Fred wrote: I was thinking of the relationship between owner and guitar when I wrote that.

Understood, but your comment still gave rise to the broader thoughts.

Speaking from experience, having an instrument for many years, and then finding that it is beyond repair, can be a wrenching experience. It's happened to me. And one can find that one has learned how to play that instrument rather than instruments in general.

And newer instruments may end up having different, perhaps shorter, life cycles. When my Washburn 12-string failed, both my replacement instruments has pickups. One of which came loose and had to be re-glued. How many more times will that happen? And while the instrument may last thirty years, will the electronics still work? Will the new woods hold up as well as the old?

We may find -- I emphasize may -- that it will be harder to have those long-term relationships with new instruments. What the effects of that might be I don't claim to know.