Gearholic Support Group thread...

[pujangga]

Eversince my interest in guitar playing got rekindled about 4 years ago, I found myself wasting time, effort and especially money buying and selling gear after gear after gear. I recognise that I have a problem...and a couple of days ago, I made a list of gear that I have bought and sold over the years.

To my shock, I realised that:
1) I have bought and sold 27 different guitars
2) I have bought and sold 10 different amplifiers, and..
3) The worst revelation...88 different unique pedals and effects. And quite a number of them, I bought and sold a few times over.

I know this isn't healthy, and I should spend more time cleaning up on my playing instead. I don't know how many of you guys feel like I do, but I feel guilty of my expenses. If you have been in my position, but have since solved the problem, can you share what you did? I just want to be happy and satisfied with what I have now, and focus on my playing. Thanks so much.

 

[subversion]

if i were to assess myself in the same light, it would have been more chronic but everything done in the name of passion, interest & knowledge acquisition has not come to nought for me. maybe i look at the benefits more than anything else.

 

[Jumpin'Jellybean]

I have been in situations where i feel really guilty about expenses.
I bought two guitars in two months. They weren't exactly 5k Gibson Historic purchases, but it made my wallet a lot lighter.
Mostly after the guilty times i compensate by not buying new gear for quite some time.
And i buy most gear used, so in the event i don't like them, i can sell them for minimal loss.

 

[PatheinRaindropMoe]

heh, just continue buying, those dealers and shops need to survive.

Anyway, if you have any music to share, recorded with all those gear, do share. All those instrument, amps, pedals, without any personal music to share, really a waste.

 

[Vaiyen]

Desire

Desire is never ending, never satisfied, isn't it? Just like a bottomless pit.
Same with desire for other things, like sex, food, money, fame etc.
We indulge ourselves, thinking we'll be satiated, but the desire just grows, not getting less. We are led down an ever-enlarging loop of craving and satiation.

A wise (not me) human being would work on understanding his desires, managing them, and reducing them.

I heard that ultimate peace and contentment is the result

 

[subversion]

but wiser men would not reduce fruitful desires he he...

 

[mightyboy88]

im not at that level of GAS yet but i believe that maybe u could cut down on your collection by classifying your guitars by its nature

For instance u can decide to keep

1-2 strat
1-2 les paul,prs
1-2 j custom shredder style guitars etc
An acoustic

then whenever u have the urge to like say get a new strat you must tell yourself u have to sell one of the two guitars u have to make space. that should help to curb your desires or if u do decide to go for the swap of guitar at least it would have been a well thought through decision.

I think u could do the same for your amps pedals too hahah

0.02

 

[keithC]

When you are really engrossed in your playing, you will find that your tones sound better and you will be satisfied with whatever you own more easily. ive not changed my board for about... 4 months now, and have no desire to as well. get a great guitar and really bond with it

 

[guitarsan]

OP, your GAS is very bad. Best is to go cold turkey.

Sell away all your gear, and keep only those you really NEED. Keep your gear to a minimum. And don't regret or bother to look back again. Accept what you already have and be happy about it. And DON"T EVER BUY ANYTHING AGAIN!

Stop visiting forums like SOFT or TGP....seriously! Also stop surfing online shops. Stay away and impose a self ban from ALL retail shops, except maybe your guitar tech. Restrict yourself for one whole year, and avoid any temptation at all cost. Just focus on your playing, and nothing else.

At the end of the day, if you still manage to keep your sanity......that means you're CURED!

 

[van_halen]

posted in wrong thread

 

[carboxymoron]

When I feel guilty I make awesome music and forget what minor things like money and material possessions mean...

Haha. But seriously, I buy mostly used so my assets are somewhat "liquid"... and I try to sell things off if I'm not using them, no matter how much I like it and say "maybe I'll use it someday". How much you can afford to keep in total is up to you to figure out. But buying and selling (at minimal expense) is a worthwhile process as you might just find the gear that helps you make music. My 2 cents -- there is no need to go cold turkey.

 

[pujangga]

Thanks for the input guys...I guess I feel guilty that I spend so much time and money instead of perfecting my playing. But I do buy my gear 2nd hand most of the time, so I don't spend more than I already am. Ok, gonna do something about this and get good.