Covering the headstock of your guitar when you play out.

[ST]

Hi David (dberch),

So, ST, shouldn't you also disguise the fretboard markers and bridge? These things are often nearly as good as a trademark or logo to identify a guitar. Why stop at headstock? 

I can cover the headstock without impairing the functionality of the instrument.

I can't recall a time when someone has identified one of my guitars by the fretboard markers or the bridge.

But I have grown weary of being identified as a "fill-in-the-brand" guy.

[ST]

Hi broKen,

covering the name of the guitar is jipping the builder of the credit due him for a job well done. If someone covers one of your own songs then refuses to give you the credit for it...i

I think there is a difference between physical property (e.g. a guitar) and intellectual property (e.g. a song).

In my view, the guitar builder got his due when s/he sold the guitar.

And for those builders who make their instruments to be played,... well, I am doing that.

I cannot imagine that even one of the owners of the trademarks on my guitars has suffered for the lack of an endorsement from me.

Nor do I imagine it likely that anyone has ever bought a specific brand of guitar because s/he saw me playing one.

[ST]

Hi LeftyBlake,

Thank you for writing this.

I would be thrilled if I was playing a gig and a fellow guitarist came up to me and wanted to chat about gear. To each his own, I guess. 

It led to some uncomfortable but worthwhile introspection.

I think that the term "fellow guitarist" is what had me caught by my drawers on a branch extending from the cliff.  I was dangling there poised to hurtle to the shards of ridicule.  Thank you for giving me pause to consider.

Not one to be defined by my activities I squirmed at the term "guitarist". Having a  "fellow guitarist" come up to me and chat about gear sounds friendly enough. But for me, gig-banter is all about working the crowd (the business of hospitality and entertainment) not communing with insiders. 

I don't have that much to say about guitars or gear at the best of times. I like what I like and I play what I like, and I haven't had to put a lot of thought into why. To me, a lot of gear talk is interogation or rationalization.  That doesn't make for good gig-banter.  Nor does it help me to be prepare for the next set.
   
The last few times I had a fellow guitarist come up to me to chat about gear I was assailed by opinions about how I could be so much better if I just....
   
I'll leave the list to your imagination.

Thanks for giving me pause to think about this.

[Tuba Mike]

So if I put a sock on my headstock is that ok.

Seeing that you don't wear them on your feet, you might as well do something with them! 

[dberch]

Not one to be defined by my activities I squirmed at the term "guitarist". Having a  "fellow guitarist" come up to me and chat about gear sounds friendly enough. But for me, gig-banter is all about working the crowd (the business of hospitality and entertainment) not communing with insiders. 

I agree completely, ST.  Most of the gear chat I'm exposed to happens at tear-down time, AFTER the gig. Or on break.  I'm OK with that.  During the gig... not so much.