Well you have some beautiful guitars. I don't understand the artificial distressing either. I'm 73 now , have distressed  naturally, and content with the state I'm in. Some might say I could use some artificial help, but I'm comfortable in my own skin. You're right on in your comments.
Thanks Andy

I apreciate a brand-new guitar, but i think there's beauty in a scratched guitar that has aged naturaly. I'm a busker, my guitar have the marks of my history, and i'm very proud of that.
Thanks for the video.

I can only think of one positive for the aged finishes: no worries about getting that inevitable first ding.

I'm with you Andy .. I just don't get it!  -Daniel (Paris)

I guess my 'dirty sock' company is never going to take off.  Great seeing/listening to you.

That Santa Cruz is gorgeous. Last month my sister-in-law picked up a thrift store 1970's Japanese classical guitar for $15.00. It had been played hard by a finger picker with long nails or finger picks and then appeared to have resided on top of a trunk in the attic for decades. I cleaned and polished until the only signs of age left were two small dents. I changed the tuners, fixed a chip in the nut and lowered the saddle as far as I could. It's a really nice sounding guitar. That right there tells you how I feel about aged guitars, even honestly aged. On the other hand, I own a totally beat up 1972 Yamaha FG-150. That one has honest road on it. It is a twin to the one I purchased new and then began the process of beating it up because I was young and it was all about playing loud back then. My three sons learned on that guitar until it finally collapsed and that was that. A few years ago I found it's twin, as if mine had risen from the grave, beat up but playable. I wouldn't touch it for the World. The guitar I learned on, a Montgomery Wards archtop, had those fine hairline cracks the day it came off the train according to my grandfather. Except for those exceptions, I'm with you, I prefer my guitars stay looking as new as possible. I would never purchase a relic'd, or artificially aged guitar. I think the people who do buy them are the ones who are confused.

I have heard the argument that people like distressed guitars because they worry less about scratching or nicking them, but that doesn’t explain the heavy aging because that would be going overboard. I have also heard that aging guitars makes them feel “broken in” which I find some truth in that; I had a Nash E-52 with light distressing and it did feel like a vintage blackguard Esquire. I personally don’t mind the aging process, what I care about most is if the guitar sounds and feels good. If it checks those boxes then I’m happy.

I'm confused too.
When I see old guitars with worn or gouged surfaces I consider them to be damaged through misuse or improper handling.
I have a lovely Martin D28 which is almost 20 years old. I play it daily, strumming sometimes quite vigorously, yet my plectrum never makes contact with the soundboard of the guitar.
Often I will anchor my pinky finger in the same spot while I play finger style, yet there is no evidence of wear at that spot.
The guitar cost me a month's salary when I bought it so I've always made sure it was looked after properly, handling it carefully, storing in it's hard shell case when not in use, and keeping a close eye on humidity levels.
My guitar has had one fret dressing and one complete refret so no one can accuse of not getting full use out of it.
I find the idea of buying a brand new guitar that has been artificially scratched and damaged unappealing. Others will disagree.

I have always taken care of my stuff. My 1979 Les Paul is almost as clean as when purchased, couple of knicks here and there but barely noticeable. My acoustics are also in very good condition, I even take the pick guards off of any new acoustic guitars I buy. I don’t tear up the top, it may get a little hazing from the pick but that’s life, but I don’t beat it up.

I think ageing guitars for cosmetic reasons is silly as this does not change the tone or playability of the guitar. However thermo curing tops is a good idea imo as this can speed up the aging process. My Eastman E20D-TC sounds like an old school vintage guitar and it sounds, rich, full, articulate with good base. And it isn't even 1 year old.

I remember when I first encountered “aged” and “distressed” new items for sale:  Furniture, clothing, guitars.  I thought companies were nuts to make them, and was shocked that people would buy them.  I made just the sorts of points you did.  Then I ran across two arguments that changed my mind a little - at least about guitars.

Sadly, I’m the sort who tends to freak out a bit about every little bump.  It makes me hard to hand one of my guitars to someone else - at least without being a jerk about it and asking them to be careful.  So, the first argument - that when a guitar starts out flawed we can be less precious about it - made a lot of sense to me.  I noticed that I was already more casual about my used (imperfect) guitars.  I am still careful, but at least I can relax about them.

The second argument was about how we buy and sell used instruments.  If I’m buying a used guitar, each dent and ding makes it a little bit less good - compared to a similar used (or new) one.  I can try to view it as honestly-earned wear, but it’s not wear I earned, myself.  Every little ding on a used guitar reduces what I’d pay for it - and what I can get for it if I eventually sell it.

UNLESS that particular guitar starts life out as distressed to begin with.  In that case, there’s no question of condition to distract us from the sound and playability.  It doesn’t matter if you bumped it last week, or if I bump it next week, because they’re all imperfect - even the "brand new" ones.  No point in having a ‘case queen” distressed instrument, either.

I still don’t buy distressed guitars, but now I wouldn’t avoid them, if I found one I liked.  And I feel like I understand and appreciate the people who do buy them, and care less about condition.  Never more so than three days ago when - despite taking great care, I assure you - I managed to chip the finish on the top of my most expensive and relatively new guitar.  It started out "perfect," but no longer is.  I'm going to kick myself every time I see that chip for years to come.  Buying distressed does have a certain appeal.

My take on this is that there is clearly a market for vintage or very old guitars with some now selling for ridiculous prices. This in turn has created a market for modern guitars that replicate the look and perhaps feel of a very old guitar, but with a more affordable price tag for those that can't afford a 30's or 40's Martin.

Acquiring age, little scratches, dings, some fading from time and use has character. It's earned and natural though. Artificial isn't the same. Lipstick on a pig.
Such also has memories associated with it. Or if you've bought a used guitar which has lived awhile the blemishes add some mystery and provokes the imagination as to where it's  been. Well jmo. Another good video, I enjoy them all.

I'm so glad you made this video. I completely agree with you. I don't get it either! We are both about the same age and like you I was bought up to respect the things we owned. Who came up with this idea? It's nuts!

Yeah, I am old, too, but I would have felt the same years ago as I now do as to artificially-distressed instruments. I would never, ever purchase one. But, then, consider the "distressed blue jeans" for which some people will pay a couple hundred dollars or more. Faded and torn-out knees and ripped hind ends. But I am one who treats instruments with great care and respect. I have a Ramirez classical, which, as you know, made in Spain, and which I'd coveted for decades. Friend brought his young daughter over and she ran across the room and launched herself at me as I played it, knocking me over from the chair and she landed atop me and the guitar. Our relationship was quite damaged at that point. Guitar lived with some,  luckily, slight damage [distressed!]. No respect for fine instruments. I see that even Martin is making pre-aged guitars. Crazy.

Well said my friend !

First Video I watch, what a comforting voice you have my dear Sir. And I'm just at the 0:34 mark:)

Where are my manners? Sorry to see your right hand giving you fits again and hope there is a speedy recovery in your future.

I agree with you.  The only aging I am ok with is torrified top.

Interesting conversation here. Personally I don't see the value in "distressing" a guitar to make it look older and more worn than it is. I do love the immaculate finish on my guitars. And I try to keep the stress-free as much as possible.