synchro
Joined: Feb 02, 2008
Posts: 4570
Not One-Sawn, but Two-Sawn . . . AZ.
|
Posted on Mar 08 2015 11:50 PM
My name is Mark, and I'm a gearaholic. I bought heavily from late 2013 into mid 2014, five guitars bought, one sold, one traded, four amps obtained. I've only bought one piece of gear since, a MIJ Bass VI, which is a long term interest and was not bought compulsively.
IvanP wrote:
I made my decision to stop buying gear once I realized that I would gain much more satisfaction out of playing the gear I've accumulated than accumulating more of it. I actually came to realize that most of the times when I was looking at stuff on eBay and lusting after it, it's because I haven't spent enough time lately with my existing gear, so I felt 'deprived', in a way - almost like I didn't have anything since I wasn't using it very much. I decided whenever I felt gear lust coming on to simply make a conscious decision to spend more time playing my guitars and amps - and sure enough, it worked! I love all the gear I have right now, and really have no practical use for anything else I could get. It's just my mind playing tricks on me, making me want more and more! Well, I say NO! I am now deeply enjoying spending the time with all the pieces in my collection, and as soon as I start getting bored with a guitar or an amp, I simply switch to something I haven't played in a while, and it's like I just got a new instrument - but one that I already know I will love!
It seems nobody wants to admit how much gear they really have, but I'll go ahead: I've got 14 guitars, 6 amps (one of which, the '64 Showman, is on permanent loan to Patrick), and three reverb units (again, one of which is on permanent loan to Patrick). Of the guitars, six are high-quality US-made electrics (all post-'86 Strats), though none of them 'collector-pieces' per se; two are MIJ '80s Fender super-Strats (one of which I got quite cheap), one is a mongrel '80s super-partscaster that I've had since '87 - these three guitars are just for '80s nostalgia purposes, to plug into a distortion pedal on a rare occasion and wank away; one cheapo Yamaha for travel purposes; Fender Jaguar Bass VI (a highly specialized guitar); and then three acoustics - a nice classical, a cheapo steel-string, and a midline steel-string. It's not a fancy collection, but like Noel said, it's a collection that's perfect for me - and that as far as I'm concerned is now bascially complete. Everything that I really want to play I can play on these instruments.
I've found contentment - I highly recommend it! 
I think you have nailed the key to recovery. I have a long-standing theory of GAS; that it's an alternative means of participation in music. Think of it like this, most good results in music take time. Learning to play took years, whipping a band into shape is time consuming and droughts between gigs can be frustrating. Every one of these things can leave us anxious to do something in the meantime and buying gear is a form of immediate gratification.
Recently I've been learning about OCD and its many various manifestations. OCD, as it turns out, is an anxiety disorder and its victims can have obsessive thoughts running through their minds almost continually. They may feel a compulsion to act in some way or another and feel that is the only way to relieve the anxiety. Its a false cure and, if acted upon repeatedly can worsen to obsessions and compulsions.
The treatment for OCD is simple. It starts with counseling to help the patient identify illogical reasoning and to teach strategies to defeat this reasoning. Next comes exposure therapy, where the patient is exposed to things that trigger their OCD. The patient is taught that their anxiety will reduce of its own in time, even of they don't act on their compulsions. Once the patient actually experiences this happening they find nearly immediate relief.
I think that applying this to GAS is fairly straightforward. Identify the false reasoning, most of us don't need another guitar or amp; period. Also, be aware of over-categorization; guitarists can pick out fine shades of difference between instruments, bit in real-world playijg situations these rarely,if ever, matter. We don't have to perfectly replicate the equipment of someone we admire, there is such a thing as close enough.
When one feels GAS, one good strategy would be to seek out your least played guitar and give it a good workout. You may find that you enjoy being reacquainted with an old z(instrument) friend. It might also help to write out the story behind every guitar and amp in your collection. When you feel the need to purchase something new, just reading through those stories might do the trick. I'd be willing to wager that the feelings preceding acquisition are a repetitive behavior being acted out over and over again.
BTW, I have fourteen guitars, eight amps.
— The artist formerly known as: Synchro
When Surf Guitar is outlawed only outlaws will play Surf Guitar.
Last edited: Mar 08, 2015 23:56:04
|
Nokie
Joined: Oct 06, 2008
Posts: 550
So Cal
|
Posted on Mar 09 2015 12:30 AM
synchro wrote:
My name is Mark, and I'm a gearaholic... I have a long-standing theory of GAS; that it's an alternative means of participation in music. Think of it like this, most good results in music take time. Learning to play took years, whipping a band into shape is time consuming and droughts between gigs can be frustrating. Every one of these things can leave us anxious to do something in the meantime and buying gear is a form of immediate gratification.
Hey Mark,
I purdy much follow what you're sayin' above but I think it's a bit euphemistic to describe GAS as an "alternative means of participation in music". That is certainly true but I would describe GAS more as a distraction one takes to avoid practicing. Practicing is a most effective way of getting different sounds out of one's guitar but it is not always as fun or as easy as buying that new reverb pedal or vintage amplifier. I am particularly guilty of falling into that trap.
That said, I really like the layout of your web page devoted to your guitars. I am a major fan of finger-style guitar (ala Chet and Jerry Reed) and I see you mention your affinity for the style in at least a couple of places. Among surf guitarists, we are not alone. Johnny Fortune was also a big Chet fan. Do you play much in that style?
-Marty
— "Hello Girls!"
Last edited: Mar 09, 2015 00:32:07
|
Badger
Joined: Nov 16, 2013
Posts: 4537
Wisconsin
|
Posted on Mar 09 2015 06:14 AM
synchro wrote:
Also, be aware of over-categorization; guitarists can pick out fine shades of difference between instruments, bit in real-world playijg situations these rarely,if ever, matter.
When one feels GAS, one good strategy would be to seek out your least played guitar and give it a good workout. You may find that you enjoy being reacquainted with an old z(instrument) friend.
I keep notes (a "diary" as it were) on my amps & guitars. Settings, any mods/changes, etc. Reminds me from whence it came. That said, I simply have a Strat & JM and they evoke different things from me.
So I will unabashedly say that a Jag is on my list, which I wouldn't regard as a "slight" tonal difference. But in time. I like to learn about them first, makes the instrument almost a partner rather than a toy bought to scratch an itch.
Deciding on a fuzz, that's another matter (and many other threads). 
— Wes
SoCal ex-pat with a snow shovel
DISCLAIMER: The above is opinion/suggestion only & should not be used for mission planning/navigation, tweaking of instruments, beverage selection, or wardrobe choices.
|
synchro
Joined: Feb 02, 2008
Posts: 4570
Not One-Sawn, but Two-Sawn . . . AZ.
|
Posted on Mar 09 2015 08:24 AM
Nokie wrote:
synchro wrote:
My name is Mark, and I'm a gearaholic... I have a long-standing theory of GAS; that it's an alternative means of participation in music. Think of it like this, most good results in music take time. Learning to play took years, whipping a band into shape is time consuming and droughts between gigs can be frustrating. Every one of these things can leave us anxious to do something in the meantime and buying gear is a form of immediate gratification.
Hey Mark,
I purdy much follow what you're sayin' above but I think it's a bit euphemistic to describe GAS as an "alternative means of participation in music". That is certainly true but I would describe GAS more as a distraction one takes to avoid practicing. Practicing is a most effective way of getting different sounds out of one's guitar but it is not always as fun or as easy as buying that new reverb pedal or vintage amplifier. I am particularly guilty of falling into that trap.
That said, I really like the layout of your web page devoted to your guitars. I am a major fan of finger-style guitar (ala Chet and Jerry Reed) and I see you mention your affinity for the style in at least a couple of places. Among surf guitarists, we are not alone. Johnny Fortune was also a big Chet fan. Do you play much in that style?
-Marty
I'm definitely into Chet and Jerry. I do some Chet pieces, but they are hard to work into gigs when you play in a band called Clutch Draggin' & the Lug Nuts. Actually, we do a fair bit of Country when we are playing in other situations and I do try to work a little bit of Chet into things in those settings.
By alternative participation I mean an alternative to anything that involves musical activity.
Badger wrote:
synchro wrote:
Also, be aware of over-categorization; guitarists can pick out fine shades of difference between instruments, bit in real-world playijg situations these rarely,if ever, matter.
When one feels GAS, one good strategy would be to seek out your least played guitar and give it a good workout. You may find that you enjoy being reacquainted with an old z(instrument) friend.
I keep notes (a "diary" as it were) on my amps & guitars. Settings, any mods/changes, etc. Reminds me from whence it came. That said, I simply have a Strat & JM and they evoke different things from me.
So I will unabashedly say that a Jag is on my list, which I wouldn't regard as a "slight" tonal difference. But in time. I like to learn about them first, makes the instrument almost a partner rather than a toy bought to scratch an itch.
Deciding on a fuzz, that's another matter (and many other threads).
I agree completely. A Jag, a JM and a Strat are distinct instruments and I wouldn't consider this over-categorization. OTOH, I've heard of people that have a dozen Strats with minor differences such as color or different shades of single coil pickups. IMHO, that would be hard to defend as not being over-categorization.
— The artist formerly known as: Synchro
When Surf Guitar is outlawed only outlaws will play Surf Guitar.
Last edited: Mar 09, 2015 08:27:27
|
windmill
Joined: Mar 22, 2006
Posts: 269
|
Posted on Mar 14 2015 06:01 PM
I think I have enough Black jaguars..... I think
— Freshwater Surfin'
The Murray Basin
Australia
Last edited: Mar 14, 2015 18:30:50
|
windmill
Joined: Mar 22, 2006
Posts: 269
|
Posted on Mar 14 2015 06:02 PM
— Freshwater Surfin'
The Murray Basin
Australia
Last edited: Mar 14, 2015 18:27:41
|
windmill
Joined: Mar 22, 2006
Posts: 269
|
Posted on Mar 14 2015 06:02 PM
nc
— Freshwater Surfin'
The Murray Basin
Australia
Last edited: Mar 14, 2015 18:26:54
|
windmill
Joined: Mar 22, 2006
Posts: 269
|
Posted on Mar 14 2015 06:03 PM
nc
— Freshwater Surfin'
The Murray Basin
Australia
Last edited: Mar 14, 2015 18:26:39
|
windmill
Joined: Mar 22, 2006
Posts: 269
|
Posted on Mar 14 2015 06:04 PM
nc
— Freshwater Surfin'
The Murray Basin
Australia
Last edited: Mar 14, 2015 18:26:02
|
windmill
Joined: Mar 22, 2006
Posts: 269
|
Posted on Mar 14 2015 06:04 PM
nc
— Freshwater Surfin'
The Murray Basin
Australia
Last edited: Mar 14, 2015 18:25:42
|
windmill
Joined: Mar 22, 2006
Posts: 269
|
Posted on Mar 14 2015 06:06 PM
nc
— Freshwater Surfin'
The Murray Basin
Australia
Last edited: Mar 14, 2015 18:25:26
|
windmill
Joined: Mar 22, 2006
Posts: 269
|
Posted on Mar 14 2015 06:06 PM
nc
— Freshwater Surfin'
The Murray Basin
Australia
Last edited: Mar 14, 2015 18:25:10
|
windmill
Joined: Mar 22, 2006
Posts: 269
|
Posted on Mar 14 2015 06:11 PM
n/c
(swearword goes here) 
— Freshwater Surfin'
The Murray Basin
Australia
Last edited: Mar 14, 2015 18:32:59
|
synchro
Joined: Feb 02, 2008
Posts: 4570
Not One-Sawn, but Two-Sawn . . . AZ.
|
Posted on Mar 14 2015 06:52 PM
windmill wrote:
I think I have enough Black jaguars..... I think
You still need a black Bass VI.
— The artist formerly known as: Synchro
When Surf Guitar is outlawed only outlaws will play Surf Guitar.
|
windmill
Joined: Mar 22, 2006
Posts: 269
|
Posted on Mar 14 2015 07:35 PM
Second from the right
Squier VI
— Freshwater Surfin'
The Murray Basin
Australia
|
synchro
Joined: Feb 02, 2008
Posts: 4570
Not One-Sawn, but Two-Sawn . . . AZ.
|
Posted on Mar 14 2015 08:36 PM
windmill wrote:
Second from the right
Squier VI
Indeed! How did I miss that?
I recently bought a 2013 MIJ Bass VI in CAR. It's gorgeous, better playing and better sounding than the US Custom Shop model I used to have. That makes me more addicted than you.
— The artist formerly known as: Synchro
When Surf Guitar is outlawed only outlaws will play Surf Guitar.
Last edited: Mar 14, 2015 20:37:32
|
HallmarkSweptWinger
Joined: Jul 27, 2006
Posts: 1284
Berlinesia, Germanifornia
|
Posted on Mar 21 2015 08:45 AM
Today I have sold my Fender Vibroverb amp! It was a 90`s amp. And one of the good sounding! I really loved it.
But I am a gearoholic...
Oli, the guitar and organ and trumpet player from Los Banditos bought it. This is cool! The Los Banditos are am amazing live band and I know that Oli is playing the hell out of this Vibroverb!
And Oli is also doing a kind of Tango band with his girlfriend. For this the Vibroverb is also a good choice!
He tested the amp and, yes, this little 2x10 Fender amp is amazing! The Vibrato is so nice and warm!
I am happy that Oli bought the amp!
And I am still a gearoholic. Good!!!
— Twang cheers!
Ralf Kilauea
www.kilaueas.de
https://kilaueas.bandcamp.com/album/touch-my-alien
|
Badger
Joined: Nov 16, 2013
Posts: 4537
Wisconsin
|
Posted on Mar 21 2015 08:48 AM
Congratulations for passing the amp along to a great home.
Everyone's needs are different, but I really like a 2x10 package, very versatile.
— Wes
SoCal ex-pat with a snow shovel
DISCLAIMER: The above is opinion/suggestion only & should not be used for mission planning/navigation, tweaking of instruments, beverage selection, or wardrobe choices.
|
HallmarkSweptWinger
Joined: Jul 27, 2006
Posts: 1284
Berlinesia, Germanifornia
|
Posted on Apr 29 2015 03:58 PM
Hello,
I have bought an old rare Yamaha PE 200 amp complete with the matching cabinet Yamaha TS 200.
This is a killer amp, and it is similar to an old Showman sound!
It is a solid state of course. I guess from 1970? The amp has got built in reverb, Tremolo and a Auto-WahWah which is called WawWaw.
This is absolutely high tech for this time. Totally underrated stuff.
The amp is LOUD, clean and warm. I cannot believe how good these strange monsters sound!? Why do they sound so good? Hmm... maybe only for me it sounds good. If you want to play a bit distorted this amp is not good.
Meanwhile I have heard that the main amp is inside the cabinet and the head is a pre amp. ??? The cabinet is big and heavy. Like a Marshall box or something. I guess there are 4x10 speakers inside.
(On my facebook site there are pics of the amp.)
I`ve paid only a few bucks... so, I had to get this for sure.
And I would get it again!!!
...so I am a gearoholic? Yes. For sure.
Yamaha is the new (old) Fender.
— Twang cheers!
Ralf Kilauea
www.kilaueas.de
https://kilaueas.bandcamp.com/album/touch-my-alien
Last edited: Apr 30, 2015 01:04:19
|
HallmarkSweptWinger
Joined: Jul 27, 2006
Posts: 1284
Berlinesia, Germanifornia
|
Posted on Aug 08 2015 07:29 AM
Tataaaaa!! I have sold this Squier VM Jazzmaster.
With changing pickups to pickupwizards it sounded great.
BUT at last I did not liked the frets and the radius. It was not the typical Jazzmasterfeeling for me.
meanwhile I would say: Dont waste your worthful lifetime with cheap stuff like this. Get a REAL Jazzy. Try to get the oldest youll find or a good Crafted in Japan around 2000`s. In my experiences the one with the "Q" starting serial numbers are pretty good!!!
— Twang cheers!
Ralf Kilauea
www.kilaueas.de
https://kilaueas.bandcamp.com/album/touch-my-alien
Last edited: Jan 14, 2017 02:44:20
|
June Birthdays 
