Talk Me Out of Selling!

[29er]

I am so conflicted on this and need some input. In May of this year I bought a 2013 Orpheum 12 fret dread. This may well be the single best sounding guitar I have owned but.......the 12 fret neck is limiting to my occasional foray into the upper registers. I bought the guitar with the intent of getting better at first position flat picking styles thinking that I don't need a 14 fret guitar for such playing. I am, for the most part a finger style blues guy and find myself reaching for my Waterloo about 90% of the time and seeing this tone monster sit in its case is kind of a heart breaker and I'm thinking that I should sell it. That said, I know myself well enough to realize that I would likely regret seeing it go. Sound familiar?

 

[GGJaguar]

Since you will regret it, just keep it and use it for songs that don't require you to go above the 14th fret. Or, maybe practice on playing above the 12th fret (I have a couple of friends who play fingerstyle and have 12-fretters).

Good luck!

 

[GGJaguar]

Just to add, maybe check out some vids on YouTube to see how folks handle play up high on 12-fretters. Norman Blake comes to mind.

 

[fronobulax]

Keep it. Use whatever works for what you are playing. If you are feeling guilty, then play something different.

 

[Westerly Wood]

man i would love that guitar. i just cannot invest that much $ into one, but the older i get, i am tending to leave some of the upper registers alone and hang in the first 7 frets only, which i would argue one can remain his whole life and still have joy

 

[richardp69]

even the 1st 5

 

[davismanLV]

Or keep your eyes open for a 14 fret Orpheum and then sell the 12 fretter. If it doesn't suit your style of playing, replace it with something that does. Just one suggestion.....

 

[Cougar]

....seeing this tone monster sit in its case is kind of a heart breaker and I'm thinking that I should sell it....

Aw, go ahead. But you must then turn around and pick up an F50 or an F50R.

 

[donnylang]

... find myself reaching for my Waterloo about 90% of the time ...

^ This says all you need to say IMO - you don't reach for the guitar. Regardless of it's supposed virtues, you are not compelled to play it, therefore you should sell it.

One of the reasons I switched from 12-string to 6, is whenever I had a classical + 12 around, I kept reaching for the classical. Then having a sense that I wanted more from the classical, but not 12. I think sometimes the reasons we think consciously may not even be the reasons - i.e., maybe this particular guitar simply does not inspire you. I would think if it did, the 12 frets would not be a deal-breaker. I had a Martin D12-20 (12 frets), and was thinking it might be a concern when I first got it, but I never even noticed the 12 frets (I don't play up there often, but on occasion -just work around a little).

 

[richardp69]

No clear cut answers my Friend. if you're not playing it. If you could use the cash. Or if you wouldn't be too sad letting it go then sell it and get something else that stokes your fire more.

I've sold a lot this year and have several more to go but likely not until next year after the sold weather leaves us. I nearly always regret letting a guitar go but only for a brief while. Then I get into some new guitar and lose my regrets. I've sold hundreds of guitars over the last 20 years or so and I can count on one hand those that i truly regret letting go.

 

[fronobulax]

I subscribe to the guitars as tools theory. For some jobs you need a particular tool or you have several tools that will work but some are "better" than others. (Fixed and adjustable wrenches, nutdrivers, socket sets...) So I'm not going to go out and sell the socket set just because I have't used it in a while and grabbed an adjustable wrench (and skinned my knuckles) the last time. If I am certain I won't need the tools or have retired or have limited space, something may go but if I have it and there is a chance I will use it again I will keep it. In this case the analogy to job may be as basic as "playing for you own enjoyment". To abuse the analogy, selling the Orf would be like selling your English sized socket set because your world has finally gone metric.

 

[davismanLV]

Just to add confusion to the pile, for ME, I have five guitars in my bedroom right now. Easier to keep the humidity up here in the land of the parched than in the living room with huge tall ceilings. But also, each one is in a different tuning. So I can rotate through the songs I play thru the session, but I never keep the same guitar in my hands all evening. It's too limiting to my playlist. So for me swapping guitars around is a regular thing. I did have one guitar a while back that stayed out in the living room so much without playing time (for whatever reason) that I sold it. I honestly don't miss it. It was a super nice guitar and the guy who bought it is nuts over it!! So all's well that ends well.

 

[Guildedagain]

Somebody famous once said "there's no money down there", meaning past the 3rd fret ;]]]

But at the end of the day, sell the guitars you won't play and free up money for more guitars you will play. We evolve as we grow, we change, and things that made sense before no longer do. Just pass it on and let somebody else make music with it.

 

[dreadnut]

Or keep your eyes open for a 14 fret Orpheum and then sell the 12 fretter. If it doesn't suit your style of playing, replace it with something that does. Just one suggestion.....

Yeah, what Tom said!

 

[Heath]

Conflicted = Don’t sell until you’re not conflicted.

 

[jedzep]

How do you feel about your 12 fret Martin hog? Same issue, right? Since you consider the Orph high up, maybe best, on the scale of tone it's a no-brainer keeper.

 

[29er]

All great replies. Thanks! The Martin 12 fret is promised to my kids to fight over when I kick off. It's been in the family long enough for both of my sons (who do play) to get attached to it. In the end, I have more guitars than I really need and I'm not really a collector, nor do I even gig anymore. A guitar as sweet as this Orpheum should, IMO be played more than I play it and that's what I'm pondering. First world problem.

 

[Br1ck]

Here is something that has always worked for me. Buy the replacement first. Use the I'll sell the one I like the least argument. Find that 14 fret guitar that floats your boat. Play it for six months or so. That's long enough to forget you were going to sell the 12 fret guitar. it's a win, win, win scenario..

 

[F312]

Try a different set of strings on it. Sometimes that's all it takes to get your attention what it was lacking in your head.

Ralph

 

[Rayk]

Just practice more on the 12 and up its doable.
12 fretters just sound so good !