Personal view; guitars are tools, not ornaments. They are made to be played, not just viewed. Personal solution for the gigging damage dilemma; I bought a Rainsong. Made from carbon fibre, and as tough as old boots. If scratched, I grab some T-Cut auto paint cutter, quick rub, refinish with Autoglym hard glaze car polish. (That's exactly how the makers recommend you do it). Still get a lot of stick in folk clubs about my 'plastic' guitar though. I usually point out that it's made from trees, it's just that they are 30 million years old. How traditional do you want? ;)
Tim
PS it sounds pretty good too.