Are you DONE buying instruments ?

Subject: Are you DONE buying instruments ?
From: Wesley S
Date: 16 Jan 06 - 03:53 PM

I was wondering if there was someone out there that could truthfully say that they are done buying instruments. Someone that feels that they have all the instruments they could ever want - and of the quality that they want. Someone that never feels the need or desire to go into a pawn shop, guitar store, or garage sale because they are done - finished - and have no desire to get another whatever. Ever again.

Are we cursed - doomed to keep haunting these little out of the way places like E-bay to find our next primo condition prewar thingamabob ?

As a mandolin player I know that I'll never be allowed to sell the house to get a Lloyd Loar mandolin since they currently sell for around $100, 000 to 200,000. So I'm eventually going to have to settle for what I have. But when is that ?

Is there hope ? Maybe if I heard for someone who can say "Yup - I don't need anything else. Ever".

Are you out there ?

Signed - Addicted

Subject: RE: Are you DONE buying instruments ?
From: wysiwyg
Date: 16 Jan 06 - 03:55 PM

Oh sure-- you bet. :~)

~S~

Subject: RE: Are you DONE buying instruments ?
From: Sorcha
Date: 16 Jan 06 - 04:07 PM

I probably am.....but I still like to look.

Subject: RE: Are you DONE buying instruments ?
From: Leadfingers
Date: 16 Jan 06 - 04:11 PM

At the moment I have a Brazillian Rosewood D35 , a Hand made mandolin
and a resonator banjo that is far too good for my playing - albeit it is but a GOOD Korean ! Along with perfectly workable spares for each ,
and a double set of various whistles , I feel I DONT need any more instruments . However , this still doesnt stop me looking in any Instrument shops , if only to see what is attracting the attention of other Musos .

Subject: RE: Are you DONE buying instruments ?
From: beardedbruce
Date: 16 Jan 06 - 04:41 PM

Not dead (again) yet, so the answer is NO.

Subject: RE: Are you DONE buying instruments ?
From: sian, west wales
Date: 16 Jan 06 - 05:04 PM

I'm done.

For today.

siân

Subject: RE: Are you DONE buying instruments ?
From: The Fooles Troupe
Date: 16 Jan 06 - 05:13 PM

MIAD still rampant, but seriously hampered by lack of funds.


(Multiple Instrument Acquisition Disorder)

Subject: RE: Are you DONE buying instruments ?
From: Little Hawk
Date: 16 Jan 06 - 05:13 PM

Hopefully, but who can say?

Subject: RE: Are you DONE buying instruments ?
From: open mike
Date: 16 Jan 06 - 05:25 PM

oops...am negotiationg for a Swedish folk instrument at this moment..
a fiddle made from a woode shoe--clog fiddle or Tre sko fiol
not sure on the speloing just now..I seem to often say three school
fiddle when i try to speak swedish! they are hard to find and i am glad
i located one...made by an elderly gentleman who also builds nyckelharpa
or nyckelharpor which is the plural..but i do not need plural ones...
or do I??!!

Subject: RE: Are you DONE buying instruments ?
From: number 6
Date: 16 Jan 06 - 05:40 PM

Though I am happy with what I have ... I'm certainly not DONE buying any more.

sIx

Subject: RE: Are you DONE buying instruments ?
From: GUEST
Date: 16 Jan 06 - 05:46 PM

Done? Yes! Yes! Yes! Yes! ......... Stradawhat?? Call me later.

Subject: RE: Are you DONE buying instruments ?
From: GUEST,Auggie
Date: 16 Jan 06 - 06:08 PM

Maybe when I die. Even then, I know caskets come in Mahogony, but I wonder, Do they come in Rosewood?, Brazilian perhaps?..

Subject: RE: Are you DONE buying instruments ?
From: number 6
Date: 16 Jan 06 - 06:13 PM

Yeah ... I'd like solid Braz Rosewood side and backs, ebony edging ... solid Englemann Spruce top .... solid bone handles and hinges by Grover.

sIx

Subject: RE: Are you DONE buying instruments ?
From: GUEST,punkfolkrocker
Date: 16 Jan 06 - 06:26 PM

oops and double oops..


this xmas treated myself to 9 nicely playable and good sounding
Chinese made guitars
[6 electrics; 2 acoustics; 1 spider bridge resonator]

for the approx price of 1 mediocre American made guitar..

and they were seasonal impulse ebay purchases
distracting me
from the Baritone Bowed Psaltery and electric banjo i was meant to be saving up for

Subject: RE: Are you DONE buying instruments ?
From: Jimmy C
Date: 16 Jan 06 - 08:11 PM

I have enough (for the time being) 2 guitars, 3 banjoes, 3 mandolins, 1 fiddle, 1 concertina, 1 balaika, 1 auto zither, 1 lap dulcimer , 1 keyboard, multiple whistles etc, 1 set wooden spoons carved from a single piece), 2 bodhrans - dozens of song books and hundreds of LP's- but I still cannot pass a second-hand shop or a pawn shop, you just never know what you will find.
Would dearly love a reasonably priced hurdy-gurdy.

Subject: RE: Are you DONE buying instruments ?
From: Mr Happy
Date: 16 Jan 06 - 08:28 PM

stuff wears out so I replace as neccesssesssary

Subject: RE: Are you DONE buying instruments ?
From: black walnut
Date: 16 Jan 06 - 08:29 PM

Well sssssssssssssssaid.

~b.w.

Subject: RE: Are you DONE buying instruments ?
From: Mr Happy
Date: 16 Jan 06 - 08:30 PM

mainly mout orghans wear out- I liked AXL but they"ve been replaced byJohnson brand-jus' the same, real sweet tone harps!!

Subject: RE: Are you DONE buying instruments ?
From: GUEST,Sandy Andina
Date: 16 Jan 06 - 08:37 PM

Budget constraints are temporary, but GAS* is forever!

*Guitar Acquisition Syndrome

Subject: RE: Are you DONE buying instruments ?
From: Bert
Date: 16 Jan 06 - 09:01 PM

NEVER!!!

I just bought a pianica at a thrift store.

Subject: RE: Are you DONE buying instruments ?
From: Bobert
Date: 16 Jan 06 - 09:04 PM

As long as I'm alive and they haven't found a cure for G.A.S. I'll be in the game...

But getting tougher to hide 'um from the P-Vine...

Bobert

Subject: RE: Are you DONE buying instruments ?
From: Bee-dubya-ell
Date: 16 Jan 06 - 09:23 PM

I doubt I'll buy any more instruments outright. I currently own ten hand-made acoustic guitars, two electric guitars, one resonator guitar, two amplifiers, three banjos, a mandolin, a banjo mandolin, a hammer dulcimer, an Autoharp, a bowed psaltry, a couple of bodhrans and a bunch of miscellaneous percussion crap.

The only thing I wish I had that I don't is a quality squareneck reso like a Dobro, Beard or Tut Taylor. If I ever come across one at a reasonable price I may sell a flat-top to buy it.

Subject: RE: Are you DONE buying instruments ?
From: Padre
Date: 16 Jan 06 - 09:27 PM

"Never say never again" - James Bond

I'm not done yet, but I have slowed down some.

Padre

Subject: RE: Are you DONE buying instruments ?
From: Dave Hanson
Date: 17 Jan 06 - 12:39 AM

Mr Happy, how long does it take ' stuff ' to wear out ?   I play a 1914 banjo and a 1917 mandolin, they haven't worn out yet.

eric

Subject: RE: Are you DONE buying instruments ?
From: The Fooles Troupe
Date: 17 Jan 06 - 01:55 AM

... but they have worn out several players...

Subject: RE: Are you DONE buying instruments ?
From: Dave Hanson
Date: 17 Jan 06 - 02:13 AM

Yeah thats true, my fingers are getting that way too.

eric

Subject: RE: Are you DONE buying instruments ?
From: GUEST,KT
Date: 17 Jan 06 - 04:15 AM

Yes! I think I am!

Even though my guitars are not THE finest ever made, I am very satisfied with them. (They were all gifts, by the way.) I have finally found the fiddle that fits and am very glad to no longer have the urgency to hit the garage sales, pawn shops and instrument stores, just in case the right one might be there waiting for me. I still love to look, but I'm very happy with what I've got.   But.......never say never, I guess. KT

Subject: RE: Are you DONE buying instruments ?
From: mooman
Date: 17 Jan 06 - 04:20 AM

I can't foresee needing or buying anything else.

For the moment...

Peace

moo

(maybe I could trade everything in for a Linda Manzer archtop)

Subject: RE: Are you DONE buying instruments ?
From: The Fooles Troupe
Date: 17 Jan 06 - 04:30 AM

I want a 32 ft fundamental 5 manual pipe organ...

Subject: RE: Are you DONE buying instruments ?
From: Mooh
Date: 17 Jan 06 - 06:27 AM

Love to get a baby grand but I'd need the house to put it in too. Never owned a GOOD archtop guitar, that would be a nice acquisition. Another mandolin would be cool, maybe a Gibson A9 or F9 or both. Don't really need another flattop, but there are ideas for one floating around my head.

You were kidding, right?

Peace, Mooh.

Subject: RE: Are you DONE buying instruments ?
From: David C. Carter
Date: 17 Jan 06 - 07:37 AM

Foolestroupe:
It's post Christmas sales time here.I could go see if the one in Notre Dame is up for grabs.

David

Subject: RE: Are you DONE buying instruments ?
From: kendall
Date: 17 Jan 06 - 08:36 AM

I haven't bought an instrument in about 10 years, so I'd say, yes I'm done.

Subject: RE: Are you DONE buying instruments ?
From: Don Firth
Date: 17 Jan 06 - 01:12 PM

Nope.

I have a José Oribé classic and an Arcangel Fernandez flamenco. I also have a GO-GW travel guitar with nylon strings. Twang!

Both full-size guitars are difficult to play while I'm sitting in my wheelchair because the lower bout of the guitar and the right wheel of the chair want to occupy the same space. That's why I got the travel guitar a few years ago. When held using a strap, it worked out beautifully. Also, for such a small box, it has a surprisingly full sound, rich tone, and good sustain. I love it! I keep it within arm's reach almost all the time. The steel-string models are also amazingly good. Astounding tone and volume for a small travel guitar.

The fingerboard of the nylon-string GO is an eighth of an inch narrower than a standard classic fingerboard. Luthier Sam Radding, who makes them, says that he gets a lot of orders from jazz guitarists who like nylon strings, but prefer a narrower fingerboard. Since the string spacing is fairly close to normal for a classic, this puts the 1^st and 6^th strings closer to the edges of the fingerboard. I've found that this is a bit inhibiting, because while playing, it's real easy to fall off the edge of the fingerboard with less than euphonious results. Sam builds each one of them to order. He's a great guy to work with, and he is willing to customize. So I'm about to order another nylon-string GO-GW with standard classic guitar string spacing and a full-width classic neck.

(Would you believe I'm also thinking about getting a plastic ukulele to play while I'm in the bathtub?)

Don Firth

Subject: RE: Are you DONE buying instruments ?
From: Wesley S
Date: 17 Jan 06 - 01:26 PM

What does one play on the uke in the bathtub ?

Subject: RE: Are you DONE buying instruments ?
From: Little Robyn
Date: 17 Jan 06 - 01:36 PM

I haven't bought a new instrument since last year. I guess I suffer from the same disease as Foolestroupe - and probably similar finances.
Sounds like we have a lot in common.
Another Antipodean Robyn

Subject: RE: Are you DONE buying instruments ?
From: Bert
Date: 17 Jan 06 - 01:39 PM

What does one play on the uke in the bathtub ? ....

The Captain's name was Captain Brown
and he played his ukelele as the ship went down...

Subject: RE: Are you DONE buying instruments ?
From: Grab
Date: 17 Jan 06 - 01:48 PM

I'm working on the "one of everything" principle - if I've got a good-quality one of everything I want, I won't buy any more. So far so good. I'm missing a 12-string, a good electric, a bass and maybe a mandolin at the moment. After that, I can probably say I'm done.

I suspect at that point though I'll start making my own (I'm tempted already), so this opens up a new can of worms - how to avoid being the cook who eats all his own cakes...

Graham.

Subject: RE: Are you DONE buying instruments ?
From: Pete_Standing
Date: 17 Jan 06 - 01:55 PM

I'm dreaming of a Rosewood back and sides with spruce top bouzouki
Just like the one I've never owned
Not mahogany cedar
I just plain need a
'zouk to replace my Fylde

Subject: RE: Are you DONE buying instruments ?
From: stevi
Date: 17 Jan 06 - 03:48 PM

would like to say yes but every instrument has it's own signature or guitars have! so i guess when i see something i like!!!!   I think eric clapton has a castle full of guitars.

Subject: RE: Are you DONE buying instruments ?
From: Don Firth
Date: 17 Jan 06 - 05:16 PM

I have a CD of baroque lute and guitar music played on one of these critters (Plink-a-plonk-a-plunk). When you get down on those bass strings, that sucker really rumbles! Made by Georg Bolin of Sweden. I lust mightily after one of these, but I imagine they're a bit pricey.

I wouldn't play it in the bathtub, however.

Why the uke in the bathtub? Sea chanteys? Handel's Water Music? Bobby Darin's Splish splash? No, I do some of by best arranging while lying in the bathtub staring at the ceiling, but sometimes by the time I get out, get dried, get dressed, and get my hands on a guitar, I've forgotten some of the good bits. . . .

Don Firth

Subject: RE: Are you DONE buying instruments ?
From: GUEST,Anonny Mouse
Date: 17 Jan 06 - 05:29 PM

As long as there is G.A.S., acquisition of instruments-particularly fine guitars-is always a life-long quest. Must be like that for all of you who play an instrument, eh? Always lookin' for the next, best one.

Subject: RE: Are you DONE buying instruments ?
From: number 6
Date: 17 Jan 06 - 05:46 PM

I'll buy a Martin D-35 before the day is out, will be pre-driven though.

Why ... just for the sake of owning a Martin .. plus the D35 is one fine guitar.

sIx

Subject: RE: Are you DONE buying instruments ?
From: Tootler
Date: 17 Jan 06 - 06:54 PM

Definitely not. I have a wooden bass recorder on order - to complement the plastic one - and... Well perhaps I'd better not go there :-)

Subject: RE: Are you DONE buying instruments ?
From: beardedbruce
Date: 17 Jan 06 - 07:01 PM

number 6,

As I said in another thread, perhaps I have been lucky, but I have never heard a D-35 that did not sound good...

Congrats on the acquisition.

Subject: RE: Are you DONE buying instruments ?
From: GUEST,sorefingers
Date: 17 Jan 06 - 07:30 PM

They wear out and have to be replaced!

Subject: RE: Are you DONE buying instruments ?
From: Big Al Whittle
Date: 18 Jan 06 - 02:18 PM

i had a D35 and it was crap - wouldn't stay in tune. the only thing to be said in their favour is that you don't lose a lot of money when you sell them on.

I believe I am finally arriving at that point of self knowledge where I realise that its not the guitars that are crap - its me.

Subject: RE: Are you DONE buying instruments ?
From: Auggie
Date: 18 Jan 06 - 09:25 PM

I just need one more.

Of course, it would have to be a 000-42, with a flower pot inlay on it's slotted, ebony veneered headstock, adirondack over brazilian body, herringbone trim, green abalone soundhole rosette, snowflake inlays on the ebony fretboard and pyramid bridge, fossilized walrus ivory pins nut and saddle, maple bridge plate, tortise pick guard but glued to the base-string side of the enlarged soundhole, gold Waverly butterbean tuners with advanced X scalloped bracing, and be made by a certain company in Nazareth, PA. that was established in 1833.   Yeah, after that one, I should be set.

I'd still sound like crap when I play, but man, would I look good doing it.