How to buy your first Expensive Guitar
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- Опубліковано 13 чер 2024
- I share the 5 Rules for Buying your first Expensive Guitars based on my learnings from buying many expensive guitars over the years, including the mistakes I have made. Buying an expensive guitar from your hard earned money is a well deserved treat. However if you are not careful, it can also turn out to be a nightmare.
Episode Guide
0:28 Introduction
1:47 Buy the Guitar you want, not a compromise
3:24 Don't buy a Guitar just because it is on sale
4:39 Play the Guitar before buying
6:11 Do not buy if you don't have an Emergency Cash Fund
7:15 Be decisive to buy when the opportunity comes
Utkarsh Mohan is a Singapore based writer, musician and artist of Indian origin. Formerly in corporate senior management, he now pursues his passions and is also the owner of the Ministry of Guitar collection
You can also follow him on Instagram @ministryofguitar
This is great advice. Do not settle. Get what will make you happy! Rule number 1 and you nailed it.
It depends on where you are in your music journey. I want a Gibson ES355 badly, but I want to gig and play every guitar I own while I’m still a gigging guitarist. I won’t be spending 8k-10k anytime soon for my dream guitar. I’m not a collector. I need the proper tools to get the job done. These events won’t wait until I saved up the money.
I have not bought my expensive guitar yet but I will follow your advise. Thank you for the video.
Wise words. Great advice for people looking at their first major investment in guitar's.
...or anything else, for that matter.
For many years I wanted to own a Gibson ES335. I had owned and played many of the similar guitars from Gretsch, Ibanez and others. But I could not really spend the price for a new one. Couple of years ago went into a local shop that takes consignments. Was talking to the owner and he pointed out a thin tan hardshell case nearby and suggested I look inside. It was a 2014 Gibson Cherry Dot ES335 in mint condition consigned the day before. When he told me the price I about fell of the stool. I could not get to the nearest ATM quick enough. It was about half of going retail. I had to wait two weeks to take her home due to state law on resale of consigned goods, pawned goods, etc. but sometimes luck comes your way and she will stay with me until I can no longer play her.
Nice. Looks like you got a keeper
yup, my first expensive guitar was also a new ES335 dot vintage burst back in 89'. Spent about an hour or more just trying it out and comparing it to LPs through different amps in this small shop. The owner was very gracious and let me take my time. I told him right away that in the end I might not buy anything. I got it, and he gave me a fantastic deal at $2600
Thank God I'm not hung up on brands, and the new Epiphone ES-335's are priced reasonably. In fact they're making so many different semi hollow versions currently, that it's a no brainer to just get an Epiphone. If that doesn't scratch the semi hollow itch, Eastman's are easily as good as any Gibson for maybe half the price. Gibsons are NOT gonna make you a better or happier player.
@@andrewbecker3700 I bought an Epiphone Sheraton II 14 yrs ago. It has a beautiful tone and I'm happy with it.
@@andrewbecker3700 I agree. The 335 is just one many fine instruments in that style. Out of 4 semi-hollow guitars I currently own, the others 2 D'Angelico DC's (one a 12 string) and a '77 Aria Pro II MIJ (smaller 339 size body). ALL are excellent instrument with their own very different voices and pickups. I actually play the D'Angelico with P90s far more than any of them. P90s are my favorite sound.
Just found your channel. Really enjoying your insight. Great approach.
Thank you. Appreciate it
I like your videos with this personal touch! Hope to see your channel keep growing bc it's really underappreciated as of now
Thanks. It’s early days. I’ve only been doing the channel properly for a few months so it does take time to grow. I’m in no hurry. Making the content is enjoyable
Your channel is about clear thinking and business savvy, as well as guitar issues.
I love it.
Thanks. Appreciate your kind words
One other tip is don’t fall for limited edition fomo. I got a modern eagle 5 limited prs experience model thinking they would never make another again. Now it’s a core model 😂 thankfully I love the guitar
Very true. It’s a marketing trope
You are 💯 right about not compromising...I'm close to doing just that, but I needed this message. I want to buy a vintage jazz box, either a Gibson or a Gretsch. I will now definitely stop looking at cheaper versions and wait for whatvi want. I have about 30 other decent guitars now
Very much agreed!👌 ...Guitars are want's and the way the mind wants is irrational, it does not follow any logic. But it really feels Good that will last for a few weeks, then that deep feeling of WANT will return for a much better or expensive guitars that you will soon discover.🤭
I realized I have followed all your steps before except #4. I still buy guitars that I like even though I don't have enough money anymore, but the fear of loss is stronger, I know the guitar is rare and limited, somebody might score the rare guitar if I will not be decisive enough.🎸 ( I promised not to fill in the GAS anymore, but thanks again.)🔥
GAS is tough to resist. I have only gotten it in control over the last six months or so
@@ministryofguitar Wow, it's great that you can control it.😅
The only thing that's preventing me to buy a guitar is "lack of funds" since I resigned just a few months ago. I know now it's just a "Hedonic treadmill". But lately my heart is still beating when I saw a rare 24 fret beautiful guitar. The only thing preventing me to buy is "lack of funds" as I will now apply #4 since income is lacking at the moment.🤭
Great points. I’d add that it helps to consciously monitor what your “dream guitar” actually is, as you may get consumed by the chase and forget what actually works for you. It’s a Les Paul? Really? Does it even match your playing style now, or was it just something that your younger self always wanted? Write down every negative aspect that you can think of about your dream guitar. It might be time to get a new dream! My dream guitar today is much different than it was 5 years ago. Great channel by the way!
Such excellent advice.
I’m about to purchase a Mayones Hydra guitar next October and this information helps me immensely. You’re doing God’s work!! 👏🏻👏🏻
I’m fortunate enough to have been handed down a 1979 Gibson ES-347. I’ve still never found another Gibson that feels, or resonates quite like it. I have a small collection of guitars, and I’m about to make my most expensive purchase. However, I’m still undecided on what I want yet. Really enjoy your content. Your channel is unique, & quite different from the average. I hope you’re doing well, & keep up the good work. Cheers!
Yeah, definitely try it in person before taking the dive. I do so for pretty much all of my acquisitions including relatively affordable ones. The ones I bought sight unseen, I promptly sold... There is one exception though, and I think I got lucky on that one. But what made it somewhat less of a gamble was the fact that I could personalise almost every aspect of the build with the Fender Custom Shop. Gibson & PRS have similar programmes. So another piece of advice I'd add if you are in the market for a guitar at these price points, is to go for one of these made-to-measure ones. Besides attenuating your chances of buying an expensive dud, it is also a whole lotta fun... 😉
Agree. The thing I would add is one is only ready to build a guitar when they know exactly what they like
Another great video, i love that you are realistic and advocating for smart finances, while also looking at it from the emotional perspective of a guitarist. Too many channels tell us "buy buy buy Products make you happy" its refreshing to hear someone bring real life issues into the Guitar discussion
What do you think of this situation....
I have been playing for a bit now, 14 years I moved states two years ago and had to start anew, my Childhood guitars are with family so, they're not lost, but getting them to me is so complex and expensive I found it easier to just start building a rig here until I can get my core rig down here. I got what I thought was my dream guitar, Blueberry burst Gibson Les Paul Standard 50s, brand new, even picked the exact top and weight I wanted, I loved it, and it'd be foolish to say I don't now, but I have recently been fielding some trade offers, and have the chance to trade it for a MIM Anniversary strat, boss katana, and a handful of cheaper guitars (but a variety, Squire Tele, Vintage P-90 Goldtop LP copy, a fixeruper bass plus a micro Ibanez for my kids and a uke for my toddler) oh, and ~$200 in strings, and accessories. I've also gotten some offers for some midrange guitars that (retail value wise) I'd be coming out on top. But I don't know what I should do, my mind tells me to take the deal that gets me the most value to further swap, sell, and trade, my heart says keep it and suffer through the lack of variety and fear of devaluing it by scratching and denting it up, and my gut says take the offer that I laid out above.
Whatcha think? Sorry for the book.
It's also worth noting, I am slowly making guitar related stuff a side hustle, I build Guitars on commission, do repairs, promote shows, and consignment services for large estates or collectors purging, I'm also working on a social media presence which is on-track to monetize this year. A variety of guitars will be good for filming, recording, and having the ability to trade or sell individual pieces when needed.
Thanks. I try to be balanced and not contribute to the consumption pandemic. At the same time, I am no ascetic either and I believe in enjoying life
This video could not be more spot on and really resonated with me. Great advice! I had alerts set to let me know when USA fenders went on sale. Next thing I know I’ve got three American pro ii strats in colors I don’t even like 😂. Also I think you should add this as an honorable mention. If you’ve got a guitar that you really love or really loved at one point, don’t sell it to get something else! I’ve made that mistake multiple times. Now if I have a guitar that at any point I LOVED and I decide I want to sell it for something else I’ll make myself wait 90 days before listing it and see if I still feel the same way!
I lusted after Gibson Les Paul since I was 12. Figures Maple Bound Top and Fretboard. Finally got one. Never pick it up. Found myself playing a MIM Fender Stratocaster. Can’t explain it. I never bonded with the LP. Be sure it is what you want and that you will play it.
It is indeed critical to play something before dropping a boatload of cash on it
These are good tips for really any price point of guitar.
Thanks
Never buy expensive guitars anymore. I have $ 200- 500 $ guitars that are better than any Gibson or Fender I have ever bought in the past. I don't give 2 shits what the headstock says !!
Your best video yet! All true and correct. Thanks man!
Thanks man. Really appreciate the kind words
I just got a Martin OMJM 20th Anniversary. I appreciate your content!
That’s a nice guitar. I have an OM 28 myself. My only nice acoustic guitar
Thanks
Very good advice. Thank you!
The the first point, since its a want, if you get an alternative to what you deeply want, then you will always want it. You will always want it and you will eventually get it so its more expensive in the long run. Save and be patient until you can get what you truely want. Took me 10 years of saving and spec’ing out the Les Paul custom i custom ordered but i had to make sure not to buy several lesser alternatives in the mean time. But it made saving easier and worth it.
This video was the one that got me to subscribe. Excellent advice. I’ve already made mistake 1 and 2. And sort of made mistake 3. And definitely made mistake 5. It’s like you’re reading my mind. Amazing. Thank you. I’m slowly trying to rectify these issues 🤣🤣🤣
This is great content ! Thank you for sharing this as I am fell into some of the pitfall hahah
We all do
Don't compromise is a great tip.
I'd also add: Play the guitar for a few months before sending it to a luthier for a setup, just so you know what the factory conditions felt like.
Yes experiencing the factory set up helps learn a lot
Another tip that I found out: don’t buy it just because UA-camrs said it’s good. Some get paid to say a guitar is great even though it’s not or the guitar just isn’t for you. Either way, try it first or at least make sure you can return it if it’s not for you 😊
Excellent suggestions
Thanks
My favorite guitar is actually the least expensive of the ones I own. And I think one of the reasons I don’t have the longing for a fancy core PRS or Gibson is because I had the childhood experience of finding my perfect violin. (Also because I like 24in. short scale guitars with an Ebony fretboard. What can I say? When you spent 12 solid years playing a 12.8in. Ebony fingerboard on a tiny hollow body, you gravitate to the most familiar you can find. Not many guitars fit the bill so I’m not lusting over what I don’t have!)
I’m a violinist first and I was so lucky to have a mom that sacrificed for me to have a good instrument because it was something she valued and she cared about nourishing my musicianship and really having all of the tools I needed. My shortcomings were my own; not my violin’s or my bow’s.
The experience of buying my big girl violin at a dealer with an on-site workshop was something I didn’t appreciate nearly enough as a 13 year old. It really was magical.
That being said, one of the reasons I was drawn to guitar as an adult is because the idea of guitars having similar functions but wildly different aesthetics. There’s definitely listening with the eyes while guitar shopping that was never a problem with violin!
I like your section about your fully funded emergency fund. Financial literacy is so important and you gotta have a 6 month safety net. Never finance a guitar; it’s a want, not a need.
That first rule is so true. I live by it in everything I buy since there was one time I didn't, and it went as expected.
I was lusting after my second PRS, there was a CU22 in Whale Blue with a 10 top at a local shop, but I thought I'd be responsible, so I bought an Ibanez instead, as I'd likes my RG550 in the 80s.
Well, come a few months later, I sold the Ibanez and went and bought that PRS anyway. I was just lucky it hadn't been sold. It was 2006 and PRS wasn't the powerhouse it is these days. I probably should have bought the Modern Eagle in faded blue they had, but at the time $3500 seemed outrageous for something like that! 😆
$3500 for a Modern Eagle 1. Of course inflation adjusted, it's much higher but still
@@ministryofguitarYeah, the 10-top CU 22 I bought was $2000 new, and I was like "It's so much money, but I won't be happy unless I get it!" 😆
As someone who has bought lots of guitars I agree with all your points. Learn about yourself as a guitar player, know what you want. When you find it jump on it. Make offers and do what you gotta do to close the deal.
For me I have a guitar/gear pool of money/gear. I sell to add money to this pool, I rarely dip into my actual financial circulation at times. However I have financed 0% on affirm (I know you say never finance) to give me time to sell guitars without being in a hurry. Yes I could’ve used my real money but keeping all the money in the gear pool is handy especially for the wife. It was so easy to flip guitars 15 years ago and I was able to grow my gear pool a lot in 2012-2017. I started dialing in what I like and have mostly settled down buying maybe 3-4 guitars a year and selling about as much. I’m selling an Ibanez today and ordered a Gibson gold mist satin LP as well. One in one out. No impact to my daily budgeting at all. I also gig to help pay for strings and add money to the pool.
Another tip, learn to tech guitars….yes ive gotten amazing deals because a guitar needed a new nut, pot, bridge issues or electric gremlin. Plus you can further analyze guitars well for fretboard issues or anything like that. American Strat for $300 broken nut…resold for $1200!
Well summarised
Great video interesting take I paid 6800 aud for a prs custom 22 I could've got them cheaper second hand but I wanted to know it was 100% legit so was happy to pay more for leave of mind. It is my #1 favorote guitar now
Great video and excellent points, this is a topic that i feel like not a lot of people would cover because it could be seen as rather cringy but it is wonderful to hear some solid reasoning. However, i am curious to know, what is often found to be inconsistent about gibson guitars and what would i look for when i look at their brand specifically?
I am going to make a video to talk about exactly that point in the near future.
@@ministryofguitar very excited!
I could’t agree more to all of your points as I’ve been through them all.
But I guess many of us are unable to come to this conclusion until we experience by ourselves, especially with guitars!
Yes nothing beats experience. Shouldn’t come at the cost of other life goals though
Try before you buy is good advice. I ended up buying a PRS Core Custom 24 without having tried many PRSes…only to find out, once I had it, that I didn’t really vibe with it (and ended up losing a little money selling it).
I did a mistake buying a mexican strat... it was not ment for me... i sold it within couple of months.. now after using prs... can say... its the best....
I'm old and retired I will play my 🎸's until I die!👏💯✌️💜🤍💙❤
A guitar is a guitar. Nothing beats the special ones one plays day in and out
Go to Detroit’s be brave go past 8 mile during the day find the nicest pawn shop close to the freeway buy anything Gretch or Gibson they have. they usually ship if your a wimp
Rule number 1 : just don't ... buy some cheaper limited series guitars
Rule number 2 : remember that the price for a brand new can be not justified and a company can make dozens more of these in future
Rule number 3 : if you want to profit in future on it or just sell it quickly - you must be sure that it will be only one in future on Reverb . if it is one of 10 - it may take forever before you sell it , because , remember , the other side of the deal usually also wants to profit on the deal ... so it has to be discontinued , one of a kind , prestigious and super rare to be interesting for other "business people"
- buy once, cry once
- play as many types of guitars as you can to find out what you really like... different brands, scale sizes, neck styles, construction methods, bridges, pickups.
I believe number four is the most important of all, and can translate too many other areas in life.
it's difficult to do though
Is that a Sheltie in the background we have 3. Yes buy what you want don’t compromise or you will regret it. I bought a newer version of an Ibanez JEM and I wanted a vintage one that played like a vintage RG I didn’t ever bond with it I and gave it to my oldest son as an early inheritance so I wouldn’t do something stupid like sell it.
You should do a video on custom ordering a guitar waiting over 2 years to get it and by that time your interest wears off and you sell it right away.
It's a Rough Collie puppy :)
this will be me soon 🔥(and by expensive I mean like $750, I can't mentally do more than that)
That’s wonderful man. And expensive depends on what your budget is. My first guitar was $600 back in the day. I really wanted the guitar that was $750 but it was too expensive for me . All the best with your purchase
Do still play out?
I trade to get expensive guitars
That’s another way for the experienced guitar buyer seller
Well I have 100 and most of then were in trade
Im struggling to buy groceries these days. Ill stick with my cheap guitars
I’m sorry to hear that. Inflation has been a bitch the last few years for a multitude of reasons
Mistake number one: Letting online influencers like this convince you that you need an expensive guitar.
He’s not an influencer, and he doesn’t say you need one, but if you want one he’s sharing his experience and some advice.
@@Dzamora612 You just defined exactly what influencers do. They don't all push a specific brand of guitar. Some are just influencing people to buy guitars in general, this one expensive guitar specifically.
Very wise words and words that cross both income levels and price points. One tip I have is to have in your collection, whether that’s a collection of three guitars or 50, something that could increase or holds value. I bought a Baja Telecaster just before Fender did the Vintera revamp. Now Baja’s were rare enough on the second hand guitar market but then became even more desirable after they were discontinued. I sold mine for a profit. I’m currently about to sell a PRS SE Zach Myers that has a quilt veneer and a different colour that was a limited run for the UK. I expect it to hold its value, or be really close.
Sounds like some forward thinking right there
I prefer your longer hair style.
This channel screams all the gear no idea
I never did buy my expensive guitars, I brought a few expensive guitars for cheap I junk shops, it can happen. But they weren't electrics... my primrary instrument. I don't care as I won't be doing that, I have two stunning electrics that feel perfect, I have many more that are average, but those two copies are both Japanese, a strat copy and an sg junior copy, you SHOULD NOT buy an expensive guitar because you want a name on the headstock.
I agree that a name on the headstock shouldn’t be the reason . But we humans aren’t rational creatures
But I can't afford an expensive guitar! Please don't make me do it! I won't be able to pay my mortgage!
Haha certainly don’t buy one . Mortgage is more important
Bunch of blabber. You got money, get a guitar you like. Some finance advisor 😆
I mean it in a constructive way tone down the Narcissist snobby shit it's hard to watch
I’m curious. What part, or perhaps specific words, do you find snobby?
@@ministryofguitar the flexing part in the beginning honestly stopped watching after that interesting topics and very well spoken I appreciate your insight
Helpful. It was just me providing accreditation on why I can provide an informed perspective on the topic but fair enough, good feedback
Just because he enjoys expensive gear doesn’t make him a snob
You may be interpreting things somewhat harshly.
While English has much commonality it is also heavily influenced by local cultures. The words may sound the same but sometimes the underlying concepts (or intended communication) can vary with the culture and background of the speaker. South Asian ways of speaking can be sometimes interpreted in unexpected ways by American or Canadian English speakers. Also establishing credibility and the validity of experience is part of any exchange of ideas.
Just think about how you hear a deep-hollow Appalachian or Cajun accent if you are from New York for example. Might sound very foreign, maybe unintelligible. But still English at its base.
Step 1 is to be rich like you
Or wait till one can afford it till one gets one’s first expensive guitar. I had been working full time for 8 years before I bought my first expensive guitar