Author Topic: What constitutes a private collection (Read 250 times)

hammer · « **on:** November 07, 2012, 10:58:25 AM »

Here's a question for those of you who own multiple instruments.

I'm always on the lookout for used equipment (especially Alembics) that are reasonably priced. I also sometime need to sell an instrument or two to get another that I desire. In scanning Ebay, Craigslist, Gbase etc., recently I've noticed that a large percentage of instruments are advertised as from a private collection. I guess my question, then is just what constitutes a private collection? Is a private collection anything that's not owned by a music shop? As I have 3 basses and 3 guitars do I have a private collection or as my wife likes to saw too many guitars? By the way, I've also noticed that the large majority of those instruments advertised as from private collections seem to be priced on the high end.

tmoney61092 · « **Reply #1 on:** November 07, 2012, 11:08:29 AM »

I think people use terms like private collection to give buyers a feeling that it's been taken care of and is in the best possible condition, which obviously isn't the case a lot of the time.

~Taylor

wookie · « **Reply #2 on:** November 07, 2012, 11:12:25 AM »

I think the term private = personal. That's what I assumed it was anyway. I think the wives are always going to say too many. if I have too many, then why am I always scheming a way to get more?! That's a cunundrum! And I say, yes you have a private collection and sounds like its nice too. I feel basses should always out number guitars and Alembics should out number other basses! Just sayin'

pasewark · « **Reply #3 on:** November 07, 2012, 11:18:48 AM »

Private Collection sounds better, like when you're buying a piece of used gear from a smokeless studio.

If I had the room for a private collection I would have a Series II Custom Brown Bass, a couple of vintage Alembic 32 basses, Guild Starfire, Hofner 500/1, '57 precision, a Modulus TBX and a couple of others. The Brown Bass would be my go to instrument though.

jazzyvee · « **Reply #4 on:** November 07, 2012, 11:27:57 AM »

Hmm I think it is quite feasible to have a private collection of beat up instruments in shabby condition.... :-)

Jazzyvee

sonicus · « **Reply #5 on:** November 07, 2012, 05:12:23 PM »

Private collection likely refers to verification by the seller that they are not a retail store or a dealer or purveyor of musical instrument and equipment. OR, that the seller is not an individual who's primary interest is to buy cheap and prey upon the poor souls who are in a financial dilemma for a profit making agenda.

(Message edited by sonicus on November 07, 2012)

lbpesq · « **Reply #6 on:** November 07, 2012, 05:53:36 PM »

And I've always wondered about this guitar cames from a smoke free studio. So I don't have to worry about it getting lung cancer? I've also seen amps and rack equipment advertised as smoke free. O.K., I get it, some people don't like smoking. But isn't this taking it a little too far? (I don't smoke, my wife does, but not in the house. Are my instruments smoke free?) And, of course, there is the ultimate question: is smoke free limited to tobacco? If not, I might not want the smoke free instrument. Any instrument belonging to a real rock 'n roller has to have spent some time around some kind of smoke! lol

Bill, tgo

JuancarlinBass · « **Reply #7 on:** November 07, 2012, 06:36:10 PM »

You mean Incense, right? All that Hippy vibe...

pasewark · « **Reply #8 on:** November 07, 2012, 09:24:59 PM »

I have a great idea! Alembic scented basses!

jazzyvee · « **Reply #9 on:** November 07, 2012, 11:12:28 PM »

I have friends who smoke heavily and over time the upper area's of the rooms they smoke in has a yellow residue on the walls and light bulbs. This was also common in pubs before the smoking ban here in the UK. So I could imagine if there was smoking in a recording studio the cooling fans in amplifiers would pull the smoke through the amp and the residue would stick to the components and hence the dust would stick to that and build up in there probably causing crackling or other problems in pots and faders.

As for a guitar I'm not sure if it would be affected unless you put your fag under the strings above the nut like Eric Clapton did and scorched the wood.

Jazzyvee

pace · « **Reply #10 on:** November 08, 2012, 04:23:09 AM »

I've bought several instruments that weren't 'smoke free', and what I take away from that selling point is that there won't be nicotine residue on the fretboard, or gunking up the pots or mechanics.... The two MSA pedal steels I have came from heavy smokers, and it was a bitch to clean the stainless/aluminum undercarriage parts. I've had a '67 EBO for approximately half it's life, and to this day it still smells like the day I bought it~ cherry pipe tobacco!

serialnumber12 · « **Reply #11 on:** November 08, 2012, 04:35:42 AM »

i quit smoking but my alembic .......that m***********r still does!

[moderator's edit: inappropriate colorful metaphor]

(Message edited by artswork99 on November 08, 2012)

5a_quilt_top · « **Reply #12 on:** November 08, 2012, 08:20:17 AM »

Alembic instruments already have a scent. It smells like quality.

FWIW: there's nothing like the sensory assault on the eyes, ears, fingers and nose that occurs when that case is first opened and you hold that amazing instrument for the first time and pluck that first unamplified note.

They should bottle that scent.

I'd keep a bottle at my desk and visit it as often as required for stress relief throughout my work day.

Re: smoke free aside from the sticky, dust attracting affect on the internal components of amps, etc., tobacco smoke discolors lighter colored tolex and grille cloth material. Plus, the smell really never goes away. It is part of the vibe of real vintage gear.

I interpret the remark when used by a seller to imply the item been cared for, lightly used and not abused.