Do you have a "beater" guitar? Why?

[Violeiro]

I see people posting quite often about having a "beater" guitar, I too once believed on having an inexpensive guitar to be my "beater." But, what is a "beater" guitar? Is it a guitar you take when camping, going to the beach, friends house, park....? I used to think so!

My thought today is - take the best guitar I have wherever possible! If going camping, beach...then I want to have my best, favorite guitar with me. Why leave it at home inside of the case? I can't take it with me when I die!

I do have a small guitar (Martin D Jr10) that I love to play when laying on the couch, and if I am taking a plane I would take with me so I can avoid checking in. But besides that, I want to enjoy my best guitar while I can.

What are your thoughts on a "beater" guitar?

[Jersey tuning]

I sort of agree.  I usually take on vacation a fairly expensive guitar with laminated back and sides, so I don't have to be worried about the elements and humidity changes quite so much.  I'm usually not happy taking a "travel" guitar.

[cc7]

I won't take a good guitar near a camp fire. I have a beater in my work office where temp and humidity are out of control. Outdoor and bar gigs get my RaInsong because it is impervious to heat from the sun/ humidity/cold and pretty resistant to abuse.

[Strumming Fool]

I have no beater guitar. So I use what I have or don't bring one if it's too risky.

[donlyn]

No, I have no 'beater' guitar. I feel that would be disrespectful to both me and my attitude toward my instrument. And it would show in the end-product.

I would rather use the term 'practice' guitar, but for the most part, I am liable to practice on any guitar depending on whim. I actually bought my Alvarez as a practice guitar, since noticing some fretwear on my J200. At the time, the J200 was the only 6 string acoustic I owned.

Any guitar is fair game for playing out, but I will echo what was others have said about when conditions are less than ideal. That might be a job for one of my laminate guitars.

 

Don

[Violeiro]

My "beater" is my favorite guitar - right now is a D-18 with VTS top, that is the one going to the beach and lake this summer. I want to truly enjoy and feel the beautiful sounds, the play ability, maybe even get some dings (character/memories), etc.

If I were to take anything less than my favorite my mind and heart would be missing it and wondering how much nicer would've been to have it with me.

I do see the rational on taking the less expensive guitar too, specially if it sounds and plays great.

[TaylorGirl]

I don't have a beater. All my guitars (instruments for that matter) get the same care. I decide on the best guitar for the situation, need, etc. If too risky of a setting, no guitar. Call me picky (pun intended).

[donlyn]

I don't have a beater. All my guitars (instruments for that matter) get the same care. I decide on the best guitar for the situation, need, etc. If too risky of a setting, no guitar. Call me picky (pun intended).

OK, 'Picky'. You get a big thumbs up from me. 

Don

[Shutterbug]

I've got an Alvarez-Yairi DY-66. It's my only acoustic at the moment, although I seem to have recently become enamored with the Gibson J-200. If I could find a good deal on one of those, my wallet would definitely lose a little weight.

My dream guitar? Probably a 12-fret Taylor 510 (DN5?) with an Adi top. I spoke with Chris Wellons at Taylor several years ago about it and, as I was about to pull the trigger on it, my personal situation changed and I had to bail on the idea. I wonder if they could do a 12-fret now in the new GP body style. I haven't played a GP yet, though...

[TaylorGirl]

I don't have a beater. All my guitars (instruments for that matter) get the same care. I decide on the best guitar for the situation, need, etc. If too risky of a setting, no guitar. Call me picky (pun intended).

OK, 'Picky'. You get a big thumbs up from me. 

Don

[boneuphtoner]

Although I have 2 “beater” guitars that I use for two very unique purposes, I treat them with as much respect as I do any of my other guitars.  I have a total of $50 invested between them. 

The first one is a Jasmine- it is Takamime stencil- don’t know what these cost new but I got mine used for $20.  The gig bag cost more than the guitar!  Not bad tone but it isn’t as resonant as my FG800.  I use this for quiet office practice and I have the sound hole stuffed with old clothes to keep the sound down

My other one is an Ovation balladeer that I got for free- this is our beach guitar - great playing instrument with great plugged in sound but unplugged it is fairly anemic.  Perfect for practicing at the beach condo where the humidity is off the charts

[Shutterbug]

My other one is an Ovation balladeer that I got for free- this is our beach guitar - great playing instrument with great plugged in sound but unplugged it is fairly anemic. 

Ovations have always excelled on stage, and they've been engineered accordingly.

Sitting on the livingroom couch? Not so much...

[MTLeonard]

I take my GS Mini when we go camping or on the boat. I don't think of it as a "beater" It's just a great rugged little companion.

[Earl]

I actually do have a designated beater guitar.  It is a 25+ year old Seagull M6, precursor to the S6, with laminated mahogany body and a solid cedar top.  It has been good enough for week long guitar camps where airline travel was necessary.  It travels in my least favorite thermoplastic case with the molded "steal me" brand logo.  If anything happened to it, the whole package could be replaced pretty easily on Craigslist for around $325.  I would be very sad if it were ever lost or destroyed, even though the dollar value does not compare to my better guitars.

Mostly for my auto travel purposes (no more flying for me EVER) I take one of my carbon fiber guitars.  No temperature or humidity worries.

[Marco Polo]

While I do not have a beater guitar, I do have a travel guitar - my Taylor 150e.

I prefer to to leave the more expensive cocobolo guitars at home when I am traveling and jamming in hotel rooms or parking lots.

While I prefer to play my PS56ce, I do not feel it is the right guitar to stick in a car and take camping.