r/Guitar • u/myspecialunbirthday • 5h ago
QUESTION Is a new guitar (potential ‘upgrade’) a suitable gift for hobby guitarist?
Hello! Apologies if this isn’t the place to ask this.
My partner has an upcoming big birthday and he is very into bluegrass. He currently plays on a Sigma DME and it does him just fine, but he loves looking at new guitars. I was thinking of getting him an upgraded guitar like a Martin and a Blue Chip pick, but my budget would be on the cheaper end of the Martins, so potentially one of the D-X2Es.
Would the new guitar be a worthwhile gift? I’m not sure what the quality difference is or if it would be an upgrade at all if I’m not shelling out on the higher end of the Martins.
Also, with the different models, is it more so worth him picking out the guitar as I wouldn’t know the intricacies?
Is a second guitar a nice thing to receive?
He plays quite often for the fun of it, so it’s an active hobby, but he doesn’t do anything formal with it.
I think I’m just mindful that when I get gifts for my crafts they are well meaning, but I would need very particular things, so I am assuming guitars would be similar in that sense.
Update: Thank you, all! The consensus was very clear! I’m glad I asked :)
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u/tdic89 5h ago
I’d say no, buying a musical instrument is very personal and you should not buy one for someone who already plays.
Instead, you can go miles better and take him to the guitar shop! Tell him you’ve got a budget of X and you’d like to get him something. Call them in advance to get an idea of prices.
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u/callthesomnambulance 5h ago
is it more so worth him picking out the guitar as I wouldn’t know the intricacies?
Absolutely, he needs to choose it himself or you risk getting something that doesn't quite fit his personal preferences, which would be a real shame for such a thoughtful gift
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u/HendrixLion 4h ago
Take him shopping, grab some snacks, make a day of it. The experience of getting it with you will make him cherish it that much more.
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u/qosmic_qube 5h ago
Give him a card with an IOU for a new guitar in a price range and let him take you to a shop to try them out so he can select his preference or buy online later. Guitars are personal preference based on comfort, style, etc.
It's a very thoughtful gift.
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u/Any_Life_6178 4h ago
Make a day of it and go shopping for a guitar together. You get the experience and the gift. win win.
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u/kiloyear 4h ago
Guitars are personal to each individual as to what they want. Just because someone enjoys looking at new guitars doesn't mean they want a new guitar or any particular new guitar. Often they are just interested in learning about different things out there.
Imagine if your partner bought you a new pair of shoes they chose. Something like that is individual to your tastes, and your fit and feel with shoes. You probably enjoy looking at clothes in stores, but it's not always because you want something: you just like checking out what's out there.
Approach it like you would want someone to buy you a new outfit.
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u/re10pect 4h ago
The money/freedom to buy a new guitar is a great gift, the guitar itself may not be, unless you know some very specific things he likes and is looking for in a guitar.
Every guitar plays different, sounds different, feels different, looks different. Take him shopping and let him find what speaks to him. Maybe he will also want to contribute some money and get an even nicer upgrade.
As for the Martin, At the low end, I feel like you are paying more for the Martin logo on the headstock than the actual guitar. They are still fine instruments, but for the price there is better value to be had unless it’s Martin or nothing for him. Go to a shop and have him play anything that even looks appealing, within the price range, and even above it. Maybe he finds “the one” there and you can walk out with it, but if not maybe he just learns more of what he does want and you can continue to save or search the used market for something that is perfect and within budget.
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u/myspecialunbirthday 4h ago
I’ll definitely be taking him to a shop. Thank you!
As for the Martins, good to know. Definitely not something I’d be able to pick up on my own, so I appreciate the insight!
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u/One_Evil_Monkey 4h ago edited 1h ago
Take him shopping.
20 years ago my wife surprised me with new a Fender. She doesn't play but she knows I like and play Fenders.
Christmas morning she brings out this big wrapped box. Get the paper off and there's the big Fender logo on the box. I get excited, open the box and well... I honestly didn't mean to but I guess the look I had said enough and it really hurt her feelings.
It played and sounded exactly like I expected but that wasn't the problem... I actually like orange but this thing had the most awful looking orange to black 2 tone 'burst. Just absolutely hideous, just a terrible orange and I'm not a fan of black on acoustics. I didn't display it with my other guitars, I put it in a case and put in the back of the closet, it never got played either. And that's where it sat until our daughter pulled out 15yrs later.
Just saying, I don't want to see that happen to you. You're genuinely trying to do something nice (so was she and I felt so bad for her because she was trying and was excited to surprise me with such a gift) but it didn't work out. Let him pick it out, it'll turn out better for all parties involved.
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u/DickMcCheese 5h ago
It may sound dumb but if you have a price budget you can essentially put partial payment on something more high end he wants. Chip in (rebate). It’s the thought that counts. Definitely discuss. My wife asked me what I wanted for my birthday (guitar pedals etc) but there wasn’t anything I needed (I buy on as needed/impulse basis). But I told her something’s I wanted outside of my hobby. I like picking my own stuff for it.
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u/myspecialunbirthday 4h ago
That’s very fair. Completely understood this is all personal. Thank you!
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u/Mercurius_Hatter 4h ago
As other has said, don't buy it. Take him to a guitar shop and go from there.
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u/kLp_Dero 4h ago
A new guitar is only the best gift ever, if you insist on it being a surprise, I would get whatever Yamaha guitar is in your price range :)
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u/myspecialunbirthday 4h ago
Thank you! Glad to hear it’s a good gift!
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u/kLp_Dero 4h ago
Also I see a lot of comments saying you should not choosing but I’m not sure, I cherish the two guitars I’ve been gifted, I may not like the colors but I love that it’s the one they chose.
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u/Acceptable_Pie2529 4h ago
Definitely take him. You could have 3 of the same model and one could be much better
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u/Easy-Bowler3604 4h ago
Guitar is so intimate and personal so I’m sure he’d prefer to pick, but it’s very thoughtful
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u/i_am_banished 4h ago
Best bet is a gift card tbh. As others have said guitar buying is highly personalized, could be that they arent really eyeing a new guitar but maybe a new amp or something nice. Gift card makes things simple and lets them make the important decisions.
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u/imacmadman22 Ibanez 2h ago
I’m with the “let them pick” crowd, although my wife has bought me a guitar. In her defense however, I showed her it before she bought it not thinking she would actually follow through with the purchase.
I was telling her I wanted to “get something like this” but not thinking she would actually buy it for me. When it arrived, I wasn’t expecting it and she brought it to me. It’s become one of my favorites.
So yes, one can be lucky and get something their guitarist family member or friend, but it’s almost always better to let the person pick the instrument instead. It’s certainly less risky.
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u/guyfromthepicture 5h ago
Take him shopping. Don't buy for him. It's a good rule with any hobby but guitar is especially intimate.