Sugiyama Asks: Why Do People Buy Expensive Guitars?

by Staff.

The less than upbeat state of the world's economies doesn't seem to have dampened the widespread interest in vintage guitars; the buying and selling, maybe, the interest, no. For those with the fever who find their guitar budget tightening, Modern Guitars magazine columnist Saiichi Sugiyama reminds us that some vintage instruments have an allure often overshadowed by concerns about investment potential: they play well, sound great, and the ugly ducklings in the category might be a bargain.

In his latest article, "Why Do People Buy Expensive Guitars?", Sugiyama chronicles a shopping expedition in a well-stocked Tokyo guitar store where he meets two old Gibson electrics, one with a broken neck repair, the other a botched converion attempt, and both completely refinished and lacking original parts. Old, yes, collectible, no, but each had a unique charm.

"The broken-neck one sounded lovely with a beautiful timbre in the higher register," says Sugiyama. "The rather brutal refin guitar was warmer and had a speech-like quality in its tone. They were both great guitars. My 15-year-old son described the first as having a B.B. King quality, but it didn’t sound like me. The other one was more like me."

Sugyiama is no stranger to vintage guitars. He served as a research consultant to Christie's on both of the Eric Clapton Crossroads auctions and has provided similar services for a number of other vintage guitar sales. However, he is also a guitar player and his experience in that Tokyo shop with two ugly ducklings and a zen-like store owner reminded him that wall-hanging aesthetics and ROI aren't the only reasons for buying a seasoned guitar.

The lesson? Some old warhorses could have a personality you'd like to meet.

Related Links
Vintage - Saiichi Sugiyama's column on Modern Guitars
Power of the Blues: An Interview with Saiichi Sugiyama (2004)

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