I'm with you, Nigel. For performing, I use what feels and sounds good. Some of my favorite are "beaters". On my jobs last week, my nylon string was a ratty old Yamaha. My Jazz guitar was a full size DeArmond X-155 (briefly made a few years ago off the Guild x-155 molds-out of business). The basses were a DeArmond semi-hollow short neck (looks like a 335) and a Japaneese Squire P bass. None of these cost or are worth more than $500.00, but they are GREAT!

I sometimes use beaters when I'm concerned about damage, but usually, I just want to.

Of course, my all-time favorite is that old Guild you so graciously posted photos of last year. No real value, but what
memories!

For bass, it's a 63 jazz, which is played weekly and rarely needs any work. Of course, since I played it 6 nights a week in my "wild and crazy" days, it looks like somebody ploughed fields with it. After playing it almost 40 years I shopped for a "daily player" replacement and bought, you guessed it, a new American Jazz bass. It's my all-time favorite fretted electric bass. I've turned down some pretty big bucks for the old one, but would never get rid of it.

Thanks, folks, for putting up with this rambling trip down memory lane!

Russ
(still "pick" OK..just don't "grin" like I used to)!