Peen Simmons
Let’s Get Obtuse!
Alright...so I'm at a crossroads.
I literally played one of everything over the weekend. From MIM and other import stuff to boutique and vintage and custom shop guitars well over my budget.
I gained a pretty good understanding of what my preferences are. I also learned a lot about why my aesthetic fussiness is not suited to this era of relics and thin skin nitro finishes (it's how wood breathes).
I believe I can be happy with...
A.) A custom order G&L ASAT Special with my neck specs
B.) A lowly MIM Classic Series '50s or '60s tele.
The difference in price (at new retail) is about $600. If I go with the G&L, I know I'm getting a well made American instrument with all the hand finished bells and whistles that will depreciate roughly $600 the minute I open the case. Left over cash from the big money pile might allow me to address one or two but not all outstanding rig needs/wants. There's the off chance I'll still be left hankering for ye olde tele tone.
With the MIM, I'm getting a solid workhorse guitar with a couple potential annoyances...heel truss Rod adjustment, pickups that are fine but might lure me into the swap-o-go-round, and non compensated saddles--the idea of which might drive me ever so slightly bonkers if I decide I need something to worry about. I'm also saving enough that I can almost entirely shore up amp and pedal needs and still walk away with some money left in the big money pile I've accumulated for this scheme.
One of these plans is fiscally responsible. The other is indulgent and decadent and willful. So obviously, I'm torn.
I literally played one of everything over the weekend. From MIM and other import stuff to boutique and vintage and custom shop guitars well over my budget.
I gained a pretty good understanding of what my preferences are. I also learned a lot about why my aesthetic fussiness is not suited to this era of relics and thin skin nitro finishes (it's how wood breathes).
I believe I can be happy with...
A.) A custom order G&L ASAT Special with my neck specs
B.) A lowly MIM Classic Series '50s or '60s tele.
The difference in price (at new retail) is about $600. If I go with the G&L, I know I'm getting a well made American instrument with all the hand finished bells and whistles that will depreciate roughly $600 the minute I open the case. Left over cash from the big money pile might allow me to address one or two but not all outstanding rig needs/wants. There's the off chance I'll still be left hankering for ye olde tele tone.
With the MIM, I'm getting a solid workhorse guitar with a couple potential annoyances...heel truss Rod adjustment, pickups that are fine but might lure me into the swap-o-go-round, and non compensated saddles--the idea of which might drive me ever so slightly bonkers if I decide I need something to worry about. I'm also saving enough that I can almost entirely shore up amp and pedal needs and still walk away with some money left in the big money pile I've accumulated for this scheme.
One of these plans is fiscally responsible. The other is indulgent and decadent and willful. So obviously, I'm torn.