The Franklin Rule: A Closed-Form Approximation of Rational Guitar Spending

How much should you spend for your next/first guitar?

The answer depends on a number of factors. Obviously you want to go cheaper than your braggy friend or acquaintance that likely didn’t need to spend that much to sound as mediocre as they are. But we also have to factor that you might have a dream guitar, or brand-related ego problems, and/or a lot of experience to know the truth about guitars.

Also you might have pesky kids that mess up your budget, you might be starting out, you might have a wife or husband that adds financial stability but also some restraints. You might be broke. You might be a boutique guitar buyer.

Bottom line? You don’t want to over- or under-spend, and while this started out as a joke, and I’m a writer that sucks at math, somehow I have developed this formula, The Franklin Rule. You’re welcome.

Want to thank me for doing this or support my guitar habits?

Throw a tip my way:  https://www.paypal.com/ncp/payment/PUHGQNSMCS3DN
Contact: bf@brianfranklin.com
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PLEASE ANSWER ALL OF THE FOLLOWING QUESTIONS:
Numbers only. No dollar signs. (ie Enter 500, not $500.

 

(If it was a gift, use its current value. If you’ve never bought a guitar, enter 0.)


If you don’t own any guitars yet or don’t have a “go-to” guitar, enter 0. In that case, your budget becomes the main constraint.

If you don’t know one, or don’t know, enter 0. (Your buddy or co-worker overspent on their guitar. We’re going to make sure you prove it.)

If it is no longer sold, make a guess where 5.0 is the absolute best. If you don’t have an amp, enter 3.0  (This factors the reality that if you have a great amp, you value its importance in addition to guitar in sounding good.)

(Enter zero if you’re not in a relationship.)

(Enter zero if none. This always affects spending.)

Enter zero if you haven’t started playing yet.

(Enter zero if you have no ringing in your ears.)