Is acoustic guitar an old man's instrument today?

[dwasifar]

To look at the crowd here, you would certainly get that impression. We're mostly a bunch of old guys complaining about arthritis and diminished hand strength.

This is something I've been thinking about for a while, and I was finally moved to open the question for discussion by @Westerly Wood mentioning on the current "strings" thread that he's thinking of moving to 11s because he's "getting old" and having problems with 12s. But the question is more than just being about us; what I mean to ask is, do we trend older here because young people are not picking up the acoustic guitar anymore? Or is it something else, like maybe we hang out here because we just have more time on our wrinkled old hands?

 

[Westerly Wood]

This is a really good question. I replied in the other thread, but I think I replied to quickly, not thinking it thru.
These days are very different for kids growing up vs us, and I think with the phone and gaming addiction, and way more tv to be watched etc, kids aren't as interested in learning instruments. I am hoping this is not totally true, as my 10 year old loves piano and is taking lessons. But it is a really good question and apt for today.

 

[HeyMikey]

This board may have it share of older players, but acoustics are surely not simply an old man’s instrument. I think folks like Ed Sheehan and others have helped usher in a new wave of acoustic players over the last decade.

 

[West R Lee]

There is much of that discussion here.

https://letstalkguild.com/ltg/index.php?threads/a-discussion-of-the-future-of-guitars.215116/

West

 

[walrus]

This board may have it share of older players, but acoustics are surely not simply an old man’s instrument. I think folks like Ed Sheehan and others have helped usher in a new wave of acoustic players over the last decade.

Agreed. Taylor Swift, too!

Although WW makes a good point that learning to play a musical instrument has a lot of competition compared to our younger days with no technology.

 

[GGJaguar]

It's okay if the kids don't want to play guitar. That leaves more guitars for me.

 

[Stuball48]

There was not a lot of instant gratification in our childhood so working longer to reach a goal was part of the process. We learned on acoustics because they were less expensive and.ight be one in the house with four or five strings and if six strings most likely old.
Most of us didn't start out in a home as nice as we have now but I see many younger married couples in debt up to their eyeballs and it seems to be the norm.
The only "instant feedback I remember was punishment from my mother and came in the form of switchings across the backside.
My opinion is a little too much entitlement.
I love acoustics!

 

[Minnesota Flats]

No worries, robots will take over all the guitar playing...

 

[Westerly Wood]

Whatever the kids decide to do, just don't buy any wester RI guilds please.
they are shite, really kids, stay away from them

lol

 

[rg2002]

I suspect Guild fans trend on the older side.

 

[James Hart]

I've used ultra light strings on bass since *I* was a kid... flirted with heavy guitar strings, but mostly stay light with them since I was younger.

As far as Acoustics in general, lots of youts in the game. Sure Taylor Swift, but also Molly Tuttle, Billy Strings... or even this kid

 

[plaidseason]

Part 1: There is sample set of three young women in my family, my own daughter, and my brother's two. In that sample set one, my eldest niece plays acoustic guitar (she's a big music listener too: Noah Kahan, Zach Bryan, John Mayer, Taylor Swift, etc.) And my kid is considering learning as well.

Part 2: My closest female friend's 18 year old son has a reignited passion for acoustic guitar and to my own delight, I've become sort of an advisor (he knows I play, write and perform). I went with his mom to buy an acoustic amp at Guitar Center (a 60 watt Blackstar that I previously owned, so I could vouch for it all around). I solved a (lack of) humidification issue last week. "He says his guitar is making this weird metallic noise, it just started happening?" I told him to keep it in the case this time of year and sent a link to D'Addario humidifier.

It has been a real thrill to just be able to share information and offer encouragement.

 

[Default]

Internet bulletin boards are not normally where younger players congregate.

 

[plaidseason]

Internet bulletin boards are not normally where younger players congregate.

What is the median age on this forum?

To be fair, I've been either here or on the previous Fender Forum for something like 25 years. That's terrifying!

 

[adorshki]

This board may have it share of older players, but acoustics are surely not simply an old man’s instrument. I think folks like Ed Sheehan and others have helped usher in a new wave of acoustic players over the last decade.

That's Sheeran, old man!

 

[Boneman]

Yea, I would concur, it’s not at all an old man’s instrument. As others have noted several youth on the scene are already playing acoustic guitars, and in my family I know my nephew plays acoustic guitar. Plus I suspect it’s really the gateway instrument for most. I say bring back MTV unplugged!

 

[West R Lee]

To look at the crowd here, you would certainly get that impression. We're mostly a bunch of old guys complaining about arthritis and diminished hand strength.

This is something I've been thinking about for a while, and I was finally moved to open the question for discussion by @Westerly Wood mentioning on the current "strings" thread that he's thinking of moving to 11s because he's "getting old" and having problems with 12s. But the question is more than just being about us; what I mean to ask is, do we trend older here because young people are not picking up the acoustic guitar anymore? Or is it something else, like maybe we hang out here because we just have more time on our wrinkled old hands?

I just wonder if like most things, including playing guitar are kind of cyclical? Will in got out of style and then one day become a fad? As a mid 60' year old, it's easy for me to write off the current generation as soft and spoiled to convenience with no desire to learn new skills, but you never know. I've always kind of felt like the best way to sell something, including playing guitar, is to make music heroes visible......in Guild's case to make Guild more visible. But you never know............I know my dad's generation pretty much thought my generation was worthless for the most part. But we weren't worthless, we were merely different in many aspects. I suspect the current Z's or X's will eventually find their footing in a world that's bound to be far different than ours.

So we shall see on the skill of guitar playing.

West

 

[West R Lee]

That's Sheeran, old man!

It's ok, I keep calling her Tater Swift.

West

 

[adorshki]

Agreed. Taylor Swift, too!

Although WW makes a good point that learning to play a musical instrument has a lot of competition compared to our younger days with no technology.

We had slot cars and RC planes and Estes Rockets and build-'em yourself Booney Bikes, Silvertone amps and guitars from HeathKit!

Heck you could practically build a workshop with a Heath O-scope, multi-meter, signal generator, and build your own short-wave radio, home stereo, and television. Microwave ovens came a bit later in the late '70's.

And for girls there were Easy-Bake Ovens!

 

[West R Lee]

We had slot cars and RC planes and Estes Rockets and build-'em yourself Booney Bikes, Silvertone amps and guitars from HeathKit!

Heck you could practically build a workshop with a Heath O-scope, multi-meter, signal generator, and build your own short-wave radio, home stereo, and television. Microwave ovens came a bit later in the late '70's.

And for girls there were Easy-Bake Ovens!

Heathkit? Damn Al.....you ARE old? I thought I was the only one who remembered Heathkit.

West