A true collector wouldn't be taking his collectible gear out for a casual gig. It might get scratched. That would reduce the value, and a collector can't abide that.
Maybe so. But that sort of proves my point. I "collect" Sunn equipment, but I collect it to PLAY it. Part of the point for me....I'll call it....GATHERING (instead of collecting) Sunn gear is to get it out to show off it's great sound/appearance...to share it with the public.
I'm not going to cry if it obtains a little more mojo in the process (gets scuffed or scratched so I guess I'm not a true collector in the strict sense of the word (by Isaac's I think tongue in cheek definition).
Not really tongue in cheek at all. It's analogous to a wine collector. A wine collector might drink wine, in fact probably does, but the wines that form his collection are never opened, never consumed. Wine collectors worldwide were shocked recently when a man bought a very old bottle of wine with the intent to drink it.
Similarly, while a car collector might take a car of his out for a drive on occasion - and I mean that literally, it has to be an occasion for him to take it out - he isn't going to be driving it to work. That doesn't mean that he doesn't drive another car.
I have quite a few pieces of gear, but none that I wouldn't take to a gig for fear of getting another ding or two. I'm not a collector. Doesn't sound to me as though you are, either.
