There are many pro guitarists out there who are what I describe as gear heads -- or rather gear whores. They will go from guitar company to guitar company, endorsing their gear, then dump them in a second for the next big thing. Here's a few of them:
There are many more guitarists like this ...
Note that every guitar they actually purchase can be deducted from their taxes because it is a tool of their trade (though you have to show you are doing it as a business -- not a hobbyist). I bet many of them do just that. However, when you sell something that has been depreciated, you have to report that too. Since there's really no way to track this -- I bet it's never reported. So it's no wonder pros buy and sell a lot. They get the tax break when buying, but no taxes when they sell!
- KM. Has played all sorts of boutique stuff, and has now settled on Schecter with the KM signature series. I am sure he gets paid OK for this, but probably plays other guitars on his studio albums.
- MM. Another guitarist who plays pretty much anything that is a 7-string and trendy -- Skervesen, Mayones, *strandberg, Jackson, etc. I think he has a signature from Jackson that isn't that great.
- Too many to name ... This guy is legendary on The Gear Page forum. Has played all sorts of high-end boutique guitars and amps and will endorse pretty much anything that is expensive and free to him. Then will dump on the Emporium after a year.
There are many more guitarists like this ...
Note that every guitar they actually purchase can be deducted from their taxes because it is a tool of their trade (though you have to show you are doing it as a business -- not a hobbyist). I bet many of them do just that. However, when you sell something that has been depreciated, you have to report that too. Since there's really no way to track this -- I bet it's never reported. So it's no wonder pros buy and sell a lot. They get the tax break when buying, but no taxes when they sell!