Belt-buckle rash on my R9

[reverbbb]

So much for keeping my R9 pristine. My girl loves to see me wear a belt when I play. I love my girl and she really props my self-esteem - no issues there.

However, the finish is completely gone on my '05 R9. It is a significant area as well. I love my R9 so much that it is my #1 guitar that I play at every gig. Therefore, I don't worry too much about selling. It still sounds great and looks great from the front.

Just curious though. If you were looking for an R9 to buy, would that large wear area be a huge turn off? Would you expect to pay a lot less for it because of the missing finish on the back? Personally, I think I would be turned-off. Mainly because it shows the wear & tear from someone else instead of me. Sort of wierd, huh?

I think that 40 years from now, the worn finish would be expected and perhaps a wee bit desirable. It is interesting to think why we generally don't like that wear on a newer guitar.

[shovelmanblues]

Don't think of it a belt buckle rash, think of it a MOJO!!!!

[delawaregold]

What were you wearing?
The WWE Championship Belt.

[timmy 2 tone]

If your not planning on selling it, i would'nt think twice about it? To me it gives it character. Just play it and don't let it get to you.

[Raw Materials]

Yeah, don't sweat it bro!
Rock on!!!

[LesPaul59]

If it bothers you on the other hand, and you can't get over it, there are talented guitar restoration people out there that could fix it for you.

I have some digs on one of my guitars that were there when I bought it; I intend on getting them fixed.

[Ad_02Std]

It's a good job kink56 isn't still here. He'd have steam shooting out of his ears by now.

[27sauce]

Originally Posted by Ad_02Std

It's a good job kink56 isn't still here. He'd have steam shooting out of his ears by now.

No shit, the horror!

[DonP]

That guitar is destroyed. I wouldn't touch it.

[GotTheSilver]

Originally Posted by 27sauce

No shit, the horror!

God Bless Texas!!!

[27sauce]

Thats a pal's '89 Standard BTW.

[corpse]

Originally Posted by reverbbb

My girl loves to see me wear a belt when I play. I love my girl and she really props my self-esteem - no issues there.

That's really odd motivation for damaging your $3000 guitar.
I'm thinking more like:
"My girl loves to unbuckle my belt after I get done playing"

Then f' the guitar- wear the belt.

Jim

[cooljuk]

I'd try to get a lower price (than a clean guitar of the same type) if I were buying a guitar that was all "nice and worn in" like that, but that would be for the sake of getting a fair deal. It sure as hell wouldn't stop me from buying it if that guitar was the one I wanted.

[Triplet]

Originally Posted by cooljuk

I'd try to get a lower price (than a clean guitar of the same type) if I were buying a guitar that was all "nice and worn in" like that, but that would be for the sake of getting a fair deal. It sure as hell wouldn't stop me from buying it if that guitar was the one I wanted.

Shoot, people will pay extra for the relicing...

[J T]

If a guitar is pristine and not brand new, I would think "Whats wrong with this guitar? Why hasn't it been played?"

[Dub'n 57 Goldtop]

Originally Posted by J T

If a guitar is pristine and not brand new, I would think "Whats wrong with this guitar? Why hasn't it been played?"

agreed. it's like ppl selling guitars that say, "it's been in my closet for 12 years..." sure as shit don't want to pay premium cause it looks "mint" and sounds like ass crack

[Dub'n 57 Goldtop]

oh and, vintage ass crack!!

[reverbbb]

My Black '75 LPC faced a similar fate back in the day. However, the paint never wore off like this guitar. A friend had bought the exact same guitar at the same time (1975). He put a plexiglass cover over the back. It sure did a great job of protecting the back. However, it added an additional 1-1/2 lbs to and already heavy 12 lb guitar.

Don't ask me why, but I wear a nice western belt with a large oval buckle. Not many people in Texas still wear these belts. But I just like it for some reason.

My gal is worth every once of joy. I would do anything to please her. However, don't mis-read this situation. I was wearing a western belt before I bought the guitar and before I was dating her. It just so happens that about the time I noticed the first bit of damage, she was saying, "You look so damn hot when your on stage. I like your look in a cowboy hat, holey jeans and boots way better than your Hawaiian shirt attire. Always wear a belt when you wear that hat and boots.".

Getting a little side-tracked from the topic. But I used to have a VERY weak stage presence. Even though I have been playing in front of folks for many decades. All it took to adjust my self-esteem is a great gal that REALLY digs me and music.

I really don't mind the 'mojo' that I have added to the guitar. I have a great association between that guitar mojo and my gal. Like I said before, 40 years from now, people are going to look at that guitar and wonder who and how it got so much stage time to be so worn.

Thanks for your replies.

[D'Mule]

I wouldn't sweat it. Sounds like a keeper to me, and if you need to sell down the road take a couple hundred off the price and someone else will be thankful to have it.

[corpse]

Sounds like you dig the guitar- you got the girl... that's a good story in my book.
Jim

[gusdaq]

Im totally confused now, theres dudes sending their new guitars halfway across the country to have other dudes slice them up with a razorblade, and take off the new plastic and replace it with other new plastic that looks old, then this guys worried about some honest playing wear.........!!
Wheres it all heading??!

[Tuco]

Originally Posted by reverbbb

Just curious though. If you were looking for an R9 to buy, would that large wear area be a huge turn off? Would you expect to pay a lot less for it because of the missing finish on the back? Personally, I think I would be turned-off.

Since you asked, yes, it would be a huge turn-off. To me, it is a warning signal that the owner might have abused the instrument in other ways not as obvious.

Having said that, if it sounds like a one-in-a-million LP, then I'd reconsider.

[sharq attaq]

Originally Posted by reverbbb

My girl loves to see me wear a belt when I play.

[Trennasol]

OK. I've had a fairly bad day and a few drinks. Question: If buckle rash is an issue, then why do people send their guitars to be refinished and reliced and spend thousands of dollars to make it looked used if the 'real thing' detracts from the value????

Personally, when I see honest to goodness wear on a guitar that tells me it's probably a good one or it wouldn't get played to that extreme. If it's a pristine clean 'used guitar' I stir clear of it. If it's clean, it probably wasn't good enough to play much. No offense to anyone...I'm just in a mood and curious... LOL

[sharq attaq]

Originally Posted by Trennasol

If it's clean, it probably wasn't good enough to play much. No offense to anyone...I'm just in a mood and curious... LOL

I don't think that's gonna work here.

That thinking may work at a "working musicians only" forum.

Of the thousands of historics (I'd guess) that are owned by members here, there's got to be a LOT, LOT, LOT of very good ones sitting in cases almost ALL the time.

Lotta wood gazers....

Not all.....but plenty of.

[cooljuk]

Originally Posted by sharq attaq

wood gazers

Not that there's anything wrong with that. I just like the term.

[chukka09]

Originally Posted by sharq attaq

Of the thousands of historics (I'd guess) that are owned by members here, there's got to be a LOT, LOT, LOT of very good ones sitting in cases almost ALL the time.

Lotta wood gazers....

And to that I say, "What a waste." Instruments are meant to be played.

Heck, I feel funny wearing an instrument brand logo on a T shirt if I don't own one. Buying a super sweet guitar only to stuff it in a closet or vault somewhere seems even worse.

But on the other hand, some of these guitars are just so beautiful that I suppose I can see how they are regarded as art in and of themselves. Still, the first thing I think when I see a beautiful guitar is, "Man, I want to get my hands on that and play the crap out of it!"

[PLarson]

In 10 years my R7 will probably look like shit, but hey- it's meant to be played!

[BGReed2]

Roger - You must have one man-sized belt buckle! What is it, a steer with huge horns on it? A Sherman Tank with cannon?

Bruce

[sharq attaq]

Originally Posted by chukka09

Still, the first thing I think when I see a beautiful guitar is, "Man, I want to get my hands on that and play the crap out of it!"

not me so much. I think "Man, I want to get my hands on that and play the crap out of it after someone else wears the sticky off of it."




I know, I'm weird. I just don't care for a brand new guitar.

On the other hand, there's nothing quite like playing an older guitar that you broke in yourself.

[Coachmoe]

Originally Posted by reverbbb

If you were looking for an R9 to buy, would that large wear area be a huge turn off? Would you expect to pay a lot less for it because of the missing finish on the back? Personally, I think I would be turned-off.

IMHO, it would depend on the asking price for the guitar. If it's in perfect condition Obviously you would expect to pay top dollar. If it shows lots of back wear, the I would think the price should be commiserate with the amount of wear. Also, we are talking about a a relatively new guitar as opposed to a true vintage piece.

Bottom line, I would be looking to pay based on the condition and age of the guitar.

FWIW, I have an 04 R9 and it's my main guitar. I have always prided myself on keeping my guitars ding free. Last weekend, I stumbled on stage and my neck now has a nasty ding on the treble side around the 5th fret. Fortunately, I can't feel it when I'm playing as my hand is arched away from the neck. I also am getting some serious button and rivet rash on the back but it's to be expected. I won't have to pay to get this one reliced, that's for sure.

[ScottsR9]

My two cents...you don't see mechanics buying really sweet torque wrenches and then putting them away in their closet, only to take them out and polish them once in a while and brag to their friends about the sweet wrench they have...they use the tool!!! To me a guitar is a tool that's meant to be used...how can you make music without playing it??? I get the whole "collector" thing and say congratulations to all of you who own some really great guitars and want to keep them clean, but I am definitely not in that boat. I love to play my guitars because they sound great, and great tone inspires me to play better. To me there's nothing worse than picking up a clean, beautiful guitar and having it sound like crap...what a downer. In my opinion, if you're buying a used guitar that's got some wear but sounds great, you have to ask yourself what price you're willing to put on TONE and not just the way the guitar looks.

[guitarchitecture]

rash = cash
don't worry 'bout it-
shiny 'n clean don't mean nothin'

[sflem1039]

I'm with you my friend. If my girl says where the belt when you play, then I wear the belt.
I wouldn't be concerned about the buckle rash.

[Axel]

If the belt-buckle damages the back of your guitar it means the guitar is in the way of the belt-buckle when you play = no need for a belt-buckle lookwise. Anyway, we need pics.

[keef]

Your girl likes to see you wear a belt when you play - but she can't see the belt when you play, innit?

Ah - women.

[reverbbb]

Originally Posted by keef

Your girl likes to see you wear a belt when you play - but she can't see the belt when you play, innit?

Ah - women.

LOL. You guys got some great comments.

Yeah, but she certainly loves it when I take a break and unload the guitar. That is when she gets the full visual of me, my tight jeans and the belt buckle. She knows I am headed her way for a warm sloppy kiss.

Very off the topic here. I sing Joe Cocker's version of "Leave Your Hat On". Many years before we met, that was her & her sister's theme song - so to speak. My gal jumps up on the floor & dances out the words to the song. She helps pack the dance floor with her enthusiasm. Then she reaches up and grabs my cowboy hat. That is when everyone in the place realizes I and balder than George Washington ever thought about. She is not even grossed out by the 1/2 cup of sweat absorbed into the sweat band. We have a GREAT time. She would be all over it if I had a "wardrobe malfunction". LOL

Back on topic. The cherry sunburst is such a vintage and classic look - EVERYONE recognizes that as a famous guitar, even if they know nothing of Gibson, Les Paul, guitars or other attributes. It just looks right. I often wear a bright blue polo style shirt to assist in the color contrast.

I used to be just a casual hippy looking guy that plays guitar. But with this gal, she has helped me look dressy/sexy on the stage and it has REALLY helped my stage presence & confidence. A lot of other gals in the place like my new style as well (even though you can't see the belt-buckle). It has been said that art lies in the details even though you cannot discretely point out the details. However, your mind knows they are there.

Moral of the story, never under-estimate how much your dress and attitude effects your audiences acceptance/enjoyment of your music. What if B. B. King dressed as a clown or a hobo? Would we have the same respect for him?