Not sure I count as a “collector”. I own many hundreds of musical instruments, but the vast majority are meant to be played. But I never pay more for something than I think its “intrinsic“ worth to be precisely because this scenario. I wouldn’t pay much extra for a guitar that John Lennon had allegedly played, for example, because what if that turned out not to be true?
I have purchased duplicates of instruments for parts or preservation though.
I have purchased duplicates of instruments for parts or preservation though.