Having to sell dream guitars

francer

What about some kind of back support, I rode motocross for a few years when I was younger and we used to wear what was called a kidney belt to protect and support the lower back. Might be worth a  look ... 

DefaultM

At the minute I have a pain in the tip of my right thumb that shoots to my shoulder, then I get the 'nipping' feeling down the backs of my legs which makes my knees buckle. Would that be referred pain you mentioned @impmann?

I've been to the doctor's about 3 times over it but they just say it's sciatica, give codeine (or cocodamol can't remember) and tell me to rest. 

It would be nice to have the money, but I can't say I need it. I'm sort of just at a point where I've not played it in ages, then the first time I do I get injured, so I'm thinking is it a sign to just move on? It's only a guitar at the end of the day. I love owning it, but it's a complete luxury item that I in no way need to own.

impmann

DefaultM said:

At the minute I have a pain in the tip of my right thumb that shoots to my shoulder, then I get the 'nipping' feeling down the backs of my legs which makes my knees buckle. Would that be referred pain you mentioned @impmann?

I've been to the doctor's about 3 times over it but they just say it's sciatica, give codeine (or cocodamol can't remember) and tell me to rest. 

It would be nice to have the money, but I can't say I need it. I'm sort of just at a point where I've not played it in ages, then the first time I do I get injured, so I'm thinking is it a sign to just move on? It's only a guitar at the end of the day. I love owning it, but it's a complete luxury item that I in no way need to own.

Sounds like referred pain, but I don't want to diagnose something as I'm not a doctor.

The way it was explained to me was that you can feel the pain of damage in your back in areas of your body a long way away due to the interconnected nature of your nerve system. For example, when I slipped the disc in my neck the pain was in my hands (as well as my neck).

But seriously, keep on at them - get a referal to a specialist if you aren't getting anywhere. You may have to wait to see them but it helped massively with me.

meltedbuzzbox

DefaultM said:

At the minute I have a pain in the tip of my right thumb that shoots to my shoulder, then I get the 'nipping' feeling down the backs of my legs which makes my knees buckle. Would that be referred pain you mentioned @impmann?

I've been to the doctor's about 3 times over it but they just say it's sciatica, give codeine (or cocodamol can't remember) and tell me to rest. 

It would be nice to have the money, but I can't say I need it. I'm sort of just at a point where I've not played it in ages, then the first time I do I get injured, so I'm thinking is it a sign to just move on? It's only a guitar at the end of the day. I love owning it, but it's a complete luxury item that I in no way need to own.

you can see a physio/treatment specialist for something between £40 - £75. 
Its worth doing. I've had referred pain from muscle pinch that has been down to shit posture. 

See someone who know this shit. The standard doctors generally dont give a fuck mate and they are happy to get you out the door with ibuprofen or cocodamol. Google will get you headed in the right direction 

SimonC

richardhomer said:

LuttiS said:

Could you just play it sitting down?


If it's a dream guitar, don't sell sounds like a recipe for regret unless you really need the money.

It always seemed to work for Robert Fripp....

Never did Steve Hackett any harm either.

guitargeek62

This might be a crazy idea, and WezV's suggestion is far simpler, but how about having your Custom chambered out from the back?

I completely agree with you, they're the coolest looking guitars on the planet, and you've already got sentimental attachment to this one. I'm sure the tone and response will change, but no more than going to a Parker Fly et al anyway.

*edit* it works for Billy Gibbons!

Fishboy7

Keep it, ... and play on the sofa
 

thegummy

Not relating to the guitar but if you haven't been for physio, definitely go. They gave me stretches for sciatica that worked wonders.

shuikit

My dad's currently having treatment from a chiropractor for his sciatica having had injections from the docs and tried acupuncture etc... He was in constant pain and barely being able to walk without a pained look, a couple months of treatment later he's going to Snowdonia for a couple nights in a fortnight to do a few walks.  

Anderz

No fortunately it has not ever come to that and hopefully never.

I had my Gibson Les Paul custom historic 2001 ownership experience and despite the little things that needed to be addressed on such a investment it was a great guitar. Still it did not settle what to do with it and so I sold it on. 

Even today so many years later I don't miss it or want it back or another one.

Still I already had my dream guitar build for me and a partscaster soon to win me over so it's not like it ever felt like a loss selling that Les Paul custom. And final thing was I knew I can always replace it with a similar one if Gibson does not go bankrupt.

absolutpepper

Sorry to hear about the health issues man. I don’t know if it would help but what about a brace type strap like this one - https://imgur.com/gallery/JC1EXLI

i imagine it would spread the weight more evenly and you’d still be able to play under your chin.

jacksparrow

As far as sales go on here lately do not bother, nothing seems to be moving at the moment.

Keep Hold of it for Now imo.

Gadget

I'm with @impmann on this one - get a proper diagnosis.

I don't agree with the 'man-up' or 'just-go-and-exercise' ideas.

My doc tried this on me despite years of sciatic type pain, but after much pushing, I finally got an MRI scan done and they found a tumour which is crushing my nerves and could eventually leave me paralysed!

I'm in for an op in August, but I'd still be doing pointless stretches at home if he had his way.

musteatbrain

The selling a dream guitar thing is happening to me right now

AuldReekie

DefaultM said:

 I absolutely always wanted a black Gibson Les Paul Custom, and I finally got one about 4 years ago.
Over that time I've developed sciatica, and the guitar is 10lbs so I've been playing it rarely over the last year. 

Yesterday I strung it up and put some aged BKP Mules in there, with a view to deciding if I want to sell it. I really enjoyed playing it, and decided I was going to keep it. However this morning I can barely walk, so it looks like that's decided for me. 
I'm a bit down about it but I suppose on the bright side I can get a new guitar with the proceeds?

Is there a guitar you had to sell when you didn't want to?

What medical help have you had?  I had a prolapsed disk with resulting sciatica just over a year ago.  After a couple of months I went to an osteopath and within a couple of months, the sciatica left me. about 10 minutes back exercise a day has kept it away.  I know every case is different, but dont sell your beloved Les Paul until you have exhausted every medical avenue.  Could also be worth getting the opinion of a chiropracter. Best of luck

Gadget

... I ought to add to my comments above re. my back, that I haven't sold any gear because of it and hope not to have to.

guitarmangler

Gadget said:

I'm with @impmann on this one - get a proper diagnosis.

I don't agree with the 'man-up' or 'just-go-and-exercise' ideas.

My doc tried this on me despite years of sciatic type pain, but after much pushing, I finally got an MRI scan done and they found a tumour which is crushing my nerves and could eventually leave me paralysed!

I'm in for an op in August, but I'd still be doing pointless stretches at home if he had his way.

Good luck , dude. Hope it all goes well.

Gadget

guitarmangler said:

Gadget said:

I'm with @impmann on this one - get a proper diagnosis.

I don't agree with the 'man-up' or 'just-go-and-exercise' ideas.

My doc tried this on me despite years of sciatic type pain, but after much pushing, I finally got an MRI scan done and they found a tumour which is crushing my nerves and could eventually leave me paralysed!

I'm in for an op in August, but I'd still be doing pointless stretches at home if he had his way.

Good luck , dude. Hope it all goes well.

Thanks

fandango

If the OP is looking for a replacement, then may I suggest the following - all Gibsons, and all have lighter and thinner bodies than typical Les Pauls:

1. Les Paul Custom Lite (1986-1990, 2013)
2. Les Paul 120 Standard Light Flame (2014 only)*
3. Les Paul Less Plus (2015 only)
4. Les Paul Smartwood Exotic (late 1990's/early 2000's)**
5. Les Paul Smartwood Studio (early 2000's)


* I have one of these and the neck is a decent rounded late 50's neck
** I've played once of these, - it has a 1959 style neck

jeztone2

I got demoted at work after a spat with a manager over a project. I had to stay employed so left head office and went back to a frontline post ( I had basically called him incompetent at this point). Then I took a 5K pay cut the same month my ex-got made redundant. So I went from owning six electrics to two. 

Luckily it was a blip and within a year my income went back up. Then 4 years later I tried freelancing and sold a couple of guitars to fund work equipment. 

It's never nice though. Hope stuff works out health wise.