Should I or Shouldnt I

[blaque]

I have very middle of the road gear, as i have middle of the road talent.

So my question is, im trying to switch things up and have been feeling stagnant in my guitar playing lately. Ive had the same guitar for years now. Jackson Performer PS-2. And have been contemplating a new axe. Ive been shopping for quite some time now. (looking for a good metal axe). But im questioning the expense. Am i just buying because im bored and think something new will spark something in me to expand my playing.? Yes, probably. Thats when i sit abck and say......maybe i should just stick with this guitar and try and concentrate on playing it beter , than hoping that a new guitar will do it for me.

Whatta ya think. I can swing around 500 for a new guitar and have posted inquiries on opinions in the last couple weeks. But i really am questioning if what i have is good enough. And should i just try and improve around it, and my playing, or is it junk and i really could improve my playing and tone if i swapped it.

Sooooooooo???

http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a263/blaque_/IMG_1104.jpg

http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a263/blaque_/IMG_1098.jpg

[MartinPiana]

You've come to the right place with your question! Yes, you should buy a new guitar! Spend more than $500 if at all possible!

Out of curiousity, though, is there some particular quality you find lacking in that fine looking Jackson?

[blaque]

Yeah i should know better than to ask if i should spend my money in this forum LOL. As far as someting lacking in the jackson.....Not necassarily........i wouldnt know if it was lacking however.....as its been my only guitar for a long time. Thats kinda what my brain is telling me.....and im asking. I think im just talking myself into something shiny and new with some hope that it is going to make bettering myself much easier lol. So my quetion stems from the thought of, the grass is always greener on the other side i guess. But is it? Can it be? I wouldnt know as i haventbeen to the other side lol

[Mark 63]

As Jacksons go, that one has aged well. It looks sharp--not at all dated.

[blaque]

So far so good, lol, i havent gotten a "that things junk, get rid of it" yet. Ill stay tuned :munch

[taxman]

The bottom line is this:
Even the best of the best, the legendary guitarists buy new guitars, switch brands, get something new in their hands. Maybe they do this to, as you say, expand their playing. Whatever the reason, legendary guitarist sooner or later put a new guitar in their hands....most likely to inspire them to another level/style of playing. If that practice works for them, then it will work for you.

Splurge. Buy yourself a wonderful guitar. Have no regrets. It will inspire you to play more, it probably will improve your playing, it will make you happy. Honestly, when many guitar players feel bored or in a rut...new gear is purchased. It doesn't always have to be an expensive guitar. An amp, or even a lowly pedal can get one out of a rut. I have a dozen guitars and no regrets over any single one. I purchased wisely so they all inspire me to play differently.

One other point..and it is a morbid one. You ain't going to be on this planet for long. If you don't get a nice new guitar now, then when are you going to get one? When you are in your 60s? 70s? What fun would a great guitar be then? Buy one now.

[Foley]

Change is good sometimes and if another guitar will inspire you to play more, I'd say go for it. $500 is enough to get you another beginner to intermediate level esp if you're into metal. (excuse my ignorance, I don't know any other metal oriented guitar brands)

I'd say make a list of things you like and dislike about your current guitar and try to find something that meets your needs. There are a lot of things to consider to improve the comfort of the instrument and a lot of things that if over looked that could make you want to sell your new instrument shortly after buying it.

[mc1]

Perhaps a new guitar will spark your enthusiasm, but...
there are other ways to expand your playing as well....

[K-Line]

Work on your chops! I saw many a great player make a $50 guitar sing. I have also seen people with $5000 guitars be just below par. I learned on an old Gibson and played the heck out of it with the strings way off the board. I feel it really set me straight from the beginning. That is a fine guitar, work hard on your technique and save up for something nice. Then you will be done! Yeah right......no one is ever done.

[Bleak]

New guitars tend to bring new inspiration to the player. (Unless you're CONSTANTLY buying and selling guitars, imho)

I say go for it. Do a lot of shopping and find one that fits you like a glove. It'll happen :)

[AaeCee]

That is a fine guitar, work hard on your technique and save up for something nice. Then you will be done!Now that's just crazy talk from a TGP member, and a luthier no less! We're enablers here after all, and always vote for new gear acquisitions! Save that totally sensible and rational drivel for your kids.http://www.thegearpage.net/board/images/icons/icon10.gif

I'm not even a mediocre player, but thoroughly enjoy my collection of top drawer guitars......guilt free. Get it!

[CthonicEwes]

Hey Blaque, Do you live near a nice guitar store? If yes, try bringing your guitar there and compare it to the other guitars you're interested in, as well as other guitars that might just be hanging on the walls that look interesting. Go back and forth and see if any of the guitars you try put your Jackson to shame and fill you with newfound inspiration.

ps., I always like to try guitars that are out of my price range to see what all the fuss is about. Oddly, I often find that I'm not really missing much by playing cheaper guitars. Also, if you haven't shopped for a while, you'd be amazed at the quality of some of the guitars being made in the Far East. You may find a guitar that blows away your Jackson for right around $500.

Good luck! Let us know how things turn out.

[K-Line]

Now that's just crazy talk from a TGP member, and a luthier no less! We're enablers here after all, and always vote for new gear acquisitions! Save that totally sensible and rational drivel for your kids.http://www.thegearpage.net/board/images/icons/icon10.gif

I'm not even a mediocre player, but thoroughly enjoy my collection of top drawer guitars......guilt free. Get it!
You're right! What in the world was I thinking. Buy, buy, buy!!!!!:banana

[blaque]

lol, this is entertaining to say the least. Thanks for all the responses.

Ive done the same recently while shopping, meanin i pick up the high dollar guitars all the time to see what 1500 dollars feels like lol. Sometimes its apparent, sometimes not.

Ive liked the PRS SE's , (not really metal) ive liked the schecter hellraisers (a little out of my $ range but very metal), i liked the ESP Kirk Hammet.....a couple here and there that i feel i like. but nothing jumps off the page like WOW, i GOTTA have this. Look how smooth i can work this bad boy lol. Most ive felt was "hmmm, its nice" So nothing is making me jump off the fence on my decision.

But even looking at something different makes me smile lol.

Like i said im more concerned with , do i need it to become a better player. Or is keeping what i have and finally getting some lessons going to take me to the next level. This self taught thing seems to have reached its limit.

Anwyay, i was at guitar center tonite and left again with nothing, so well see. There was a schecter Hellraiser deluxe for just under 5 hundy that caught my eye and played well. (may have just been me though as i have good days and bad days.......might have just had good fingers tonite)

Ill keep yall posted on my endeavors :aok

[jsm355]

For what it's worth ... You mention that metal is what you like to play .
Why do you feel that the type of guitar makes you sound more metal than another . If the idea to purchase a new guitar to inspire you , the style of music is not really an issue. That being said , hollow bodies are the exclusion .
Any solid body & even Semi-hollow body guitars can & will provide you with the sounds you need & of course to complete the picture, an Amp that fits your sound & desires as well .
As it was stated earlier ... why wait until you are too old to really enjoy tis stuff. Save your $$$ , buy a really good guitar , Fender , Gibson, PRS , Martins , Taylors & Tons of other guitars on the market today & enjoy the Quality of PRO Sound . Get yourself some good MUSIC Instruction . Find a Great Guitar TEACHER . Someone who plays great may not be the best TEACHER .
Finally , something that was told to me by the Great George Van Epps back in the early 1980's when I was in music school :
Practice 2x a day for 45 minutes , uninterrupted & always play something
you don't know each day . If something does not make sense move on to something else ... you can always re-visit what did not work earlier .
Play every guitar as a guitar . It's up to YOU to Make the METAL guitars sounds with your fingers , touch . & Amp + effects .
Go for it as best you can . Good Luck !!