For those who went from a lot of gear to little, tell me your story.

[efnikbug]

Well, based on some photos TGPers share hear, I absolutely have nowhere near the amount of gear others have. But based on available space in my little house and the amount of money I have spent in total, it seems more than irresponsible to be in possession of, what I call, "this much."

So I've been entertaining the idea of selling off my gear little by little. I don't need to. Despite the economy, I have a pretty darn stable job. But the clutter is starting to bug me. Also, considering how much I play, play out, and what I need to get the sounds I want, I think I can get by with, realistically, two amps, two guitars and, hell, two pedals.

A lot of the stuff I acquired I was hoping my kids (three and five years old) would grow up and use. I always thought how cool it would be to be a dad who had a Les Paul and a Marshall gathering dust in the closet for my kids to play when it was time for them to rock. (I know, I know . . .)

Well, I cannot predict the future, but right now, it seems kinda lame and even embarrassing to have "so much" gear.

I would like to hear from both sides: those who sold off most of their gear and are happy, and those who held on to their gear over the years/decades and are still enjoying them now.

[BluesForDan]

What about people who were forced to sell because they lost their jobs?

[Jahn]

i had that "pass it along" idea too - but then my son ended up being left handed. there goes that idea, at least for guitars - amps and pedals are still free game!

i tried to pare down from a bigger buncha gear, but just ended up selling and trading and when the dust settled just had a different big buncha gear. oops.

[teleman1]

Well if you are going to get rid of things. The best thing to do now is to trade. BY the way EFnik. I found a kick arse Mexican restaurant at the bottom of Topanga Canyon. Abuelita's. Best Fajita I ever had!

[BluesForDan]

Originally Posted by Jahn

i had that "pass it along" idea too - but then my son ended up being left handed. there goes that idea, at least for guitars - amps and pedals are still free game!

i tried to pare down from a bigger buncha gear, but just ended up selling and trading and when the dust settled just had a different big buncha gear. oops.

I had the same thing happen, finally had one nephew want to learn and he's showing signs of being a lefty, too. Hoping he'll be one of the wise ones and learn to play righty instead.

[moogerfooger]

LOL -- I just get more. there is no such thing as less.

[cvansickle]

I'm downsizing. I really only play about two of my electric guitars anymore. I don't have a need to keep the others. I've been selling locally. I've sold two this year and will probably sell two more before year's end.

[enocaster]

Yeah, I know I should pare down, yet I'm lusting after a Strat on craigslist.

[twoheadedboy]

I started a Ph.D program and moved into an apartment. No time or space for lots of gear.

[DGTCrazy]

I'm in the process of De-Cluttering my collection of gear now after a recent personal inventory. Turning 50 had an impact on me I suppose, and I realized that I'm in a great band, I'm healthy, but "stuff" just doesn't give me the same pleasure it used to.

Over the years, I bought some gear because I needed it, but a lot of purchases were simply because I could, unlike when I was young, owning nothing more that 1 guitar, a solid state amp, and a real crappy OD pedal.

Anyway, I've been real busy in the Emporium, on Craigslist, and selling on consignment at two local music stores. It was liberating selling all that gear, and buying a few pieces that I've always wanted. I've actually got some more gear to sell....but I needed to take a break after selling around 30 pedals, several amps and a few guitars.

And my kids, should they decide to transition from piano to guitar,(there 11 & 8), will have some very nice pieces, or a nice chunk of change when my times up....LOL

[Jerry Lundegaard]

Once upon a time, I had a good job, was married, and had disposable income. I owned lots of guitars and amps and recording gear. Now, I am divorced, working part time because my full time job of 22 years was outsourced, and am living with my parents because I had to sell my house. My gear is gone except for a few things. The end.

[therhodeo]

I didn't have alot of gear by TGP standards but I did downsize quite a bit for me. Just got to the point where I realized it wasn't making or breaking my music to have more/nicer stuff. Also buying a different pedal or guitar each time your tone "isn't quite right" isn't a good breeding ground for creativity.

10 guitars - 4 (2 electric, 1 acoustic, 1 bass)
4 amps (2 heads, 2 combos, 1 2x12) - 1 amp (SS power amp, 1x12 cab)
12 pedals - 1 MultiFX/Preamp

[semi-hollowbody]

Where do people store their gear that having an extra guitar or 2 is unbearable?? LOL...I have a LOT of gear... pedal boards...3 tupperware tubs filled with extra pedals, 2 more tubs with misc crap...7 guitars, 3 tube amos, 3 ss amps, 4 guitar stands, a music stand...an entire wall shelf filled with tab books...its all crammed into the corner of my basement...my man cave...

I guess im not big on downsizing!

[guitguy28]

I went from having decent-paying jobs to the "starving student" lifestyle, and ended up having to sell some choice gear (Les Paul, Mesa Boogie amp, Fulltone fuzz). It kinda sucked to have to sell that stuff, but I suppose I wasn't using it too much anyway.
My main gear now is a Mexican Strat that I've modded over the years and a Vox digital amp. It's nothing fancy, but it does everything I need it to.
I just consider myself lucky to still have the tools to make music, and I am in a band playing some great music these days.

[Jahn]

Originally Posted by semi-hollowbody

Where do people store their gear that having an extra guitar or 2 is unbearable?? LOL...I have a LOT of gear... pedal boards...3 tupperware tubs filled with extra pedals, 2 more tubs with misc crap...7 guitars, 3 tube amos, 3 ss amps, 4 guitar stands, a music stand...an entire wall shelf filled with tab books...its all crammed into the corner of my basement...my man cave...

I guess im not big on downsizing!

That sounds like a proper house with some room for a man cave - man, I wish! I live in a typical tiny breadbox in NYC, and space is definitely a premium. stuff is stashed under the bed, couch, closets, behind the couch, on shelves, under the coffee table, you name it. I feel like a pirate sometimes - ARRR time to dig out me gold and gaze upon me shiny booty!