Other than my first guitar, there is no reason (so far as I can see) for me to have any of these guitars, but for some reason I can't seem to get myself to let them go or trade them all in on the guitar I really want and have wanted since it came out (the new Santana SE). None of them are any thing special, MIC Strat and MIM Tele, for example. Was this a problem for any of you?? Thanks!!

[dcooper830]

It's not important to some people.

But, right or wrong, it's very important to me. Some of my guitars I've had for over 20 years and I've been through a lot of gigs and rehearsals with 'em.

There's just no way I could ever let them go. Even though I don't play them much nowdays.

[Improbable Joe]

It is something, but how much is up to you.

At some point, it should become a question of what each guitar does for you and your playing. There's an upward limit of how many guitars you absolutely need, especially if you're on a budget. For instance, you might need a Strat-style, a Les Paul-style, plus a super-Strat like an Ibanez or Jackson. Or it might be an SG, a 335-style, plus an acoustic-electric. Whatever your needs are. Sentimental value is cool and all, but practicality wins the day.

[Forgotten]

I myself have never had a problem selling guitars I didn't play, including my first. You have to look at selling them as a means to further your abilities, and sound. I'd be willing to bet if you take that plunge, and trade them in on the guitar you want, you won't miss them as much as you think. If you really can't seem to let them go, mod them. Old guitars can be reborn hard into new beasts.

[GAD]

Yeah, I have problems with emotional attachment to some guitars.

[Onioner]

It's just a question of what that sentiment is worth to you, as well as how much you need the resources If you can afford it, and you like having those old guitars around more than you'd like the cash from selling them, then keep 'em, and don't for a moment feel bad. I can't keep stuff around that I don't use. Not that it doesn't sometimes hurt to give them up, but so it goes. In fact, I'm sitting next to an amp right now that I'm gonna have to let go, even though it's gonna hurt, as it was my first 'good' amp, but, shoot... I need the $450 more than I need the warm and fuzzy feeling I get when I look at it, and never fire it up...

[rhinocaster]

I've never become emotionally attached to any of my guitars amps or pedals. It's allowed me to play SO much gear!

I do have an Esquire that I had retired and hung on the wall. I've just returned it to playing form and it's going back out with me again. I doubt I'll ever sell that one but that's mainly because I don't think anyone else would want it.

[magicaxeman]

Its funny but when your younger you tend not to worry and out everything to replace it with the new guitar you want without giving it a second thought.
It's only when you get older that you start to think about that first guitar again.

I'm in my early 50's now and wishing I still had that first guitar, hell the stupid prices that what was pretty crap gear is making these days I wish I'd kept all of it!

[RAILhead]

Similar to my thread, Hoarding Amps. I have guitars I have attachments to and will never sell. Some have certain memories related to that specific purchase and time in my life, and I see them as a reminder/landmark.

I have a tool chest, and in that tool chest, I have several hammers. The one I always pick up is my 1 pound steel hammer -- but right underneath mine, there's the old, beat up, patched-up wooden hammer my Dad used, as did his Dad before him. I'll never let it go, even though I never use it.

[TFC]

I started a similar thread a couple of years ago. Lots of good responses and food for thought...

http://www.thegearpage.net/board/sho...d.php?t=755249

[Aaron Smith]

I recently traded away a guitar that I thought had great sentimental meaning to me. The guitar I got in return is a better guitar. I haven't missed the old one even once.

My viewpoint- they're just things. I keep sentimental value in my head, not my closets.

[stevieboy]

I've got one guitar with sentimental value. I got it from my best friend, who later died way too young. I played it at my wedding, with the aforementioned friend. My wife has even told me I can never sell it.

That's it though. Some guitars I like way too much to think about selling, but that's not sentimental value, that's attachment to how well the guitar does for me what a guitar is for.

[rizla]

Two items only have sentimental value to me and will never be sold.

We were flat broke and the industry I worked in was slowing down and there were a lot of layoffs. I went out and bought a fender amp so I could go out and gig. My wife resisted all the way and we had a bad time between us because of the extravagant and seemingly self indulgent purchase.
I gigged hard with that amp and put food on the table and a roof over our head.
My wife bought me a strat for my birthday a year or so later. It was one that I had shown her when she came in to the store with me to buy some strings.
I dont think she even realizes the sentimental value attached to that guitar.

Ive missed out a lot of text because I dont know how to word it.

The amp means different things to me.
The strat was a bridge, acceptance, faith, acknowledgement, encouragement. I stopped feeling like I was on the outside of the relationship doing wrong. We were back in it together. I love everything about that guitar and amp and still use them as my main gear 19yrs later. They sound great.

[straycat113]

As far as your question it all depends on the guitar. Some guys who have killer collections still have that first guitar no matter how shitty it is as well as some guys posting adds looking for that first one they sold.

I could not even tell you the name on the headstock of the first 5 guitars I owned back in the 70's which were all cheap Strat, Tele and Lester knockoffs. Nor would I ever care to ever see any of them again lol. The least expensive guitar I own is my 85 MIJ Fender 62 Reissue which was my #1 ax for a good 13 years and still gets major playing time and the guitar I would never part with because it -kills!

You kind of answered your own question by stating that none of them are anything special. Never confuse special with expensive as many guys have bought a lower end guitar that they tricked out and turned it into a very special guitar that plays and sounds great and one they would never part with. If you do not feel that way about any of your guitars sell them all and put the money towards one guitar that you love!

[stormin1155]

It's VERY important to me. Not all my guitars have sentimental value, I go through 10 - 15 guitars a year. But I have a couple that I would never sell. My LP and my dad's old parlor guitar... I'd carry those around with me in a shopping cart if I became homeless.