Who here has several guitars and amps but is not in a band?

[midnightlaundry]

Well put. Being in a band stinks.

You'd think the older you get, the less drama there would be in a band. But its the exact opposite. Still, I'd like to get with a few good players to make some noise. I mean, I've forgotten what my hotshit amps sound like at volume; its been so long..

 

[Red_Label]

I'm sort of in-between bands right now (though I have my first rehearsal with a possible candidate tonight).

I've gigged for the better part of 30 years and it's only been the last ten that I finally moved-up to the "boutique" level. I've probably played over a thousand gigs in three decades, and most of them were with pretty basic, non-forum-cred gear.

I'm a network admin and I've been at my current employer for almost 20 years. So I make good money. I do feel the need to "justify" my nice gear by gigging it once in a while (and the wife highly encourages that). But I'm getting old (47) and my back is shot, so LONG gone are the 2-5X weekly gig nights. I'm only willing to play 1-2X a month right now. That's enough to satisfy my need to play out and massage my guilt for having such nice gear.

It's "ironic" how the less that many guys play out, the more nice gear they can afford.

 

[Red_Label]

Well put. Being in a band stinks.

You'd think the older you get, the less drama there would be in a band. But its the exact opposite. Still, I'd like to get with a few good players to make some noise. I mean, I've forgotten what my hotshit amps sound like at volume; its been so long..

It's true. I absolutely HATE the drama. I've been saying for years that being in a band is like being married to four or five people. Most TWO person marriages fail... so it's DAMN hard to keep a band together. My last long-term band lasted for 14 years. But that dead horse had been SO beaten for the last four years of it that only the "easy" (pretty good) money kept me going.

Several years ago I got pissed at all of the drama (and a diva lead singer) of a band I was with and quit playing electric altogether. Just went out and did my own solo acoustic deal for almost two years. NO drama there. Small PA and light gear. It was really nice. But sadly, no drunk chicks showing me their titties!

 

[rsm]

I played in bands since I was a kid, my first paying gig playing guitar was when I was 14 years old (bass player was 14 too, drummer was 13, singer was 21 and did a great Freddie Mercury) - that band had many paying gigs for the 2 years we were together; played in bands (paid gigging) ever since until I got married early 30s and I stopped playing. Many years later I started getting back into playing, marriage is over, played a few gigs over the last several years, now looking for bass and drums for a new project. Had to move to a new city where I literally don't know anyone to be close to and so I can see my kid every week or more, that's my priority.

I own several guitars and basses, several modelers, an FRFR rig, Ableton Live + Push, down to four tube amps (2 are for sale), two solid state combos (keepers), two preamps, Torpedo CAB and several pedals still around.

Music is a hobby now, and I just want to do music I dig; I have originals too, would be cool to collaborate on recording and completing them with a band and play live again mix of covers and originals.

I (still) have a good job (so far)

 

[thunda]

at 56 now, I just don't have the desire to play 3-4 times weekly for little to no money even though I love to play live. I enjoy the occasional hired gun situation and the infrequent open jam situation. I simply no longer want to break my already broken back.

We got paid more 30 years ago than we do today. I still play out, but now it is on my own terms and I like it.

 

[Heritage Softail]

I got an opportunity to be in an acoustic band as a lead player. So I picked up a used Ovation and have been working out on it.

Did a quick iPhone vid, played it for the quick audition and am in to come stand in.

To put it in perspective my band gear will be an ovation and a Loudbox amp. And right now I'm listening to clips of a Diezel Lil Foker to see if I want to buy the used one for sale on here.

For me, music gear and logic don't share a connection point. They don't need to. Too much of life has logic and rationality.

Music is the release.

 

[rocknrolla]

One cool thing about being a basement warrior is that I don't have to figure out how to get a 100+ watt head and 4x12 cab to sound good at "My kids are asleep right upstairs" volume.
My 25 watt head is more power than I could every use now.

 

[dsquared]

how many do not play in a band
Not in a band. I am a small collector/hobbyist and guitar is not even my primary hobby.

how did you get the $$$ for such great gear?
I have a career and anything I spend on gear is disposable income.

Do you use all of the gear you own on a daily basis?
No. Everything gets used but it would be impractical to use it all daily. Some amps and guitars are used only a few times a year.

 

[Umyeahyeahyeah]

Just a hobby player.....play every weekend with my best bud who has his drum kit over my place.
Had a few amps and crap thru the years.
I get my toys by working my ass off to pay for them.

^^this

In my spare time I used to play online poker, until Washington State banned it in fall 2010. Then Obongo took it nationwide April 15, 2011(Black Friday) I don't think it's ever coming back ...That's when I got back into playing guitar. My gear purchases the last 3-4 years are not nearly as obscene as my taxes. "The Man" takes about $40k a year from me I make it, and they take it...
My fun now is a few beers and playing guitar w/ a friend on drums.

 

[Red_Label]

Just a hobby player.....play every weekend with my best bud who has his drum kit over my place.
Had a few amps and crap thru the years.
I get my toys by working my ass off to pay for them.

^^this

In my spare time I used to play online poker, until Washington State banned it in fall 2010. Then Obongo took it nationwide April 15, 2011(Black Friday) I don't think it's ever coming back ...That's when I got back into playing guitar. My gear purchases the last 3-4 years are not nearly as obscene as my taxes. "The Man" takes about $40k a year from me I make it, and they take it...
My fun now is a few beers and playing guitar w/ a friend on drums.

Sounds like obongo did you a favor! I can't believe that I actually typed that... makes me sick to my stomach!

Anyways... you're much better-off playing guitar than poker. And yeah... as a fellow tax-payer, I feel your pain. SOMEONE'S gotta pay the piper so the rats can breed, use their EBT cards, and vote more welfare for themselves by electing panderers.

 

[JTyson]

Just a hobby player.....play every weekend with my best bud who has his drum kit over my place.
Had a few amps and crap thru the years.
I get my toys by working my ass off to pay for them.

^^this

In my spare time I used to play online poker, until Washington State banned it in fall 2010. Then Obongo took it nationwide April 15, 2011(Black Friday) I don't think it's ever coming back ...That's when I got back into playing guitar. My gear purchases the last 3-4 years are not nearly as obscene as my taxes. "The Man" takes about $40k a year from me I make it, and they take it...
My fun now is a few beers and playing guitar w/ a friend on drums.

Sounds like obongo did you a favor! I can't believe that I actually typed that... makes me sick to my stomach!

Anyways... you're much better-off playing guitar than poker. And yeah... as a fellow tax-payer, I feel your pain. SOMEONE'S gotta pay the piper so the rats can breed, use their EBT cards, and vote more welfare for themselves by electing panderers.

 

[dsquared]

Just a hobby player.....play every weekend with my best bud who has his drum kit over my place.
Had a few amps and crap thru the years.
I get my toys by working my ass off to pay for them.

^^this

In my spare time I used to play online poker, until Washington State banned it in fall 2010. Then Obongo took it nationwide April 15, 2011(Black Friday) I don't think it's ever coming back ...That's when I got back into playing guitar. My gear purchases the last 3-4 years are not nearly as obscene as my taxes. "The Man" takes about $40k a year from me I make it, and they take it...
My fun now is a few beers and playing guitar w/ a friend on drums.

Sounds like obongo did you a favor! I can't believe that I actually typed that... makes me sick to my stomach!

Anyways... you're much better-off playing guitar than poker. And yeah... as a fellow tax-payer, I feel your pain. SOMEONE'S gotta pay the piper so the rats can breed, use their EBT cards, and vote more welfare for themselves by electing panderers.

so the rats can breed and use their EBT cards? fuck you, fuck off

 

[Red_Label]

so the rats can breed and use their EBT cards? fuck you, fuck off

Ouch... sorry. Did it hit a little too close to home?


The chronic welfare class (many of whom are too damn lazy to get or keep a job) don't get to have their cake and eat it too. The stigma of accepting handouts used to be enough motivate people to get up off their ass and EARN their keep, just like everyone else. But we have now a permanent class of "victims" who feel entitled to TAKE TAKE TAKE and NEVER rightfully earn that which they receive. And many of us who DO drag our asses out of bed every damn day are beyond mother-fucking TIRED of carrying our weight while these sonsofbitches spend their days fucking-up their own lives and their children's lives... all the while being pissed at those who work and pay taxes to support their sorry asses.

Meanwhile, leftist politicians pander to these people, keeping them wallowing in their own filth, just to buy another vote and further increase their political power.

It used to be that people had the balls to call bullshit when they saw it, but now we're so damn politically-correct that we detour around the elephants in the room rather than speak cold, hard truth. My words aren't true for everyone who've found themselves in difficult times. But they damn sure are true for everyone who makes excuses about not being able to find or keep jobs, when the reality for them is that they've found a comfortable little place to hang where they don't have to deal with the daily bullshit that us chump working-stiffs have to deal with. I see them lined-up in front of the local municipal court every day by the hundreds... paying their fines. Of course, it's ALWAYS someone else's fault that they're there. They were framed. They weren't driving drunk and with a suspended license. They didn't hit a pedestrian in a vehicle while uninsured (my wife's life-long injuries tell another story).

So grow the fuck up and stop pretending this shit doesn't go on every single day in every city. It does, and and about damn time those who work to keep this behemoth shitwagon rolling start telling the dead weight to get off their asses and help or get lost!

 

[jcm800x4]

Got my first guitar when I was 10 i think. Had it for 2 years before I knew how to tune it. Started playing out when I was 15. I just turned 47. I took 3 years off from the band thing. Got burned out and my real career was kicking into high gear during that period. Other than those years, I've always been in a band of some sort. Theres nothing like it. My current band is probably the best band I've ever been in from top to bottom. Singer/keyboard player is amazing, and a great song writer. Drummer is a founding member of Tora Tora from the mid 80's early 90's. Bass player is a football coach from one of the local high schools (big dude too...keeps us out of trouble ) we are all in our mid to late 40's and we can bring it. I have way more gear than anyone needs but I've worked my ass off for it over the years. I have no problem with bedroom players. As long as youre playin

 

[Deanmachine]

This thread got ugly...

 

[charvelstrat81]

as a fellow tax-payer, I feel your pain. SOMEONE'S gotta pay the piper so the rats can breed, use their EBT cards, and vote more welfare for themselves by electing panderers.

https://youtu.be/ektZ_RC1VL8?t=13s

 

[Deanmachine]

Where do I sign up for the Ebt friedman vouchers?

 

[midnightlaundry]

JJ French puts it into perspective.

http://www.blabbermouth.net/news/twiste ... its-stock/

 

[DannyM]

Multiple guitars, heads, cabs, pedals...not in a band. I dont have time for a band.

I'm an IT professional 8 to 5 five days a week, I have a wife and daughter at home.
After work I go home, work out, eat dinner, play a little on my gear, spend some time with the family, rest, rinse, repeat.
On weekends I do yard work, bbq, drink beer, play video games, play guitar, shoot guns, run errands, spend time with the family.

I'd like to be in a band but don't have time in my life to make that commitment.
I was in a band, it was fun. Gigging adrenaline was awesome! Marked that off the bucket list and now just thrash at home and start mosh pits in my room





....well, imaginary mosh pits

 

[eljodon]

I'm not in a band, but I own a bunch of amps and guitar. I also have a studio that was professionally built with a Pro Tools HD5 system in one Mac Pro and a Logic Pro X in another Mac Pro with a ton of sample libraries and plugins.I also have a nice collection of mics, Mic preamps, an SSL XRack for 16 channel summing,SSL eq's and SSL comps. I've done many tracks for CBS,NBC,HBO,Fox and some in Spanish TV plus scored a couple of cartoons. I've been doing it since 1997 non stop. I do a lot of Blues,Rock and Metal, but I also write dance tracks,Hip Hop, Orchestral stuff and many Latin styles. I learned many styles so I can stay competitive but I started with Latin music first. I was able to buy all my gear with the $$ I made in music.