The Guitar is Not a Toy
Some may argue that the guitar—and perhaps all musical instruments—are little more than toys. To me, this is a degrading and offensive notion. A musical instrument is a conduit through which human beings tell important stories—stories of our past, of strife and adversity, of joy and triumph, of love and loss. These stories help us remember who we are and discover who we might become.
More importantly, I see the guitar as a tool—one that, in the hands of a true artist, brings these stories to life. For those who rely on it to make a living, a guitar must be precisely tuned and set up to meet their needs, crafted with the care and skill of a master toolmaker. Not just any guitar can allow the greatest storytellers to reflect humanity back to us in profound and meaningful ways.
A great guitar does not appear out of thin air. It is shaped by hands that have spent years, even decades, refining their craft. Every element—wood selection, bracing, fretwork, neck profile—is considered with precision, not for vanity or luxury, but to create an instrument that responds to the player’s touch with absolute clarity. This is the work of luthiers, artisans whose dedication rivals that of any master tradesman. To call a guitar a toy is to dismiss the skill, patience, and artistry poured into every instrument worthy of a true musician’s hands.
Beyond its craftsmanship, the guitar has stood at the forefront of history, not merely as an object of entertainment but as a catalyst for change. It has given a voice to the voiceless, carried protest songs through generations, and inspired movements that reshaped the world. From the haunting melodies of the blues, born from hardship and resilience, to the anthems that fueled revolutions, the guitar has proven itself a force more powerful than mere words alone. It is not a trinket; it is a weapon of expression, a tool of truth. Do you think that when Bob Dylan, The Beatles, and Jimi Hendrix made their timeless contributions to our culture, they thought that they were doing so with toys?
And perhaps most importantly, the guitar is not just wood and steel—it is a lifeline. For many, it is an extension of the self, a voice when words fail, a refuge when the world feels unkind. In the hands of the right player, it sings with a power that can heal, inspire, and move people in ways no other medium can. To reduce it to the status of a toy is to ignore the depth of its impact, the weight of its history, and the responsibility both player and maker have in honoring what it represents. If modern luthiers are simply toy makers, then that is what Antonio Stradivari was, and this would also make the violin which is one of the pillars of western culture nothing more than a child’s plaything.
So, no—the guitar is not just a toy. It never was, and it never will be.
