Gear for the rich

As an amateur musician working close to the world of fine art, I have been able to witness an incredible surge in speculation when it comes to musical instruments and guitars in particular… Cobain’s Lake Placid Blue Fender Mustang used on the Smell like teen spirit video sold for 4.5 million $. Eric Clapton’s ‘Fool’ 1964 Gibson SG sold for 1.2 million. There was also Gilmour’s black strat and many others but it is just enough that EVH played it on a video or that Lennon, Elvis or Dylan had touched it once (hello boomers!) for a guitar to reach the million mark. In a fortnight, Bonham’s in London will put on auction Rory Gallagher’s 1961 Fender Stratocaster and it will probably reach 1 million or more. I always wonder: if you were a multimillionaire, would you buy such an instrument? And if it were on auction, which mythical instrument would you dream buying?

Probably a Travis Bean. Love the sound of that guitar.

I just saw neil young is liquidating his home studio on analogr and I'm seriously thinking of bidding on his summit tla100, love that compressor and I'll bet Neil's has really nice tubes in it. Otherwise I'll pass on famous instruments.

I would normally not buying it , its more a piece of Art you do not play and something to show off with, you have a story for vistors and to impress someone, also some Studios do it, to make comercial and good reputation for their bizz and work what is OK. The only reason I can see is, when I really would have the money, that I like the sound of someone and I do not know much about the Artist does achive this and then buying this gear to find out, whats all about it. Imaginee what great things you can do with the money like protecting Nature, , supporting Medicin, supporting Science , even when you like Music you can support school with pro equipment so they can have a stage for school festvals great instruments and equipment, its sure there might be born then another talent not exactly like Cobain or Hendirx , but something good will come out of this for sure. Or at least you spend the money that the band or artist you like plays in your town, or you might do something like a woodstock festival, or supporting people have problems with their hearing so they can enjoy music too. Only for space projects a few million dollars will be of course by far too less.

If I had a million and had to spend it on gear, I'd buy just normal gear from it from normal people. whoever sells those famous guitars is prob rich to begin with, at the end of the day it is just one guitar, compare it to to the joy to experiment with endless amount of different gear, getting high end cables etc.

If I were rich I would go try out a 59 burst but wouldn't buy it. I would rather give to cancer or parkinsons research.

ding dings ding we have the correct answer!

You don't need to be rich to try out a vintage guitar. Just polite and relatively decent at playing it. Most brick and mortar dealers will let you try anything despite the fact that you can't afford any of it. Display your chops, knowledge and nerdiness when you arrive and they typically break out the nice stuff and shoot the breeze with you :)

If I had unlimited budget, I would get a Nord Lead A1, a Lumatone, an Ableton Push 3, and a Livid CNTRL:R.
Then life would be a dream.
And for an auction, I would have this piece of machinery.

Oopsy, I just realized we're in Guitarists & Bassists. Too bad :P

If you find yourself in the Baltimore/DC corridor be sure to spend an afternoon at Atomic in beltsville. Very friendly, all used inventory including some fine vintage guitars and amps. If you don't see what you want ask what's in the back.

Yes I agree to you all, I did spend last month not in gear , I spend into missionerde a german and international organisation protecting the planet, next year I might get a piece of gear again, I think it will be the BOSS RE-202 Space echo. Its very nice to see people thinking not only for themself , a good community here , I feel very well with. I got also a cheap Telecaster , I need to get into a good shape and might replace it then later and spend the Tele to a school kid looking not rich , love to have it for free, there is a school right next where I live , we will see. Telling them also from equipboard and might get a new member too , hehehe.