How expensive is TOO expensive?

[Paruwi]

my Epiphone Coronet Custom Silver Fox

MiJ or MiUS ?

 

[Imerkat]

MiJ or MiUS ?

Land of the rising sun, It’s the Tamio Okuda model, but would love to get my hands on the new US TV Yellow!

 

[nethanpaul86]

When it comes to guitars, "too expensive" depends on your budget and experience level. For a beginner, anything over $1,000 might be excessive, as there are great options under that range. But for a seasoned player, spending more on a premium instrument can be worth it for quality and performance.

 

[LP_SPC_1_P90]

At a certain point, it's not how expensive is too expensive. It's how many are too many. I have what I have, it cost me what it cost for each. Until those instruments fail as non-repairable, I just see no reason to chase a replacement or even another as more.

 

[soulman969]

One more thought I have to offer is that for me it's more about value than absolute price. What I can afford to buy something for these days has it's limits but within those limits value is the deciding factor.

If I can buy something I like for far less than it's typical replacement cost I feel good about buying it knowing not only am I getting great value but it's unlikely I'll ever be underwater if I decide to sell it.

In fact it's hard to resist any deal where I know I can always get my cost back out of it or even turn a small profit if I sell it. Of course that assumes it's something I want and will play. I never buy anything solely to flip.

 

[Maguchi]

A couple of weeks ago I was in a music store and the guy put an American made Casino in my hand. I didn't really spend much time with it since I wasn't in "shopping mode". It was nicer than my MIC but at £2500 (deal price but not much) but not enough of an improvement in play-ability and I'm not good enough to justify it.

Today I took my MIC into work to play at lunchtime. I manage to put a tiny scratch in it. I'm celebrating that It wasn't a £2500 guitar and I can take my £400 Ebay wonder anywhere without fear.

Assuming your guitar is in good condition, what value would be too high to risk taking it out? Do you own/ would you buy a guitar that you wouldn't take out?

My most expensive one is Gibson LP Custom Black Beauty that I paid a little under $5600 for in 2016 dollars. And I take that one out to gigs quite a bit. So far no dings or dents but I don't really baby it or worry about it too much. Any guitar I buy I want to be able to take to performances and enjoy. I buy them because they sound and play great not to polish them and display them.

 

[Brian Krashpad]

A couple of weeks ago I was in a music store and the guy put an American made Casino in my hand. I didn't really spend much time with it since I wasn't in "shopping mode". It was nicer than my MIC but at £2500 (deal price but not much) but not enough of an improvement in play-ability and I'm not good enough to justify it.

Today I took my MIC into work to play at lunchtime. I manage to put a tiny scratch in it. I'm celebrating that It wasn't a £2500 guitar and I can take my £400 Ebay wonder anywhere without fear.

Assuming your guitar is in good condition, what value would be too high to risk taking it out? Do you own/ would you buy a guitar that you wouldn't take out?

I wouldn't buy a guitar I wouldn't gig. Period. They're made to be used, at least mine are.

I don't have any hard and fast spending limits, but tend toward having more affordable guitars, than a lesser number of expensive ones. My main consideration is buying at a price well under the going market price, or at least not over it. I doubt I've ever lost money on a guitar purchase.

The most I've ever paid for a guitar is my TV Yellow Gibson LP Special, w/ohsc. $850 USD. Rather to my amazement, I currently have 6 Gibsons. But all of them were at least good deals, and many were great deals. And I have a ridiculous number of other guitars as well, a mix of imports and USA made.