the guitar tale

My first ever guitar was a Yamaha classical(made in Taiwan) bought from a friend in poly for $150, which was a big deal back in 1991. Through her, I became a proficient guitarist and composer. I got my second guitar about 10 years ago. She was a brand new Takamine electric acoustic guitar(made in China) bought from Davis for a few hundred bucks. She was sold last year for $200. I bought my 3rd guitar from a musician friend in The Loar LO-16 (made in China) the year Mr LKY passed on.

Sometime last year, I got my first ever electric guitar after trading in The Loar plus $300 top-up. She was an Ibanez 470S (made in Japan). This Ibanez was traded for a Japan-made CoolZ telecaster which was later traded for a mint Paul Reed Smith SE 245 (made in Korea).

So my current acquisitions include in the PRS SE 245, a Fender Japan Precision Bass($850), a Smiger Precision Bass($169), a Stagg M50E Mandolin($35) and a vintage 1974 Fender USA Precision Bass($1800) which is going through a refin($1600) now.

I had also made some profits with several guitars:

1. MIJ Aria 12-string acoustic guitar bought for $120 + $60 setup, sold for $250
2. MIJ Grand Suzuki 12-string acoustic guitar bought for $90 + $40 accessories, sold for $200
3. Ibanez 8-string RG8 bought for $300, sold for $450

So after a year of trading and learning and trying some guitars, here are some lessons:

1. My vintage Fender USA Precision Bass should be my main guitar for many years to come. After all, she’s my age and she costs me a bomb. But I will still put it up for sale to make a small profit if there are takers.
2. My Fender Japan Precision Bass could stay or go, depending on my american one.
3. The Smiger bass will go when there is a taker.
4. My PRS SE 245 is a lovely guitar. She will go only if there is another better PRS I can take.
5. My mandolin will stay.
6. Acoustic guitars are not my priority now, including 12-stringers.
7. 8-string guitars (and 7-string ones for the matter) are not for me.
8. I drool over vintage Fender 51 pbass, vintage Fender Jaguar, vintage Fender Bass VI, vintage Fender Mustang and vintage Fender Jazzmaster in order of preference.
9. I don’t mind acquiring cheap Squiers.
10. I like telecasters. But I would want a made-in-USA G&L telecaster with MFD pickups.
11. G&L guitars are cool so I will consider any of them seriously.
12. I will never go for a Gibson (and perhaps an Epiphone), including Les Pauls.
13. Jazz basses and modern basses are nice, but not a priority.
14. The Fender Bullet 1981, the Silvertone 1448 and a baritone guitar intrigue me.
15. I like anything that is similar to a Fender Bass VI. So a Squier Bass VI and an Ibanez SRC6 are good alternatives.
16. For Ibanez, I’m only interested in the slim bodies of the S Series Prestige and the SA series, and the made-in-Japan RT series.
17. I like vintage Japanese guitars cos they are good, affordable and wacky. Teisco is one example.
18. I would like to have a jazz guitar if possible. Could be a Gretsch, an Ibanez or others.
19. I’m interested in short-scale guitars like the Fender Mustang and the Squier Bronco.
20. I’m interested to play bass on a cello now.