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I'm in BIG G/A/S trouble. Please help!!!

I'd love to be a git'r collector, but I don't have any rich uncles.
But the one git'r that I ever owned that I still jones for - 20+ years after I sold it :roll: - is my ES-355ESTD.
Well. Gibby is selling a Custom Shop ES-356, with a Koa top. It runs in the low 4K range.
After all the tasty git'rs that've come out - I dam near bought an Alex Lifeson 355 reissue - I want one this one so bad I can barely stand it.
Considering that a good bake sale could outperfrom the world's economy right now, it doesn't seem the time to blow 4+ grand on a git'r, no matter how nice.
Please help me...maybe have Shania call me and tell me that she won't sleep with me no matter what git'r I own?!?
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Comments

  • Well if you're waiting for the economy to get better, don't put too much hope in this stimulus package crap. All it's going to do is stall the inevitable for a short time. You have my permission and blessing to plunk down the 4 g's before we all get that much closer to the grave.
    ...trying to find Shania's number so I can find out about your request on the intimacy thing. You do realize that your chances are better if you actually own the guitar before we ask, right ? Hell yeah, I say buy it ! :D
  • Hey we never know what a day may bring forth Shredd. If you realy got have this thing, & you have the cash flow? Get the thing! enjoy it make music with it at least you'll be doing and enjoying something you like in these uncertain times :D
  • Shredd, the only way our economy will get better is if you buy a Gibson Custom shop 356. You are the stumbling block to our total recovery, so get out there, do your patriotic duty and buy the guitar.
    :wink: 8)

    peace
  • Life is too short. If you got the money, buy the guitar and enjoy it while you can. Best wishes.
  • Is this guitar a want or a need situation??? Thats what my wife always says darn it..... If you ain't gonna starve or be forced to live in a garbage can in the near future - just buy it and look forward to the next GAS episode coming your way. I do. :D
  • \BettyBoo\ wrote:
    Is this guitar a want or a need situation??? Thats what my wife always says darn it..... If you ain't gonna starve or be forced to live in a garbage can in the near future - just buy it and look forward to the next GAS episode coming your way. I do. :D
    I wish I had a wife who thought like that!
    This is DEFinitely a \"want\" situation, strictly G/A/S. I already have a coupla nice electrics that pretty much fulfill what I need to play.
    No, I won't starve if I fork out for this thing. I'm sure I could do \"smarter\" things with the money (like invest - now is surely the time to partake in the \"buy low, sell high\" philosophy.
    But even if I didn't need it to play, it'd be a joy to own...
    If I can't get myself into this, I'm thinking about a Taylor T5 custom... :shock:
  • \shredd\ wrote:
    ...I'm sure I could do \"smarter\" things with the money (like invest...

    My wife and I lost about 1/2 of our IRA portfolio value in 2008. I don't know much about the value of collector guitars, but somehow I think it would have been a better investment than my portfolio. At least you can play a guitar and enjoy it. If your guitar drops in monetary value you can always play the blues and still sound great. What am I supposed to do with my dropping IRA portfolio statements? Wipe my......? (left to your imagination).
  • edited February 2009
    \gtaus\ wrote:
    \shredd\ wrote:
    ...I'm sure I could do \"smarter\" things with the money (like invest...
    My wife and I lost about 1/2 of our IRA portfolio value in 2008. I don't know much about the value of collector guitars, but somehow I think it would have been a better investment than my portfolio. At least you can play a guitar and enjoy it. If your guitar drops in monetary value you can always play the blues and still sound great. What am I supposed to do with my dropping IRA portfolio statements? Wipe my......? (left to your imagination).
    I feel yo pain, brutha. My \"investments\" have also taken a foul-smelling ride down the slide, like everyone else's. :evil:
    Although - I've been thinking that now is the time to be investing. We've all lost a pile of dough to the fact that we put our money in BEFORE the world's economy tanked. Investing now would be putting money AFTER. In the hopes that we'll go up from here. (I'd sure like to think so, lest I be eating Alpo and living in a box when I retire) :shock:.

    That said, quality musical instruments are surely less vulnerable to changes in value...only to changes in demand. They cost a lot, but they're a pleasure to own AND you can play them when you want to...

    So - here's my rationale, open to comment from you guys. (Don't be offended if I don't take your advice or point of view to heart...after all, not ONE of you slobs has fixed me up yet... :P)
    The Gibby is well over 4K. That's a lot of dough, even if you're not as poor as me.
    I can pick up a used Taylor T5 Custom in Koa for about 2K. And it's a killer git'r. Very versatile and sounds great.
    The other issue is that the Taylor would replace my Dean ac/el, which would actually be hard to part with, for sentimental reasons. The Gibby is an electric only, and it's unlikely that I'd get rid of my other two electrics ('79 Ibanez Musician and '04 Ibanez RG3, built to the hilt), since both of them have fine qualities and I'm very attached to the Musician.
  • i know several folks that lost their a$$(including me :oops: ) in the Enron debacle.They had to sell off their collections of guitars to compensate(i didn't because i didn't have but 6 guitars then).They got use to having variety and hollow bodies have a unique tone that solids can't touch.A few of the guys turned to this company and bought these cheap imports and were amazed that after a pro setup and quality electronics that these guitars out performed their vintage collectables :shock: Their a quality alternative............................just an idea :wink:

    http://www.rondomusic.com/product1693.html
    http://www.rondomusic.com/product1242.html
    http://www.rondomusic.com/product2361.html
    http://www.rondomusic.com/wno630na.html
    http://www.rondomusic.com/wno675so.html
    http://www.rondomusic.com/as820wh.html
    personally,i like this one
    http://www.rondomusic.com/sno686bk.html

    there are a few more........look around....
  • I heard about a guy who had his entire 401(K) wrapped up in Enron stock. It's value had risen to nearly $370,000, and when the Enron debacle was over, it was worth $1700. Holy CRAP. :shock:

    Anyway...I've occasionally considered an \"off\" brand to satisfy my lust for a ThinLine-style git'r. Ibanez makes a pretty nice one (I'm partial to Ibby's) and there are many good ones out there.
    But I don't NEED one; I'd be getting the CS-356 Koa for sentimental and investment reasons, and of course would surely enjoy the hell out of playing it!
    I'm not even sure why I want the Taylor so bad. Then again, I can't explain why Shania makes me feel sorta funny...like \"when I useta climb the rope in gym\" (gratuitous \"Wayne's World\" reference... :lol: )
  • \shredd\ wrote:
    Anyway...I've occasionally considered an \"off\" brand to satisfy my lust for a ThinLine-style git'r. Ibanez makes a pretty nice one (I'm partial to Ibby's) and there are many good ones out there.

    i have worked on the artcores and they aren't \"made as well\"

    \shredd\ wrote:
    But I don't NEED one; I'd be getting the CS-356 Koa for sentimental and investment reasons,

    then thats a whole differant ballgame :wink:
    \shredd\ wrote:
    Then again, I can't explain why Shania makes me feel sorta funny...like \"when I useta climb the rope in gym\" (gratuitous \"Wayne's World\" reference... :lol: )

    because your a guy with a pulse :wink: :twisted: heres a thought.........take the money and take a couple of vacations to places where you can find your OWN \"Shania\" :wink:
  • \cyclonic\ wrote:
    heres a thought.........take the money and take a couple of vacations to places where you can find your OWN \"Shania\" :wink:
    Been there, done it. I've taken two long, luxurious, tropical, and very expensive vacations that were incredibly relaxing, leisurely, and produced no prospects whatsoever. I don't care what your wives say, traveling alone is lame.
    And women in bikinis can smell a single man from 1000 yards. :?
    But at least I got to sea-kayak and go to Xel-Ha. Killer. 8)
  • OK, I'm very disappointed in you guys. I need you to reassure me that once I own this succulent guitar, Shania's good-looking sister will be beating my door down. :lol:
    I\"m still sort of wrestling with this. It's a truly luscious git'r, but it's not a limited edition or git'r of the month or anything. It'll surely hold it's value, and possibly even go up over the years (as I intend to keep it in pristine condition); but I also think about how, with the Dow languishing at 8K or so, I could put my $4K there and perhaps double my money in 5 or 10 years, once the world's economy is done swirling the bowl.
    Please help. Surely Shania in my hot tub would sway my decision, but none of you guys have helped me set that up yet. So I have to decide on a $ basis... :roll:
  • You know Shreddy, I'd be inclined to go with that Taylor Custom you mentioned before. I know the Gibby may be nice but there are probably plenty of guitars out there that do that sound better plus play and feel better at the same time. I would nearly go as far to say that other guitars would be built/finished better too. I know this is a big call (and it may offend) but for that money (US!) I would prefer laying my cash on something else for sure. Now that Taylor Custom is another story. I would seriously like to experience one of those. I consider it different to the Gibby because the Taylor probably does its sound the best out there maybe, or it would at least have to be right up there with the very best. I just think that after years of ownership you would probably appreciate the Taylor more - its not just another Gibson...... Anyway, I know thats a big call but that just my honest opinion.

    Plus, Shania would appreciate the Taylor more because she can sing and play for you while you're both in the hot tub. And if things get energetic and she accidently drops the guitar (for reasons unknown) at least the acoustic will float better.
    :wink:
    BBoo 8)
  • \BettyBoo\ wrote:
    Plus, Shania would appreciate the Taylor more because she can sing and play for you while you're both in the hot tub. And if things get energetic and she accidently drops the guitar (for reasons unknown) at least the acoustic will float better. :wink:
    Good call 'boo. I think this is why I have wood for the Taylor - it's not a Gibson, isn't/won't be a collector's item like a Gibson might, but - it's an amazing instrument that I'll enjoy playing as much, or more, than the gibby. AND it could, if I chose, replace my Dean ac/el, which isn't the finest axe anywhere, but has sentimental value to me, and also has been built/tuned/setup to almost perfection.
    I'm thinking more n more about the Taylor - $4K is a lot for an ax (even a tasty Gib), and I'm not SO rich that I can plunk it down without serious consideration. Or at least a romp with Shania. :twisted:

    So when're you gonna fix me up with one of those adorable Oz chix?!? 8)
  • I'll send one of these over to you in the post if you like Shreddy!

    http://www.vsis.se/images/site/emustinger.jpg

    We have plenty of them so I guess its only good manners to share.

    Enjoy :wink:

    BBoo
  • \BettyBoo\ wrote:
    I'll send one of these over to you in the post if you like Shreddy!
    http://www.vsis.se/images/site/emustinger.jpg
    We have plenty of them so I guess its only good manners to share.
    Enjoy :wink:
    Oh lawdy. DEFinitely send her over. 8) I promise to take good care of her!!! :D
  • <div style="displaynone">fiogf49gjkf0d</div>I'm not sure about the investment part of the Taylor T5. I do like Taylor; I have an acoustic CE315 and it is nice. I was in the market for an acoustic hybrid a few months back so I can play a little hotter at times when jamming with others with one guitar. The T5 looks really nice but I decided not to try it for fear that I would part with the $2500 or so and that wouldn't go over too well given the stuff I already have.

    So, I looked at others and settled on the Ibanez Montage (not American made and I hate that part, but I think it's a reasonably nice alternative and saves me a lot). Some people's opinions on the internet are that the Montage is better than the T5. You'll always have that though, so you have to make up your own mind. Others say that the T5 isn't really an acoustic (I don't know). I do know that the Montage is certainly an acoustic (a little thinner than the standard acoustic but wider than the T5 for sure).

    I did have to ship it to Ibanez service because the acoustic preamp part had really low volume but it's great now. It has 2 pickups (an under saddle for acoustic and magnetic for the electric) and you can play them separate or blend them. It has 2 jacks so you can split them to 2 separate amps. Overall, it is pretty cool and worth every penny I spent and it looks pretty good too. It could use a little neck adjustment and a little fret detailing (not major ordeals).

    If I was investing, I would probably buy a T5. If I had extra money to spare, I would also buy a T5. But, if I'm looking for something to carry around that I don't care about banging up a little bit and works for me, the Montage was the right fit. Everything I buy I try to play. I don't look at my own guitar habit as an investment. It helps keep me going.
  • Great post.
    In fact, I do love 'binez's and I already have two elec's. And when I was considering replacing my Dean ac/el, I considered the Exotics pretty seriously...the only real reason I didn't buy one is that I couldn't find a dealer within a day's drive to try one out.
    I'm fortunate in that I'm in a position to afford a Taylor, and while it wouldn't have the \"investment\" value of the CS-356 I want so bad, it's a fine instrument that'll hold some value, and I'll enjoy the heck out of playing it.
    So I'm leaning pretty hard toward the Taylor right now. I really do want the 356 - it's just a stellar instrument - but I'd also play it less and always be worried about preserving its' value. I really do think that I'll enjoy the Taylor more, even if it doesn't have the cachet or the investment value of the Gib.
    Maybe when I win the lottery... :roll:
  • Buy the guitar, unless you enjoy counting your money every quarter which lately has meant counting your losses. With the guitar you can actually look at something tangible, play it, show it off to others, know it has value which will never drop to 0 (like some investments have) and you can bring it along with you on your walks to impress young women sunning themselves in front of their picture windows. Now you certainly cannot do that with an investment portfolio. Mmmm, well on second thought, I guess investment portfolios can impress chicks, just forget about that last one.

    Buy the guitar.

    JV
  • \jimiV\ wrote:
    Buy the guitar, unless you enjoy counting your money every quarter which lately has meant counting your losses. With the guitar you can actually look at something tangible, play it, show it off to others, know it has value which will never drop to 0 (like some investments have) and you can bring it along with you on your walks to impress young women sunning themselves in front of their picture windows. Now you certainly cannot do that with an investment portfolio. Mmmm, well on second thought, I guess investment portfolios can impress chicks, just forget about that last one.
    Buy the guitar.
    That's rich...I haven't looked at my investment statements beyond a glance in nearly a year. That's how badly they're doing. Otherwise, I'd be jumping off a building!!! :evil:
    In that light, buying the git'r makes sense, like JV sez. Even if it doesn't get Shania into my hot tub.
    On the other hand...I really don't have any rich uncles. Or parents, or in-laws, or anyone else who's going to set me up with a bunch of $ to get through life with. SO...I've been pretty aggressive about saving and investing and so on. That's why it's such a huge decision, to spend 4K on a git'r that I don't NEED, or even have to have. I just like it and want it.
    So...as mentioned above...I'm strongly considering the Taylor T5 Koa (http://guitars.musiciansfriend.com/product/Taylor-T5-Custom-Guitar-with-Koa-Top?sku=514163) as a way to to ease my G/A/S pains, have a killer git'r to play, one that'll also hold some value, and satisfy my wood for Koa wood. And I can get one for about half what the 356 would cost...
  • You can't take the money with you when you kick the bucket Shredd - might as well enjoy it now. I can remember the angst I had when deciding to go ahead and buy my ESP Custom Shop - if I should spend the money or not, is there something else I should be spending it on.... like an electric dog walking machine or something equally rediculous yada yada blah blah. But I went with it and wasn't sorry because I adore it. BUT I did that when the Aussie dollar was actually flexing its puny muscles for a change. I checked the price on an ESP custom shop the other day online and spewed at the price they gave me back! It was about another 5 1/2 grand on top of what I paid.... sheesh! :shock: So I guess timing is important when buying expensive guitars.

    I was looking at the Taylor site and even though I'd like to try a T5, I sure start dribbling over those latest electric/acoustics. One of those would have to be life-keeper surely?? Perhaps a 914 or something??? :wink:
  • \BettyBoo\ wrote:
    You can't take the money with you when you kick the bucket Shredd - might as well enjoy it now.

    So I guess timing is important when buying expensive guitars.
    This is precisely why I even consider buying such an expensive ax when I really don't need it or HAVE to have it. I just like it.
    BUT...and here's why I'm so reluctant to pull the trigger: you can't take it with you, but you can't live without it either! The 4K I spend on this git'r would be many times that by the time I retire. And - like my sister sez - in a capitalistic society, the quality of your seat is determined by how much you can pay for your ticket.
    Now...I don't need a front-row seat, but I DO want to HAVE a seat! In and of itself, buying the 356 - or even the Taylor - isn't going to doom me to be a WalMart greeter at 70, but I need all the help I can get when it comes to retirement - no rich relatives, no trust fund, etc.
    So what I need is for you guyz to reassure me that spending 2-4K on an ax won't doom me to eating Alpo when I'm retired.
    Or else send Shania over to reason with me. :twisted:
  • Something to consider. Do you have a rainy day emergency fund besides this in case you were to get lose your job or get hurt somehow?
    As life has a way of happening when your making other plans, it's always good to have a stash tucked away for the unexpected. As I just got over a broken foot I wasn't off long enough to get disability and since it didn't happen on the job I didn't get workmans comp either. But I still had to come up with enough to pay my bills for three months. Fortunately I had the cash tucked away to cover it. Although it sounds like a great investment and a bitchen guitar, It's all a gamble. Food for thought.
  • \jamminmj\ wrote:
    Something to consider. Do you have a rainy day emergency fund besides this
    That's just what I'm getting at, with all this reluctance.
    I actually have the $4K, but it'd pretty much wipe out my current \"cushion\". I'd recover, but I'll remind you all that I'm on a very aggressive savings/investment program, in order to avoid subsisting on Alpo when I retire. And with the world economy in the toilet, naturally this is a good time for investing (it's my belief that the world's and USA's economies will eventually recover, hopefully in time for my retirement!!).
    The other issue is that the chances of me leaving my job by this summer or fall are about 50-50, and I'd need that \"cushion\". My new boss treats me like a learning-disabled 5-year-old (NO OFFENSE to anyone who is, or knows someone, actually suffering from any such affliction!!!). I'm NOT digging it. I'm a grown man with many years experience in my field, and having this guy and his wife treat me like some sort of indentured servant/peon/idiot is really wearing on my nerves and makes me think that this position and I aren't right for each other.
    The problem with THAT, of course, is that with the world's economy swirling the bowl, finding a new position won't be as quick n easy as it might've been a year ago. :evil:

    Besides, I have no assurance that having this git'r hanging in my studio will get Shania jiggy with me...
  • edited February 2009
    Well...I compromised. Between my jones for Koa and my desire to eat human food when I retire. :lol:
    I picked up this Taylor T5 Custom Koa today. For a \"song\". 8)
    TaylorT5.jpg
    It's a beaut - ebony fretboard/bridge/headstock, bone nut, gold h/ware, fancy abalone inlays, all the goodies. It's their top-of-the-line. Sounds amazing, plays like buttah.
    Sorry about the crapy pic, but it was a quicky.
    Now I just have to decide if I'm STILL going to get the Gibson. :shock:
  • 0ea8503e49.jpg
    Hey joo.....
    jees... eet iz I.....Manitou. Wide ees de path that joo are on my friend. Eeet is timema for an intervencione.

    7346eb72d0.gif
    tsk-tsk-tsk....as eet is written....

    0499363e5c.gif

    ....I (how joo say) worry about joo. I only hope time ...it es not too late.

    P.S. if theesa ees about Vanentine's Day....joo should buy your hand a box uf Russel Stover's.
    That's what I did.
  • Nice axe shred! Been breaking it in?

    y'all gonna force me to sell an amp and get a new axe myself! Geese partch, iliace, odb, shredd ....

    congrats shred hope it is doing you right!
  • edited February 2009
    Holy CATS. 'tou is in the house!!! :D:D:D

    I'm very embarrassed...I have riches of guitars, something I never intended to do 'cuz I'm not a \"collector\" and I hate changing strings on so many different ax's, so I can grab n' play any one anytime.

    I always meant to be a \"purist\", and only have one of anything - one good bass, one good elec, one good ac or ac/el...but now the git'rs are accumulating like dust bunnies. Besides the Koa 356 I'm still jonesing for, I'm also considering an Agile stratoblaster. :oops:
    Please - someone help me before I end up like that clown from Cheap Trick. :lol:

    I need to have Shania in my hot tub to get me thinking about something besides accumulating instruments!!!
    Shania_Twain.jpg
  • \Manitou\ wrote:
    P.S. if theesa ees about Vanentine's Day....joo should buy your hand a box uf Russel Stover's.
    That's what I did.
    icon_roflmao.gif

    But does it keep you from recklessly buying guitars???
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