Do I sell my expensive, rarely used, non gigging guitar?

[JackB1]

OK here's my conundrum....

I play my guitars live at gigs or open mics 95% of the time. Only time spend playing unplugged in for learning/practicing new songs. My most expensive guitar is my J45 Standard, which basically sit's in it's case most of the time. When I do take it out and play it, it sure is nice and sounds great, but my gigging guitars get most of my time. My main gigging guitar is my J45 Walnut M, which is worth about 1300. My backup gigger is an Eastman PCH worth 300. The J45 is probably worth around 2500. Do I sell the J45 and use the money towards PA upgrades or other items than I could use for my live gigs?
Is it silly to have something sitting around just because its nice, but rarely gets played? I know this is hard for someone else to answer, but I am curious what the popular opinion on this is?

[Goat Mick]

Normally I would say sell it and get something that will make you money, but not when we're talking about a J-45. There is nothing better than a good J-45, but I'd be gigging that thing if I were in your shoes.

[bfm612]

Were I in your position, I would feel the need to get rid of a redundant, little-used, albeit excellent guitar. It's a lot of money (for me, at least) that could go towards a lot of other things. Like you said, you could put it towards equipment, or other more practical things like paying down high-interest debt like credit cards. I feel that's the practical choice, though not necessarily the right choice, since there's likely not a *right* choice.

[Shadowfox]

I'd sell the Walnut J45, if you like the Standard better. Then gig the expensive one.

[KevinH]

I assume you weren't gigging during covid. Did the J-45 get played much then? If not, that could be a sign that it's time to sell.

[Guitarplayer_PR]

Originally Posted by JackB1

OK here's my conundrum....

I play my guitars live at gigs or open mics 95% of the time. Only time spend playing unplugged in for learning/practicing new songs. My most expensive guitar is my J45 Standard, which basically sit's in it's case most of the time. When I do take it out and play it, it sure is nice and sounds great, but my gigging guitars get most of my time. My main gigging guitar is my J45 Walnut M, which is worth about 1300. My backup gigger is an Eastman PCH worth 300. The J45 is probably worth around 2500. Do I sell the J45 and use the money towards PA upgrades or other items than I could use for my live gigs?
Is it silly to have something sitting around just because its nice, but rarely gets played? I know this is hard for someone else to answer, but I am curious what the popular opinion on this is?

Why don't you gig with your J45?

[JackB1]

Originally Posted by Goat Mick

Normally I would say sell it and get something that will make you money, but not when we're talking about a J-45. There is nothing better than a good J-45, but I'd be gigging that thing if I were in your shoes.

I do when I can......but it's tough to play that full size dread with 12s for 4 hours at a time compared my thinner bodied 45 Walnut with 11s. Also, I worry about theft and dinging it up.

[JackB1]

Originally Posted by Shadowfox

I'd sell the Walnut J45, if you like the Standard better. Then gig the expensive one.

That's not even an option for me. I love the walnut for gigs and the playability is excellent. I don't like the Standard "better" per se. It sounds better unplugged of course, but like I said, I rarely play unplugged except to learn songs.

[L20A]

This is what I just did.
I had a wonderful Guild D-55 that wasn't getting much playing time.

Sold the Guild to fund my new gigging guitar, a Martin GPC-16E Rosewood.
I gig with a smaller body Martin and I have a fantastic custom build plus a great Martin D-35.
I sold the Guild to a friend for a fair price and he loves it.

[JackB1]

Originally Posted by Guitarplayer_PR

Why don't you gig with your J45?

I just answered that above...

1) it's not easy to play for long 3-4 hour gigs. Between the heavier (12's)
strings and the body size (thickness), it can wear me down after a long gig.
2) I worry about theft and/or getting it dinged up
3) I worry about it when outside and it might rain or it's very hot

[PassingThru]

Play the one you like and sounds the best. Play it at home and at gigs. Let it gain some character. Sell one of your other guitars for PA upgrades.

[fenderball]

play the one you like the best at gigs...sell the other one or both...but only if you need the money...

[Graylocks]

For a gigging musician guitars are tools. If you not using it for gigs and you're not even drawn to pulling it out often to play it at home then it's time for that tool to go to someone who will use it.

[TBman]

I would keep it.

[Goat Mick]

Originally Posted by JackB1

I do when I can......but it's tough to play that full size dread with 12s for 4 hours at a time compared my thinner bodied 45 Walnut with 11s. Also, I worry about theft and dinging it up.

Put 11's on the J-45. It won't make the body any thinner but it'll be easier on your fingers. I've used 11's on mine several times and they work just fine. I just happen to like the feel of 12's better and use them on all my guitars including the giggers.