Why am I always looking for something else?

[yell03]

Why am I always looking for something else?
This is getting bad.

Right now I have all the guitars I could ever want...

3 Les Pauls
1 SG
1 Strat
1 Tele
1 PRS

http://i100.photobucket.com/albums/m25/yell03/through%20october%2009/March%202010/100_2279.jpg

All are Custom Shops except for 1 Les Paul and the Tele, PRSs technically aren't, but it certainly is the same quality.

Still, the first thing I do when I log on in the morning is look in the HC and TGP Classifieds, Ebay, and Craigslist for another PRS.http://img3.harmony-central.com/acapella/ubb/facepalm.gif

Amps, I have two 1x12 combos - a Tech 21 Trademark 60 and an Engl Screamer 50.
My amp choices are limited by weight and size due to my sports car and my bad back.

Still I find myself looking at a Mesa Boogie Electradynehttp://img3.harmony-central.com/acapella/ubb/facepalm.gif

What is my problem?

I made a HUGE STEP this week.

I had $1500 left in my paypal guitar fund.
I transferred the money in to my bank account.

I held off on purchasing a New Fender Custom Shop Strat for $1559 and/or a New PRS Mira for $1217 in my online retailers shopping cart.

Still I find my self looking for GREAT DEALS on guitars amd amps.

The only guitar I am tempted by right now is either another PRS, specifically a Custom 24 (Why, I already have one?).
The Mira for $1217 brand new is tempting, but I know it won't get played as I will always grab for my Custom 24.

It is a sickness, I can't resist GREAT DEALS.

I bought my 2009 American Standard Tele Brand New for $780, it was a GREAT DEAL, I don't even like Teleshttp://img3.harmony-central.com/acapella/ubb/facepalm.gif, but I've always wanted one to round out my collection.

I give myself credit though, I returned my New 2009 American Standard Strat that I also bought for $780 becuase I knew I wouldn't play it since I have the Custom Shop Strat.
I still have another week to decide if I want to keep the Tele.

Still the Mira for $1217 is calling me.http://img3.harmony-central.com/acapella/ubb/poke.gif

Can anyone else relate to this SERIOUS MENTAL PROBLEM known as GAS?

Let's hear your stories.

We can overcome this disease, but in the meantime....

Anybody want to trade some guitars and amps?http://img3.harmony-central.com/acapella/ubb/icon_lol.gif

[marscottm]

http://www.steelydan.com/gas.html

This is a spiritual dilemma of sorts, I believe

[yell03]

http://www.steelydan.com/gas.html

This is a spiritual dilemma of sorts, I believe

That was GREAT!!!!

Thanks.....

Definitely puts things in to perspective.

[morgan918]

That was hilarious, although the part about clarinetists only having one clarinet is wrong. Most professional clarinetists have more than 1 clarinet and perhaps even more mouthpieces.

On the GAS thing, I think forums like this feed it. I could probably correlate my gear buying with amount of time spent on the forums. Sometimes I think it's just not healthy. I also just don't have much time in my life for all the buying and selling. It takes too much effort (especially to sell) and mental space. I struggle to not give in to the constantly swirling gear fixation and I've been much better the last few years, but it's a constant battle. I'm lucky to have found my calling in amps (voxes), I've whittled my guitars down to almost no duplication. But pedals is still a tough spot and I don't really see that ending.

When I get really tempted by something I usually think like this now:
1 - do I have this sound covered already
2 - do I have the money for this
3 - if 2 is no, what can I sell to get the money
4 - Will I actually use it?

When I ask will I actually use it that's often where the GAS dies these days. I have no room in my apt for more amps or guitars. I'm often tempted by lower end guitars but I know they can't compete with what I've already got and they'll just sit around. I feel like we should start some kind of support group :-)

[yell03]

That was hilarious, although the part about clarinetists only having one clarinet is wrong. Most professional clarinetists have more than 1 clarinet and perhaps even more mouthpieces.

On the GAS thing, I think forums like this feed it. I could probably correlate my gear buying with amount of time spent on the forums. Sometimes I think it's just not healthy. I also just don't have much time in my life for all the buying and selling. It takes too much effort (especially to sell) and mental space. I struggle to not give in to the constantly swirling gear fixation and I've been much better the last few years, but it's a constant battle. I'm lucky to have found my calling in amps (voxes), I've whittled my guitars down to almost no duplication. But pedals is still a tough spot and I don't really see that ending.

When I get really tempted by something I usually think like this now:
1 - do I have this sound covered already
2 - do I have the money for this
3 - if 2 is no, what can I sell to get the money
4 - Will I actually use it?

When I ask will I actually use it that's often where the GAS dies these days. I have no room in my apt for more amps or guitars. I'm often tempted by lower end guitars but I know they can't compete with what I've already got and they'll just sit around. I feel like we should start some kind of support group :-)


GREAT REPLY!!!

1 - Forums do feed GAS, but Forums are great fun and great outlets.

I love when some jerk says, you always post about the same dilemmas or similar stuff...

If you don't like it, don't read it

2 - It does take alot of time and effort, but sometimes it is worth it.

3 - Duplication - Great point

Guitars - I have cut down to 1 of each type guitar - SG, Strat, Tele, and PRS. Except for Les Pauls, I have three.

My Lp Custom and LP VOS sound and play completely different and my Studio is my travel around guitar, it has the same specs as my Custom which has my favorite tone of all of my guitars.

As for amps, my Tech 21 Trademark 60 1x12 is the amp I would keep if I could only have one amp.
Solid state reliability, great sounding tube-like tone, lightweight, portable, and relatively powerful at 60w.

My Engl Screamer sounds better, but I am still not sure it is the EXACT amp for me?

I bought it for its combination of portability, fairly light weight at 49lbs, real tube tone, power and versatility at a reasonable price.
It does nice cleans, to blues, to classic rock, to hard rock, to hair metal, to modern metal and it does it all well.

I have heard better sounding clean amps and better sounding gain amps, but none did all well.

Pedals - At one point I had tons of boutique pedals and the clutter that goes with them.
That is why my amps all are capable of doing clean to any type gain without pedals.

My only pedal that is always hooked up is my Visual Sound V2H2O, notice chorus/delay in one pedal for less clutter. It is in the loop of my Trademark 60, but I can always connect it to my Engo in 10 seconds.

I keep a Cry Baby Wah and a Boss SD1 Overdrive in the closet in case I ever want to use them.

I have thought about buying a Boss DD3 delay or another V2H2O to keep in the loop of the Engl at all times so I don't have to constantly switch the V2H2O, but that is not GAS, that is convenience or laziness depending how you look at it.

4 - What can I sell to get the money?
This is a biggie.
Sure, I have the money to just buy stuff, but I don't want a house filled with gear, so I try to justify a puchase by getting rid of something if possible.

For example, I feel 7 guitars is my perfect amount for me.
If I decided to go for another guitar, I would most likely sell something to fund it.
If I want an expensive guitar I would most likely sell my LP VOS and if I want a less expensive guitar I would likely sell my Tele.

5 - Will I use it?
This is what has been saving me from giving in.
I have held off on the New Mira because I know I will always grab the Custom 24 first
I have held off on the New Custom Strat because I like the specs on the one I have now better.

Thanks again for a GREAT and INTELLIGENT reply

[rob2001]

Because buying and selling is becoming the hobby, not playing the guitars?

[indravayu]

It's an addiction. I suffer from it pretty bad and am struggling with defeating it - I may have to stop coming here, because TGP is like a crack house. :)

[yell03]

Because buying and selling is becoming the hobby, not playing the guitars?

It's an addiction. I suffer from it pretty bad and am struggling with defeating it - I may have to stop coming here, because TGP is like a crack house. :)

I agree with both of you

[Thwap]

Because buying and selling is becoming the hobby, not playing the guitars?

I suspect in many cases this is the truth.

[Vibrolucky]

The Internet makes it ALOT worse....bad enough when you go to your favorite Guitar Store everyday...we have the WORLDS LARGEST GUITAR STORE at our fingertips 24/7.

Some people are wired differently...some people can have one guitar, play it all the time and be perfectly happy. Some people, never play because they are constantly searching to upgrade their equipment.

I can tell you from personal experience that if you are the latter, you could have the finest equipment in the world, and you will still look for stuff.

Some of us are players, some collectors. Some are collector/players. Finding a healthy mix if sometimes difficult.

[captain_bob]

I just bought a Mira last week and can tell you from experience it is a great guitar. The question is... will you play your Navarro more? I believe your answer is yes.
I love the Mira but I bought it because I had some money burning in my paypal account.

Personally I wish I would have save a few more dollars and bought a Mesa Electra Dyne. Those amps are amazing and the more youtube vids I watch of them the more I begin to salivate. So in the end, the Mira is a great guitar but I think with your current lineup I would go Mesa.

[Rockin J]

Because buying and selling is becoming the hobby, not playing the guitars?There is a lot of truth in this except I do play the guitars. The hobby is tone searching for me. My problem is I never sell anything and just have way too much stuff. It would be better if everytime I bought something, I sold something.

[yell03]

I just bought a Mira last week and can tell you from experience it is a great guitar. The question is... will you play your Navarro more? I believe your answer is yes.
I love the Mira but I bought it because I had some money burning in my paypal account.

Personally I wish I would have save a few more dollars and bought a Mesa Electra Dyne. Those amps are amazing and the more youtube vids I watch of them the more I begin to salivate. So in the end, the Mira is a great guitar but I think with your current lineup I would go Mesa.

The Mira is really nice, but it is very similar to what I already have.
Knowing I like the Navarro, I hate to spend money on a fine guitar just to hang there.
The Tele is my odd man out, it is the last guitar I pick up but it is so different from my other guitars I most likely will keep it.
I have another week to decide.

The Elactra Dyne is a really nice amp.
If it had a better balance between switching from Clean to gain it would be AMAZING.
That and if it lost 25lbs.

The Internet makes it ALOT worse....bad enough when you go to your favorite Guitar Store everyday...we have the WORLDS LARGEST GUITAR STORE at our fingertips 24/7.

Some people are wired differently...some people can have one guitar, play it all the time and be perfectly happy. Some people, never play because they are constantly searching to upgrade their equipment.

I can tell you from personal experience that if you are the latter, you could have the finest equipment in the world, and you will still look for stuff.

Some of us are players, some collectors. Some are collector/players. Finding a healthy mix if sometimes difficult.

I am working on finding the mix.
I am definitely not a collector, I part with stuff way too easily.
Collectors tend to accumulate.
I just enjoy fresh and exciting gear.

[yell03]

There is a lot of truth in this except I do play the guitars. The hobby is tone searching for me. My problem is I never sell anything and just have way too much stuff. It would be better if everytime I bought something, I sold something.

Exactly, the difference is I sell stuff to buy new stuff:JAM

[hank]

I'll admit that it is a hobby for me. I'm much better at buying/selling/trading than I am at playing. I like myself, regardless. :console

[yell03]

I'll admit that it is a hobby for me. I'm much better at buying/selling/trading than I am at playing. I like myself, regardless. :console

It takes a big man to admit that:bow

I'll also tell you, many of the guys who criticize us and say we should practice more and be on the forums less or shop for gear less, often don't play nearly as well.:drink

I always tell people I can't play for beans.:D

[scott]

why do you think I started building guitars...........that was way before I found TGP.
Im dyin for a plexi or 70s metal panel right now. I dont need it but the 18 watt isnt realy loud enough.

[GAD]

I believe in many cases (myself included), we chase "happiness" by actually pursuing "pleasure". We get an endorphin rush by buying new gear. That high is temporary, but because we think pleasure=happiness, we continue.

But then I'm no psychologist.

[brentrocks]

Because buying and selling is becoming the hobby, not playing the guitars?

EXACTLY!

[yell03]

I believe in many cases (myself included), we chase "happiness" by actually pursuing "pleasure". We get an endorphin rush by buying new gear. That high is temporary, but because we think pleasure=happiness, we continue.

But then I'm no psychologist.

That makes sense.
I know sometimes when I have bidded for something on Ebay and it is coming down to the wire, I get this major rush, it feels like I am on a drug.
My heart races, I feel the adrenaline surge.....
Then after I win or lose I come crashing down to reality, but for those few moments it is a great feeling.

BTW, I don't drink or smoke, but I know the feeling.

[brentrocks]

I believe in many cases (myself included), we chase "happiness" by actually pursuing "pleasure". We get an endorphin rush by buying new gear. That high is temporary, but because we think pleasure=happiness, we continue.

But then I'm no psychologist.

so true

[DownByLaw]

Dunno. I love tone as much as the next guy, and getting new/different stuff is fun. However, for me, tone with no purpose has become pointless. It's getting very difficult for me to buy guitars and amps that don't serve some sort of purpose tone-wise for me. I don't play out, I record original music for no particular reason other than self expression. But even with my modest goals, my gear has to produce the particular tone in my head. (in other words, my originals have no place for say, a Rickenbacker at this time, no matter how much I'm intrigued by them) Used to be the other way, but like others have said, the more I get sucked up into gas, the less I play. Actually should switch some shit out to better serve my needs.

Basically I have a few great guitars and amps, yet I find myself playing one particular guitar and amp 90% of time. And I find comfort in knowing both very well.

Patrick

[yell03]

I just got done jamming for an hour, took a run through all 7 of my guitars through my Engl Screamer over a nice jazzy backing track.

I went through all the pick-up selectors and did all the amp channels from clean through high gain.

Gosh Darn my stuff sounds GREAT!!!!

Not a bad guitar in the bunch and that amp is no slouch either:bow

With all that said....

I still wouldn't mind another PRS:D

[captain_bob]

With all that said.... I still wouldn't mind another PRS:D

PRSi have been my biggest weakness lately. I've bought 2 in the last month!:D

http://i82.photobucket.com/albums/j258/bobcrisman/PRSi/4prs.jpg
and the new Mira
http://i82.photobucket.com/albums/j258/bobcrisman/PRSi/Mira-0318.jpg

[rob2001]

Man, you guys have too much disposable income!

[yell03]

PRSi have been my biggest weakness lately. I've bought 2 in the last month!:D

http://i82.photobucket.com/albums/j258/bobcrisman/PRSi/4prs.jpg
and the new Mira
http://i82.photobucket.com/albums/j258/bobcrisman/PRSi/Mira-0318.jpg

That Mira is GORGEOUS!
What color is that?

Man, you guys have too much disposable income!

At my age it beats disposable undergarments.:o

[captain_bob]

That Mira is GORGEOUS!
What color is that?
:o

It's Vintage Mahogany

[vai777]

http://img407.imageshack.us/img407/5135/new20andersons20009.jpg

http://img503.imageshack.us/img503/4491/new20andersons20008.jpg

http://img503.imageshack.us/img503/9498/new20andersons20006.jpg

http://img402.imageshack.us/img402/6425/new20andersons20005.jpg

http://img510.imageshack.us/img510/7316/new20andersons20004.jpg

http://img269.imageshack.us/img269/8939/dsc0130.jpg

http://img35.imageshack.us/img35/1153/dsc0129.jpg

http://img258.imageshack.us/img258/9915/dsc0998601x399cq4.jpg

those pics dont include all the LP's I have gone through, Parkers, Ibanez, an SG or 2, Jackson, ect....

[franchelB]

Why am I always looking for something else?
This is getting bad.

Right now I have all the guitars I could ever want...

3 Les Pauls
1 SG
1 Strat
1 Tele
1 PRS

http://i100.photobucket.com/albums/m25/yell03/through%20october%2009/March%202010/100_2279.jpg

....


That's quite a nice collection! Personally, I've had the same issues years ago. But after starting a family, and everything that goes into raising one (including my daughter playing the oboe), I realize that my GAS has almost been cured! (The accessories are what kills me! :roll)

[yell03]

http://img407.imageshack.us/img407/5135/new20andersons20009.jpg

http://img503.imageshack.us/img503/4491/new20andersons20008.jpg

http://img503.imageshack.us/img503/9498/new20andersons20006.jpg

http://img402.imageshack.us/img402/6425/new20andersons20005.jpg

http://img510.imageshack.us/img510/7316/new20andersons20004.jpg

http://img269.imageshack.us/img269/8939/dsc0130.jpg

http://img35.imageshack.us/img35/1153/dsc0129.jpg

http://img258.imageshack.us/img258/9915/dsc0998601x399cq4.jpg

those pics dont include all the LP's I have gone through, Parkers, Ibanez, an SG or 2, Jackson, ect....

You're a Gear Whore:D:roll

That's quite a nice collection! Personally, I've had the same issues years ago. But after starting a family, and everything that goes into raising one (including my daughter playing the oboe), I realize that my GAS has almost been cured! (The accessories are what kills me! :roll)

I had 1 guitar from 1984 until around 2007, then I started playing again.:o

[Tone_Terrific]

http://img407.imageshack.us/img407/5135/new20andersons20009.jpg

http://img503.imageshack.us/img503/4491/new20andersons20008.jpg

http://img503.imageshack.us/img503/9498/new20andersons20006.jpg

http://img402.imageshack.us/img402/6425/new20andersons20005.jpg

http://img510.imageshack.us/img510/7316/new20andersons20004.jpg

http://img269.imageshack.us/img269/8939/dsc0130.jpg

http://img35.imageshack.us/img35/1153/dsc0129.jpg

http://img258.imageshack.us/img258/9915/dsc0998601x399cq4.jpg

those pics dont include all the LP's I have gone through, Parkers, Ibanez, an SG or 2, Jackson, ect....

C'mon, that's just 2 guitars photshopped into slight variations, surely!:D

I have this vague, but malleable idea, of what the perfect guitar would be like, so am determined to find it, but am only willing to spend the minimal amount of money.

I accumulate a lot of pretty good axes and that helps me to avoid spending on the expensive stuff which I ultimately would find inadequate, anyway.

I could have easily afforded one or two 'good' guitars but I don't know which ones.
I tend to buy based on design and spec, in order to try many variations, then mod to make them as similar as possible to my imagined 'perfect.' Weird.
There are soooo many!:drink:drink:drink

[yell03]

C'mon, that's just 2 guitars photshopped into slight variations, surely!:D

I have this vague, but malleable idea, of what the perfect guitar would be like, so am determined to find it, but am only willing to spend the minimal amount of money.

I accumulate a lot of pretty good axes and that helps me to avoid spending on the expensive stuff which I ultimately would find inadequate, anyway.

I could have easily afforded one or two 'good' guitars but I don't know which ones.
I tend to buy based on design and spec, in order to try many variations, then mod to make them as similar as possible to my imagined 'perfect.' Weird.
There are soooo many!:drink:drink:drink

At one point I had around 10 pretty good guitars....

I think this was the line-up, I could be off by one or two:

2 Carvin DC400s
1 Carvin DC127
2 ESP LTDs EC400 and Viper 400
1 Ibanez RGA121 Prestige
1 Fender 60th anniversary Mexican Strat
1 Gibson Les Paul Special Faded
1 Gibson Les Paul Faded Maple Studio
1 Carlo Robelli Acoustic

Around that time something clicked in my head, I decided to cut down from 10 pretty goods to 2-3 VERY GOOD guitars.

I sold everything off and went to:

Gibson Les Paul Studio
Fender American Deluxe Strat
Gibson SG Standard

Pretty soon I was up to 5-6 VERY GOOD guitars....

I added a

Gibson Les Paul Classic Antique
Gibson Les Paul Traditional Plus
Gibson SG 61 RI'

Again something clicked and I decided to try Custom Shop Gibsons and cut down to 4-5 GREAT guitars....

Soon my line-up was

Gibson Les Paul 1960 VOS
Gibson SG Standard VOS
Gibson SG Custom
Gibson Les Paul Studio
Gibson ES339

Then I found out I liked Strats by buying a 2006 American Series Strat and after a few twists and turns I am at my present 7 guitars:

3 Gibson Custom Shops
1 Gibson USA
1 Fender Custom Shop
1 Fender USA
1 PRS

If I could just stay where I am at?:huh

I could see trading the Tele for another PRS or maybe one day adding another PRS, but I'll try and resist.

As for amps...

I had 3-4 at one point...

I've cut down to two, not counting my Roland Mobile Cube

[MisterTV]

I have two theories that are at odds with one another. Yet both have their own merits, I think...

1. The creative process fuels GAS.

The deeper you delve into music, be it your own compositions or interpreting the work of others, the easier it is to convince yourself that you are one guitar/pedal/amp etc. away from completing whatever project you're working on.

2. GAS inhibits the creative process.

If you find yourself chasing the "high" that comes from buying something -- or are using it to replace the high that comes from advancing your playing -- you have definitely been pulled into the GAS vortex. I've been there, many times. In fact, I may be there right now. A self-imposed gear-buying ban for a set period of time can usually cleanse it from my system.

[zenitB]

This is a very interesting thread and it shows how our obsession can be rooted in different things. For me, I remember being a kid in the Sixties and looking at Silvertones in the Sears catalog thinking to myself "one day, I will get one of those" I also remember walking past pawnshops where Teles and Strats hung in the windows thinking that I'll never be able to get one of those. So in some ways, I am living a dream.
Also, having said that.... the part of the obsession that makes us buy more stuff, the search for tone and all that; I can only speak for myself when I say that a dirty amp makes me play a certain way and a clean amp is a whole different thing (and more difficult, nothing camouflages sloppy playing better than distortion). So, with a variety of gear, I play more and sometimes even play a little better than the day before.
If I have a couple of days where I sound like crap then it is time to shop for Lovepedals!

[Cottage]

I've had this obsession with gear ever since I began playing, 45 years ago. There is no end! I have always tried to justify my acquisitions by claiming that I was not buying new stuff, just simply trading things. However, more often than not, there is a monetary difference to be paid.....so I've basically lost my shirt over the years. I do not have a large collection, three guitars and 2 amps, because I tend to trade things off when I get bored. Forums like the GP, have just made this obsession easier to fulfill, since I'm probably dealing with other addicts, just like me. The amazing thing is that I've done 4 or 5 deals with forum members and they've all been really smooth. There is so much good faith and trust among fellow addicts.....its better than organized religion!

[cherrick]

Oops. I don't see any P90 equipped guitars on that wall. Nor any gold tops.

You need an R4.

[mannish]

probably because you hang out on 'gear' sites - When I spend time on coffee roasting sites I start buying more coffee gear, cigars, stereo.....etc

Although I have always wanted one more guitar than I have...I had 18 but sold one yesterday however got a CV squier that is out for delivery :-) so back to 18 today

It confuses me - too many to choose from I sometimes bring more than I need just so I can enjoy playing more than one or two....sad

[Sam Sherry]

I'm new here and I'm pretty flabbergasted at how quickly gear and money moves around. It's pretty nutty.

I used to have a decent bunch of guitars. The deal was that I would not sell guitars to pay bills but that I would sell ALL the guitars to pay ALL the bills if the day came. Well, a few years ago the day came. I kept the last guitar left (a home-built flat-top -- nobody would buy it).

Now I have the flat-top, which I never play, and one archtop. One amp (alright it goes through two bass cabs and one guitar cab and yes, that is one too many).

It's the ear, man. You can do all kinds of tricks with whatever you've got if you hear it and take your time. Equally to the point, IT DOESN'T MATTER IF IT SOUNDS A LITTLE DIFFERENT.

Yep, there are a few unique, special pieces, but there are a LOT MORE special players.

Play on . . .

[yell03]

I've had this obsession with gear ever since I began playing, 45 years ago. There is no end! I have always tried to justify my acquisitions by claiming that I was not buying new stuff, just simply trading things. However, more often than not, there is a monetary difference to be paid.....so I've basically lost my shirt over the years. I do not have a large collection, three guitars and 2 amps, because I tend to trade things off when I get bored. Forums like the GP, have just made this obsession easier to fulfill, since I'm probably dealing with other addicts, just like me. The amazing thing is that I've done 4 or 5 deals with forum members and they've all been really smooth. There is so much good faith and trust among fellow addicts.....its better than organized religion!

You got that right.

Oops. I don't see any P90 equipped guitars on that wall. Nor any gold tops.

You need an R4.

I do love Gold Tops, but I rarely will buy for cosmetics.

For example, I love PRS Custom 24s, but I went with the Navarro model in White because it was $650 less than a Flame top.

I am not a fan of P90s.

I'm new here and I'm pretty flabbergasted at how quickly gear and money moves around. It's pretty nutty.

I used to have a decent bunch of guitars. The deal was that I would not sell guitars to pay bills but that I would sell ALL the guitars to pay ALL the bills if the day came. Well, a few years ago the day came. I kept the last guitar left (a home-built flat-top -- nobody would buy it).

Now I have the flat-top, which I never play, and one archtop. One amp (alright it goes through two bass cabs and one guitar cab and yes, that is one too many).

It's the ear, man. You can do all kinds of tricks with whatever you've got if you hear it and take your time. Equally to the point, IT DOESN'T MATTER IF IT SOUNDS A LITTLE DIFFERENT.

Yep, there are a few unique, special pieces, but there are a LOT MORE special players.

Play on . . .

Always have to keep your priorities straight.
I've been through those times and now times are good, but I always know, if I had to sell to feed my family, they'd all be gone except for the Les Paul Studio.

[yell03]

BTW,

I did make a gear purchase today.....

I bought a Brand New Boss DD-3 digital delay and two 3' cables for a GRAND TOTAL of $105 shipped to my door.;)

I have a Visual Sound V2H2O in the loop of one of my amps, I was sick of constantly switching wires, so for $105 no more breaking my back climbing behind my amps to switch cables.

[Rockin J]

It's just what you do. At the burito place saturday, all the corvette club guys came out that meet there on sat. mornings, climbed in their vettes and drove off. I bet everyone of them thought of another vette they would like to have on the way home. Probably thought of a couple more later in the day.

[yell03]

It's just what you do. At the burito place saturday, all the corvette club guys came out that meet there on sat. mornings, climbed in their vettes and drove off. I bet everyone of them thought of another vette they would like to have on the way home. Probably thought of a couple more later in the day.

I won't even tell you how many Vettes I've has since 2005:bonk

[ronmail65]

I believe, like one of the first posters on this thread said, that this is (to some extent) a spiritual dilemma. We owe it to ourselves and our creator to further our talent by practicing it (or performing) for the pleasure of others, and to pursue it to our personal potential.

Instead, we spend our time and money pursuing possessions. Wouldn't you trade a guitar or an amp for performance time or better skills? I know I would. But historically, I've chosen to spend a lot of my time and money chasing tones and gear.

GAS is just another reflection of our materialistic and excessive society. It's difficult to overcome because it's a temptation that takes advantage of our passion to play guitar.

[panoramic]

oddly of all those guitars you own I would only play the sg.

[Balok]

Practicing, writing, recording, promoting, video taping, booking, networking, web presence = work.
Buying stuff is fun!
In a business that can be very frustrating and disappointing and hard to control or predict, gear is right in front of us by the ton and we can really control it.
And it's easy to rationalize with thoughts such as "after this, I'll be set and able to move forward.."
I suspect it's a syndrome, where there are multiple forces simultaneously at work and making it extra difficult to stop, such as:
-Romantic ideation about a vintage dream rig where stellar tone causes you to play at a new level.
-A persistent obsession that a missing, inspirational sound is holding you back from playing great stuff.
-A feeling that out there, somewhere, is the best sounding guitar, pickup, amp, cab, speaker, pedal and it's just waiting for you, and then you'll be in heaven making great music to an adoring throng.
-Approval from peers for having a rig that is prestigious and sanctioned as great by the consensus reality (such as old Marshalls have it, new ones less so)
- The joy of tinkering and engineering, which applies to modding and rig building, especially pedal boards and effects programming.
- A feeling of being in control of something - your tool arsenal, as opposed to things you can't control (your record company, your singer, your agent)
-other compulsive behavior like rig simplification. I'll do this: I do a gig with a rig that sounds wonderful. But now I imagine thats its too complex and has to be trimmed down. Or now I need to incorporate vintage stuff. Or yeah it was great but imagine if my delays had better high end roll off - I bet that would sound just a little better even. Then I'll get a near perfect rig and think " I have too much stuff. I need to get these sounds with fewer pedals or a smaller rack. I now need to un-mod that amp to get back to basics. Or "my hero's never needed midi controllers and stereo multi taps" etc.
Buy, buy, tweak, tweak...meanwhile skills on the instrument languish, and songs go unwritten.

[thedroid]

Let's assume the energy and money you put into GAS isn't bankrupting you, keeping you from spending time with your family, or getting in the way of practice and creativity. How do you know when to stop modding, tweaking, or replacing gear?

I'm an editor, and when I start to put back commas that I previously took out, I know I'm done editing a piece. So if I start to undo mods, buy back gear I've sold, or put pedals back in the order I had them in, I need to stop fussing and enjoy what's obviously a rig that works well for me.

All other buying, tweaking and modding is movement forward and there's nothing wrong with it, given the assumptions at the top.

[AcousticDude]

YELL03 - You definitely need to round out your arsenal to complete the line up. Being mainly an acoustic guy, I am always surprised that most electric guitar guys seldom play acoustic. You need a nice Taylor at least. And maybe a Martin 00 to take with you to the mountains. Then again, a really nice archtop would give that smooth tone through a polytone amp. I just saw Earl Klugh in concert yesterday and he makes you want to play a nylon string guitar all day long.

Sorry to put more fuel on the fire. (BTW, that Mira in one of the posts looks great!)

[treedroppings]

I just love playing Metal through my Vox da-5 with my gibson 'the paul 2'

and I discovered that the mic input does not go through the digital effects circuit like the guitar does, so my computer is getting bypassed to the VoX amp and I'll plug the guitar into my Boogie because those so-called computer 'Altec' speakers can't keep up with my Boogie at all!

Or I can plug both into the Vox and I plug the line/out into the boogie. Major blasting there.

I get GAS but I always talk myself out of it, because I am so cheap! I cook my own spaghetti from scratch and stuff like that!

But I swear, I am picking up a greco or gibson firebird with a nice fat neck one of these days!

[treedroppings]

for now I have the ash/maple alder/rosewood strats and mahogany species paul covered

I got nice PAFs on the ash strat and the Paul plus a super-distortion on the alder strat
so I'm covered for electronics wise (just wish I could solder better)

except a firebird for its shape and upper fret access would be nice but that's for when I get in a band

So,instead of buy new gear you can learn a new riff/song or change action/string gauges on your existing stuff?

[treedroppings]

just think of the walnut and mahogany strips fighting over the tone... LOL

[yell03]

oddly of all those guitars you own I would only play the sg.

The SG is a GREAT guitar and one of my easiest to play.
Great clean or gain tones out of the Burstbucker 1&2s, easy fret access, and nice lightweight for comfort.

YELL03 - You definitely need to round out your arsenal to complete the line up. Being mainly an acoustic guy, I am always surprised that most electric guitar guys seldom play acoustic. You need a nice Taylor at least. And maybe a Martin 00 to take with you to the mountains. Then again, a really nice archtop would give that smooth tone through a polytone amp. I just saw Earl Klugh in concert yesterday and he makes you want to play a nylon string guitar all day long.

Sorry to put more fuel on the fire. (BTW, that Mira in one of the posts looks great!)

Every time I buy an acoustic I sell it right away.
I'll never play it.
I am 99% a lead player, acoustics just don't fit my style.
The only chord I use is the one that plugs my guitar in t my amp;)