How do you know if someone looking at your guitar can play one?

Question

How do you know if someone looking at your guitar can play one?

Answer 1

What Paul Hxyz said. Hand them the guitar and ask them to play something for you -- or tell them to get lost.

Of course it all depends on the circumstances.  If you're jamming at a party or at a friend's house, and someone you know asks to try your guitar, you might be a lot more willing to hand them your guitar; OTOH if you're playing a gig in a bar and some drunken stranger stumbles up to the stage during a break, stares at your instrument and demands that you let him try it out, your answer is probably going to be "NO, go away!"

Personally, I get a kick out of hearing someone I know -- who I know can play well -- play my guitar,  banjo or fiddle.  I know what my instruments sound like when I'm playing them, but they sound very different when I'm sitting a couple of feet in front of them as a listener listening to someone else play them. Its fun! Gives me a new appreciation for them.

Answer 2

Ask them questions and see if they answer intellegently.  Otherwise, you really can't know if someone LOOKING at it knows how to play.  I'd say... just ask.  

Then again, if you were to ask me about guitars, I'd answer you with years of knowledge on brands, makers, styles and production.  I'd tell you all you need to know about pickups and how to identify the type of guitar you are listening to by tone... but I can't play at all!  HISTORY of the guitar and those that play them is one of my hobbies.  

Just ask.

Answer 3

Put your beater guitar in their hands and see if they can play that one. I have guitars that I wouldn't hand off - even to guys that I know are spectacular players - its MY guitar and asking to play something as personal as my guitar is kind of like asking me if they could have s*x with my wife - NOT going to happen.

BTW: this assumes that you have an extra "beater" guitar that you can use for this purpose.

Answer 4

well if he's just looking I guess theres no way to tell,

but I'm with Paul on this one, my kid gives my Guild the eye every so often as where I have to remind him where the Ibanez is or face pain! that or go play that Les paul you had to have ya little creep!!