Psychology of GAS-Is it Madness? Discuss your view.

[Yossi]

What is the psychological driver behind Gear Acquisition Syndrome?

Is it a substitute for achieving excellence on the guitar?

So many of our guitar icons worked their magic with much less than we have today.

What motivates us to buy one expensive amp or guitar after another?

Is it that we don't feel so great about our playing and in order to get noticed we buy the Rolls Royce of amps and then post on TGP and let everyone know about it for the status that it gives us?

Is it that we are led to believe that to sound great we have to have a $5000 Amp or a custom made guitar?

What is driving the boutique market? Is tone so elusive because we need the gear to achieve it, or is tone in the fingers and we could be putting our money into lessons, and our time that we spend on forums seeking the latest and greatest into practice?

I include myself in the GAS Syndrome, so it's true by me the wise saying that I heard: When you point your finger at the next person there are three fingers pointing back at you. (Look at your own hand)

Perhaps the forum might serve a purpose as a Gearholics Anonymous.

What do you think?

[Echoes]

mid-life crisis...er, no wait...it is simple sheer madness.

[NyteOwl]

For me, and I suspect many others, GAS was based solely upon my quest to find the elusive "tone in my head." I don't think it has anything to do with an individual's level of playing, because only a fool would convince himself that a $5000 amp or custom guitar will make him/her a better player.

We read countless reviews for amps, guitars and effects pedals, and hear endless audio samples as well, but because we oftentimes cannot try before we buy, we end up buying gear based on what we've read and heard. Unfortunately, once we get the gear in hand, it almost - but not quite - meets our expectations, so the search continues. At least that's how it was for me. I went through thousands and thousands of dollars worth of amps, pedals and guitars, before I finally found my "signature sound," if I may be so bold as to use that phrase. Now I play a $500 guitar through $700-$800 worth of pedals into a $500 amp and couldn't be happier. YMMV...

[DC1]

What is the psychological driver behind Gear Acquisition Syndrome?

Is it a substitute for achieving excellence on the guitar?

Varies from person to person. I think the above is phenomenon is vastly smaller than a lot of people think. The cliche of the guy with fab gear and no chops is misleading. That guy would have no chops with cheap gear too.


So many of our guitar icons worked their magic with much less than we have today.

Who gives a damn?

They would have had this stuff too if it existed then. I couldn't care less what someone else plays.


What motivates us to buy one expensive amp or guitar after another?

Because we can and it is more fun than golf.


Is it that we don't feel so great about our playing and in order to get noticed we buy the Rolls Royce of amps and then post on TGP and let everyone know about it for the status that it gives us?

I am at my lifetime peak of chops, thanks. I will not get much better, and the RR of amps differs from person to person.

And I don't need no steenking status.


Is it that we are led to believe that to sound great we have to have a $5000 Amp or a custom made guitar?

Nope, but I sure sound better with my HIWATT. MY guitars are custom because I HATE leetle skinny/curved/narrow necks with small frets, and with the custom guys I can get wide, flat, big necks with big SS frets. My hands are happy.

What is driving the boutique market? Is tone so elusive because we need the gear to achieve it, or is tone in the fingers and we could be putting our money into lessons, and our time that we spend on forums seeking the latest and greatest into practice?

Tone is nowhere and everywhere. The way you play is in your fingers, the way you sound is changed by everything after that point, including the recording and live sound gear you use. I don't know anyone who does not practice here. Do you?


I include myself in the GAS Syndrome, so it's true by me the wise saying that I heard: When you point your finger at the next person there are three fingers pointing back at you. (Look at your own hand)

Perhaps the forum might serve a purpose as a Gearholics Anonymous.

What do you think?

You will find that buying cheap or off the shelf gear will not make you practice more. Sorry.

Anyone who gives up their commitment to music in exchange for a commitment to gear collecting, never had a musical gift to begin with.

dc

[devinb]

Sometimes I think about the psychological costs of all modern wonders our world offers. All the problems that exist only because we've created them for ourselves. All the jobs that offer no sense of accomplishment...

I think people want something to obsess over as a distraction, or escape, or maybe even just something they have complete control over.

[weezy]

I think websites like this one perpetuate GAS big time.

I played for 25 years with the same guitar (Japanese LP copy), 2 crappy pedals and cheap-ass s.s. amp and was perfectly happy - played for hours every day. Then, I 'settled down', meaning I started living w/ my girlfriend - had a kid - and all of a sudden - GAS --> BAD GAS.

Part of it was having more time at home, surfing sites like this one and learning about all the gear out there that I suddenly wanted badly. At least I can justify it at this stage because I can actually play the guitar after 25 years, but I'd have a lot more money in the bank if this ailment never invaded my psyche.

damn you TGP.

[weezy]

I think people want something to obsess over as a distraction, or escape, or maybe even just something they have complete control over.

so true.

[prsflame]

It was a fun hobby for several years, but I haven't purchased any Guitar related equipment since 7/06. I sold off a vast majority of my collection of amps, guitars, and pedals, and have only kept what I actually play.

My GAS died when I learned to want what I already have. YMMV.

[NewarkWilder]

I think its like anything people get a bit compulsive over collecting--thing is we are able to justify them as "tools" instead of just "toys."

I definitely agree with the "chasing the tone in your head" thing, which ultimately is a wild goose chase... but one we're all working towards...

I went through a serious GAS phase last year mainly because I just really wanted to try all these crazy nifty pedals that i had no access to otherwise... some stayed, most left, but the stuff that stayed I'm very glad to have. I'd like to think I'll be more steady now that I know I have a steady foundation of gear I can be 100% happy with. But there will always be an OMG I WANT THAT moment... just gotta step back and evaluate if its something you really need and have a use for, or if you just want it for the sake of having it. If its the latter... keep thinking. don't head straight to paypal. just give it a bit to digest.

:dunno

[cram]

I don't quite get the focus on it all. The best I've ever had the pleasure to play around can really make some of the crappiest instruments do wonders. That isn't me trying to be all "back in my day we chewed on dirt and LOVED IT" or anything. I just think it's a good thing to remember.

[stevieboy]

Amps I only buy for need and don't have many. Pedals I don't use much anyway. I have a home recording setup, again pretty much based on getting it to work for me, I've had to do some experimenting to figure it out as I started with no experience or knowledge, but I don't consider anything I've bought to really be GAS induced.

But guitars--I just really, really like guitars. Madness? Maybe!

But I don't believe more guitars equals playing better. Playing them hopefully does that.

[harryjmic]

It's easier to buy stuff then it is to bust ass and actually become a better player.

[Jahn]

And try singing and playing at the same time. Ain't no mic tools gonna help you sync up to sound nice! Well, Auto-tune may, but that's another matter...

[motis1953]

It's a poor workman that blames his tools. If you know you have great stuff you've got no excuses.

[chrisr777]

I have been trying to find it, but I have not been able to. However, if you remember the scene from the Kids Are All Right film where Entwistle is walking through his house, looking for gold records to shoot, and his walls are just covered with guitars of all shapes and sizes. That was some serious G.A.S. and I don't think he had any lack of chops.

[Hecks]

I know these days I spend more time looking at gear than actually playing, but that's because my real life (HA!) takes precedent.

Yes there are a couple pedals that I want, maybe another amp... or two, as well as a couple guitars. But I know what I like (Fenders, Tele's) and I know what I can afford.

Don't get me wrong I love to see the pics of somebody's $2,000+ boutique amp but I know what I've got and use it to make music I would actually listen to.

I dunno, I like this place but I like that I am happy with what I've got.

I do know what I'd love more than any guitar, amp, pedal... a couple really good guys (or gals) who can play and want to make some music and have fun.

I'd do just about anything for that.

[guitarist58]

I think it is near sickness for me :(

I don't have much money but do have credit and generally limit myself to "cheaper" gear (at least as far as guitars & amps go--I have had some expensive pedals). I also turn over some of the gear as my interests (attention span?) change... The cycles of "tone quest" and "gear lust" seem to have no correlation whatsoever. My inconsistent practice cycles don't seem to relate much either, except that I may not pay as much attention to gear if I'm practicing more... I think I literally get obsessed about buying gear sometimes as a response to some emotional need. It's getting less and less fulfilling all the time :dunno

Although I have been very busy caring for my mom who is recuperating from radiation treatment, I realized the other day that have owned a Honey Bee for maybe 3 months now and I've never once plugged it in and tried it out :NUTS I showed it to a "non-music gear" friend, though. She thought it was "cute"! :AOK

[shane88]

It's easier to buy stuff then it is to bust ass and actually become a better player.
i rekon a lot has to do with cashed up middle aged born again guitar players attempting to relive some glorious ideal that never actually happened back in the day when they still had hair but a boring day job, mortgage and 2.3 kids ..........

but i can't blame em for wantin to play around with high end stuff ...... lotsa old blokes buy harleys or porsches that they can't ride or drive too :nono

it's good for the economy :AOK

[Jarrett]

GAS, the effect this page has on people has many facets.

For some, its just collecting. No diff than stamps. Gotta have more stamps.

For some, they believe the gear will make them sound better. Unfortunately, they confuse that with playing better a lot of times as well.

For some, its a status thing. If you have the latest unobtanium, then people here will listen to you talk about it. Seek out your opinion. That might not happen elsewhere in life.

For some, its a social thing. If you have the flavor of the month toy, then people will accept you and agree with you. But only as long as you have the correct flavor.

For some, its an obsession/passion depending on your perspective. Its about finding that one piece of gear that makes you sound EXACTLY like you guitar hero. But as someone pointed out today, what happen when you find it?

For some, its just about finding better tools for a purpose. Working musicians always want an easier rig to haul and use, but don't want to lose the mojo in the process.

TGP and GAS represents a different thing to different types of members. I think I have been (and can be) any one of those types at any given time.

[orangewizard]

I read these forums and I allow myself to get conned into believing that no matter what I have,there's always something a little bit (or sometimes,a lot) better. :o



I've lost quite a bit of $ the last 3 yrs. or so,I'm sick of it,and I'm ready to get off the gear Merry-go-round and focus on becoming a better player! :RoCkIn

[Ken Ho]

It's hypnotism, plain and simple.
All marketting is.
That's why most countries have"cooling off" periods for things liek real estate etc.
"Buyers remorse" is what you get when the hypnotism wears off.

[mad dog]

It's yer basic hunter/gatherer thing. We no longer band together to track down massive prey animals. We band together to track tone. The furs are long gone, replaced by colorful gig shirts. The hunt is on!!

[epluribus]

Does it count if you do it just for the fun of trying out a bunch of cool stuff to see what's out there? (Besides using and/or misusing it. :))

--Ray

[Guitar Slinger6]

I don't buy a lot of gear, but when I do it is not cheap. I try and find what it is that I am really looking for and then make a purchase.

However let's be clear, middle aged men looking to reclaim lost youth and what they could not afford back in the day = boutique builders, and thank god for them.

[Thor]

TGP and GAS represents a different thing to different types of members. I think I have been (and can be) any one of those types at any given time.


That about sums it up for me as well.

I'm a bit less GASsy these days, but I still very much enjoy it and I keep my spending to just about 2% of my income, so I keep it responsible/reasonalbe.

[semore butts]

I've Gibsons and Fenders, but not really high dollar.

I played the same LP Custom for 25 years.

I have no pedals. I want one!

I have no clue what to buy.

Any suggestions for a starter pedal?

I don't mean cheap, I mean something a guy who doesn't know about pedals can use and sounds great!

I'm playing through some crate tube amps, a VFX 5112, and a VC 5212

I'm "authorized" another guitar next September. (Les Paul studio last Sept)

Gibson DC maybe next year. Or maybe I'll pick up something nicer from some poor musician that is down on there luck. (You ax will have a good home here)

Thanks for listening!

[Lucidology]

Being still single ... I'm hunting and gathering when I can ...
because the next time I settle down, commit and nest with someone ...
the mula goes into the relationship ...

So I rarely, if ever, buy new gear ...

[MikeSRV69]

I really don't know why people buy gear obessivley, any more than I know why I have done so in the past, during the 90's, mostly. I had 19 guitars and 15 amps at the height of it and then sold it all, realizing the only axe I ever played was my Tele. I have worked in music retail as an instructor for a long time, and I am always amazed at the amount of stuff some folks think they need. I am glad they think they need it, as it keeps the doors open, but can't stand to hear them talk. The whole thing has me considering swearing off all my guitar mags, lists, and websites because I can't bear to hear words like vibe, tone, soul, and (my personal favorite) mojo applied to inanimate objects any longer. Humans provide the vibe, soul, and tone; guitars and amps just sit around until we use them.

I am not going to lie and say I have no gear. I play and teach full-time and have a few guitars and amps that I use for gigging and recording, plus my kid guitar my dad got me and a few pedals. I also enjoy lookng at new stuff, but now I move slowly and consider purchases carefully, as I many times came home with something that I looked at 6 months later and wondered why the hell I bought it in the first place.

The guitar thing was a lot cooler years ago when it wasn't a mainstream hobby and the only people who were into it were those who actually played. Now, I am surrounded by people who feel they need 8 PRS to take their guitar lessons on and learn 'Iron Man", which they still can't quite manage to play up to tempo and kids who get bummed out because learning to play isn't as easy as playing Guitar Hero but still pester their dads each week for a new guitar, as if that would speed along their learning. People can buy whatever they want, but I am starting to view folks with tons of guitars the same way I view folks with giant 4x4 pickup trucks that never seem to have a speck of mud on them. Ask yourself: have you ever met a sax player with 200 horns? I haven't, but know a number of guys with 200 guitars. Owning guitars can be fun, but if the hunting for gear is more important than practicing and playing, a point is being missed somewhere.

I do seem to notice a lot of threads here lately questioning different aspects of GAS. Is there a great awakening here that the gear doesn't play itself? Reconsidering things in light of our current economy? Be interesting to hear what you all think. Peace.

[jads57]

First of all I definitely suffer from GAS! That being said at 51 years old and having owned over 300-500 guitars mostly Gibsons and Fenders over the years both old and new. I`m still trading and buying gear from guitars , amps, and mostly od pedals. It`s an ever evolving proccess in finding new ways to express my voice. Trouble is , no matter what gear I play I always tend to sound mostly the same. It sure is fun though trying all of these toys!

[DC1]

I do seem to notice a lot of threads here lately questioning different aspects of GAS. Is there a great awakening here that the gear doesn't play itself? Reconsidering things in light of our current economy? Be interesting to hear what you all think. Peace.

This is what I am trying to figure out. Is there anyone out there who actually thinks the gear plays itself? Is it possible that this is a myth, and those guys with nice stuff who can't play, would be just as lousy on cheap gear?

What makes us think that fewer guitars and amps etc will make us practice more, and for those of us who do practice, how many of us actually practice less because we have nice gear?

Myself, I would rather chase tone than write lyrics, that is for sure, so I have to discipline myself, but honestly, I think the "guy with great gear who can't play" cliche has nothing to do with the gear and everything to do with the guy.

In my own case, buying less gear has not helped my lyrics one bit. What has helped is the mental discipline of ignoring how I sound while writing so I can stay focused on what I need to do.

dc

[Neill]

baudrillard might have some enlightening things to say about 'gas'. derrida too, likely... many more too i'm sure. "system of objects" is my favorite book about consumer culture.

[DC1]

baudrillard might have some enlightening things to say about 'gas'. derrida too, likely... many more too i'm sure. "system of objects" is my favorite book about consumer culture.

Need a laugh?

http://www.elsewhere.org/pomo/

I give you the Postmodernism Generator.

Is it gibberish? Is it brilliant?

How would you know the difference?


:Spank


dc

[909one]

I have always been into finding the best instrument/tools for my style of playing. However, its really at its worse right now after the discovery of this forum AND having idle time at my day job. My 'smoke break' at work is going on the internet to look at gear. I hardly ever look at gear when I home. If i was at home most of the time, I'd be playing or working on other things, not looking on the internet for things I don't need.

[Neill]

Need a laugh?

http://www.elsewhere.org/pomo/

I give you the Postmodernism Generator.

Is it gibberish? Is it brilliant?

How would you know the difference?


:Spank


dc

ha!

obscurantism carried out to the fullest! what i read thurr made no sense... 'cept baudrillard books, and maybe tidbits of derrida made sense to me (jusy 'lil bits of those ones). who is to say though (eat that habermas)?

[DC1]

ha!

obscurantism carried out to the fullest! what i read thurr made no sense... 'cept baudrillard books, and maybe tidbits of derrida made sense to me (jusy 'lil bits of those ones). who is to say though (eat that habermas)?

I've always wondered if one could turn in what that site comes up with as a college essay and get a grade...

:roll


dc

[Neill]

I've always wondered if one could turn in what that site comes up with as a college essay and get a grade...

:roll


dc

who knows? i kinda hope not... or everything i've tried to comprehend was wasted time. but more power to 'em. postmodern philosophy is a trip though... super specialized language and all. ya ever tried to actually explain this stuff to a layman (non-philosophy major)... it's a sisyphean (!) task. might as well be culled from a random generator most of the time!

[guitarmook]

My GAS subsides when the band gets busy.

If I'm playing a lot, I'm not shopping. If we have 3 gigs in 4 months, I buy guitars.

And, since I bought the AxeFX, I haven't shopped for amps or pedals. I just occasionally go see if there's another update for the software, and try to 'make' a new amp.

[bug0711]

I think websites like this one perpetuate GAS big time.

I played for 25 years with the same guitar (Japanese LP copy), 2 crappy pedals and cheap-ass s.s. amp and was perfectly happy - played for hours every day. Then, I 'settled down', meaning I started living w/ my girlfriend - had a kid - and all of a sudden - GAS --> BAD GAS.

Part of it was having more time at home, surfing sites like this one and learning about all the gear out there that I suddenly wanted badly. At least I can justify it at this stage because I can actually play the guitar after 25 years, but I'd have a lot more money in the bank if this ailment never invaded my psyche.

damn you TGP.


I'll bet your tone is much better now ... :dude

[bug0711]

When I'm busy with a project, I'm much less likely to just try out gear for the sake of trying out gear, unless I'm in need of a specific item to add to the rig.

If I'm in the "off-season", or if I'm not writing, I am much more likely to jump back into the GAS Wars. Once, I bought an amp, and 60+ amps later I sold the current amp for a downpayment on a house. Sometimes I lost on shipping, sometimes not, but that initial $3K let me try out amps that otherwise I'd never have been able to touch.

After selling off an initial stash of vintage gear, and running through all of the boutiques, I'm back to the old Fender amps. But, every now and again I get an itch for a Vox or Marshall ...

[Yossi]

The question was on the Psychology of GAS.
Not on if you have it or not.

Let's see some more input on the subject.

[donostia13]

I know these days I spend more time looking at gear than actually playing, but that's because my real life (HA!) takes precedent.

Yes there are a couple pedals that I want, maybe another amp... or two, as well as a couple guitars. But I know what I like (Fenders, Tele's) and I know what I can afford.

Don't get me wrong I love to see the pics of somebody's $2,000+ boutique amp but I know what I've got and use it to make music I would actually listen to.

I dunno, I like this place but I like that I am happy with what I've got.

I do know what I'd love more than any guitar, amp, pedal... a couple really good guys (or gals) who can play and want to make some music and have fun.

I'd do just about anything for that.

Great post, my man. I too wish for a few good player-friends much more than gear...

[Yossi]

There are a lot of excellent insights into the causes of GAS mentioned in this thread.

I mentioned in a thread that I have the right amps and guitars and that I could spend my energy on playing and not have to search anymore for new gear, and in jest someone responded with "blasphemy".

I read about people who have owned hundreds of amps and make the claim that a certain amp is the best ever, only to put that amp on the market after a very short time.

It must be great for the economy. Buying and selling is a process of excitement. Looking and anticipating a purchase can be greater than the excitement of getting the gear. The thrill is in the journey more than the destination. New is exciting.

We live in a very materialistic culture. Our measure of status is often equated with our purchases. Warren Buffett is an amazing individual who owns a simple house and car and is happy with what he owns, yet he has billions of dollars and he could purchase whatever he wanted. If he played guitar he probably would just have one guitar and an amp and would be happy.

I think that GAS has more to do with a deficiency in our overall sense of contentment and self worth, than a void in our equipment room. We most likely will be happier in the long run when we reach our playing goals than when we reach our equipment goals.

[shark_bite]

For me I think it's the novelty of owning something new, coupled with evolving taste and a salary that's ballooning out of control for someone living as modest of a lifestyle as I'm living (gear lust notwithstanding). But the evolving taste is usually what it is. I started listening to a lot of Jim Campilongo and suddenly I was feeling like playing my Tele all the time and then suddenly I was buying a PR. Every time I hear Sean Costello I kind of wish I had hung onto something with P90s. Sometimes I listen to old stuff I recorded and wish I never sold the stuff I used to record it (see: Missing my Epiphone Casino thread). And sometimes it's a little further removed - I just got hired to play in a pop/rock band that does a lot of stuff that would fall into the same category as Aimee Mann's stuff, so after a few listens to Michael Lockwood's superb playing on Lost In Space, I find myself craving a Vox and a shitload of neat pedals.

That's generally what any of my GAS falls under. Note that I'm pretty heavily focused on the playing aspects of the stuff rather than the collecting aspects. But outside of that, pretty much anything is fair game.

Of course, I also like the idea of knowing that if I ever opened a small recording studio that all the guitar tones recorded there would be achievable. It'd be great to be able to cover all of the bases, or at least most of them, for any other player who decides to record there.

[DC1]

There are a lot of excellent insights into the causes of GAS mentioned in this thread.

I mentioned in a thread that I have the right amps and guitars and that I could spend my energy on playing and not have to search anymore for new gear, and in jest someone responded with "blasphemy".

I read about people who have owned hundreds of amps and make the claim that a certain amp is the best ever, only to put that amp on the market after a very short time.

It must be great for the economy. Buying and selling is a process of excitement. Looking and anticipating a purchase can be greater than the excitement of getting the gear. The thrill is in the journey more than the destination. New is exciting.

We live in a very materialistic culture. Our measure of status is often equated with our purchases. Warren Buffett is an amazing individual who owns a simple house and car and is happy with what he owns, yet he has billions of dollars and he could purchase whatever he wanted. If he played guitar he probably would just have one guitar and an amp and would be happy.

I think that GAS has more to do with a deficiency in our overall sense of contentment and self worth, than a void in our equipment room. We most likely will be happier in the long run when we reach our playing goals than when we reach our equipment goals.

Then why are so many great players so unhappy, not to mention dead?

I think those who give up music for gear, never had much going musically. The rest of us just want to sound better.


dc

[Yossi]

Then why are so many great players so unhappy, not to mention dead?dc

I assume you aren't referring to the musicians who ended up in plane crashes and are now dead?
If you mean that they are great at guitar and still died by an OD or committed suicide. The simple answer is that there is a lot more to happiness than just excelling in guitar.



I think those who give up music for gear, never had much going musically.

This group is most likely the extreme minority if there are enough to be called a group.


The rest of us just want to sound better.dc

This is the majority who have GAS. Sure there are plenty of people who buy a piece of equipment to upgrade and sound better. But what is the reason for someone with a huge arsenal of amps and guitars. At that point it is a collection of nice toys. Why do we as a society get so tired so quickly of the last toy and move on to the next?

Buying more and having more possessions is not recipe for happiness. If someone is truly happy with who they are and what they have they will not be constantly lusting for more and more things.

We achieve more self esteem when we accomplish a skill, than when we acquire a tool or a toy.





I

[eBay]

I'm sorry but discussions of GAS violate the rules of conduct on this forum. This must cease immediately.

Sincerely,

Satan

[DC1]

I assume you aren't referring to the musicians who ended up in plane crashes and are now dead?
If you mean that they are great at guitar and still died by an OD or committed suicide. The simple answer is that there is a lot more to happiness than just excelling in guitar.

Ok, so we can find a little happiness, (but probably not as much as the average person given the stats), by excelling at guitar.

Yet you are sure people are not finding happiness playing around with gear?

Why not?



This group is most likely the extreme minority if there are enough to be called a group.

I would call them the group that "needs to practice more and have GAS less" and it seems as if you think there are a lot of them. When we find our musical goals sliding and our gear increasing, we either get ourselves straight, or we were never meant to be in music.


This is the majority who have GAS. Sure there are plenty of people who buy a piece of equipment to upgrade and sound better. But what is the reason for someone with a huge arsenal of amps and guitars. At that point it is a collection of nice toys. Why do we as a society get so tired so quickly of the last toy and move on to the next?

Because we like guitars and amps, just like we cars, motorcycles, and guns.


Buying more and having more possessions is not recipe for happiness. If someone is truly happy with who they are and what they have they will not be constantly lusting for more and more things.

We achieve more self esteem when we accomplish a skill, than when we acquire a tool or a toy.

And we accomplish much more than that when we discover the meaning of life and live for something outside ourselves. We may still enjoy playing with gear though.

Part of putting music first is putting gear second or third. I understand where you are coming from. Just realize that there are many pro level players who like to work on their sound.

dc

[Yossi]

Ok, so we can find a little happiness, (but probably not as much as the average person given the stats), by excelling at guitar.


Yet you are sure people are not finding happiness playing around with gear?

Why not?dc

You said: "Then why are so many great players so unhappy, not to mention dead?" So I answered "The simple answer is that there is a lot more to happiness than just excelling in guitar".

That doesn't equal your assumption:
"Yet you are sure people are not finding happiness playing around with gear?"





I would call them the group that "needs to practice more and have GAS less" and it seems as if you think there are a lot of them.dc

Actually I was responding to your statement:"
I think those who give up music for gear, never had much going musically."

I don't of anyone who gave up music for gear. So I don't know how you figured that I think there a lot of them





And we accomplish much more than that when we discover the meaning of life and live for something outside ourselves. We may still enjoy playing with gear though.dc

That's true about life for certain. The question was what the reason for GAS. Enjoyment is as good of an answer as any.

Part of putting music first is putting gear second or third. I understand where you are coming from. Just realize that there are many pro level players who like to work on their sound.

dc

I realize that. That is really not Gear Acquisition Syndrome. Rather it a professional tool. The syndrome aspect is when the Acquisition becomes an end in an of itself.

[DC1]

That is really not Gear Acquisition Syndrome. Rather it a professional tool. The syndrome aspect is when the Acquisition becomes an end in an of itself.

Brilliant. Good summation.

Now, the only remaining issue is why so many people feel free to come on here and tell everyone that they need to practice? Isn't it likely that many of us are using gear as a professional tool? Why do we need the lectures? Don't get me wrong, I am not offended, I just wonder why so many of us get treated like recalcitrant guitarists who just won't make a G chord with more than one finger?

Myself, I never had any money as a young player. My first amp was a Hammond tube organ amp w/field coil 12's in homemade cabinets and an LPB-1 to drive it. Cost me about 40 bucks total. My Mom made payments on a 63 Jaguar that I proceeded to modify the living hell out of until it sounded like the Les Paul of my dreams. You bet when I got some money I bought gear! I found builders who would make a neck that actually fit my hands. I had a custom guitar amp in 1972 when they were unheard of.

Then one day a couple of years ago I found myself with 9 guitars, 6 amps, a recording studio and some keyboards, and finally realized I still felt like a threadbare teenager, whom given enough gear, would become the next Dylan.

Well trust me, it is easier to tweak tone than it is to write a great song. I had to really and totally get over GAS and forever if I was to ever grow enough musically to write well. The gear and tone tweaking was hurting my musical progress.

Ironically, the way for me to get over gear is to master gear. My guitars and amps and pedals sound so good that I am totally satisfied that I have what I need to get the sounds I hear. Realizing this made me bored with gear.

Now I use the gear to make the songs take flight, and I know how to do so. No amount of practicing is going to improve my tone at this point. At 55 I am about as good as I am going to get. I will learn new things, and go in new directions, but there will not be basic changes.

Now I suspect there are a lot of folks like me on this group.

It isn't that I disagree with you so much, as I want you to see the next stage, where you are just as comfortable saying "yeah a MIM Strat and a DRRI are good enough" as you are saying "nothing less than an Anderson and a Two-Rock will do for this song".

No one has any right to say otherwise if the proof is in the track!

dc

[Yossi]

Brilliant. Good summation.

Now, the only remaining issue is why so many people feel free to come on here and tell everyone that they need to practice? Isn't it likely that many of us are using gear as a professional tool? Why do we need the lectures? Don't get me wrong, I am not offended, I just wonder why so many of us get treated like recalcitrant guitarists who just won't make a G chord with more than one finger?

Myself, I never had any money as a young player. My first amp was a Hammond tube organ amp w/field coil 12's in homemade cabinets and an LPB-1 to drive it. Cost me about 40 bucks total. My Mom made payments on a 63 Jaguar that I proceeded to modify the living hell out of until it sounded like the Les Paul of my dreams. You bet when I got some money I bought gear! I found builders who would make a neck that actually fit my hands. I had a custom guitar amp in 1972 when they were unheard of.

Then one day a couple of years ago I found myself with 9 guitars, 6 amps, a recording studio and some keyboards, and finally realized I still felt like a threadbare teenager, whom given enough gear, would become the next Dylan.

Well trust me, it is easier to tweak tone than it is to write a great song. I had to really and totally get over GAS and forever if I was to ever grow enough musically to write well. The gear and tone tweaking was hurting my musical progress.

Ironically, the way for me to get over gear is to master gear. My guitars and amps and pedals sound so good that I am totally satisfied that I have what I need to get the sounds I hear. Realizing this made me bored with gear.

Now I use the gear to make the songs take flight, and I know how to do so. No amount of practicing is going to improve my tone at this point. At 55 I am about as good as I am going to get. I will learn new things, and go in new directions, but there will not be basic changes.

Now I suspect there are a lot of folks like me on this group.

It isn't that I disagree with you so much, as I want you to see the next stage, where you are just as comfortable saying "yeah a MIM Strat and a DRRI are good enough" as you are saying "nothing less than an Anderson and a Two-Rock will do for this song".

No one has any right to say otherwise if the proof is in the track!

dc

Excellent post!

It would seem that you don't have GAS and that you've reached a level that many people with GAS would do well to achieve.

The stories we hear about "the Old Days" from our parents, grandparents and others who grew up as the "Don't Haves" and learned to appreciate the little that they were fortunate to possess should be lessons to the spoiled generation that we live in now.

The economy is suffering as a result of millions living on a credit bubble, above their means. The bubble burst and people are finding themselves on the ground level.

Hopefully this will be a valuable lesson for everyone.

GAS is not only germane to the music industry. There are shoes, cars, homes, gadgets, and everything else out there.

Humans are intelligent creatures who rationalize wants into needs. I need that amp to sound like so and so. Or, I need that guitar, etc.
This is fooling ones self.

We are going to entertain ourselves one way or the other. Whether we go to clubs, movies, vacations or any hobby.

I agree with Suproman77 who said:

1. GAS is only a problem if at least one of the following three things are true.

a. First, if you cannot afford it, but can't help yourself and it's causing a serious financial strain.
b. if you have so much stuff that you don't even have room
c. it's seriously pissing off your significant other and putting a strain on your relationship.


Basically GAS is OK until it starts to stink.

If we find ourselves justifying GAS to become better players then it will become a GAS BALOON that just may Burst. (a word that gives a lot a people GAS)

[blownirocz]

Don't mean to "dumb down" this thread of the very insightful and thoughtful posts that precede this one...but for me, it really just comes down to "learning and experimentation".

I'm an engineer by trade, and have had an inquisitive mind since before I could speak (according to my family). Quite simply, using, seeing, playing, experimenting with, sometimes even disassembling, new gear always has something new to teach me. Could be something minuscule, could be something very substantial. Either case is worth it for me.

Adding some more logic to the equation, the way I see it, boards like TGP make it possible so that in most cases I can resell gear (what I'm interested in generally has good resale interest) for nearly what I paid for it after I've learned what I wanted to learn, and decided it's not going to be a part of my permanent gear collection. Thanks TGP!

So it's basically like paying a small rental fee (the difference between what I paid for it, and what I sold it for) to play with, experiment with, and learn from gear that I would otherwise never be able to even see (my local music stores don't carry much in the way of high-end or boutique gear).

Just my 2 cents...