I want you two gents to promise me something. If I ever buy a guitar and don't play it, take it away from me. Guitars are meant to be played often. They are not baseball cards to be collected. They have to be played to get that story and history to go along with them. The stories are what makes them priceless. I have respect for Kirk Hammett now that he takes Greeney everywhere with him. He is adding his own chapter to the story of Greeney.

I had the fender custom shop build me a guitar. I went to corona and spent time with the master builder as we walked the factory choosing all the right bits. Needless to say, this wasn’t inexpensive. The head of the custom shop called me after a suitable amount of time and asked what I thought. I told him I was afraid to take it out of the case. He, and rightly so, read me the riot act and told me to play it… to get dings and scratches …and to enjoy the effing thing. It’s a guitar. Make it yours.

The way I see it, not playing an expensive guitar is like not drinking an expensive single malt. I've got a beautiful 68 Les Paul Custom Reissue. I bought it used in near-mint condition. I happily play it. I've put some wear on the frets and some buckle trash on the back. Yes, it looks great on the wall. But I didn't buy it to hang on the wall just like I don't buy whiskey to shove in a liquor cabinet. I bought it to play. I come home from the office, do my dadly duties, and at the end of it all, spend a little time when I can playing the damn thing. I'd probably feel differently if I had plans to resell it but I'm not a guitar merchant. To me, guitars are for playing, not for selling.

Guitars at all price range should be played. Only thing I am concerned about is fret wear but that I mitigate by owning way too many guitars :D

I’m a working musician and have some very nice custom shop guitars both gibson and fenders and I play the hell out of all of them. IMHO Gibson and Fender are making some of the best guitars ever, especially if you buy a custom shop guitar. All those vintage guitars were new when most of the artists were using them and while there were some good ones, there were some real dogs.

My parents gave me an Ibanez Jem in green multicolour for my 18th birthday. It is now worth a fortune but I never play it because I just don’t like Floyd Rose wiggle sticks, but I won’t sell it because it was a gift from my parents.

I play my expensive guitars at home and love them. I have many guitars in the $700-$1200 range that are my gig guitars. When they get kicked over or dinged I don’t feel quite as sick to my stomach. Depends also on the venue (are people going to be near the gear or not?)

When Baxter brings up museum pieces, like Hendrix's strat, I can speak with some authority on this as a museum professional. There is a philosophical argument to be had: "if a guitar is not played, is it actually a guitar? Or is it instead merely a symbol of a guitar?" But museum ethics suggest that when something is acquired by a museum it is "taken out of the economic cycle," which is to say it won't ever be sold again*, and implicit in that is the idea that it won't get used again either.

In my country we have some dangerous zones where you can get your gear stolen. If I gig in those places maybe I’ll take a MIM Strat just to leave the more expensive stuff at home. I customize the affordable stuff I own to get them playing real nice . I would love to carry my number one everywhere but that’s the world we are living…

The question should perhaps be "Should you GIG your high-end Custom Shop/ vintage guitar"? That's a lot like asking if you should drive your '61 Corvette to the gig. The answer is probably "no" unless you're in a high-end band doing high-end gigs with Secret Service-level security, Smithsonian-level people doing your cartage, and Berklee-level people doing your tech.

Last year I sold my most expensive guitar of the three I own. A) I didn't want to get it damaged but B) I didn't want to admit to myself I just didn't like it anymore, and kept it because I had spent a lot on it --and it was time to break up with it otherwise it was just sitting there. I consigned it and it sold in a month, it feels good to now have a clean break and somebody else can love it, and I can play something else that I get more joy out of and a bonus it was 25% cheaper :) If that makes any sense.

I own several vintage and rare guitars and amps… and I play them live! Yessir!

I'm often hesitant to bring out the best of my collection, particularly the pristine ones. I force myself because they should all be played in rotation, to keep them working, to check for anything going wrong, and also to enjoy what it is they bring. Looks, sound, provenance and playability all are part of the guitar's mojo. Usually, somewhere in the middle of the jam, I hear the guitar wailing, a beautiful voice, I marvel at the fast smooth action. I put it in it's stand and can't take my eyes off of it, like a beautiful work of art. All these elements come together and thrill me. That's why I have them. And that's why every one of them needs to come to the jam on their night. We are a pack. And a pack is a forever love.

As a player, if I but it, it will get played. If it is too expensive to play, it won't get purchased.

I don’t gig any more, but still, I don’t couch practice my pricey R8 or Core PRS very often. For one, they play too easily, have some fret wear, and I prefer my hands & callouses to get a bit more of a workout. My daily driver is a MIM Tele with a custom soft V neck with stainless frets. Love that thing!

The black Gilmore strat, the hendrix woodstock guitar etc. They are a piece of history that need to be preserved. There are what???? 100's of thousands of guitars out there for playing.

I think it has more to do with the gig... Am I taking my ES-355, Ric 660, Wood Library HB2 Piezo or CS '56 Strat to the neighborhood dive bar for a gig? No. That'll be when I break out the Mexican Fenders. Will I take the fancy stuff to a distillery, private party or Keeneland gig? Yes.

I tried to play my fancy guitar with white gloves on and it sounded funny...

In the classical world, rich patrons buy the million dollar violins then loan them to top orchestral players. A Stradivarius is meant to be played and enjoyed by a musician and his or her audience.

I bought my first Gibson in 1999 from ebay, a 1998 LP DC Std. It sounded so good and I was so proud of it and I wanted to show it off. I was playing it at the bar (Knickerbockers, Lincoln, NE) at our show and I thought “what if someone hits it with a beer bottle or it falls off the stand and the headstock snaps off?” The terror I felt snapped me out of playing my good guitars at rock shows if I couldn’t afford to repair or replace it. I sold it a few months later to help pay for college. I didn’t lose any money but I gained a valuable lesson. 😊

Joe Bonamassa owns a lot of expensive guitars - and it seems like he plays them all!

What about David Gilmor going through a ton of red tape just to get his black Strat back from the Hard Rock just so he could perform and record with it again. They should be played! ....and fried bologna sandwiches are amazing!!!

When I was little I had to get an allergy shot every Saturday morning and the nurse would give me a coupon for a free small fry or hash brown from McDonalds. I will always associate McDonald’s hashbrowns with getting a shot.

A beautiful guitar is like a work of art, both in craftsmanship and tone. I look at it like the world deserves to be made more beautiful by having these instruments shared publicly. I usually practice on a beater guitar and save the D41 for gigs and inspirational moments. Want it to still be beautiful when my kids are fighting over it but man is it sweet.

To me it’s more a question of if I’d gig with it. I’ve definitely played small bars where I might not take certain guitars because the likelihood of beer spilling or folks with sticky fingers is higher.

How many '59 Bursts are right now hanging in a glass case in some lawyer's or stock broker's office? I'd bet it's more than a few. Cryin' shame. Kudos to Kirk Hammett for actually playing the shit out of his night after night.

I love the swiffer. I use it once a week.

4K is my most expensive and it’s out and played all the time

My theory on the whole relic hype: People are finally able to play their expensive guitars, because they´re already beaten up 😄

The secret is to work at a guitar shop, so you can buy these awesome guitars in, obviously have to make sure it functions right? Cut the check, and then you’re the custodian of the guitar until it finds a happy home. Best part of the job

The only reason would be if it was a mint condition vintage guitar, bought as an investment. Which I don't do.

lol I would play a guitar I bought no matter how expensive it is. I have 2 private stocks and gig them both. I’ve seen the value of my 83’ Silver Gibson LP custom go up. I still use it. My 02’ PRS SE I use to play in front of my PC when learning and eating Gardettos. Lol

I think that there’s a difference between expensive guitars and guitars with legendary provenance. Anyone else playing Hendrix’s guitar may likely result in ‘meh’. As opposed to a famous ‘59 Burst being played and displayed where the guitar is more of the focus… that’s an expensive guitar that should be played. I have a couple of expensive but otherwise pedestrian Gibsons that are played and gigged regularly. I just take more safeguards when they’re out and about.

All my guitars get played at home, but the nice ones only go to gigs at nicer bars. Thankfully I have several very nice modded imports that are the gig work horses.

I don’t keep my guitars in cases, mine line my walls for ease of use and atmospheric wall art

7:18 I’m not really a fan of retiring numbers, it’s certainly not something we do here in the UK very often, if ever. If someone wears a number and is really successful, then it’s more likely that number will become pretty much sacred and be considered an honour for whoever wears it in future. For my team, Wolverhampton Wanderers, it’s the number 9. I think treating significant instruments the same way isn’t a bad thing either. Greeny is the prime example here. Between the three players who have used it, that guitar now has a status all of its own. I’d actually quite like to see significant guitars continue to be used and passed from prominent musician to prominent musician.

I read in a guitar rag back on the day about the deluxe plus Strats being as close to custom shop as the factory will get. Found a used one in 96. Have been playing the crap out out this thing. All of the deluxe or pkus Strats on KZfaq look so new and pretty. Mines got the real relic look cause its been played hard and put away wet too many times. But through sll that just the maple neck has that chipping finish and dirty look and the body (vintage blonde) has that seeated out part where my arm comes over, the back is darker with eesr to where you can clearly tell the ash veneer. I put a Hipshot Tremsetter on way back then and haven't made any adjustments since. Amazing workhorse tool bought used for $750 . Still my grab and go axe today.

McDonalds dropped the all day breakfast items during Covid and never brought it back regardless of how popular it was. Now remember, some of us don’t get up early enough for their breakfast menu, so I liked the all day breakfast. McDonalds cries it’s some kind of logistical nightmare yet several other fast food chains serve their entire breakfast menus all day, so I don’t know what McDonalds In whining about. My most expensive guitar is a 1964 Jag that’s been overly used by at least one rock star you Casino guys know, and the only reason to avoid playing is every time you do it leaves Olympic White paint flakes on your clothes. How does the Fender CS relic their guitars to prevent that? Paint everywhere! On my shirts, all over the case, on the furniture, on the cat! It’s maddening!! Oh the Humanity!!

Baxter said he has his guitars and plays his guitars in his apartment. I'd like to see what amp you play them through when playing in your apartment. Not a little crappy amp that shops are necessarily selling to noobs, but the one or type you use daily in your apartment.

Absolutely. You got it because it reminds you of music and musicians you love. Plug it in and rock! Don’t take it on any gigs though, it’ll get destroyed or stolen.

There are certain acoustics from Martin and Gibson that definitely are not made to be played but show what’s possible in craftsmanship.

Very Cool, Thankyou. I don't really have Expensive Guitars. I count 2 of my Gretsch Electromatics (G5420T and G5248T) as my 'Expensive' Guitars and only bring them out of their cases occasionally. I really should play them more often but they are SO Awesome, I am 'overly' Cautious with them. Totally Love my Gretsch Guitars and they are actually very Affordable even though my G5420T is going for $1200- to $1500- Australian now. Price went up Quick. All the Best. Cheers

I have a '71 Gibson Les Paul Custom, a '79 Fender 25th anniversary strat, and an '65 Epiphone Sorrento. I don't take them out on gigs, but I do play them a lot at home.

Is it OK to play them if they are Custom Shop reliced guitars?

I actually spend more time with my parts Telecaster than with my GE Smith signature Tele. But, it’s not premeditated, it just happens.

For me personally, I don't own any guitars that I don't play. That said, I don't have Eric Clapton's original Blackie, David Gilmore's double black, Lennon's Casino or Cobain's acoustic from Unplugged. I don't have guitars that are collectable that way mostly because I'm not super rich. Maybe some guitars should be looked at for what they were and those guitars should be available to see in a museum. If it's just a cool vintage guitar, then you should buy it to play it. Not sure when that line is crossed, but I would think that if a guitar that should sell for $25k sells for 1.7 million...maybe you shouldn't play that one.

At the Guitar Center here in Hollywood they have some custom guitars on the wall from time to time that range in the area of 10K. If a person was going to buy that then yes, play it at least once but there are places, venues, that you do not take that type of guitar because it may walk away. There are Guitar collectors online, who post a video nearly every day, who have collections that range in the 6 figures. That man and others will not play them anywhere but that might be a special instance where you do not at all play them because of finish checking, or similar, causing a devaluation of the guitar.

I was thinking bout pulling my gold top out of the case and tune it up. but think im gunna get some biscuits n gravy first

The movie Baxter mentions is called Moon, starring Sam Rockwell. And yes, some very few guitars which are widely recognized as having significant historical significance do belong in museums on public display.

Conundrum: if you sell a relic guitar, can you list it as mint ?

I have 2 that I used to play at live gigs exclusively, back when they were unwanted and "cheap" after 20+ years and a considerable amount of abuse... they are worth 6X what I paid for them, and frankly are showing their age... so they stay home now. Mostly for sentimental value cause they are unreplaceable at this point. they still get drug out, and they did recently go on a trip to the studio, (me freaking out about them the entire time lol)

Your awesome discussion reminded me of Josh Homme and Conan O'Brien talking about how they were scared to touch, not even play, George Harrison's telecaster.

My biggest fear is having an expensive, or my most played favorite guitar, stolen. If you take a $5k Les Paul to a gig, you have to practically handcuff it to yourself between sets unless you have someone watching it. I've had guitars stolen from me before and two of them are not made anymore. I was lucky that one of them that was stolen was seen being stolen and knew who the thief was and where he lived. Several of us went to his house within a half hour and threatened to break both of his arms if he didn't give it back. Unfortunately, my pedals, which he stole were never found. Fortunately, my all time favorite guitar is a Squier strat. So nobody is going to want it. I say, never play expensive guitars at a gig. Anything can happen, including accidents.

I don't own any custom shop level stuff but I do have some vintage guitars going back into the 1960s as well as some expensive modern instruments. A '63 Epiphone and a '71 J-50 as well as a few vintage MIJ electrics and acoustics. While I do not gig, I do play out at open mics at pubs, American Legion, etc. NONE of my guitars are case queens, all hang on the wall and get played regularly. I will take any of them out to play but I do keep a close eye on them and know the environments I play in. Even last night playing out I got (another) little ding in the side of my '77 F400 Takamine 12 string when it bumped a chair. Sh*t happens.

Not only do I play my custom shops, I let my 3 year old (supervised of course) play them as well. Some of my favorite memories growing up was playing on my dad’s guitars

my 2006 murphy R9 is my daily player... as its already aged anything I do to it just blends in!

Life is short. Play it, drink it in, celebrate, and enjoy the moment! It's what you're here to do! 🎈

I don’t know Jimi of course. The vibe I get from what we know of him however is that he would tell us to play the guitar.

I think the underlying question is whether you should _buy_ a guitar that is so expensive (for you, whatever that means) that you don't dare to play it?

Greeny has been in like 25 pieces before, I have no regard for rare/expensive guitars even though I'll never own a 50's Gibson. They ALL deserve to be played!

The question is like, "Should you actually DRIVE your Ferrari regularly, given that some feel adding miles on the odometer constantly lessens its value, always worrying about an accident, paint nicks, vandalism when you're not near it, etc.?"

so can anyone tell me what happened to the live feed last wednesday? I paused it a couple minutes in and came back and it had disappeared.

If I owned a really valuable guitar then there’s probably some places I wouldn’t take it but yes I’d play it. I’m not a collector of stuff and if I was I think I’d collect something cheaper than guitars!

Silly but fun question! 🤣During the 70s my one and only electric was a 1968 Gibson LP Custom and I played it in our pub residencies and at concerts with audiences of thousands without a guitar tech or security anywhere in sight. Now that I'm in my dotage I just play it in my studio given it could be worth up to USD 25K or whatever. On the odd occasion I play live I take my Sadowsky NYC S Style because it covers all the bases - still not a cheapie, to replace would be USD 6K, but these are one off shows. I guess if travel was involved, touring an album or whatever, I'd probably take my Epi Cantrell 'Wino' and PRS SE Custom 24-08 as a back up. Agree with what a lot of people here are saying . . . guitars NEED to be played!

I'm Canadian, with conversion, duty, taxes and shipping I just paid 14k for a Fender Master built tele. I only played this guitar for months. It has completely spoiled me. Put away for the winter to baby it. It's coming out in a few weeks. If you can afford it, do it. This guitar changed everything for me. My lifer.

Moon is a movie about cloning a worker to work on the moon who doesn’t realize he’s a clone and thinks they are just there for a tour of duty. It’s an interesting clone movie

For me there appears to be some imagined mojo with all of my guitars. So you want to protect all of them, despite their monetary value. But the ones that cost the most are harder to replace. So you practice with and take on the road the less expensive ones, which tends to be played more while the others sit in a closet somewhere. Johnathan is right, we need to play the expensive ones but I wouldn't recommend taking them out for a gig if you can't stand the misery of potentially losing them.

That Jimmy Hendrix guitar should be played by Jhon Frusciante so he can add a new chapter 😊

That’s why I like relics or just older vintage acoustics because they already have dings and dents so if I add one it’s not the end of the world. I play em all and if I’m too concerned about resale I sell it before I ding it. Beautiful guitars but I’m nervous if I take ‘em out to jam. Beers are usually involved.

For me, it all comes down to the venue. I know that gear can be stolen from anywhere, but if im familiar with the venue, the more likely the big guns come out.

Any guitar that I own is going to be played. Personally, playing OUT with certain guitars might give me pause, if they were too cherry? One of the reason I like relic’d guitars! Too high of a price tag might do the same thing? I have never owned a guitar worth more than $3k. I would start getting real nervous if I had a $10k guitar? I had have a friend, who fronted a band, where he would have to work the room after a show. He mostly played his Epiphone LP out, instead of his Gibson LP, because he couldn’t always watch always his equipment. Bigger shows with a true back stage, he would bring his Gibson. That made sense to me.

If a guitar wasn’t made to be played, it wouldn’t have strings on it. Good on Kirk for playing greeny and taking it on tour

Guitars are pretty simple just play it, it'll be fine! I play my custom shop jazzmaster every day. I've modded it, scratched, dinged etc. And every day I love it even more cause it plays like a DREAM

Biscuitville is the bomb. I hit that over Chechen in Martinsville, VA. (There are none in FL)

Having a guitar you can't play for fear of devaluation is like having a nice vintage or new car you can't drive for fear of getting it dinged or dirty. Remember, they are made for a purpose! That purpose is to play them (or, drive them, in the case of cars). I just bought a very expensive (barely used) 2022 Gibson Les Paul Custom Shop Custom with M2M appointments -- many of which I liked..., the locking tuners, speed knobs, neck profile, etc. But, I hated the pickups, and the electronics were underwhelming, too. So, I immediately modified the guitar with the pickup set I wanted in it, and added a Jimmy Page 21-Tone wiring system. I replaced the bridge and tailpiece, too. These "mods" make the guitar way better, IMO, and I can now play it and enjoy it, whereas, before, I played it some, but couldn't enjoy it because of the pickups and electronics. And, when I did the soldering and all the other work, it didn't bother me at all that a splatter of solder fell on the finish some. I just scraped it off and went along my way. Who cares? Not me! Because, it doesn't affect the playability or sound. So, yes, take it out and play it. If you're that concerned about it, insure it. It still amazes me, after all these years, that people actually pay a premium for a guitar that has been "relic'ed." Nonsense! It's fakery! Let the real world of playing, over time, determine the condition of the guitar. The stories will be real concerning each markand scar.

All I have are modded imports. Even though they're not expensive custom shop guitars, I take good care of them while still playing them. A tricked out Epiphone Les Paul is a good thing. That being said all guitars should be played and taken proper care of so they can last and make great music.

I’m having this dilemma right now actually. Just joined a band as a guitarist with our first gig coming quick. I have a 1962 Les Paul (SG) Jr that is my best playing and sounding guitar, definitely my most expensive guitar and I’d really love to play it live but I’m kinda terrified to take it out. I feel like because it’s an SG maybe I shouldn’t as they’re notoriously delicate and mine is straight and original. Just some nice checking. No idea what to do!

I agree with Jonathan: yes, my expensive guitars ought to be played outside the house. I am primarily an acoustic player. It is in part why I bought them. Yes, there are some guitars that ought not be played, like Martin's millionth guitar with all the diamonds on it. I've been playing for decades, and have worn out a guitar or two. These acoustics have different voices that fit my voice in different songs.

I have never been in a position where I have ANYTHING that was too expensive to actually use as it was intended to be used. Now that said, if a person gets a guitar that is truly HISTORIC, then maybe not play it. But then again, if it is still sound (no pun intended) it would be a crime NOT to play it, at least now and again. The thing that makes it what it is, is that it has voice. Don't deny the guitar its purpose and voice.

This hit me between the eyes. I have a PRS private stock graveyard limited 1, I really do believe it's the best guitar in the history of the world. It's in my closet. The best guitar in the history of the world is in my closet. Like it's in prison for a crime it didn't commit or something. Am I a monster?

I have a Taylor 812ce, Brazilian rosewood back and sides. Should I play it? I'd be crazy not to! So I do. Is it pristine? Nope, but it's what I got it for in the first place. And yes, it goes with me to gigs.

I have a very rare Sun Dew Gold Ibanez Pia that i play a few times a week. Im careful with it but im careful with all of my guitars even my Squiers !! Cheers from NZ 😎🎸🤘

Love the Mauler Twins reference!

I play my $14000 PRS Private Stock almost every day... as well as my $7000 Taylor 914CE

If that expensive guitar in the collection is too specialized, e.g., I had a Rickenbacker 12 which I loved to have, but really didn’t use it much. I need a guitar I love to use. The distinction is important.

I play my Esteban all the time. I have never done any gigs yet but possibly some day.

64 strat and an eighties yamaha strat has had 4 attempted stage grabs never had one on the yamaha both are great so....

My "problem" is I have several pricey guitars....a few I keep at home but I rotate through my guitars for gigs.... I use an EVH guitar strap that has the metal clips on it so it requires taking out the strap buttons and put in the Eyelets.... no way it's coming loose during a gig....so once those Eyelets go in, that guitar is in the rotation and yes I don't care if it costs 6k (les paul custom shop) 3k suhr...or a $2500 nash guitars it gets the Eyelets because it's mine & it's meant to be played!

I have a £3k custom finish Parker Fly that I used to play gigs with all the time, no problem. easily my no.1 guitar. But they no longer make them and prices have risen. It's also signed on the back by various rock stars (vai, Satch, Brian May, Petrucci, Gilbert etc. It has become too precious to me to play out anymore. It lives in its case :(

8:11 I heard the Gibson RD was actually originally called the Gibson VD.

I think the singular historical or vintage pieces should probably be preserved and not played. I’m mainly thinking of something like a 1957 strat in mint condition. On the other hand it’s cool that something like Duane Allman’s gold top still gets played live.

I have 9 guitars all in the €450-1200 price range. I swap them out all the time to play each one. If I had high end guitars I’d do the same. Great to look at them hanging on the wall but guitars have to be played.

I have some expensive guitars at least in my estimation, not like I bought Blackie or something like that, but guitars my wife doesn't need to know how much I paid for. But I don't have a guitar that isn't playable and that I won't hesitate to take out and play. I went through a phase where I thought guitars were these beautiful works of art. And while they may still be, if I want beautiful works of art, I'll find something I can hang on the wall like a Picaso.

I am an amateur and play at home for fun. I would never even buy a $5,000 guitar because I like to keep them out on my 2 stands so I can play them. I have 3 grandkids and it isn't unusual to find one of them plucking a few strings or they like to come over and bang the strings while I am playing. I feel more comfortable with guitars in the $500 to $1,000 range and there are some very good guitars in this range. If I become a rock star, maybe I'll buy a custom shop guitar.

Strange that this question needed it's own video. All guitars should be played, loved, and shared with others.

Some likes collecting, others playing, or both, but isn’t rare see a lot of collections with expensive Gibsons or PRS in showcases, for me guitars must be played, and only have the number that you can use regularly.

for years grading companies have been grading sports cards and now video game carts and comic books and then sealing them in plastic. and recently I heard that they are doing it with vinyl LPs...so next will be vintage guitars??

Picks are there to lose them, strings are to be broken and guitars are there to be played. It does not matter if it is a 200 euro beginner guitar or if it is 12 thousand euro Martin D45. I do not play the guitar because it is cheap or expensive, or because I am good at it. I play because it brings me joy.

I play all my nice guitars at home and out. That said, it does hurt when I ding or dent it on something at a bar or venue.

Im totally okey if someone doesnt play a guitar outside the house/studio whatever, just play it !!! enjoy it Also doesnt matter how expensive it is. If u can afford it and doesnt make u bankrupt, enjoy it. life too short