weird_oh84
Joined: May 24, 2023
Posts: 181
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Posted on Jul 19 2023 09:32 AM
Hey everyone!
As an intermediate player I’m still learning about the guitar ….
My main one is a G&L Comanche Tribute and I absolutely LUV it!
It’s sound is just glorious and exactly what I want…
But my question is …. How long can I expect it to hold up ? I play it at least an hour every day and am kind of rough with it.
Is it possible for it to hold up for 20+ years if I have it checked out every few years?
Will there come a time when I need to replace the wiring and pickups or do those last a long time?
When should I have the frets replaced? I’ve noticed some very minimal ware on the frets after 2 years of heavy use….
Basically what parts of the guitar need replacing over the years?
Sorry for the strange noob question, but Ive really connected with this guitar and would happily use it for the rest of my life if possible.
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DannySnyder
Joined: Mar 02, 2006
Posts: 11053
Berkeley, CA
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Posted on Jul 19 2023 09:43 AM
I suspect one's desire for novelty i.e. a different guitar or modifying it, will arrive far sooner than a guitar wearing out. But to answer your question, short of actual physical abuse it should last indefinitely with periodic maintenance.
— Danny Snyder
"With great reverb comes great responsibility" - Uncle Leo
Playing keys and guitar with Combo Tezeta
Formerly a guitarist in The TomorrowMen and Meshugga Beach Party
Latest surf project - Now That's What I Call SURF
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Reverbenator
Joined: Jul 26, 2015
Posts: 259
San Diego, Ca
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Posted on Jul 19 2023 09:44 AM
Irish Blues guitarist Rory Gallagher acquired a ‘61 Strat around 1963, and played it until his death in 1995. It was likely played for thousands of hours, and is still playable today. His highly acidic sweat pretty much destroyed the nitrocellulose lacquer finish. (The fact that he was an alcoholic probably didn’t help.)
It was played all around the world, and held up just fine. So, with that being said, your guitar will no doubt serve you well.
If you google Rory Gallagher Strat, you can find an abundance of pics on the inter web.
— -Cheers, Clark-
-Less Paul, more Reverb-
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edwardsand
Joined: Jun 29, 2018
Posts: 769
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Posted on Jul 19 2023 10:13 AM
Guitar as a whole should last many decades. Beyond strings (obviously), the main things that would wear out are the frets and the finish. The nut could also potentially wear out. The wiring is likely to stay good, though a connection or two may need to be re-soldered at some point. Pots can become scratchy over time, but that's usually easily remedied with some spray contact cleaner.
Another thing might be the screws holding the strap buttons - they can come loose over time and the holes may no longer hold the screws tightly. Another easy fix.
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Taifighter
Joined: Oct 31, 2018
Posts: 225
Indiana
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Posted on Jul 19 2023 10:41 AM
This guitar has been around for 58 years and is still going strong.
If you tend to keep up on service & maintenance, you too can have something that lasts multiple decades.
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ldk
Joined: Nov 08, 2017
Posts: 368
San Francisco Bay Area
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Posted on Jul 19 2023 10:56 AM
Apart from maintenance noted above, don't store it where it's damp, and don't leave it in a hot car.
— If I'd stop buying old guitars to fix, I might actually learn to play.
Bringing instruments back to life since 2013.
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edwardsand
Joined: Jun 29, 2018
Posts: 769
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Posted on Jul 19 2023 11:50 AM
ldk wrote:
Apart from maintenance noted above, don't store it where it's damp, and don't leave it in a hot car.
Good advice! I will add: don't store it where it's exposed to direct sunlight, as that can affect the finish as well as potentially degrade any plastic bits over time.
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JohnnyMosrite
Joined: Jun 14, 2006
Posts: 901
New York City area
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Posted on Jul 19 2023 11:59 AM
Weird_oh,
With regard to how you treat your guitar
"... am kind of rough with it"
Want your guitar to last? Just do the opposite of that statement.
Stating the obvious....
J Mo'
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IceratzSurf
Joined: Oct 22, 2022
Posts: 284
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Posted on Jul 19 2023 12:07 PM
Replacing strings more often will extend the life of the frets, which will be the first thing to go on a for-life'r guitar
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SilverFlash
Joined: Jul 14, 2015
Posts: 478
Near Atlanta, GA
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Posted on Jul 19 2023 12:32 PM
IceratzSurf wrote:
Replacing strings more often will extend the life of the frets...
How so? I would think that the strings would wear down and become smoother over time, reducing wear on the frets. The old strings will sound lousy, but I don't understand the positive impact on fret life from frequent string replacement.
— -Tim
MyYouTubeChannel
My Classic Instrumental Surf Music Timeline
SSS Agent #777
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chiba
Joined: Sep 02, 2022
Posts: 516
Central VA
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Posted on Jul 19 2023 12:49 PM
I have a Harmony archtop acoustic from 1947 ... needed a refret a few years ago ... doesn't even have a truss rod ... still going strong.
Take care of your guitars and they should last a lifetime ... maybe two!
— --
Project: MAYHEM by Hypersonic Secret now available!
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Samurai
Joined: Mar 14, 2006
Posts: 2243
Kiev, Ukraine
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Posted on Jul 19 2023 12:49 PM
I have a Telecaster that I got in 2000 and it’s still great. I play it really often. Frets were changed two times and it’s a kind of natural relic but it plays great.
— Waikiki Makaki surf-rock band from Ukraine
https://linktr.ee/waikikimakaki
Lost Diver
https://lostdiver.bandcamp.com
https://soundcloud.com/vitaly-yakushin
Last edited: Jul 19, 2023 13:33:39
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Tqi
Joined: Dec 07, 2014
Posts: 1222
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Posted on Jul 19 2023 12:55 PM
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Last edited: Feb 02, 2024 16:25:43
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IceratzSurf
Joined: Oct 22, 2022
Posts: 284
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Posted on Jul 19 2023 01:06 PM
SilverFlash wrote:
How so? I would think that the strings would wear down and become smoother over time, reducing wear on the frets. The old strings will sound lousy, but I don't understand the positive impact on fret life from frequent string replacement.<<
They get dirty and wear frets more easily .
Also if inspected strings under magnification you would see a lot of bad metal wear.
Last edited: Jul 19, 2023 13:07:38
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SilverFlash
Joined: Jul 14, 2015
Posts: 478
Near Atlanta, GA
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Posted on Jul 19 2023 03:08 PM
IceratzSurf wrote:
SilverFlash wrote:
How so? I would think that the strings would wear down and become smoother over time, reducing wear on the frets. The old strings will sound lousy, but I don't understand the positive impact on fret life from frequent string replacement.<<
They get dirty and wear frets more easily .
Also if inspected strings under magnification you would see a lot of bad metal wear.
IceratzSurf, Fair points. Thanks for posting. I found the website where you pulled your list.
Along with some other tips, this caught my eye as the ultimate fret solution for a long-lasting guitar:
Stainless steel frets last a lot longer than regular fretwire made from nickel. So you could think about getting a refret with stainless steel frets, although this is a fairly expensive option.
— -Tim
MyYouTubeChannel
My Classic Instrumental Surf Music Timeline
SSS Agent #777
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RobbieReverb
Joined: Feb 28, 2006
Posts: 2354
San Jose, Ca.
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Posted on Jul 19 2023 03:28 PM
Clark, good point about Rory Gallagher's strat, which has got to be about the best example out there. That said, I want to make a correction. Rory was NOT a heavy drinker, and certainly not an alcoholic. He became a hypochondriac in the years shortly before his untimely passing. He toasted his liver with prescription meds.
Reverbenator wrote:
Irish Blues guitarist Rory Gallagher acquired a ‘61 Strat around 1963, and played it until his death in 1995. It was likely played for thousands of hours, and is still playable today. His highly acidic sweat pretty much destroyed the nitrocellulose lacquer finish. (The fact that he was an alcoholic probably didn’t help.)
It was played all around the world, and held up just fine. So, with that being said, your guitar will no doubt serve you well.
If you google Rory Gallagher Strat, you can find an abundance of pics on the inter web.
— Bob
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