HallmarkSweptWinger
Joined: Jul 27, 2006
Posts: 1284
Berlinesia, Germanifornia
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Posted on Oct 11 2014 03:30 PM
Hi folks,
I like this thread here.
I think at last it is not sooooo senseful to talk about a special guitar brand…
On the other hand we can help each other to save money!?
AND, my dear gearheads!
Do you know this here?:
http://menga.net/how-to-stop-hoarding-guitars-and-guitar-gear
What do you think about?
I do not agree in each point but I guess this link would be okay for this thread!?
(Not everything from the stuff at home is worthless! I remember that I sold a set of early 1960`s set of Fender Jazzmaster tremolo unit screws. I sold it for 50 Euros!!! So 50 Euros for 6 screws is not bad.)
Let`s talk about our future. We have got a future. I am sure. I know it.
— Twang cheers!
Ralf Kilauea
www.kilaueas.de
https://kilaueas.bandcamp.com/album/touch-my-alien
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LeeVanCleef
Joined: Oct 05, 2011
Posts: 744
France
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Posted on Oct 11 2014 03:48 PM
HallmarkSweptWinger wrote:
AND, my dear gearheads!
Do you know this here?:
http://menga.net/how-to-stop-hoarding-guitars-and-guitar-gear
Bookmarked.
— Old punks never die... They just become surf rockers.
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surfing-matze
Joined: Apr 12, 2010
Posts: 99
Germany
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Posted on Oct 12 2014 03:30 AM
Avoid that shirt:
http://www.zazzle.de/sie_konnen_zu_viele_gitarren_nie_haben_t_shirt-235211012347978775
And if you got one, DONT wear when visiting a guitar shop, dont have a look on ebay, when u're wearing it ! Best is, give it to someone else (who maybe just owns one guitar and might buy one of yours  )
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surfing-matze
Joined: Apr 12, 2010
Posts: 99
Germany
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Posted on Oct 16 2014 05:11 AM
No more Gearoholics confessions ?
I think a survey might be interesting - how many guitars do you own ? And maybe in addition: how many do you play regularly ?
Is there a number of guitars, which definately identify you as a "Gearoholic" ? Where is the "border" ?
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Noel
Joined: Mar 15, 2011
Posts: 8528
Back in Piitsburgh, Pennsylvania, where I grew up.
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Posted on Oct 16 2014 08:46 AM
I've been thinking about this. To a great extent, I think collecting guitars is like collecting anything else, be they antiques, art, model railroads, record albums, motion pictures, a private library, and on and on. In this sense, why not?
I can only play one guitar at a time, although I often play several in a sitting. I can only hold one book in my hands at a time, though I'm currently reading two.
I think a guitar is as much musical instrument as work of art. Though it's a shame to many if a guitar hangs on a wall for the viewing pleasure of its owner and friends, that's still "using" it, the same as looking at anything else on display is using it. This may be obvious when the guitar is a rare and valuable instrument. But to say only rare and valuable guitars should be in personal collections is the same as saying we can't collect prints of great paintings because they're not valuable. Who's to say what should be collected and what should not, and how much is too much, or too little to qualify?
When you have to move to bigger lodgings to hold everything, or convert a bedroom into the guitar display room, you may have too many guitars. Unless these aren't problems. I think repetitive guitar buying, or anything else, is only a problem if the choice is between rent or food and such, and another guitar, and the guitar wins.
So, if you're buying guitars instead of groceries, clothes for your kids, seeing the doctor, or fixing your car, there are people here to help.
— This is Noel. Reverb's at maximum an' I'm givin' 'er all she's got.
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JakeDobner
Joined: Feb 26, 2006
Posts: 12159
Seattle
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Posted on Oct 16 2014 10:10 AM
Most importantly, I think it is about implementation and inspiration. The Two 'I's as I always say.
Implementation - What do I need to succeed? And what do I need to succeed successfully. You need a guitar to play a song, do you want to play electric, you need an amp. What are my goals? Do I need a backup guitar to play live in case I break a string? Do I need a backup amp for safety?
Inspiration - This is why we all have a ton of guitars and amps! I can do different things on each of my guitars, not just tonally. They all play so differently and the touch on them puts me in different places.
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CrazyAces
Joined: Jul 31, 2012
Posts: 4054
Buffalo, N.Y.
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Posted on Oct 16 2014 10:41 AM
surfing-matze wrote:
No more Gearoholics confessions ?
I think a survey might be interesting - how many guitars do you own ? And maybe in addition: how many do you play regularly ?
Is there a number of guitars, which definately identify you as a "Gearoholic" ? Where is the "border" ?
I'll refuse to answer this. LOL
I will admit though, as far as sheer quantity...........feel free to commit me.
— http://www.facebook.com/CrazyAcesMusic
http://www.youtube.com/user/crazyacesrock
http://www.reverbnation.com/crazyacesmusic
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CrazyAces
Joined: Jul 31, 2012
Posts: 4054
Buffalo, N.Y.
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Posted on Oct 16 2014 10:48 AM
JakeDobner wrote:
Most importantly, I think it is about implementation and inspiration. The Two 'I's as I always say.
Implementation - What do I need to succeed? And what do I need to succeed successfully. You need a guitar to play a song, do you want to play electric, you need an amp. What are my goals? Do I need a backup guitar to play live in case I break a string? Do I need a backup amp for safety?
Inspiration - This is why we all have a ton of guitars and amps! I can do different things on each of my guitars, not just tonally. They all play so differently and the touch on them puts me in different places.
I like and agree with this, Jake.
When giving advice (if asked) to younger or less experienced players about collecting I always preach "It's better to own fewer instruments that you have a great and active relationship with than many instruments that you can't make your best music, sounds or tones on"
This and Jake's philosophy above has pushed me to sell off a lot of dead weight, duplicates and even instruments owned as bragging rights.
Cheers,
Jeff
— http://www.facebook.com/CrazyAcesMusic
http://www.youtube.com/user/crazyacesrock
http://www.reverbnation.com/crazyacesmusic
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revmike
Joined: Feb 26, 2006
Posts: 3864
North Atlantic
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Posted on Oct 16 2014 12:16 PM
I go through periods of GAS, but have been in control (mostly, as of late). When I think I need a new guitar, I go look at the bunch I have, and think maybe I should spend more time with these ones. But every now and then something comes along...
For me, the problem was small class A amps for recording, but now I only have two (Danelectro Cadet, and Kalamazoo Model 2).
As far as Eastwoods go I love my Ailine Map, but did do a lot of work on it (new pick ups, bone nut, rewiring). My Strat and the Eastwood are my go to surf guitars for live shows.
Lately I've been casually looking for original Danelectros, but the prices have kept them at bay.
Thanks for listening,
Rev
— Canadian Surf
http://www.urbansurfkings.com/
Last edited: Oct 16, 2014 12:17:44
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IvanP
Joined: Feb 27, 2006
Posts: 10331
southern Michigan
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Posted on Oct 16 2014 01:04 PM
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! 
— Ivan
Lords of Atlantis on Facebook
The Madeira Official Website
The Madeira on Facebook
The Blair-Pongracic Band on Facebook
The Space Cossacks on Facebook
The Madeira Channel on YouTube
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JohnnyMosrite
Joined: Jun 14, 2006
Posts: 913
New York City area
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Posted on Oct 16 2014 03:31 PM
Ivan,
I'm more or less content with what I have at present.. but (as you might recall) it's a helluva lot of gear. I now look for real bargains with amps and guitars that I want to play. There aren't a lot of bargains out there anymore, so gear acquisition has been a bit paltry these last few years.
I did luck out this past summer on a Bedrock BC50 - a VOX AC30 on steroids - for cheap. I just look for gear owners, car owners..etc who are looking to deal (and maybe just unload some of their treasures).
I like playing jazz and gypsy jazz on the appropriate type of guitars when the spirit moves me, hence a few of those are in the vault. And I just completed a custom made Mosrite from some factory parts I got at shows and the internet years ago. It beats paying the asking prices for these guitars today.
So, from what you listed, I have a "smidge more" than what you have. But it's guys like me that balance out guys like you in the world - or something. 
J Mo'
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stratdancer
Joined: Dec 11, 2013
Posts: 2537
Akron, Ohio
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Posted on Oct 17 2014 04:44 AM
I'm with Ivan on this one. I'm not a collector of guitars. I think of all the great instruments forever locked away and very rarely get played if at all just because they are quite valuable. Held hostage to their own perfection. Guitars are meant to be played. I own just 8 guitars but they all get played. One is a cheapo fender acoustic that sits in the mixing room so I can learn songs with off the computer and purely utilitarian. The LP and one of the strats are setup to play hard rock through my Marshall and Blackstar stacks when classic rocks calls my name which isn't that often anymore. I feel guilty if they start to collect dust so I plug in here and there and produce some incredible tone with them. I have 2 strats setup for surf plus a VM jaguar which I play through my 1970 Twin reverb. My surf guitars all need little tweaks as far as pup configuration etc so the idea of buying another guitar doesn't make sense when I can make these better suited. I wouldn't rule out finding another strat though!
— The Kahuna Kings
https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Kahuna-Kings/459752090818447
https://thekahunakings.bandcamp.com/releases
Last edited: Oct 17, 2014 05:02:19
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JohnnyMosrite
Joined: Jun 14, 2006
Posts: 913
New York City area
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Posted on Oct 17 2014 07:38 AM
Stratdancer,
For your consideration- some perspective.
The guitars and amps aren't really locked away forever as you stated.. but maybe longer than you or others might consider to be a "frequent player" - hence the "I never play it/get rid of it" rationale.
I just pulled out a guitar I haven't opened the case on in about 7 years and I'm glad I have it. I probably couldn't find or afford it if I wanted it now. And it beats the junk offered at Guitar Center these days by a mile.
Putting it another way, perhaps you or others have to hit every guitar you own within a few weeks, months or maybe a year. I just have a longer "instrument selection" frequency - like years. And I'm OK with that. And it's not a matter of stored value, it's a matter of me playing what I feel like playing - whatever mood I'm in.
There are a lot of "sub-areas" in guitar playing with an associated guitar instrument type - rock,jazz,acoustic,slide,dobro..etc. If you dabble in a lot of them, figure you'll probably end up with a lot of guitars suited for that type of music.
That's why people also have SUVs, trucks, convertibles, minivans, daily-drivers, grocery-getters..etc. Last I looked, you can't drive more than one vehicle at a time; but you might actually need several.
BTW - there is no real justice with guitars. I've played cheapos that play and sound great; and I've played boutique grade stuff that plays and sounds like crap.
My further 2 cents
J Mo'
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surfing-matze
Joined: Apr 12, 2010
Posts: 99
Germany
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Posted on Oct 19 2014 03:58 AM
Hey !
Thank you Ivan for insight of your gear and your way of handling GAS now. Well - for an active surf musician, in my opinion your GAS never had become too unhealthy. I think one can justify some amount of gear, when it is used, and you are among the most active players I guess.
That's another reason, why I try 2 things: make more music, sell some guitars, which don't get played. As I already said, I haven't bought a guitar for > 1 year and I rarely search ebay for new axes. The reason is, I found some guitars, I really enjoy, cant put down, inspire me, etc.
I should sell some stuff.
But I find it quite hard to part with guitars, which you connect to some nice memories. A guitar, which you have been playin' live a lot or I have 2 guitars, which I have build when participating a luthier course maaaany years ago - these (a strat and a tele) are nice guitars, not worth a lot, but I build with my own hands (not the "critical" work like sawing the fretboard for the frets, but shaping body/neck, wiring, mounting, fretting, drilling...) and I gigged with these... I won't part with these.
I'm not an actice surf musician (doin' little other stuff these days, but no giggin' band atm) - considering that, my collection is way too big (in fact I got more guitars than Ivan  - of course some cheapos included, but also some nice old ones (mostly non-original and affordable but gr8 players). My 63 bandmaster is also on permanent loan to my brother (who hasn't yet become a surf-guitarist for some reason I don't know ;)...).
So if anybody got some advice, how to part with gear, this is also helpful :). Considering aquisition of new stuff, I'm not highly endangered (I guess  )...
AND: yes I understand the point about guitars being not only instruments, but also piece of art. I enjoy looking at them everytime, BUT it's much better to feel the wood vibrating by hitting the strings, play, listen....
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windmill
Joined: Mar 22, 2006
Posts: 269
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Posted on Oct 25 2014 06:58 PM
Best advice I had (that I took notice of ) was save up and buy what you want.
If you buy a copy or a cheap version you still won't have what you wanted and you will still be wondering and wanting it and you won't be happy till you do.
this applies to just about everything in life as well.
HTH 
— Freshwater Surfin'
The Murray Basin
Australia
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blueruins
Joined: Mar 05, 2010
Posts: 362
Mauna Lani, HI
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Posted on Oct 25 2014 11:00 PM
Over the last 6 months I've gone from about 11 guitars down to 3...sounds lame but my addiction was out of control. Other than having to retune my acoustic to play slack-key, it hasn't been a major adjustment.
I'm still on the auction sites every night pining over whatever my latest obsessions are and wishing I had the scratch to snatch up every 10th item or so I see.
The thing that is enticing is that every piece of gear does teach you something new about your craft.
There's also the fact that you can learn so much by having to work within constraints and limitations.
A lot of times I know that the time I spend thinking about new gear would be much better spent practicing.
In fact, almost all the time.
Like...right now.
— http://blueruins.bandcamp.com
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JObeast
Joined: Jul 24, 2012
Posts: 2762
Finknabad, Squinkistan
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Posted on Oct 26 2014 12:10 AM
But some copies are as good as the originals. I have a Greco LP Std. from '78 that I got with a LP Custom of same make (sold that heavier one this year). Both incredible quality instruments without flaw at a much better price than Gibson originals.
I don't pine for a real Gibson, except the 58 LP Jr. I passed up for $900 back in '85 or so. THat and selling my '80 Rickenbacker 360 to the same guy I didn't buy the Gibson from.
Oh and then there is the Gretsch Chet Atkins I didn't buy for $700 a couple years previous to that, and the Silvertone 1454 3-p'up hollowbody w/Bigsby for $100 that I passed up in '83...
windmill wrote:
Best advice I had (that I took notice of ) was save up and buy what you want.
If you buy a copy or a cheap version you still won't have what you wanted and you will still be wondering and wanting it and you won't be happy till you do.
this applies to just about everything in life as well.
HTH
— Squink Out!
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windmill
Joined: Mar 22, 2006
Posts: 269
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Posted on Oct 26 2014 05:52 AM
JObeast wrote:
But some copies are as good as the originals. I have a Greco LP Std. from '78 that I got with a LP Custom of same make (sold that heavier one this year). Both incredible quality instruments without flaw at a much better price than Gibson originals.
I don't pine for a real Gibson, except the 58 LP Jr. I passed up for $900 back in '85 or so. THat and selling my '80 Rickenbacker 360 to the same guy I didn't buy the Gibson from.
Oh and then there is the Gretsch Chet Atkins I didn't buy for $700 a couple years previous to that, and the Silvertone 1454 3-p'up hollowbody w/Bigsby for $100 that I passed up in '83...
That is not the point, which is
Buy what you really want
It may turn out different to what you thought it would be but you will then know.
YMMV etc ....
— Freshwater Surfin'
The Murray Basin
Australia
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stratdancer
Joined: Dec 11, 2013
Posts: 2537
Akron, Ohio
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Posted on Oct 26 2014 06:31 AM
JohnnyMosrite wrote:
Stratdancer,
For your consideration- some perspective.
The guitars and amps aren't really locked away forever as you stated.. but maybe longer than you or others might consider to be a "frequent player" - hence the "I never play it/get rid of it" rationale.
I just pulled out a guitar I haven't opened the case on in about 7 years and I'm glad I have it. I probably couldn't find or afford it if I wanted it now. And it beats the junk offered at Guitar Center these days by a mile.
Putting it another way, perhaps you or others have to hit every guitar you own within a few weeks, months or maybe a year. I just have a longer "instrument selection" frequency - like years. And I'm OK with that. And it's not a matter of stored value, it's a matter of me playing what I feel like playing - whatever mood I'm in.
There are a lot of "sub-areas" in guitar playing with an associated guitar instrument type - rock,jazz,acoustic,slide,dobro..etc. If you dabble in a lot of them, figure you'll probably end up with a lot of guitars suited for that type of music.
That's why people also have SUVs, trucks, convertibles, minivans, daily-drivers, grocery-getters..etc. Last I looked, you can't drive more than one vehicle at a time; but you might actually need several.
BTW - there is no real justice with guitars. I've played cheapos that play and sound great; and I've played boutique grade stuff that plays and sounds like crap.
My further 2 cents
J Mo'
My statement about being "locked away forever" was somewhat tongue and cheek and maybe a little sarcastic. I just think of all the rich collectors holding 100's of thousands of dollars in guitars that will never really be played to any great extend. I wish I had them lol.
— The Kahuna Kings
https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Kahuna-Kings/459752090818447
https://thekahunakings.bandcamp.com/releases
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JohnnyMosrite
Joined: Jun 14, 2006
Posts: 913
New York City area
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Posted on Oct 26 2014 02:09 PM
Stratdancer,
_"I just think of all the rich collectors holding 100's of thousands of dollars in guitars that will never really be played to any great extend. I wish I had them lol." _
That's how capitalism and success works. People collect and amass what they like. It's their passion in life.
And collecting does serve a useful purpose - what collectors amass is usually preserved. In this case, a fine instrument is preserved and not subject to any abuse. (BTW use = abuse; even by the most careful of us). This why you see vintage autos, equipment, bric-a-brac in the movies reflecting a time period. Someone who can think past next Tuesday collected it.
One of the most manic collectors I ever met was the late Scott Chinery. We met once in opposition to each other as it were at a guitar show. I beat him out on an instrument he wanted. An even headed on the square dealer believed my $$$ were as good as Mr. Chinery's and, unimpressed with the I'm-Scott-Chinery clout, sold me the instrument in conflict. Scott was a bit pissed. It was great for little fly in the ointment me.
Scottso isn't with us anymore. The guitars he bought and commissioned are still here - somewhere. I've heard some the jazz 'blue guitars' he commissioned have fallen a bit to waste - from lack of play. No sound was loosening and aligning the wood. Pity. And Scott knew maybe six chords. Hopefully they do get played a bit by someone soon.
But, if one has the bucks, and we're in a free country, well, colectors have every right to collect and hoard. That might make it tough for you and me, but I've done OK with what is still out there.
Still a further perspective for your consideration..
J Mo'
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