Please don't touch.

[RayL]

One answer to guests (both at home and on stage) who want to play your expensive guitar is to say
"Sorry, you're not covered by the insurance".
Ray

[abstamaria]

Derek, your experience is unusual. I would be alarmed, too, if a stranger opened my guitar case at a club. Even at home, I would dislike it if a guest simply opened a guitar case without asking permission. But having a guitar on a stand in the living room is a different matter. I would expect that at some point a guest will pick it up.

A friend gave me some large cards, common at concours and car shows, that say "look but don't touch." Guests sometimes ask to see my motley collection of old cars, and sometimes some of them are not very sympathetic to old machinery. Still I have not used those cards; I simply give the non-car persons gentle instructions on how to open the door, etc.

When we have a jam at home, there will be a lot of picking up and trying everyone's guitars. That's fun, and most are careful anyway.

Just hide the guitar when you have non-musician friends over, humdrum.

Andy

[dave robinson]

Last time I did it she loved it.

[humdrum]

NAUGHTY!

[Stratpicker]

In order to complete your Vanity, make sure that you prominently display and point out the price tag or, when you shout at your Guests be sure to say- " Don't touch it. It cost £500!"

[MeBHank]

There is a very gratifying feeling to be enjoyed when you realise you're giving someone a special moment. I love to see the look on their face when I hand them my valuable instrument. It's all about the sharing and the mutual enjoyment. Hang on... we are still talking about the hand in the knickers, aren't we? Ooh er.

Seriously, though, I'm happy to let others hold and use any one of my guitars. As soon as I mention its cost, however, they usually jump noticeably and treat it like a hot potato, wanting to give it straight back.

J

[abstamaria]

Two neighbors and their young boys were over at my studio so the boys could plug their guitars into tube amps. They were about twelve or thirteen years old and have been playing together for a few months. Their guitars were starter guitars, which they plug into small amps. When I pulled out a Fender Stratocaster, they oohed and ahhed. One of them held it like some treasure and presented it to his father - "a real Stratocaster," he whispered reverentially. It was quite a truest watching them.

Andy

[Billyboygretsch]

Either keep it out the way if you don't want it touched If not just ask people to be careful. Most are not going start doing a Pete Townsend on it. As regards the value some Tablets cost £500 and kids use them. Would you stop kids getting into your new £15000 car - probably not. Remember some people buy brand new guitars which look like they have been abused they call it a relic - funny old world !

[humdrum]

There is a very gratifying feeling to be enjoyed when you realise you're giving someone a special moment. I love to see the look on their face when I hand them my valuable instrument. It's all about the sharing and the mutual enjoyment. Hang on... we are still talking about the hand in the knickers, aren't we? Ooh er.

Seriously, though, I'm happy to let others hold and use any one of my guitars. As soon as I mention its cost, however, they usually jump noticeably and treat it like a hot potato, wanting to give it straight back.

J

I've never even met your wife?

[Fenderman]

My Fender Strat sits in the corner of my living room and NO ONE is allowed to even look at it, anyone plays it without permission will be killed!
It's my baby!