Does a guitar’s age mechanically make it superior? It’s a debate that continues to rage within the guitar neighborhood, notably amongst lovers of classic devices.

On one aspect, gamers like Lenny Kravitz swear by the mojo of basic devices, claiming trendy gear simply can’t seize the tonal magic of classic guitars. On the opposite, an equally fervent camp of guitarists argues that trendy devices can match – and even surpass – the classics in playability and tone.

Think about Jeff “Skunk” Baxter of Steely Dan, who as soon as selected a $140 Squier Telecaster over a 1958 classic mannequin as a result of it “sounded higher”. Blues-rock guitarist Chris Buck has echoed this view, saying he doesn’t “subscribe to the concept all classic devices are nice” and that “older” doesn’t mechanically imply “higher.”

Chiming in on the controversy, Eric Johnson, too, cautions in opposition to assuming an previous guitar is mechanically “good” due to its age. Talking on the brand new subject of Guitarist, the Grammy-winning virtuoso displays on a long time of gathering and buying and selling classic devices and the teachings he’s realized alongside the way in which.

Requested about his most unbelievable guitar discover, Johnson remembers an unique 1954 Fender Stratocaster he bought a long time in the past: “In all probability my unique ‘Virginia’ Strat. I feel I paid $175 for it,” he says. “However that was a few years in the past, once they actually had been going for a number of hundred bucks again within the late 70s.”

“I imply, in right now’s cash, it was nonetheless an excellent deal, however, yeah, you might simply get them fairly low-cost. Again in these days, I keep in mind you might go right into a music retailer and there’d be a number of previous 50s Strats. You simply took your choose, you realize? They’d be underneath $500.”

Johnson additionally reveals there are “quite a few” guitars he regrets promoting, together with that very same ’54 Strat, which he parted with after the electronics received broken and he had it rewired.

“It by no means fairly sounded the identical. It was a beautiful guitar,” he says. “I want I had simply form of gone, ‘Okay, simply put it within the closet and sometime you’ll run into an previous pickguard,’ you realize what I imply? ‘Simply don’t freak out.’ However I used to be like, ‘Ah, it’s no good any extra. I’ve received to search out one other one.’”

Since then, he’s discovered himself in a cycle of shopping for and promoting classic Strats, chasing after that elusive good tone.

“I’d purchase a ‘54 Strat after which I’d promote it, purchase one, promote it… Simply maintain buying and selling them off. And I’ve been disillusioned in a few of these,” he admits. “I don’t suppose that each single previous guitar essentially means you’re going to get the proper guitar simply because it’s previous and funky and unique and price cash.”

“I’ve purchased classic guitars earlier than and also you suppose they’re okay, however when you begin enjoying songs and enjoying with a band and doing what you do, you realise they’re not likely going with you such as you want them to.”