Do you guys gig your expensive guitars?

[fitness1]

I do most of the time, but there are places I'll pull out something else

[The Kid!]

My main guitar is my 1952 Gibson J-45, but I gig my 2016 and my Washburn as well.

[jseth]

I just use the best guitar I have for the requirements of the gig... most times, I take both my Mark Angus 6 and 12 string guitars for gigs; they both have Anthem SL pickups in them, and fit very well with either my Bose L1 Model II or my AER Compact 60...

I've owned both those guitars since they were made; my string was made for me by Mark in 1979... the 12 string I just happened to go by his shop and he offered it to me for the same price he made the 6 string, 4 years earlier, and I couldn't pass it up. Either of those guitars would cost upwards of $3k to replace.

After gigging with them and playing the heck out of them for 40 years or so, they do show a bit of wear-and-tear, although the 12 string is far more pristine than the 6 string.

Seems I learned a lot of "lessons" with that 6 string Angus, and it shows it! The top is like a road map of the past 40 years, with a lot of marks, dings and scratches... funny thing is, I know where and when each of them happened! Fortunately, I didn't choose to repeat those mistakes with the 12 string!

I also have a Goodall Grand Concert that has a K&K in it, and I would not hesitate to take it out with me to a show, if that was the "right" one to use, but the Anthem-equipped guitars are so much easier to get a great sound with that I usually use those.

I've been a singer-songwriter-guitarist as my Life's Path for the past 50+ years; as such, I've rarely had the money to buy another guitar as a "beater"... and every instrument I own is to be played, as I see fit.

I don't do "outdoor" gigs, as a general rule, and wouldn't, even if I had a carbon fiber guitar. Another lesson learned the hard way is that electronic equipment and extremely warm weather or rain, don't mix well at all!

So, yes, I use my "expensive" guitars for gigs... that's what I have them for!

[ChrisE]

Most of my gigs are outdoors by the ocean (resort pool parties). I usually play my Taylor 314ce because it’s sturdy, sounds good, and plays in tune.

I played my D-18 for one summer but the Grover tuners rusted out so I don’t use it as much now.

For indoor gigs I’ll play the Martins without worry. That’s what they’re made for.

[JayBee1404]

I use all of my acoustic guitars for gigging. I don’t have any ‘cheap’ guitars - the lowest-priced was the Martin D-18, the most expensive was the Lowden F-23. I take whichever pair tickles my fancy on that particular day, no matter where I’m playing.

A guitar is only a guitar when it’s being played, I bought them to play, I play them. I’m careful with them wherever they are, but case-queens they are definitely not. None of my guitars are vintage collector’s pieces, and I have them insured under a proper ‘Musician’s Policy’ for full replacement cost. If the worst happens, I’m Golden.

The usual disclaimers apply......IMHO, YMMV etc.

[rabbuhl]

Yes, but I keep an eye on it.

[Tico]

Yes.

The quality of sound I get from my gear and instruments matters to me, and to some of the audience.

[alnico5]

My single acoustic guitar is taken to all my acoustic gigs even though I'd be up the creek if something happened to it. $825 is expensive enough for me. (1996 Taylor 412, $1346 in 2019 dollars)

[mcduffnw]

Yeppers...

I don't do gigs, just play for fun, but I will take any of my guitars out to the beach, down on the beach around the campfire, out at picnics or wherever.

I don't worry about the heat to much, but I do live in the Pacific Northwest, so heat and humidity are rarely ever an issue.

Now, the only time I would consider not taking one of my main, and expensive guitars, is if I would be unable to keep a constant eye on it, and there was reason to need to be that vigilant due to the location and crowd flow that was going to be present. In that case, I have either a really nice, but a little scruffy Taylor 114 or a really scruffy but wonderful Yamaha L20A that I would use. If I was really worried about the safety/security angle, I would take the Taylor.

Otherwise, I take the good stuff, because that's why I bought it...to use anywhere and everywhere.

duff
Be A Player...Not A Polisher

[Wade Hampton]

Originally Posted by jklotz

Just wondering - do you guys gig with your expensive ($3K+) guitars?

Absolutely. There's no other reason to buy them if you're not going to use them, so far as I'm concerned.


whm

[KevWind]

Originally Posted by rokdog49

Does it count if a person takes two $2000+ acoustics and uses them both at the gig? If so, then yes.

Me also actually (well they would be $3k+ if purchased today) but were more like $2400 in 2000

[ManyMartinMan]

Originally Posted by rokdog49

Does it count if a person takes two $2000+ acoustics and uses them both at the gig? If so, then yes.

I think so.

[ljguitar]

Originally Posted by jklotz

Just wondering - do you guys gig with your expensive ($3K+) guitars?

Hi jk-etc

Yes, every gig or outing except when we are traveling.

I bought my main guitar 26 years ago because it improves the way I think and play. It draws music out of me other guitars do not. Why would I surrender that advantage when playing in public.

[Parlorman]

Yes indeed.

[CaptRedbeard]

I look at the song list for the event and, if I need my 12 string it goes. Otherwise just one of the 6's. BTW If it's all acoustic in a small setting then I will not bring an acoustic/electric.