Hi all welcome back!! 😁 no need to panic yet but this video is a bit of a call to action... I need more subscribers on the TV channel to help keep this channel free of sponsorship. If you can afford it and think $50 a year is worth it for all the nonsense I knock out please sign up here: theguitaristas.tv or buy some merchandise (or a guitar!) here: theguitaristas.com
Unsolicited advice from an old SaaS and Ads sales professional , go where the masses are. Don’t stop you tv channel but add patreon to the mix. You’re not trying to convince people to use another platform but you will tap into the users that prefer patreon over needing to sign up on a whole different website
Hey Colin, welcome back. I hope you had a great holiday. Correct me if I'm wrong, but the impression I got is that the existential angst concerning your channel is largely because the time has come to sell some guitars. I believe the need to stay financially solvent is conflicting with your guitar addiction, leading you to question your channel's direction. The big thing you have to decide is what is most important to you, TH-cam as a business, or instead of that as a way to defray some of the expense of doing what you like to do and would most likely do anyway. While you might be able to achieve both things, how you think about it will affect your satisfaction level. Anyway, I've enjoyed your videos, and supported them as best I could, and hope to see more in the future. BTW, if it wasn't for the transatlantic shipping I'd be very tempted by that Revstar. Also BTW, despite my proclamations about how your videos foment GAS when I keep telling myself that I don't need another guitar, you did inspire me to acquire some new gear, a Boss RC5 looper. Thanks as always.
I will join the TV Channel, promptly! I thoroughly enjoy your adult delivery, British accent, and non hyper delivery of guitar info. Always a Friday morning watch, to start my weekend! Thanks for what you do! Oh, by the way...PRS rules, pointy or not! Haha...
Fantastic to see you back. I set a 4am alarm just to not miss the upload this morning. Fridays just got fun again. Thanks for the video and great to see you. Cheers
Thanks to this channel I have spent the last 18 months paying off a Gibson SG Special..lol. One more payment and it's all mine!!! Thanks for some great advice!!!
I’m on the first of 18. Well worth the hole I’m in. I absolutely love my gold top. I don’t plan on it taking that long. I’ll probably sell some other expensive toys I have soon.
Got a nice Reverend Baritone you can borrow for a review if you want. Maybe that would be an idea - viewers that might be nearby could lend you things to review saving you megabucks.
Agree. Even the venerable Phil McKnight has a look at guitars on loan on occasion. So does John Robson and others. I think that one can review a borrowed guitar with honesty and objectivity. If I lived in the UK, I have several interesting guitars that I'd be willing to loan out, but sadly, I'm in the U.S.. Not sure I'd want Colin busting out the drill on any of them though 😂.
Yeha it's a shame I don't live near you or you could pork your way through my 'collection' - that'd take you at least 3 years, and that's if I don't buy any new ones, which of course I will lol. But I'm in Morecambe so probably not much help. It's a shame 'cos I'd be more than happy to do that and I have some interesting guitars, but there ya go.
Welcome back! I think this video was up for about three hours before I got to it, and it was hilarious to click over to your website and see four of the seven guitars already sold- you're an excellent salesperson, and they're great guitars! Glad to see you back in place, and looking forward to what's next for you and the channel! Be well, and 'see' you next week!
Great stuff as always Colin. If it's not broken it doesn't need fixing. Just some gentle tweaking now and again to keep things fresh while never losing sight of what we all loved about your channel in the first place. Many thanks!
He's back! Nice one, but I don't like sound of this title. Watching now. I like that you do those repair/mod vids Col. I'm a newby to guitar with a cheap artist lp style guitar and you've given me the inspiration and confidence just to give mods a crack. I put some pick up covers on and changed the tail piece. It's fun, and I don't think I fucked it up 🙂. I know you're anti getting free guitars, which is cool, but what about some other type of sponsor, a guitar parts company or something else completely. These Aussie guys who do car repairs mightycarmods, have sponsors like castrol oils and ryobi tools, things like that. Love what you're doing with the youtube channel and would love to see you have the freedom of not having to hunt the algorithm and just produce what you like to produce. And while I'm ranting, you know what you should sell. You wear flannys (flannelette shirts) all the time, What a perfect thing for the guitaristas to sell?.... Aaaannnnndddd... so you can get to play old guitars and get more content, what about a long term or 6 months later review. For instance the revstar p90, I love that guitar (definitely my next guitar purchase), you keep it play it a few time over 6 months and revisit it in another film. Do it for every guitar, gives you double the content without paying a cent more on new guitars and I think a lot of us would love that content. Oh and what about review stuff other than guitars for every second or third vid? Peddles, amps etc, or even your bikes?
What a lovely, sincere approach to keeping this channel going! Really respect the way you're going about this. It isn't easy to marry passion with practicality...kudos and best wishes!
I have only just discovered Guitaristas and i think it's a great channel. I thoroughly enjoy the honest reviews and the way you make it vlear what your opinions are based on. Thanks you and please keep going!
Good to have you back sir! I can't keep up with watching the channels I'm subscribed to, nor do I het around playing all of my guitars enough, let alone I would post weekly videos about them. I'm sure each video takes up quite some time that you can't spend making money, so I'm grateful for every video you do post. Even if it were once a month. Wish you godspeed making your decisions for the near future! 👊🏻
Colin, you turn guitars through your own hands. No bullshit. People who watch you take those guitars into their own hands. What you see is what you get. Tried, tested, examined, evaulated, played. you deliver guitars to hands that want to play them. Every video you make adds value to the guitar you feature. Fashion comes and goes, passion remains. Authenticity is your hallmark. Tried and tested is what you do.
Glad to see you back, terrific video and I hope the TH-cam channel continues to grow this year and the TV channel gets more subscribers, good luck with the sale of the guitars 👍🎸😄
You are right, this channel is working. I love watching your guitar videos. Hope you can keep this journey going. Even if it is every other week, that still works. Don't be discouraged. You are doing a great job just being yourself. That's what people enjoy. They don't enjoy watching people who are not authentic. Maybe just streamline it.
Sounds like you're a little burnt out. Well if it matters at all, I am a retired Marine with PTSD. I find comfort in guitars and motorcycles. Those babies are my happy place. My place of solice. That being said , dude...I wake up, drink coffee and watch your videos. Then...I get motivated and play. You're very good at being authentic. You remind me of my Dad and his friends. That's how I got into Rock and Roll. Keep it up. Cheers from East Tennessee 😊
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Colin, there are some people you can trust even if they’re being paid to showcase products. You’re one of those I would trust, because you tell us what you think. Shills say what the company paying them tells them to say. Why not borrow guitars, or ask for loaners from companies if you don’t want to give your opinions for the gelt.
So much honest information to be had here when going through each instruments specs, high and low points along with what is included in price points. That's why I am a member❤ Invaluable to every guitar enthusiast (Guitarista)... What's this beauty all about...? Well...Colin will show every aspect of each guitar to help us decide if we are gonna pull the trigger😉👍👍 @14:44 that lick had me singing "Timothy Learys Dead"😁👍 Must've been a flashback eh...?😉👍 A tip for everyone commenting or thinking of commenting... Type in at least 7 words... YTs system gives more prominent queuing on its " What's being of interest at the moment"😉👍👍 Always look forward to your next video drop Colin😎👍👍 Whatever the plan...I will support it😃 You've earned my support Brother 😎👍👍 😎✌👍❤🖖 Love Brother
Hi Colin, been a long-standing TV paid sub, and love what you said about your plans for the future. You have a great channel and I bought my guitar solely on your review, and two years later I’m still in love with her! Much to my wife’s consternation 😂 So… good luck with this year’s plan, the channel is a bargain for a fiver a month for anyone thinking about signing up, and good luck to you and yours going forward into the new year 🎉
Great video ! I hope you find a way to keep the channel going. I got hooked by the telecaster reviews and binge watched before buying another strat 😂 The jam with the Hartwood really reminds me of Please Stay Calm by Massive Wagons !! 👍 All the best.
Loving your channel Colin, I'd be massive shame to have less of your content. I'm not trying to tell you what to do at all but why won't you get some big uk stores or even denmark street guitar shops to lend you few guitars for a day or so, then you can record few films and put them on yt and if you could increase uploads to like 2 a week this would help financially as well. I'm sure Andertons would like to work with you, well who wouldn't, you're such a gentleman.
Colin I think you’re undervaluing your work, mate! You just show your true colors by wanting to pass along gear at the same amount you initially spent, but I think your audience would gladly pay at minimum a 10% premium (or 100 quid at least) to get their hands on a guitar that you’ve set up and have featured in a video!
Great to see you again, Colin. I hope that your holiday break was just what you needed. Good luck with the sales - I hear your frustrations and will keep my fingers crossed that the path leads you out of the forest and onto the stage. Starting a motorcycle channel sounds like fun, but don't kid yourself that it won't be another slog to build it up and make it viable.
As always I appreciate your integrity, Colin. I don't think any of your viewers would hold it against you if you did the occasional sponsored review rather than slow down and move on to other sources of income. Even if you did it once a month or eventually worked up to once a week (in addition to your typical great longform content)... like a "Sponsored Sundays" type thing. Some channels (Ola Englund, Euge V, Jon is Just Too Loud) get loaned a lot of gear that they'll review then return, so they're not actually getting paid or keeping the gear like most. It may not bring in money directly but it keeps your inventory rotating and content fresh. I can't speak for everyone, but the reason I don't like or trust most TH-cam guitar channels is because the majority seem more concerned with maintaining relationships with retailers and manufacturers to keep the gear flowing in. Whenever a new piece of gear comes out, dozens of reviews suddenly drop the same day and it's almost always to glowing reviews. Best of luck with whatever you decide!
Welcome back. You’re the best guitar channel and reviewer on TH-cam. I’m feeling a bit guilty for enjoying your channel on TH-cam over the last year without contributing, so I’ll be heading to the TV channel to sign up a little later.
Great to see you back mate I totally understand you don’t want to sell your guitars. I have 21 guitars in my collection but will never sell any of them, even my Fender 56 custom shop which I have never bonded with or play.
First off, happy new year! The Revstar II is still on my list as a must get. I know you really liked it Colin...Hate seeing folks having to sell anything to keep rolling, especially guitars. 😔 My sincere condolences...
70k subscribers , who are more interested in you as an honest down to earth person , and your fantastic presenting style . I'm pretty sure that companies would be more than happy for you to review gear as I've seen people with far less subscribers doing it 👍
Welcome back Colin! Was so glad to see a new video! Would you consider accepting sponsorships on aspects that aren't mission critical? Picks, strings, amps or other accessories you use regularly but seldom review themselves? Maybe worth seeing what other viewers think. I don't think anyone would really worry as long as it didn't interfere with the actual guitars you are reviewing. Just a thought. Please keep up the great work! ❤
Love the channel mate, kept me amused for many an hour so I will try and help a little and will go over and sign uo to the TV channel. Can't afford to lose this resource so cmon guys (and gals) lets do what we can
I hope that you make enough from the YT channel to cover the depreciation on the guitars you buy new and then sell off used. I really like your "no BS", not a shill approach. Just an interesting character from across the pond that loves guitars. Keep it coming!
I'm certainly happy to see you back. Hopefully, soon, I'll be able to buy into the TV channel and buy some merch to help support! I always look forward to your videos and the content, so the least that I can do is help support the channnel!
Signed up to the TV channel last year, but just to support the TH-cam channel, which I watch at the end of my working week. South Londoner myself, so really relate to your content. Own a Martin HD-,35 and an Epiphone Les. Paul, but just enjoy chilling at the end of a working week and seeing what you're reviewing. Keep it up, if you can. Often feel we could've been at school together 😊
Great video and i understand your motivation. I collected guitars up to 55, then i started selling them off. I still have 35. I mainly sold the mid- priced ones between 1 and 2K new, these bring up decent prices. The really high value ones i kept, unacceptable losses on those. The cheap ones i kept too, if i get only a few hundred bucks then i’d rather keep them myself. 35 guitars is still ridiculous but at least i can say of each one what they add to the collection; in iconic models, materials, construction, hardware and pickups. I love them all. Anyway wish you good luck with the hobby, the madness and the channel 😅🎸
Ah welcome back and happy new year! The Guitaristas is the lighthouse in the "sea of bollocks" reviews (a perfect description mate). Come on guys, you can't like everything! Thank you for all the work you put in and the honest reviews!
Definitely try the The Guitaristas Garage episodes on this channel to try it out. Might be surprised by just how many of us love motorcycles too! Maybe a short profile on something in your collection once-a-month to see how it goes. Love the channel Sir. Keep on Rockin!
Hi Colin, great to see you back! Your videos have become my 'Go to' TH-cam offering - you have positively influenced two guitar purchases over the last 18 months! Have just subscribed to your TV channel and it looks great - I particularly like the Jam tracks / 'Steal My Licks' section. Might buy a mug next :). Please keep up the great work! All the best.
Keep up the good work Colin. I enjoy every single minute of it. And sometimes know what sneaky little licks you put in. There was a bit of a Cure one in the last minutes. Thanks a lot.
Happy new year Colin! You should totally do the bike channel as well, if that's what you like. I'm guessing it's not just me who watches the channel for the presenter (it's a bonus that I'm into the guitars too!). ;-)
Happy New Year, and welcome back - because you are, very welcome! A lot to take in on the first of the New Year - vlog, that is. Sounds like the yt equivalent of a 'pyramid' scheme, that was both popular, and caught out about 30 years ago, or so. Totally unsustainable, m8, and we all want to continue seeing your fizzog on Fridays, so some interesting ideas from your comments section below. Just bought some merch to help out, temporarily, but do try and keep up the good work - your channel is a real 'Tonic for the Troops', as Mr. Geldof once said! P.S. I wanted to buy the Kramer, but my first call of business would be to remove the F/R system and re-instate a Fender-style bridge and nut, so a/. it kind-of defeats the purpose, and b/. it's a bit beyond my skills, and would just result in a hatchet job. Sorry!! Keep up the good work.
Happy new year Colin! I really wouldn't mind a sponsored video as long as it's clearly explained and the review is honest. In videogames I've seen youtube reviewers who destroys sponsored videogames, and they keep sending them games. I think the brands just want their products to be seen and talked, good or bad. I'm aware there's always be a bias when reviewing sponsored guitars but people trust you. I'd kill to watch you review and dissect the new D'Ambrossio Eastmans, but without sponsoring it's crazy expensive.
Wow I would have absolutely loved to grab that Hartwood Charger and it's already gone! Good luck and best wishes Colin - TH-cam is a much better place with you as a part of it!
Hi Colin. It's great to see you back! Your show is my favorite guitar show, and the only one where I wait for the next video to come out. Here are some rhetorical questions, as well as some unsolicited advice from a bad businessperson: The first and most important question: can you accept that this channel will eventually deplete your guitar collection, but that you will have played a zillion guitars in the meantime? The fact that you've gone from 60 to 35 guitars in the past 4 years implies that in another 4 years, maybe you'll have gone from 35 to 10. But you'll always have a 10 guitars to play, and in the meantime, you'll have played a zillion guitars. Maybe small tweaks could slow the loss. You mentioned that you were gigging before you started this channel, but no longer gig. For me, it's impossible to make wise gear decisions if I'm not gigging. I get hysterical. I start to feel that I've got to have something that can make a particular sound just in case. The second you go to band practice, it either makes sense or it doesn't. Plus it's fun to play live, even if it's a headache. I'm not talking about a full-time band. I'm a blues lawyer who gigs. Alright, I don't play blues and I'm not the kind of lawyer who makes a lot of money, but my day job requires most of my time. Could you come up with an open-ended rental agreement with a retailer, where you can pay monthly to take stuff home? I'm perpetually penny-wise and pound-foolish, so I know the drill. I imagine that a lot of your money goes to inexpensive guitars. The high value ones are more likely to retain their value for resale. Obviously you couldn't mod them (although maybe you could if they were used to begin with), but you could use them and maybe even set them up without shilling for a store or the brand. It doesn't have the same frisson as buying and selling, but transaction costs are high for buying and selling cheap stuff, and cheap rental might be a good deal for a retailer, because the stuff (especially if it's newer, cheaper, lightly-used gear) will likely come back to them in better shape than it went out. In the mean time, I'll subscribe. I'd buy merch if it had pictures of your face on it.
You’ve reminded me that I should sell some stuff, as I can only get into my flat via an obstacle course of gear and guitars in my hallway before getting into my living room, which has also been taken up with numerous guitars, synths and keyboards. The only problem is that I love all my stuff, and sometimes like to re-visit some long neglected instruments. I don’t know how my lady puts up with me.
Great video as always Collin, the first video I ever saw was the Epiphone Coronet the ebony one. Not the US made & I've been a follower ever since. Thank you for all you do...
Happy New Year Colin!!!! Don't stop what your doing bro. I have bought several budget guitars since I started watching your channel. You do great honest reviews. Maybe a bunch of need to collaborate and make some music we can sell and get royalties from. With todays technology it can be done even across the pond!!!!!!
Hey mate, just wanted to say that your guitar channel is my favourite on TH-cam! Only been a subscriber for the last 6 months or so, but I greatly enjoy your honest take on the guitars you review. It's evident that you have a real passion for it, and the videos you produce are really engaging and fun to watch. I sincerely hope you do find a way to keep going because you're right in what you say: it's very hard to trust the opinions of many of the guitar gear TH-camrs these days. Guitaristas would always be the channel I'd recommend to my mates for decent guitar reviews, bar none! Keep the GAS lit! :)
😊Subscribed to the tv channel just now. Keeping it real and honest is why i love the channel. Inspiring a beginner to learn and to grow their own collection which now stands at five. It grew over christmas. I may not be able to play properly but they look good on my wall.😊
Suggestion: Set up a twitch channel and show yourself playing and putting a guitar through its paces as you form your opinion. Get subs from that to finance the down time between guitars. Doesn't need to be every day but maybe 2x a week as you work through a guitar. Good to also chat with your community Just a thought!
Welcome back! Happy new year! I own the inspired by Gibson tobacco burst firebird and it’s the bees knees. While I like the new ones I find them overpriced here in Canada. Cheers
I was really willing to help you and tried to buy that nice Kramer and even wanted a cap and a mug but I don't know why you don't ship to México. So sad, good luck with your channel, I really like it.
Best of luck to you in 2025! I enjoy your content. The best guitar channel on YT, IMO. Occasional Guitaristas' Garage films would be interesting. Cheers!
The Heritage sounds good. But I can't get past the headstock. That Firebird is cool. I still have my Stratosonic that I modded. Don't think I will ever sell that. Even if I did I would lose a few hundred. I really love the neck on it but it's been awhile since I picked it up. Welcome back!
Every thing evolves fella, I’m a fellow biker so sounds like a excellent idea alternating between Guitars and Bikes, but you gotta realise a big draw to Guitaristas is you! Let the sponsors send you gear to review because we trust you anyway! And we all need to earn a shilling 👍 Guitaristas Bike meet in the Spring anyone?
Hi Di Hi Camper ... Good to see you back Colin... and... This is gonna be... Your best year (2025) yet ! Geoff Reeves (RIP) - (and Bless him)... had a motor bike on one of his 'podcasts'... I bought a motorbike, Suzuki 250cc, only one month old and less than 10,000 k's from one of my 'Relief' Drivers... (Fastest Milk-Truck in the West)... He was a University student and his uncle bought it for him as a Christmas Prezzie... Long sad face one day... "What's up with you" says I... "Haven't enough money for University Fees" says he... and have to sell the bike back to the shop whence it came... "How much" says I... "xyz Dollars" says he... "I'll give you an extra hundred" says I... and his smile came back again... and then ? Informed my eldest daughter, also a University student, that Dad had just bought a motorbike "WhooHoo" ! Next Friday night, sleeping in bed, woke up to hear the door opening/closing and whispering in the kitchen... Rolled over, back to sleep... All day Saturday and Sunday, up and down the street (and out of sight) she and companion rode the bike... and... "Dad, I NEED a bike"... "Dad, I REALLY NEED a bike"... and... I waved her "Bye Bye" Sunday afternoon, as she and companion, rode into the sunset ! She had an eight hour ride to get back to Uni and kept the bike for three years... She is a six feet Golden Redhead and could do back-wheel 'wheelies' ... Oh Yeah ! and... That's Life ! Oh yes... Youngest daughter 'snaffed' my BEST guitar, borrowed it (permanently) but 'that' is another story... "Sigh"... Luckily... only four Daughters and three Sons... Cost me a 'few' cars... Ten Grandchildren... "Big Sigh"...
There are several guitars that have come and gone from the Citadel here. Sometimes no matter how spectacular all the features add up.... We just don't bond.
You should do what I do. I only ever have one guitar. If I want a new one, I have to sell the old one. Wouldn’t make much of a TH-cam channel though . Love ya mate.
Happy New Year mate. I hear your call to arms and will do all i can to support the channel. I am a member of the tv channel and i bought the t-shirt, lol. This is my No1 TH-cam channel (and the wifes) so before you do owt daft, study every avenue. I think your audience would watch anything you care to upload, within reason lol.
yea man you knocked me off pretty spot on.. i've got like 100 gits plus, about 30 that I've only gotten around to like 9-10 of them modded up, some semi modded waiting to finish.. think I already mentioned I really like those NC heel adjust strats from china the early 90's models, fender gace themorigional vintage templates to make them and the first run was heel adjust, and they are PROPER strats I kid you not I have done up what 3 of them complete so far? keepers, I just wouldn't sell them, I also have 3 of the heel adjust NC's in various stages, dunno what happened but I stopped messing with them a while back? serious lack of energy, meds I think? dunno but I am off em waiting for that energy to come back, bought so many tools I haven't even used yet.. really wish I had a proper shop as opposed to doing it all in the condo, maybe put carpet down in the spare room tilt the bed up put the furniture in the master bedroom and make that a mock shop of sorts.. really wanna start cutting my own bodies and necks, hale yes .. get stuck in and pump out some dingers ..I know I can, a true wood shop is what I guy needs tho.. but yea man modding is fun building them is fun, repairing is fun.. yup like it all!
Welcome back Colin it's been boring without your reviews and happy disposition. Might I suggest you reduce the number of actual guitar reviews, thus reducing your financial outlay. Find alternative discussion topics which don't involve personal cost ?
Hi all welcome back!! 😁 no need to panic yet but this video is a bit of a call to action... I need more subscribers on the TV channel to help keep this channel free of sponsorship. If you can afford it and think $50 a year is worth it for all the nonsense I knock out please sign up here: theguitaristas.tv or buy some merchandise (or a guitar!) here: theguitaristas.com
Hate to see you leave you're one of the few channels I watch consistently
I would love to have the revstar, I'm sure the shipping to America would be as much as the guitar.
Yes thank You, Lol, im tired of gear pushers, Lol, Beato and peirce must dissapear,.Lol.
Unsolicited advice from an old SaaS and Ads sales professional , go where the masses are. Don’t stop you tv channel but add patreon to the mix. You’re not trying to convince people to use another platform but you will tap into the users that prefer patreon over needing to sign up on a whole different website
@@TonefulPraise Good perspective thanks 👍
Never quit! Love this channel!
it's been a boring couple Fridays, welcome back my friend!
Hey Colin, welcome back. I hope you had a great holiday. Correct me if I'm wrong, but the impression I got is that the existential angst concerning your channel is largely because the time has come to sell some guitars. I believe the need to stay financially solvent is conflicting with your guitar addiction, leading you to question your channel's direction. The big thing you have to decide is what is most important to you, TH-cam as a business, or instead of that as a way to defray some of the expense of doing what you like to do and would most likely do anyway. While you might be able to achieve both things, how you think about it will affect your satisfaction level. Anyway, I've enjoyed your videos, and supported them as best I could, and hope to see more in the future. BTW, if it wasn't for the transatlantic shipping I'd be very tempted by that Revstar. Also BTW, despite my proclamations about how your videos foment GAS when I keep telling myself that I don't need another guitar, you did inspire me to acquire some new gear, a Boss RC5 looper. Thanks as always.
I will join the TV Channel, promptly! I thoroughly enjoy your adult delivery, British accent, and non hyper delivery of guitar info. Always a Friday morning watch, to start my weekend! Thanks for what you do! Oh, by the way...PRS rules, pointy or not! Haha...
Food for thought. How about a live Q&A? If you have super chat turned on those who wish to tip you for all your hard work it would be available to us
Fantastic to see you back. I set a 4am alarm just to not miss the upload this morning. Fridays just got fun again. Thanks for the video and great to see you. Cheers
I have enough guitars (although I'm not guaranteeing I'll never buy another one :-) ) but I AM watching this channel every week!
Awe thank God you’re back!! Happy new year mate. Delighted you’re back 😎
Welcome back Colin! 'Appy new year, can't wait to see what's in store on the channel this year!
Thanks to this channel I have spent the last 18 months paying off a Gibson SG Special..lol.
One more payment and it's all mine!!!
Thanks for some great advice!!!
I’m on the first of 18. Well worth the hole I’m in. I absolutely love my gold top. I don’t plan on it taking that long. I’ll probably sell some other expensive toys I have soon.
I spent a year picking corn in college to buy my first gibson
@@csharp57were are you doing 18mth payments if you don't mind me asking?...looking at a few myself..thanks
Got a nice Reverend Baritone you can borrow for a review if you want. Maybe that would be an idea - viewers that might be nearby could lend you things to review saving you megabucks.
Great idea, and i looked at a Reverand last weekend. It's been living rent-free in my head ever since
Thats a great idea!!!! Trogly does that.
Agree. Even the venerable Phil McKnight has a look at guitars on loan on occasion. So does John Robson and others. I think that one can review a borrowed guitar with honesty and objectivity. If I lived in the UK, I have several interesting guitars that I'd be willing to loan out, but sadly, I'm in the U.S.. Not sure I'd want Colin busting out the drill on any of them though 😂.
I think that would definitely be a viable option to help sustain the channel...
Yeha it's a shame I don't live near you or you could pork your way through my 'collection' - that'd take you at least 3 years, and that's if I don't buy any new ones, which of course I will lol. But I'm in Morecambe so probably not much help. It's a shame 'cos I'd be more than happy to do that and I have some interesting guitars, but there ya go.
You have one of thr best guitar channels out there. Glad to see you back and I hope you had a Merry Christmas and a happy new year!
Welcome back! I think this video was up for about three hours before I got to it, and it was hilarious to click over to your website and see four of the seven guitars already sold- you're an excellent salesperson, and they're great guitars! Glad to see you back in place, and looking forward to what's next for you and the channel! Be well, and 'see' you next week!
Good to see you again Colin! My Friday morning YT guitar party has been lacking recently.
SHARE with your friends and family
.Let's Get Colin To 100 k subscribers !!!
Great stuff as always Colin. If it's not broken it doesn't need fixing. Just some gentle tweaking now and again to keep things fresh while never losing sight of what we all loved about your channel in the first place. Many thanks!
He's back! Nice one, but I don't like sound of this title. Watching now. I like that you do those repair/mod vids Col. I'm a newby to guitar with a cheap artist lp style guitar and you've given me the inspiration and confidence just to give mods a crack. I put some pick up covers on and changed the tail piece. It's fun, and I don't think I fucked it up 🙂. I know you're anti getting free guitars, which is cool, but what about some other type of sponsor, a guitar parts company or something else completely. These Aussie guys who do car repairs mightycarmods, have sponsors like castrol oils and ryobi tools, things like that. Love what you're doing with the youtube channel and would love to see you have the freedom of not having to hunt the algorithm and just produce what you like to produce. And while I'm ranting, you know what you should sell. You wear flannys (flannelette shirts) all the time, What a perfect thing for the guitaristas to sell?.... Aaaannnnndddd... so you can get to play old guitars and get more content, what about a long term or 6 months later review. For instance the revstar p90, I love that guitar (definitely my next guitar purchase), you keep it play it a few time over 6 months and revisit it in another film. Do it for every guitar, gives you double the content without paying a cent more on new guitars and I think a lot of us would love that content. Oh and what about review stuff other than guitars for every second or third vid? Peddles, amps etc, or even your bikes?
So glad to have this back Col, missed the uploads! Glad you had some well-deserved time off, though.
What a lovely, sincere approach to keeping this channel going! Really respect the way you're going about this. It isn't easy to marry passion with practicality...kudos and best wishes!
come on, add some of these cheap telecasters as well, I want one of those! You must sign it though!
I have only just discovered Guitaristas and i think it's a great channel. I thoroughly enjoy the honest reviews and the way you make it vlear what your opinions are based on.
Thanks you and please keep going!
Good to have you back sir!
I can't keep up with watching the channels I'm subscribed to, nor do I het around playing all of my guitars enough, let alone I would post weekly videos about them. I'm sure each video takes up quite some time that you can't spend making money, so I'm grateful for every video you do post. Even if it were once a month. Wish you godspeed making your decisions for the near future! 👊🏻
Colin, you turn guitars through your own hands. No bullshit. People who watch you take those guitars into their own hands. What you see is what you get. Tried, tested, examined, evaulated, played. you deliver guitars to hands that want to play them. Every video you make adds value to the guitar you feature. Fashion comes and goes, passion remains. Authenticity is your hallmark. Tried and tested is what you do.
Glad to see you back, terrific video and I hope the TH-cam channel continues to grow this year and the TV channel gets more subscribers, good luck with the sale of the guitars 👍🎸😄
Also that song/riff was Lullaby by The Cure! 🙂
Great to see you back best guitar channel on TH-cam 👍🤘
You are right, this channel is working. I love watching your guitar videos. Hope you can keep this journey going. Even if it is every other week, that still works. Don't be discouraged. You are doing a great job just being yourself. That's what people enjoy. They don't enjoy watching people who are not authentic. Maybe just streamline it.
Sounds like you're a little burnt out. Well if it matters at all, I am a retired Marine with PTSD. I find comfort in guitars and motorcycles. Those babies are my happy place. My place of solice. That being said , dude...I wake up, drink coffee and watch your videos. Then...I get motivated and play. You're very good at being authentic. You remind me of my Dad and his friends. That's how I got into Rock and Roll. Keep it up. Cheers from East Tennessee 😊
Colin, there are some people you can trust even if they’re being paid to showcase products. You’re one of those I would trust, because you tell us what you think. Shills say what the company paying them tells them to say. Why not borrow guitars, or ask for loaners from companies if you don’t want to give your opinions for the gelt.
So much honest information to be had here when going through each instruments specs, high and low points along with what is included in price points.
That's why I am a member❤
Invaluable to every guitar enthusiast (Guitarista)...
What's this beauty all about...?
Well...Colin will show every aspect of each guitar to help us decide if we are gonna pull the trigger😉👍👍
@14:44 that lick had me singing "Timothy Learys Dead"😁👍
Must've been a flashback eh...?😉👍
A tip for everyone commenting or thinking of commenting...
Type in at least 7 words...
YTs system gives more prominent queuing on its " What's being of interest at the moment"😉👍👍
Always look forward to your next video drop Colin😎👍👍
Whatever the plan...I will support it😃
You've earned my support Brother 😎👍👍
😎✌👍❤🖖
Love Brother
Cheers Richard! 😎👍✌️🎸🖤
@theguitaristas
Looking well rested Colin😁👍
A sight for sore eyes Brother.
😎✌👍❤🖖
Love Brother
Hi Colin, been a long-standing TV paid sub, and love what you said about your plans for the future.
You have a great channel and I bought my guitar solely on your review, and two years later I’m still in love with her! Much to my wife’s consternation 😂
So… good luck with this year’s plan, the channel is a bargain for a fiver a month for anyone thinking about signing up, and good luck to you and yours going forward into the new year 🎉
Great video ! I hope you find a way to keep the channel going. I got hooked by the telecaster reviews and binge watched before buying another strat 😂 The jam with the Hartwood really reminds me of Please Stay Calm by Massive Wagons !! 👍 All the best.
Loving your channel Colin, I'd be massive shame to have less of your content.
I'm not trying to tell you what to do at all but why won't you get some big uk stores or even denmark street guitar shops to lend you few guitars for a day or so, then you can record few films and put them on yt and if you could increase uploads to like 2 a week this would help financially as well.
I'm sure Andertons would like to work with you, well who wouldn't, you're such a gentleman.
Happy New Year Colin! Thanks for the time and content you share with us.
I appreciate all you do for us addicts as well as the fact you don't yell all your thoughts about these guitars at us!
Colin I think you’re undervaluing your work, mate! You just show your true colors by wanting to pass along gear at the same amount you initially spent, but I think your audience would gladly pay at minimum a 10% premium (or 100 quid at least) to get their hands on a guitar that you’ve set up and have featured in a video!
Great to see you again, Colin. I hope that your holiday break was just what you needed.
Good luck with the sales - I hear your frustrations and will keep my fingers crossed that the path leads you out of the forest and onto the stage.
Starting a motorcycle channel sounds like fun, but don't kid yourself that it won't be another slog to build it up and make it viable.
Well i would hate to see this channel go always look forward to Fridays 😊
As always I appreciate your integrity, Colin. I don't think any of your viewers would hold it against you if you did the occasional sponsored review rather than slow down and move on to other sources of income. Even if you did it once a month or eventually worked up to once a week (in addition to your typical great longform content)... like a "Sponsored Sundays" type thing. Some channels (Ola Englund, Euge V, Jon is Just Too Loud) get loaned a lot of gear that they'll review then return, so they're not actually getting paid or keeping the gear like most. It may not bring in money directly but it keeps your inventory rotating and content fresh. I can't speak for everyone, but the reason I don't like or trust most TH-cam guitar channels is because the majority seem more concerned with maintaining relationships with retailers and manufacturers to keep the gear flowing in. Whenever a new piece of gear comes out, dozens of reviews suddenly drop the same day and it's almost always to glowing reviews. Best of luck with whatever you decide!
the Ponzi scheme analogy cracked me up really 😂
Welcome back. You’re the best guitar channel and reviewer on TH-cam. I’m feeling a bit guilty for enjoying your channel on TH-cam over the last year without contributing, so I’ll be heading to the TV channel to sign up a little later.
Great to see you back mate
I totally understand you don’t want to sell your guitars.
I have 21 guitars in my collection but will never sell any of them, even my Fender 56 custom shop which I have never bonded with or play.
First off, happy new year! The Revstar II is still on my list as a must get. I know you really liked it Colin...Hate seeing folks having to sell anything to keep rolling, especially guitars. 😔 My sincere condolences...
Sure it’s nice to watch you review new guitars and such but most of us will continue dropping in for your company, some nibbles and a spot of tea!!!
Good to see you're back Col :)
Friday's are good again :D
70k subscribers , who are more interested in you as an honest down to earth person , and your fantastic presenting style . I'm pretty sure that companies would be more than happy for you to review gear as I've seen people with far less subscribers doing it 👍
Welcome back Colin! Was so glad to see a new video!
Would you consider accepting sponsorships on aspects that aren't mission critical? Picks, strings, amps or other accessories you use regularly but seldom review themselves?
Maybe worth seeing what other viewers think. I don't think anyone would really worry as long as it didn't interfere with the actual guitars you are reviewing.
Just a thought. Please keep up the great work! ❤
Love the channel mate, kept me amused for many an hour so I will try and help a little and will go over and sign uo to the TV channel. Can't afford to lose this resource so cmon guys (and gals) lets do what we can
Great to have you back mate 🤓👍…and yeh, I don’t like the PRS headstock either 🤷🏻♂️
I hope that you make enough from the YT channel to cover the depreciation on the guitars you buy new and then sell off used. I really like your "no BS", not a shill approach. Just an interesting character from across the pond that loves guitars. Keep it coming!
Col its a blast to view every week hope things work out with your channel !
Happy New Year Colin,and welcome back.Have missed you this past few weeks.
I really like what you done to the Fender Stratosonic. excited to see the next video on that beauty. You rock, Colin.
I'm certainly happy to see you back. Hopefully, soon, I'll be able to buy into the TV channel and buy some merch to help support! I always look forward to your videos and the content, so the least that I can do is help support the channnel!
Signed up to the TV channel last year, but just to support the TH-cam channel, which I watch at the end of my working week. South Londoner myself, so really relate to your content. Own a Martin HD-,35 and an Epiphone Les. Paul, but just enjoy chilling at the end of a working week and seeing what you're reviewing. Keep it up, if you can. Often feel we could've been at school together 😊
Great video and i understand your motivation. I collected guitars up to 55, then i started selling them off. I still have 35. I mainly sold the mid- priced ones between 1 and 2K new, these bring up decent prices. The really high value ones i kept, unacceptable losses on those. The cheap ones i kept too, if i get only a few hundred bucks then i’d rather keep them myself. 35 guitars is still ridiculous but at least i can say of each one what they add to the collection; in iconic models, materials, construction, hardware and pickups. I love them all. Anyway wish you good luck with the hobby, the madness and the channel 😅🎸
Ah welcome back and happy new year! The Guitaristas is the lighthouse in the "sea of bollocks" reviews (a perfect description mate). Come on guys, you can't like everything! Thank you for all the work you put in and the honest reviews!
Guitarjunkies tuning in!
Definitely try the The Guitaristas Garage episodes on this channel to try it out. Might be surprised by just how many of us love motorcycles too! Maybe a short profile on something in your collection once-a-month to see how it goes.
Love the channel Sir.
Keep on Rockin!
That Hartwood Charger sounds f*cking lovely....
I can't find one for sale for love or money...
Welcome back Col. Seems like there are a few subs willing to lend you guitars to review, sounds like a good idea to me.
Hi Colin, great to see you back! Your videos have become my 'Go to' TH-cam offering - you have positively influenced two guitar purchases over the last 18 months! Have just subscribed to your TV channel and it looks great - I particularly like the Jam tracks / 'Steal My Licks' section. Might buy a mug next :). Please keep up the great work! All the best.
Keep up the good work Colin. I enjoy every single minute of it. And sometimes know what sneaky little licks you put in. There was a bit of a Cure one in the last minutes. Thanks a lot.
Oh The firebird bringing out your Oh sweet nothin vibe, Secret velvet man. Love it col
Happy new year Colin! You should totally do the bike channel as well, if that's what you like. I'm guessing it's not just me who watches the channel for the presenter (it's a bonus that I'm into the guitars too!). ;-)
Hope you had a good break Col` , Great to see you back.🙏👍
happy new year to you sir, loved the vid.
Happy New Year, and welcome back - because you are, very welcome! A lot to take in on the first of the New Year - vlog, that is. Sounds like the yt equivalent of a 'pyramid' scheme, that was both popular, and caught out about 30 years ago, or so. Totally unsustainable, m8, and we all want to continue seeing your fizzog on Fridays, so some interesting ideas from your comments section below. Just bought some merch to help out, temporarily, but do try and keep up the good work - your channel is a real 'Tonic for the Troops', as Mr. Geldof once said!
P.S. I wanted to buy the Kramer, but my first call of business would be to remove the F/R system and re-instate a Fender-style bridge and nut, so a/. it kind-of defeats the purpose, and b/. it's a bit beyond my skills, and would just result in a hatchet job. Sorry!! Keep up the good work.
Happy new year Colin! I really wouldn't mind a sponsored video as long as it's clearly explained and the review is honest. In videogames I've seen youtube reviewers who destroys sponsored videogames, and they keep sending them games. I think the brands just want their products to be seen and talked, good or bad. I'm aware there's always be a bias when reviewing sponsored guitars but people trust you.
I'd kill to watch you review and dissect the new D'Ambrossio Eastmans, but without sponsoring it's crazy expensive.
welcome back! Happy New Year... not so happy here in the U.S.
But the garage thing sounds great, I want to hear about the Moto Guzzi
Wow I would have absolutely loved to grab that Hartwood Charger and it's already gone! Good luck and best wishes Colin - TH-cam is a much better place with you as a part of it!
Hi Colin. It's great to see you back! Your show is my favorite guitar show, and the only one where I wait for the next video to come out. Here are some rhetorical questions, as well as some unsolicited advice from a bad businessperson:
The first and most important question: can you accept that this channel will eventually deplete your guitar collection, but that you will have played a zillion guitars in the meantime? The fact that you've gone from 60 to 35 guitars in the past 4 years implies that in another 4 years, maybe you'll have gone from 35 to 10. But you'll always have a 10 guitars to play, and in the meantime, you'll have played a zillion guitars. Maybe small tweaks could slow the loss.
You mentioned that you were gigging before you started this channel, but no longer gig. For me, it's impossible to make wise gear decisions if I'm not gigging. I get hysterical. I start to feel that I've got to have something that can make a particular sound just in case. The second you go to band practice, it either makes sense or it doesn't. Plus it's fun to play live, even if it's a headache. I'm not talking about a full-time band. I'm a blues lawyer who gigs. Alright, I don't play blues and I'm not the kind of lawyer who makes a lot of money, but my day job requires most of my time.
Could you come up with an open-ended rental agreement with a retailer, where you can pay monthly to take stuff home? I'm perpetually penny-wise and pound-foolish, so I know the drill. I imagine that a lot of your money goes to inexpensive guitars. The high value ones are more likely to retain their value for resale. Obviously you couldn't mod them (although maybe you could if they were used to begin with), but you could use them and maybe even set them up without shilling for a store or the brand. It doesn't have the same frisson as buying and selling, but transaction costs are high for buying and selling cheap stuff, and cheap rental might be a good deal for a retailer, because the stuff (especially if it's newer, cheaper, lightly-used gear) will likely come back to them in better shape than it went out.
In the mean time, I'll subscribe. I'd buy merch if it had pictures of your face on it.
Thanks for some good food for thought!... point 1 could be very valid and I definitely plan to join/form a band again this year 🤘
You’ve reminded me that I should sell some stuff, as I can only get into my flat via an obstacle course of gear and guitars in my hallway before getting into my living room, which has also been taken up with numerous guitars, synths and keyboards.
The only problem is that I love all my stuff, and sometimes like to re-visit some long neglected instruments.
I don’t know how my lady puts up with me.
WE have a lot in common :) I totally sympathize but trust me, if it comes down to the guitars or the wife, well, you know what I'm gonna say next lol.
I like watching your videos for all the different guitars and the expert picking 🍷😎👌
Great video as always Collin, the first video I ever saw was the Epiphone Coronet the ebony one. Not the US made & I've been a follower ever since. Thank you for all you do...
Love the intro fella
Happy New Year Colin!!!! Don't stop what your doing bro. I have bought several budget guitars since I started watching your channel. You do great honest reviews. Maybe a bunch of need to collaborate and make some music we can sell and get royalties from. With todays technology it can be done even across the pond!!!!!!
Hey mate, just wanted to say that your guitar channel is my favourite on TH-cam! Only been a subscriber for the last 6 months or so, but I greatly enjoy your honest take on the guitars you review. It's evident that you have a real passion for it, and the videos you produce are really engaging and fun to watch. I sincerely hope you do find a way to keep going because you're right in what you say: it's very hard to trust the opinions of many of the guitar gear TH-camrs these days. Guitaristas would always be the channel I'd recommend to my mates for decent guitar reviews, bar none! Keep the GAS lit! :)
😊Subscribed to the tv channel just now. Keeping it real and honest is why i love the channel. Inspiring a beginner to learn and to grow their own collection which now stands at five. It grew over christmas. I may not be able to play properly but they look good on my wall.😊
That’s half the fun of learning, as long a you afford it!
Great to see you back. NICE!!!!
Suggestion: Set up a twitch channel and show yourself playing and putting a guitar through its paces as you form your opinion. Get subs from that to finance the down time between guitars.
Doesn't need to be every day but maybe 2x a week as you work through a guitar. Good to also chat with your community
Just a thought!
And you can make YT videos from cuts of the stream
Love your channel Colin.
You seem like the type of guy, who you would love to have a drink with.
Keep it up.
Welcome back! Happy new year! I own the inspired by Gibson tobacco burst firebird and it’s the bees knees. While I like the new ones I find them overpriced here in Canada. Cheers
Good to have you back Col! I've been looking forward to a new video.
I was really willing to help you and tried to buy that nice Kramer and even wanted a cap and a mug but I don't know why you don't ship to México. So sad, good luck with your channel, I really like it.
Best of luck to you in 2025! I enjoy your content. The best guitar channel on YT, IMO. Occasional Guitaristas' Garage films would be interesting. Cheers!
The Heritage sounds good. But I can't get past the headstock. That Firebird is cool. I still have my Stratosonic that I modded. Don't think I will ever sell that. Even if I did I would lose a few hundred. I really love the neck on it but it's been awhile since I picked it up. Welcome back!
Every thing evolves fella, I’m a fellow biker so sounds like a excellent idea alternating between Guitars and Bikes, but you gotta realise a big draw to Guitaristas is you! Let the sponsors send you gear to review because we trust you anyway! And we all need to earn a shilling 👍 Guitaristas Bike meet in the Spring anyone?
Hi Di Hi Camper ... Good to see you back Colin... and... This is gonna be... Your best year (2025) yet ! Geoff Reeves (RIP) - (and Bless him)... had a motor bike on one of his 'podcasts'... I bought a motorbike, Suzuki 250cc, only one month old and less than 10,000 k's from one of my 'Relief' Drivers... (Fastest Milk-Truck in the West)... He was a University student and his uncle bought it for him as a Christmas Prezzie... Long sad face one day... "What's up with you" says I... "Haven't enough money for University Fees" says he... and have to sell the bike back to the shop whence it came... "How much" says I... "xyz Dollars" says he... "I'll give you an extra hundred" says I... and his smile came back again... and then ? Informed my eldest daughter, also a University student, that Dad had just bought a motorbike "WhooHoo" ! Next Friday night, sleeping in bed, woke up to hear the door opening/closing and whispering in the kitchen... Rolled over, back to sleep... All day Saturday and Sunday, up and down the street (and out of sight) she and companion rode the bike... and... "Dad, I NEED a bike"... "Dad, I REALLY NEED a bike"... and... I waved her "Bye Bye" Sunday afternoon, as she and companion, rode into the sunset ! She had an eight hour ride to get back to Uni and kept the bike for three years... She is a six feet Golden Redhead and could do back-wheel 'wheelies' ... Oh Yeah ! and... That's Life ! Oh yes... Youngest daughter 'snaffed' my BEST guitar, borrowed it (permanently) but 'that' is another story... "Sigh"... Luckily... only four Daughters and three Sons... Cost me a 'few' cars... Ten Grandchildren... "Big Sigh"...
There are several guitars that have come and gone from the Citadel here. Sometimes no matter how spectacular all the features add up.... We just don't bond.
You should do what I do. I only ever have one guitar. If I want a new one, I have to sell the old one. Wouldn’t make much of a TH-cam channel though . Love ya mate.
21:30 I remember the first time I heard Lullaby on the radio and I thought bloody hell that's a nice melody.
Happy New Year mate. I hear your call to arms and will do all i can to support the channel. I am a member of the tv channel and i bought the t-shirt, lol. This is my No1 TH-cam channel (and the wifes) so before you do owt daft, study every avenue. I think your audience would watch anything you care to upload, within reason lol.
yea man you knocked me off pretty spot on.. i've got like 100 gits plus, about 30 that I've only gotten around to like 9-10 of them modded up, some semi modded waiting to finish.. think I already mentioned I really like those NC heel adjust strats from china the early 90's models, fender gace themorigional vintage templates to make them and the first run was heel adjust, and they are PROPER strats I kid you not I have done up what 3 of them complete so far? keepers, I just wouldn't sell them, I also have 3 of the heel adjust NC's in various stages, dunno what happened but I stopped messing with them a while back?
serious lack of energy, meds I think? dunno but I am off em waiting for that energy to come back, bought so many tools I haven't even used yet.. really wish I had a proper shop as opposed to doing it all in the condo, maybe put carpet down in the spare room tilt the bed up put the furniture in the master bedroom and make that a mock shop of sorts.. really wanna start cutting my own bodies and necks, hale yes .. get stuck in and pump out some dingers ..I know I can, a true wood shop is what I guy needs tho.. but yea man modding is fun building them is fun, repairing is fun.. yup like it all!
I really enjoy watching you and the channel. I always like a video about fixing guitars, especially in a slower paced mature sort of way.
Happy new year mate
Welcome back Colin it's been boring without your reviews and happy disposition.
Might I suggest you reduce the number of actual guitar reviews, thus reducing your financial outlay.
Find alternative discussion topics which don't involve personal cost ?
Motorcycle channel sounds great! In the Blues in Oz does guitars and digital cameras. Best of luck!
Love what you do on the channel Carl …., so yeah , don’t fuc£ it up please !! ;))))) Happy New Year