Gear revelations: Had any lately?

[Zachman]

technique and performance = priority
gear = secondary

People get carried away on gizmos, gadgets and gear. If you play like crap you'll still sound like crap on great gear All you need is a decent guitar and amp. I'm willing to bet that folks who run their signal through a million pieces of rack gear, pedals, tuners etc and just plugged straight in a simple once channel amp like a 2203/04 and just use an OD in front their tone will be much better

I think we mostly agree, in terms of folks needing to be wary of being distracted by gizmos. I just figure both get 1st priority, in their proper time and place.

Many, previously with the same belief as you-- have reevaluated their position after testing that theory through my crazy rig, and none have retained their previous belief. Just saying, OFTEN, when compared, less is well... Less, not more.

That being said, some of us, who have "run their signal through a million pieces of rack gear, pedals, tuners etc" can and do also run just plugged straight into a simple one channel amp like a 2203/04 and just use an OD in front, with the step of a single button press. Don't forget, just because there's a ton of stuff, doesn't mean it has to ALL be on all the time. Not all rigs are equal. Why would they be, not all players are either, nor do they necessarily reach toward the same goals.

 

[Heritage Softail]

I still take guitar lessons off and on. A great studio player down in ATL. Once every couple months.

I think I goes without saying, lessons and the correc practice pay off. But having inspiring gear makes it fun.

Balance...

 

[Zachman]

I still take guitar lessons off and on. A great studio player down in ATL. Once every couple months.

I think I goes without saying, lessons and the correc practice pay off. But having inspiring gear makes it fun.

Balance...

BINGO It all has it's place

 

[Aristocat]

Lessons and constantly getting outside of your comfort zone is key to growth.

A 4x12 with two sealed baffle holes will still just sound like a oversized 2x12.

 

[rlord1974]

I will never buy another piece of musical gear on eBay, ever. I'm convinced that the majority of people selling gear on eBay are trying to pass off gear with issues, while still asking top dollar.

 

[Aristocat]

I will never buy another piece of musical gear on eBay, ever. I'm convinced that the majority of people selling gear on eBay are trying to pass off gear with issues, while still asking top dollar.

And in there is a shared skepticism.

 

[Anonymous]

I will never buy another piece of musical gear on eBay, ever. I'm convinced that the majority of people selling gear on eBay are trying to pass off gear with issues, while still asking top dollar.

And in there is a shared skepticism.

Good and bad sellers everywhere, evilbay included
Some are just confortable using this particular selling system, for whatever reason

 

[rlord1974]

I hear what you're saying Dave, but my last 3 purchases on eBay have been complete clusterfucks. I'm done.

 

[Anonymous]

I hear what you're saying Dave, but my last 3 purchases on eBay have been complete clusterfucks. I'm done.

Really? That sucks
You think all 3 times the sellers were to blame? Did they have good seller ratings?

 

[rlord1974]

The sellers had relatively low selling activity, say 100 to 200 sales. All three items arrived in seemingly good condition but, upon closer inspection, all required repairs that ran over $500. They all claimed that they were unaware of the issues? Maybe it's true, maybe not. But I don't want to buy gear off of people that don't even know what condition their gear is in. So, again, I'm done!

 

[Anonymous]

The sellers had relatively low selling activity, say 100 to 200 sales. All three items arrived in seemingly good condition but, upon closer inspection, all required repairs that ran over $500. They all claimed that they were unaware of the issues? Maybe it's true, maybe not. But I don't want to buy gear off of people that don't even know what condition their gear is in. So, again, I'm done!

I see what you mean
Bad luck really. Curious to know what the problems were and if they were really apparent or hidden.
A cracked neck is not the same as, say, faulty MIDI (lots of people don't even use MIDI and it seldom breaks, so it can go undiagnosed)

 

[rlord1974]

Well, as an example, my most recent nightmare was a Strat with a significant crack in the body wood between one of the bridge studs/anchors and the pickup route cavity. It caused the anchor to lean forward toward the neck, causing the bridge to be misaligned. With some heavy vibrato bar use, the whole bridge would have pulled off the body when the wood completely separated. I could have had it repaired for $225 (remove old wood, insert new piece of hardwood, re-drill bridge anchor holes, re-finish that section of the body, etc.). I didn't want a patchwork solution that would potentially have an issue again in the future and have tonal/sustain implications, so I opted to purchase a genuine Fender replacement Strat body for almost $400 all-in (including shipping, duty and taxes). When my luthier was making the part swap and doing the set-up, he identified that the truss rod adjustment bolt is stripped as well. Add another $100+.

Did the seller know? He claims not. I noticed the issue with the bridge stud the minute I opened the guitar case upon delivery. The truss rod issue?...OK, if he didn't adjust it himself, perhaps he wouldn't have known.

Again, I'm done!