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Comments
i knew that I would constantly be twitchy about taking such a valuable, delicate instrument to some ropey pubs.
The shortest period to 'bond' with a guitar and know it's a keeper is one second... the time it took me to play a chord on my Rickenbacker 381. I didn't even own it then, it was just round for a check-up for its owner before he put it on Ebay.
"Take these three items, some WD-40, a vise grip, and a roll of duct tape. Any man worth his salt can fix almost any problem with this stuff alone." - Walt Kowalski
"Only two things are infinite - the universe, and human stupidity. And I'm not sure about the universe." - Albert Einstein
The guitar sounded great in isolation (the shop) but was quite "middy" & I couldn't get it to sit well with a band- I apparently like a bit of "bite".
Conversely, at precisely the same time I scored its Telecaster stylee cousin and completely failed to gel from the get go, despite its gorgeous looks and top grade appointments. So it was up for the chop within three weeks.
Needless to say, when it sold I made the mistake of giving it a twang, and started to regret the decision...
I never say never but I think this one will be kept for a long time, It's meant I've had to sell a guitar I never planned on doing (my 59 special - Available in the classifieds ) but it's worth it. It's probably the best sounding guitar I've ever played and gives me all the sounds I've wanted.
On the other end of the spectrum I had a 94 LP Classic last year. Lovely guitar and almost mint, but the fact it was so clean put me off playing it. Theirs something about battered old guitars that make me want to play them. More wear the better!
With hand issues its usually comfort that makes me move something on, and for that I generally know after about 2-4 hours of play. If its really bad I'll know after 5 minutes.
Taste in tone can change at any time, so that's wildcard IMHO
Guitars I fall out of love with usually get banished to the loft for years. A couple of cheap ones I gave away to teens I knew who were interested in guitar.
I have concluded that nothing is a keeper unless I made it myself.
'Bonding' over a longer period is more of accepting some compromise or other.
Can take me a while to bond, I don't know how people can fall in love with a guitar in a store environment, I need some time so I prefer buying on-line.
The quickest though was a USA G&L ASAT Special I imported from the states. It was heavier than the moon, and I almost cut my hand up on the frets ends when I picked it up, so by the time it hit my lap for the first time, it was basically up for grabs - a dogs dinner of a guitar.
hardly played since then, recently sold on
was something about then neck. wasn't skinny or fat... just odd & uneven profile
it's hanging on new owners wall now too apparently
Got a better Tele and its so much easier..
Restringing ease is something I wouldnt have thought would put me off.. but I like non fiddly and fast it turns out.
All is not lost however on the guitar wanting front as Mrs M is after a Rickenbacker 12, or a 335 or a Moon acoustic or a pair of irregular choice!
After that, how long does it take ? - I'm not sure - I'm spoilt as I've played to many guitars - I personally own about 6 and will sometimes keep something back, that is used, that has recently arrived into stock - Maybe keep it for a few months and enjoy it, then list it for sale later when it is time to sell - Like the recent 345 restoration - I have to remind myself that dealer first/player second - Or business first/pleasure second
I agree I don't think you get to know any guitar, inside out in a day, week or month, but you can quickly suss out its potential
I agree with @57Deluxe that most guitars have some issue that is not ideal, whatever that is, so some compromise required, but maybe that is why many of us have more than 1 guitar - 2 or more guitars offers something different, whatever that might be - Great position to be in, as it allows you to sometime step away, then come back and hopefully re-bond and remember why you brought it and what makes it so good