A new Martin D-45 acoustic guitar will run you about $9,500.

So we're going to assume that's not the instrument that will be used Saturday at the latest "Pass the Guitar" benefit concert being held in New London's Hygienic Art Park. What if Artist A — generously donating her or his time to help out the New London Homeless Hospitality Center — dropped and shattered the guitar while trying to pass it to Artist B? In that case, the proceeds wouldn't go to the Homeless Hospitality Center after all but rather to the original owner of the guitar!

For that reason, along with the fact that we're in a COVID epidemic and handing musical instruments from one person to the next isn't medically a good idea, the concert has been rechristened "Don't Pass the Guitar, Yet!"

Participating — with their own guitars — are Jim Carpenter and Sarah Maclean; Dogbite; Steve Elci; Ben and Nancy Parent; Dan Stevens; Braiden Sunshine; Vince Tuckwood and Jerome King; and more to be announced.

Refreshments will be available for purchase, and Spindrift Guitars has donated a very nice Yamaha guitar to be auctioned off. No, it's not a Martin D-45, but it'll be a damned nice guitar. Maybe if your bid is the winner, you can get up and shred with the artists!

"Don't Pass the Guitar, Yet!", 7 p.m. Saturday, doors 6:30, Hygienic Art Park, 79 Bank St., New London; $20 suggested donation; at https://www.hygienic.org/s/shop