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  #16  
Old 09-20-2018, 10:03 PM
ilikeguitar90 ilikeguitar90 is offline
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Lots of possible reasons. Maybe they are trying to emphasize how good its condition is, or they bought it before playing it and didn't bond with it, or they started playing electric more, or they found the shape or scale length less than ideal, or they only play it at home but they are constantly out at gigs or jams with another guitar, and the list goes on.
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  #17  
Old 09-20-2018, 10:10 PM
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blindboyjimi blindboyjimi is offline
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This is a big hobby for some of us. I’m a blues player but I have a bunch of money tied up in 2 Goodalls. They are stunning and sound amazing. I don’t know why anyone would ever need to have a guitar better than these 2. I keep one in open G for Slack Key and one in DADGAD. But I’m a blues player at heart. I play in alternate tunings rarely. Both a Goodalls are wonderful and “barely played” and in mint condition. If I were ever in need of selling one to pick up a vintage guitar, I’d sell them seriously and honestly and say that they are stellar, yet hardly played and minty.
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  #18  
Old 09-20-2018, 10:24 PM
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justonwo justonwo is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Marco Polo View Post
I've had my eyes open on classified ads from various sites...here, Ebay, Reverb, Craigslist, etc...

More often then not, I see 'hardly played", or "rarely taken out of its case" advertised.

WHY?

If the guitars are so awesome to sway the owner to purchase it, why isn't it played more often? Too many guitars? Afraid to damage it or create fret wear? Something wrong with the guitar? Tastes change?

What have been your experiences?
I have a number of guitars that are awesome and don’t get played. I’ve had a bunch in the past. For example, I had three stellar electrics right now that I almost never play. Why? I used to play mainly electric. I don’t anymore because I don’t have a band anymore and don’t have time for one. But I probably won’t sell them because I’ll take up electric again some day.

I’ve had electrics sit in the past because there just wasn’t enough time in the day to play them all. I had a killer 59 RI Les Paul that was perfect in every way - but I always preferred my SG so it mostly sat. So I sold it.

Time limitations. Changing priorities. Changing tastes. Whatever. I’ve been on the receiving end of a number of used guitars that were billed as rarely played and aweomse. And they turned out to be - rarely played and awesome.
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  #19  
Old 09-20-2018, 10:37 PM
Beakybird Beakybird is offline
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Work, kids, family, other competing hobbies, the lure of electronics, illness, even death. The list is long on why a guitar goes unused. And let's include that it was a collector guitar or an undesired instrument.
I wouldn't extrapolate that an unused guitar is inferior.
I have several music books I've never opened. It doesn't mean they're not great books.
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  #20  
Old 09-20-2018, 10:39 PM
ManyMartinMan ManyMartinMan is offline
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Because "beat to death" doesn't sell many guitars......
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  #21  
Old 09-20-2018, 11:10 PM
Kitkatjoe Kitkatjoe is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Marco Polo View Post
I've had my eyes open on classified ads from various sites...here, Ebay, Reverb, Craigslist, etc...

More often then not, I see 'hardly played", or "rarely taken out of its case" advertised.

WHY?

If the guitars are so awesome to sway the owner to purchase it, why isn't it played more often? Too many guitars? Afraid to damage it or create fret wear? Something wrong with the guitar? Tastes change?

What have been your experiences?
It may be a ploy to get you hooked or it maybe the truth.
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  #22  
Old 09-21-2018, 01:27 AM
00045 00045 is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Marco Polo View Post
I've had my eyes open on classified ads from various sites...here, Ebay, Reverb, Craigslist, etc...

More often then not, I see 'hardly played", or "rarely taken out of its case" advertised.

WHY?

If the guitars are so awesome to sway the owner to purchase it, why isn't it played more often? Too many guitars? Afraid to damage it or create fret wear? Something wrong with the guitar? Tastes change?

What have been your experiences?
Well, I own a few guitars I hardly play. A Fender CS Custom Telecaster and a CS MB Stratocaster with RW fingerboard. They are both great sounding guitars, but I prefer maple necks over RW necks. I play them occasionally, but very rarely.
If I would need the money or need to make space for new ones, these are the ones I would sell.
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  #23  
Old 09-21-2018, 01:41 AM
Silly Moustache Silly Moustache is offline
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It took me a very long tme and a fair few guitars to discover what design and makes of guitar really suited me.
I discovered that I needed wider necks than on most guitars with rhythm style necks.

I finally found the 12 fret dreads suited me best. I bought on, then a 000 to go with it, and then found another on ebay that nobody else bid on ... and so it goes.
I started looking for different sizes of guitars, resos, short scales, smaller bodies, 12 string etc. The arsenal kinda grew.

At a certain time in my life I realised that I had a modicum of disposable income.
I don't drink (much) don't smoke, and don't chase wimmins (couldn't catch 'em if I did, and my wife won't let me!)

I take enormous pleasure in my guitars. I take them out and play when I can although less over the last two years due to the throat cancer and life changing treatment, but I run my club and I maintain my trio, and have an increasing presence on YouTube with over a thousand subscribers and over 200,000 views which I find very rewarding( but not monetarised).
I also take pleasure in keeping my instruments in top condition. and have a long suffering local tech who now also cares for most of my picking friends in the area.

I hope to start doing gigs starting in November and, hopefully more noext year, if spared, but I'm making preparations if I'm not.

Beautifully made wooden creations that look great and sound wondrous. They make me happy, and sometimes they make others happy too.
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  #24  
Old 09-21-2018, 02:09 AM
Tico Tico is offline
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Money saved is unused.
A person sleeping is unused.
A diary page written is unused.

What's wrong with a guitar being unused?
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  #25  
Old 09-21-2018, 02:48 AM
Paddy1951 Paddy1951 is offline
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Work is the curse of the drinking classes. And probably those who play guitar, too.

Unplayed guitars.
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  #26  
Old 09-21-2018, 03:13 AM
Ozzy the dog Ozzy the dog is offline
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The worst guitars that never get played are the ones stood in the corner of a room as a fashion accessory. These pop up on every TV show as if to make a statement when you know nobody in the house plays them (either that or they only make programs in guitarist's homes).

Perhaps it's these that are being offered for 'rescue' on the tinternet.
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  #27  
Old 09-21-2018, 06:53 AM
Dwight Dwight is offline
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I can't understand how someone would have a Pez dispenser and say they never used it. I think they're lying. Stay far away!
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  #28  
Old 09-21-2018, 06:59 AM
Scootch Scootch is offline
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Sometimes there is a guitar shop effect. I have bought a couple guitars that stunned me in the guitar shop but after I get them home, I wonder what did I like about it. Then it sits in a case for a few years until I sell it.

I’m guessing the difference is acoustics and humidification. On the return I have bought a couple guitars by mail that sounded thin and tinny. Disappointing. Then after a year in good old Ohio humidity they blossom into a favorite.
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  #29  
Old 09-21-2018, 07:00 AM
rokdog49 rokdog49 is offline
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Got rid of my "hardly played" guitars.
At my age I don't want or need more "stuff" no matter what form it comes in.
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  #30  
Old 09-21-2018, 07:02 AM
alnico5 alnico5 is offline
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I know a guy who buys a lot of expensive guns and ammo but never fires a shot. I guess that collector mindset could be for anything.
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