Quick Answer (30-Second Read)

The right choice is the one that brings YOU peace—not what others think you "should" do.

Keep if:

• You actually play it (weekly/monthly)

• Have REAL plan to learn (lessons booked, practicing regularly)

• Displaying it brings genuine daily joy

• Family member who plays wants it

Sell if:

• Stored untouched 2+ years

• You'll never learn (be honest)

• Keeping feels like obligation, not connection

• You could use the money

• Someone else would actually play it

The memory lives in your heart, not the guitar.

4-Question Decision Framework

Question 1: When Did You Last Open the Case?

Not "moved the case." When did you last take it out, hold it, look at it?

If it's been 6+ months: The guitar isn't bringing you daily comfort or connection. It's creating obligation, not joy.

Question 2: Do You Have a REAL Plan to Learn?

A real plan:

• [x] Booked lessons starting [specific date]

• [x] Practice 15 minutes, 3x week

• [x] Currently on lesson 12 of online course

• [x] Guitar in my hands weekly

Not a real plan:

• [ ] "I really should learn someday"

• [ ] "When I have more time..."

• [ ] "I've been meaning to..."

Truth: If you've had it 2+ years without starting lessons, you probably won't. That's not a character flaw—just reality.

Question 3: What Emotion Do You Feel When You See It?

Close your eyes. Picture the guitar. What's your FIRST feeling?

Be radically honest with yourself.

Question 4: If It Disappeared Tomorrow, Would You Miss It?

Imagine: You wake up tomorrow, guitar is gone (sold, given away, whatever). A month later, how do you feel?

When Keeping Makes Sense

✅ Keep If You Actually Play It

If you pick it up weekly (or more), even badly:

• You're using it

• It's making music

• Connecting you to them

• Guitar fulfilling its purpose

Example: "I inherited Dad's guitar. I'm terrible, but every Sunday I sit down and fumble through 'House of the Rising Sun.' Sounds awful, but I feel connected to him. Keeping forever."

This works. Guitar serves real purpose in your life.

✅ Keep If Actively Learning (Real Plan)

Difference: Action vs. intention

✅ Keep If Family Member Actually Wants It

Good reasons to pass it down:

• They actively play guitar

• They asked for it specifically

• They have connection to original owner

• They'll actually use it

Bad reasons:

• "They should want it" (but they don't)

• Obligation

• You don't want to deal with selling

✅ Keep If Displaying It Brings Genuine Joy

This works if:

• Seeing it makes you smile

• Sparks fond memories regularly

• Visual presence brings comfort

• You actively chose the display (not "where else would I put it")

Doesn't work if:

• It's in closet you never open

• You feel guilty when you see it

• Obligation art, not joy art

✅ Keep If Extraordinarily Valuable (As Asset)

If guitar worth $10,000+ and represents financial security:

Keeping as asset makes sense even if you don't play.

Treat it like investment:

• [ ] Proper storage (climate controlled)

• [ ] Insurance coverage

• [ ] Periodic professional maintenance

• [ ] Clear estate planning (who inherits)

Only makes sense if you can afford:

• Storage/insurance costs

• Having money "locked up"

• Maintaining it properly

✅ Keep If You're Genuinely Not Ready

If inherited recently (under 6 months) and still processing loss:

It's okay to wait. Grief has its own timeline.

Give yourself permission:

• To not decide yet

• To revisit in 6-12 months

• To change your mind

But set timeline: "I'll reconsider this in one year" (and actually do it)

When Selling Makes Sense

✅ Sell If It's Been in Storage 2+ Years

If guitar in closet 2+ years untouched:

• You're not playing it

• You're not learning

• You're not displaying it

• You're not getting joy from it

Guitar sitting unused when it could be:

• Played by someone who'd love it

• Converted to money that helps your life

• Freed from burden you're carrying

Hard truth: Storing it doesn't honor anyone's memory. Using it does—if you won't use it, someone else could.

✅ Sell If You'll Never Play (Be Honest)

After 3 years of "I should learn," will you?

Signs you won't learn:

• [ ] No interest in music generally

• [ ] No time investment in 2+ years

• [ ] Other hobbies have your attention

• [ ] "Should" not "want to"

• [ ] Dread the idea of practicing

It's okay to not want to learn guitar. Not everyone is musician.

Guitar doesn't need non-musician owner to honor its history.

✅ Sell If You Could Use the Money

Financial realities matter:

Would your father want you struggling financially while his guitar gathers dust?

Most parents would say: "Sell it. Take care of yourself. That's what it's for."

✅ Sell If Keeping Feels Like Obligation

Obligation language vs. Connection language:

If everything is "should/have to," you're keeping for wrong reasons.

Obligation doesn't honor memory. Connection does.

✅ Sell If Someone Else Would Actually Play It

Imagine two scenarios:

Scenario A: Guitar sits in your closet for 10 more years, untouched, gathering dust

Scenario B: Guitar sold to musician who plays it weekly, maintains it lovingly, creates music

Which honors the guitar and its history?

Most musicians would choose B. Instruments were built to make music, not collect dust.

✅ Sell If Family Disagreement Causing Stress

If multiple heirs inherited together and disagree:

Don't let family conflict over object damage family relationships.

Alternative Options (Middle Ground)

Option 1: Loan to Music Program

How it works:

• Local school/community center/music program

• They use it for students who can't afford instruments

• You retain ownership

• Tax deductible value

• Can reclaim later

Pros:

• Guitar gets played and appreciated

• Helps students

• You keep ownership

• Feel good about impact

Cons:

• Risk of damage (usually insured)

• Still responsible for insurance/maintenance

• May be hard to get back

Best for: Want guitar used but not ready to give up ownership

Option 2: Gift to Family Member Who Plays

Instead of selling, give to:

• Nephew in a band

• Granddaughter taking lessons

• Cousin who's musician

Make it meaningful:

• Share stories about original owner

• No strings attached (it's gift, not loan)

• Let them truly own and use it

This works if:

• Recipient genuinely wants it (ask first!)

• They'll actually use it

• You feel good about keeping in family

Doesn't work if:

• Guilting them into taking it

• They don't really want it

• You'll resent seeing them sell later

Option 3: Consignment (Test Waters)

Not ready to commit?

• List on consignment at shop

• Can withdraw anytime (usually)

• Tests how you feel about selling

• No permanent decision yet

During consignment, notice:

• Do you miss it?

• Do you feel relief it's not in closet?

• Do you want it back?

Your feelings during this time reveal a lot.

Option 4: Keep One, Sell Rest

If inherited multiple guitars:

• Keep most meaningful one

• Sell duplicates or less significant

• Balanced approach

Example: "Dad had 5 guitars. I kept his favorite, the 1962 Strat he played at his wedding. Sold the other 4. I got money I needed, kept most meaningful piece, don't feel overwhelmed."

Option 5: Transform Into Different Remembrance

Some people:

• Photograph guitar extensively

• Keep small piece (pick, strap, tuning peg)

• Commission art from photos

• Write down every memory associated with it

• Then sell physical guitar

Result: Memories preserved, space freed, burden lifted, money available

This works for people who need:

• Tangible remembrance (not just memories)

• But not full guitar

• And would benefit from sale proceeds

Addressing the Guilt

"But What Will People Think?"

Family judgment: "How could you sell Dad's guitar?"
Friend judgment: "I can't believe you got rid of it."
General judgment: "You're supposed to keep family heirlooms."

The truth:

People who judge your decision don't:

• Pay your bills

• Manage your space

• Carry your emotional burden

• Live your life

Response to judgment: "I made the choice that was right for my life. I appreciate your perspective, but this decision is mine to make."

"Does This Mean I Didn't Love Them?"

Absolutely not.

Love is measured by:

• [x] Memories you carry

• [x] Lessons you apply

• [x] Values you live

• [x] Stories you share

• [x] How you treat others

• [x] Legacy you continue

Love is NOT measured by:

• [ ] Keeping physical objects

• [ ] Storing things unused

• [ ] Self-sacrifice for appearances

• [ ] Living under obligation

Selling guitar doesn't diminish love. Keeping guitar you resent doesn't increase it.

"What Would They Want?"

Honest exercise:

Imagine asking them directly:

"Would you rather I keep this guitar I never play and feel guilty about, or sell it to help pay off debt that's stressing me out?"

"Would you rather this guitar sit in closet for decades, or go to musician who'll play it and love it?"

Most loving parents/grandparents would choose:

• Your wellbeing over keeping objects

• Guitar being played over stored

• Your financial security over obligation

• Your peace over their legacy object

They loved YOU, not the guitar. They'd want you at peace.

Real Seller Stories

Story 1: Kept It, No Regrets

"Inherited grandfather's 1956 Les Paul 8 years ago. Never learned to play.

But I hung it on my office wall. Every time I see it, I think of him teaching me chess, taking me fishing, his laugh.

The guitar stays. It's not about playing—it's about daily reminder. Worth every penny of insurance and maintenance."

Lesson: Display can be meaningful if genuinely brings daily comfort

Story 2: Sold It, Relief

"Kept Dad's guitar for 5 years. Felt guilty whole time.

Finally sold it to session musician. Relief was immediate and surprising.

I realized I'd been carrying low-level stress for years. Money helped with daughter's college. Dad would have loved that.

Should have done it sooner."

Lesson: Sometimes burden matters more than we admit, selling brings unexpected peace

Story 3: Gave It to Nephew

"My nephew was 14, just starting guitar. I gave him grandpa's old Martin.

He learned on it, gigged through college, still plays it today 10 years later.

Hearing him play it at family gatherings, creating new memories—that felt right. Better than my closet."

Lesson: Right family member can give guitar new life and meaning

Story 4: Waited, Then Knew

"I inherited it right after Mom passed. Couldn't think about it for year.

Finally opened case at 18 months. Realized I felt nothing beyond general sadness.

The guitar itself didn't connect me to her—my memories did.

Sold it, used money for bench in her favorite park. That memorial feels more 'Mom' than unused guitar ever did."

Lesson: Grief has its own timeline. Waiting until ready brings clarity

Story 5: Tried to Learn, Accepted Reality

"Spent 6 months trying to learn because I inherited Dad's guitar.

Hated every practice session. Finally admitted: I'm not musician and never will be.

Sold it to collector who called it 'dream find.' Knowing someone values and plays it feels better than me forcing myself to do something I hate."

Lesson: Trying and honestly assessing is valuable. Some people aren't guitarists—that's okay

Decision Checklist

Step 1: Gut Check

Step 2: Six-Month Test

In six months, which brings more peace?

Scenario A: Guitar still in closet, untouched
Scenario B: Guitar sold, money used for [specific purpose]

Be specific about Scenario B:

• Pay off $3,000 credit card debt

• Daughter's college fund

• Emergency fund

• Home repairs

How would that feel?

Step 3: The Legacy Question

How do I best honor their memory?

For some people:

• Keeping and displaying guitar

• Learning to play it

• Passing to family musician

For other people:

• Using proceeds to improve your life

• Ensuring it gets played by someone

• Reducing your stress/burden

Both answers honor memory. There's no universal right answer.

Step 4: Five-Year Perspective

Project forward five years:

If you keep it:

• Will you be glad?

• Will you regret not selling when you could have used money?

• Will anything change in five years?

If you sell it:

• Will you regret the sale?

• Will you be glad you sold?

• Will money have improved your life?

Which creates less regret?

Step 5: Write It Out

Complete these sentences:

"I should keep the guitar because..."

"I should sell the guitar because..."

"What I'm most afraid of is..."

"What would bring me most peace is..."

Read what you wrote. Often the answer becomes clear.

If You Decide to Sell

Make Peace With Decision

You're allowed to:

• Sell without guilt

• Use money however helps you

• Make choice that fits your life

• Not justify to anyone

• Change your mind later (if opportunity still exists)

Before selling:

1. Document thoroughly

   • Photos from every angle

   • Close-ups, serial numbers, unique features

2. Write down memories

   • Stories associated with it

   • Times you remember them playing it

   • What it represented

3. Keep something small

   • One pick

   • The strap

   • A tuning peg

   • Small token if you want

4. Consider the buyer

   • Sell to someone who'll appreciate it

   • Musician, collector, someone who'll use it

After selling:

• Give yourself time to process

• Don't second-guess based on others' reactions

• Remember why you made this choice

• Use proceeds meaningfully if possible

Use Proceeds Meaningfully

Practical uses:

Meaningful uses:

You don't need to justify how you use money. It's yours, from your inheritance, for your life.

If You Decide to Keep

Make It Intentional, Not Default

Don't just leave in closet. Make active choice:

Display it:

• Wall hanger in office/living room

• Shadow box with photo of original owner

• Visible place with meaning

Maintain it:

• Climate-controlled storage

• Periodic professional cleaning

• Insurance coverage

• Regular check-ins

Connect with it:

• Open case quarterly, hold it, remember

• Share stories with family

• Create ritual around it

• Make it active in your life

Plan for its future:

• Estate planning (who inherits)

• Document history for next generation

• Consider eventual consignment/sale if circumstances change

Keeping should be intentional choice, not default inaction.

The Permission You Need

You're allowed to:

✅ Sell - Doesn't mean you didn't love them
✅ Keep - Doesn't mean you're being impractical
✅ Wait - If not ready, set timeline for revisiting
✅ Change mind - What felt right last year might not now
✅ Choose path of least regret - Not max money, not max sentimentality

The right choice is the one that brings YOU peace.

Get Honest Input

We'll help you think through it:

• Free appraisal (know what it's worth)

• No-pressure conversation about your situation

• Honest advice about selling vs. keeping

• Fair offer if you decide to sell

• Respect for your timeline

We've had this conversation hundreds of times. No judgment. Some people should sell. Some should keep. We'll help you figure out which you are.

Call (440) 219-3607 or submit photos online.

Your decision. Your timeline. Your peace of mind.

FAQ

Should I sell my inherited guitar if I don't play it?

There's no universal answer. Sell if: guitar stored unused 2+ years, you'll never learn to play, you could use the money, keeping feels like obligation not connection, or someone else would play it. Keep if: you display it and it brings daily joy, you're actively learning with real plan, family musician wants it, or guitar is extraordinarily valuable as asset.

Is it wrong to sell a deceased parent's guitar?

No. Selling a guitar doesn't diminish your love or dishonor their memory. Love is measured by memories you carry and values you live, not by keeping physical objects. If guitar sits unused creating guilt rather than comfort, selling it to someone who'll play it often honors instrument's purpose better than storage.

What if family members judge me for selling?

People who judge your decision don't live with it, pay your bills, or carry your emotional burden. The decision belongs to you alone. You can respond: "I made the choice that was right for my life. This decision is mine to make." You don't need their approval for how you handle your inheritance.

How long should I wait before deciding?

If you inherited recently (under 6 months), it's okay to wait while processing grief. Give yourself 6-12 months to decide. However, if guitar has been in storage 2+ years untouched, that pattern unlikely to change. Be honest about whether you're genuinely undecided or avoiding a decision you already know.

What are alternatives to keeping or selling?

Middle-ground options: loan it to music program (retain ownership, guitar gets used), gift it to family member who plays, consignment (test how you feel about selling), keep most meaningful piece and sell others if inherited multiple, or create different remembrance (photograph extensively, keep small piece like pick, then sell guitar).

How do I know if I'll actually learn to play?

Be honest about whether you have real plan (booked lessons, regular practice schedule, active learning) versus vague intention ("I should learn someday"). If you've had guitar 2+ years without starting lessons or practicing, you probably won't. That's not character flaw—just reality. Some people aren't musicians, and that's completely okay.