Why do I even look ... ?

[Dale]

What is wrong with me? I spent a bunch of time I should have been playing today looking at guitars for sale. I do not need or really have any room for another guitar. I spent time tonight playing my US Washburn Pilson. It plays great, sounds great. It is a Killer that I picked up for <$600. I then played my 95 US Hamer Studio that has been rebuilt. It has been refretted and has new electronics. It is my favorite guitar. It plays great and sounds great as well. I have never found another guitar that plays as well as these 2 guitars. I played my Gibson 60's Tribute. It is a great player and kills with the P-90's. I spent yesterday playing my Epi 1960 V3 which has been refretted and reworked and it plays great and sounds great. Yesterday I also played my CP Jag HH which is an amazing guitar in the 3 piece I play with on Sundays. I have a tele and a strat that play great and sound like they should. I have others that are good players as well. I do not have a use for another guitar. Why do I think another one will be of use to me? Playing is what is of more use to me than another guitar. Am I the only one with this affliction? GAS that has no purpose? Oye ...

 

[rockinlespaul]

You just described half of TGP members here....

 

[iluvfender]

Its in our blood.....I think the same thing yet when I have time, always lookin. Never passed a music shop I didn't love...TGP, Ebay, Craigslist etc..etc..

 

[facesfan]

Guilty as charged.

 

[telesquire]

Yeah me too....good to know we're not alone though....its a global epidemic!

 

[GreenKnight18]

I do it when I'm at work. It's more just to kill time than anything for me. Sort of like how I will notice a pretty lady on the street though I am happily married.

I look at guitars that suit my style and then I look at some guitars that I'd never ever really want to own/play as well.

 

[pb641]

I have the same affliction on a smaller scale. I keep 3 - 4 guitars, but I always trade, swap, sell, constantly looking for the "one". Actually, I think that happened when I traded for my PRS. But, one look into that world and bam! Here we go again. Ruthless never ending cycle I suppose.

 

[Tmac1957]

Glad to see I am not the only one. Have a dozen of them and always looking for others, although at this point, I am very selective, it's hard to get enough time in with the ones I already have.

 

[Dale]

It is rather disconcerting and affirming to know I am not alone. I am appalled at myself at times.

 

[dysorexia]

I sold off a lot of my stuff and i'm much happier now.

 

[whiteop]

It's the nature of the beast; with 6 guitars, 4 amps and probably close to 50 pedals I can't say a thing but there are much worse; my brother or example - 9 keyboards, 5 guitars, 6 or 7 violins, 1 bass, 1 drum set, a PA system, professional recording studio setup with tons of effect units. We used to play what I'd call semi-professionally though. I know my (former) band, including myself, spent hundreds of thousands of $$$ with GC collectively over the years. When they know your first and last names without looking it up at several GC stores and you're on a first name basis with all of their managers you're a gear hound.

Feel better now, OP?...

 

[Whogo]

Dale, I think this is an interesting question, and one worth reflecting on.

I've been doing some self-examination on this myself lately, and this is what I've concluded (at least for myself, about my situation).

For one, it's convenient. With TGP, it's like a large music store with new and interesting guitars in the front window throughout the day--easy to window shop, and with the 'net--easy to trade or purchase or re-sell. There is also this persistent belief that there is that mythical "ONE" out there waiting for us to find it--or else to find us--and so we go on the search. . . .

I also realize now at 41 that a lot of this goes back to my first days of playing guitar at eleven years old. When I first showed an interest in guitar, my grandfather got me a second-hand Harmony, and for me, it became my Strat, my Tele, and my Martin, all in one. I didn't know any better at the time. Then a guy my dad worked with was selling an '82 '52 re-issue Tele for a ridiculously low price that my dad couldn't refuse. Opened my eyes to a new world. Then, on our Saturday rounds to pawn shops and music stores, my dad picked up a 70s Strat for 200.00, and knew that I wanted one--so it went home with us--and thus began my experience with the joys of "discovering" the hidden beauties waiting to be captured in "the search."

And now I realize that I had the affliction even then. I vividly remember my dad turning to me one afternoon and saying: "You just want a new one with the tags on it." He was right, apparently, because thirty years and seventy-six guitars later (I'm a little embarrassed to say), the seven that I now have I bought brand-new--and I also have noticed that like good relationships, they were guitars that found me--that I happened upon when I was on the search for what I thought would make me happy.

So, in a way, having these guitars and having searched for more seems to have been somehow connecting me back to the days of being with my dad and his supporting my early musical interests. I have scaled back a great deal in the search, though, and find that I play more and enjoy my current guitars when I don't distract myself with shopping.

Just my thoughts.

 

[TNJ]

Yep...been there done that.
Am there...doing that.

S.
j

 

[stashman]

Dale - you are very much not alone. For me, I always think it's the next guitar that is going to make my playing sound good, but I still can't find one that does that for me - so I must just be a lousy searcher.

 

[Lumpy Trousers]

I'm in the same boat - 20 or so guitars, several amps, pre-amps, modelers, recording gear . . . Way more than I need.

For me I think I'm compensating for all the years when I had no money, and just one guitar that I had squeeze everything out of. When I started making a little more money, I started acquiring more gear.

On the other hand, I just saw an article in the news about a guy who was buying JFK's hearse. He has this huge collection of expensive cars, including at least one Rolls-Royce. So a couple dozen guitars doesn't seem so bad - at least I play 'em - I doubt this guy drives those cars.

 

[TrickinSid]

I have 2 guitars.....and that's working for me.

I still drool at almost each one I see......but for me...deep down,
I know that's not really where it's at - at my age (49).

I played in a cover band for over 20 years....that's a big chunk of my life.

So...for now, I'm trying to focus more on playing / recording when I get time.

.....and other things....my wife, artwork....life in general.


Man.......the hours I've spent looking at guitar related stuff....!


It really is an addiction.......but MUCH better than smoking crack.

 

[Dale]

I had to talk myself out of a Washburn P3 today when I stopped at a local music store. I have no idea what I wanted one for really. But it was in great shape and played great!

 

[sixesandsevens]

For me I think I'm compensating for all the years when I had no money, and just one guitar that I had squeeze everything out of. When I started making a little more money, I started acquiring more gear.

I've also only recently acknowledged the wisdom of buying used, which makes everything that much cheaper.

 

[Franklin]

It's guitar porn. There is a chemical reaction you get from looking at guitars or gear that you lust after. If I was rich, I'd be buying guitars instead of beach homes that is for sure!

 

[Jdobson]

You just described half of TGP members here....