Guns and guitars… condition/value

[Model29-26.5]

It's ironic that people will pay top dollar for a "stressed "model Guitar. Whereas guns are the opposite..

Take the Brent Mason telecaster model…
The standard model is about 2500 bucks, but if you want a stressed one which has been worn in to look exactly like Brent's and the wear on his tele… $12k

It's a different mindset, I guess.
We all love a pristine piece of metal.
I guess some guys are different about Guitars. It depends on the person.
I don't mind one with some character. Pristine is nice too. I guess I'm the same with Smith revolvers.
I see an old beater and I see something that I feel could be restored to its former glory.

 

[rays44]

I never got the concept of paying a premium for a "distressed" guitar. Fine if you want one aged so it looks and feels like a road dog. I get that. But, to pay an enormous premium for the cosmetic change is nuts. There's nothing like the look of a gleaming well kept Les Paul. I have guitars I bought in the '70's that look like they were made last year. They all have countless hours of playing gigs in smoky bars.
I would never buy a new Colt or S&W that had a "well used finish" even if it cost the same as factory new. Wouldn't buy a new beat up car, cloths, home, etc. Yet with guitars, it is an industry itself. I'll care for my wood.

 

[blackdeuce]

I only have one relic'd guitar. It's a Fender Custom Shop 56 Stratocaster. It was a little pricey, but I bought it because it was priced considerably lower than typical for that model.

Everything else that I have is mint with the exception of a couple of older guitars that have a little honest wear.

 

[Telecaster]

I think it's silly to pay extra for wear and tear you can do yourself for free, but maybe that's just me.

 

[Hair Trigger]

It's ironic that people will pay top dollar for a "stressed "model Guitar. Whereas guns are the opposite..

Take the Brent Mason telecaster model…
The standard model is about 2500 bucks, but if you want a stressed one which has been worn in to look exactly like Brent's and the wear on his tele… $12k

I wonder what a Martin N-20 with a ragged hole gouged in the top between the bridge and sound hole would sell for? Willie paid today's equivalent of around $6400 for his N-20 ("Trigger") in 1969. I don't figure anyone would want to "stress" their Martin to look like that for any money, but I bet Trigger would bring a pretty penny if it were ever sold. I sometimes wonder why Willie didn't have a pick guard fitted to his guitar.

 

[Mule Packer]

It's not only guitars that people want to look "vintage." It's cowboy hats, too. Some folks will buy a new hat and then pay an extra fifty bucks to have it "reliced." Why don't they just wear it everyday? It doesn't take long for the ol' sweat stains to appear. After a few pack trips, spring roundups, and fall gathers...Voila!! A vintage-looking hat.

 

[Retired W4]

You don't need a smoky bar to stress a guitar, but it helps.