I don't have to explain this to, but sometimes in explaining it to the guys who don't get it, the ones who do see the difference.
Goals for 2017 is to graduate from the temptation to explain haha.
There are stores who will offer a deal, or give a discount on a broken or scratched up piece of furniture, or a ripped article of clothing.
Then there are the stores who will not have their name on a scratched up piece of furniture or a ripped article of clothing.
I bought (or was bought) and 000-28EC Martin guitar. Eric Clapton edition. He refuses to sell the guitar if the buyer doesn't also purchase the custom case with the guitar, to keep the guitar in mint condition. I wasn't allowed to buy the guitar without this case at the store. And this guitar wasn't cheap either.
Eric Clapton, if anyone, knows about not 'selling out' and keeping it real, tailored, and true to himself AND the types of customers he wants to attract.
With a custom guitar, if you don't want it to sound like utter shit in 6 months, must be stored in it's case, with a de-humidifier AND a humidifier in the body of the guitar while stored. It also has to be stored within certain temperatures so the wood won't buckle, crack, dry out, or bow.
The guitar has to be oiled, and sent in for readjustment every six months.
You don't have to do that. You never have to change the strings, and you can be cheap in your care of a pure wooden guitar that is built for sound, not strength. It requires a lot of care and maintenance, and must be stored in places that aren't dumpy with unmoderated temperature levels.
"What a picky guitar. Such a princess. That guitar thinks it's a god. It looks just like any guitar."
For someone who has played regularly for 23 years, a guitar is not just a guitar. And the care is expensive & timely. IF you DON'T take care of it the way it was designed to be cared for, (or nobody knew you were supposed to,) it will wear out quickly.
If you DO maintain it, it not only stays in shape, but it appreciates in value over time, and also starts to sound even better over time as the wood matures.
If you CAN'T, then get the fake wood guitars that are simply for playing. They sound great, but won't mature like the other one, nor will it appreciate in value as much... those are more meant for the everyday use, and is much more durable. But the sound won't compare. Not for a trained ear, at least.
A tailored, real wood instrument is not meant for being passed around at a campfire. (Not in my opinion, if you want that thing to last.) Sure, anyone can play it just like a real guitar, but not many can appreciate it for what it really does to the person who sat down and played lots of guitars, and hand picked that specific one from a group of even the same brand of guitars. (The wood is different on every single one.)
I'm not handing my guitar to someone who will try to run it dry, and use it like a false wood guitar. They're great for some things, but I can guarantee you if some guys I see knew I was just throwing myself around just because a bunch of people asked for discounts, then came to him worn out, he would not be seeing me again. Not until I go get my 6 month set up.

-- Modified on 1/24/2016 3:57:31 PM