Old guitar looks - Yes or No???

Tnfiddler · #1 01-23-2020, 10:18 AM

I posted in my other thread on Carter’s Vintage about the 1940 D-18 that sounded so good. Maybe it’s just me, but I can’t get along with the looks of it! I don’t care how good it sounds, I don’t want a worn-out looking guitar! Yes, I know looks are superficial, but they matter to me. What’s your opinions? I sent a link about it to my good friend and his response was, “Man, that guitar is ugly!”.

RP · #2 01-23-2020, 10:21 AM

A good example of form over function.....

GangstaPat · #3 01-23-2020, 10:27 AM

I guess I can get by looks if it is genuine. I got a Gibson Firebird last year mainly for he price relative to features (mainly the pick ups). I have never liked the way it looks and still don't but it is some how very comfortable and easy to play for me. Get the feeling I will have that homely looking guitar for the rest of my life.

Goat Mick · #4 01-23-2020, 10:29 AM

Personally I love the look of an old worn and well played guitar. Probably because I'm getting older and showing a lot of wear myself. Consequently I'm a little turned off by a guitar that's too pristine. I expect that when I buy a new guitar, but an older one really should show a bit of evidence of it's life.

Tnfiddler · #5 01-23-2020, 10:31 AM

I’m the same way about vehicles. I want them to look nice, as well.

hermithollow · #6 01-23-2020, 10:37 AM

Ugly is beautiful.
I once played an old (19th century) Martin "New Yorker" that had multiple unrepaired cracks and a hole where a hole is not supposed to be. The finish was so opaque the rosewood was the color of mahogany. But it played well and sounded great.
Eventually I found one. A few repaired cracks, a cloudy finish, pick divots, but no additional holes. It had a good sound and was very playable. I don't mind that it isn't "as new". It is one of my favorite styles to copy.
Ugly doesn't bother me if it comes by it honestly (not a fan of relic'd).

generalliamsayn · #7 01-23-2020, 10:38 AM

I adore everything about old guitars...from the crackly lacquer to the sound-hole smell like grandma's attic - and I don't even mind nicks on the neck or divots on the fretboard.

When I play my '42 I feel like I have history in my lap and love to imagine all those who have played it before me.

Goodallboy · #8 01-23-2020, 10:44 AM

As it applies to vintage guitars, normal aging and wear mean nothing to me when compared to tone.

ManyMartinMan · #9 01-23-2020, 10:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by generalliamsayn

I adore everything about old guitars...from the crackly lacquer to the sound-hole smell like grandma's - and I don't even mind nicks on the neck or divots on the fretboard. ......

Wait a second. You're smelling your Grandma's sound-hole??????????

hubcapsc · #10 01-23-2020, 10:57 AM

I recently got a 53 Gibson. I looked around, most had worse wear
than the one I got, but mine doesn't look new by a long shot. There's
another thread where the OP describes the wear/patina he
has imparted to his guitar that he got new. That sounds like good
wear

...

-Mike

ManyMartinMan · #11 01-23-2020, 11:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tnfiddler

I posted in my other thread on Carter’s Vintage about the 1940 D-18 that sounded so good. Maybe it’s just me, but I can’t get along with the looks of it! I don’t care how good it sounds, I don’t want a worn-out looking guitar! Yes, I know looks are superficial, but they matter to me. What’s your opinions? I sent a link about it to my good friend and his response was, “Man, that guitar is ugly!”.

I guarantee that if you had played that guitar since new, even if it ended up looking like the guitar you're describing, you would love everything about every ding, scratch.... Growing old together is what it's all about. No twenty-something wants to marry a 60-something but when you marry in your twenties or thirties, and stay married for 40 years, you are married to a 60 or 70 something that you would never criticize the wrinkles, scars or beauty marks.

Tnfiddler · #12 01-23-2020, 11:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ManyMartinMan

I guarantee that if you had played that guitar since new, even if it ended up looking like the guitar you're describing, you would love everything about every ding, scratch.... Growing old together is what it's all about. No twenty-something wants to marry a 60-something but when you marry in your twenties or thirties, and stay married for 40 years, you are married to a 60 or 70 something that you would never criticize the wrinkles, scars or beauty marks.

I will agree with that comment and if my guitars get dings, I cringe at first and then keep playing them. If I played it that way, I'm for it. I just can't bring myself to spend my hard-earned money on something that looks worn out. I hope that makes sense.

generalliamsayn · #13 01-23-2020, 11:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ManyMartinMan

Wait a second. You're smelling your Grandma's sound-hole??????????

oops...it said 'grandma's attic'. Not sure what happened.

Promise it wasn't a Freudian slip!

ManyMartinMan · #14 01-23-2020, 11:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tnfiddler

I will agree with that comment and if my guitars get dings, I cringe at first and then keep playing them. If I played it that way, I'm for it. I just can't bring myself to spend my hard-earned money on something that looks worn out. I hope that makes sense.

I'm generally with you there. I play mine pretty hard and they never get that "abused" look.

stephenT · #15 01-23-2020, 11:43 AM

I wouldn't care about looks, I'd care about condition and price. Neck angle, etc.