Why do we always want more?????

[HellraiserJohnny]

Why do we buy more guitar gear, guitars and amps? Why are we never happy with using what we already have? Why do we always think that something else out there will make all the difference? I’ve done this for years and it never made me a better player, writer or sound engineer.

I think I’ve finally figured it . . . .

Now that I am older, I have realized that there is nothing I really NEED anymore. Yes, there are things I think I WANT but I think about it now and say to myself, why can’t you just do that with the one you already have?

I think the real answer is that there’s nothing out there you can buy that will make you any better, only learning and practice will do that. There’s nothing out there that can make you sound better than you are.

Now I understand that if I want to sound better, I have to be more disciplined in my practicing. If I want my writing to be better, I have to keep writing till I get there. If I want my recordings to sound better, I have to learn to listen to the work I think sounds better than me and practice sounding like that. I have to learn through others experience to learn how they got over the hurdles they faced.

This is one of the big reasons I am here at RT. There is a wealth of knowledge and experience here and I learn something new every day. I just wanted to say Thank You for all the RT members that share their experience and knowledge with me and to let you know that you make a difference.

 

[70 Mach 1]

Gear and pussy go hand in hand with me.
Once i get it i cant wait to get rid of it and try something else out

 

[Floyd Eye]

I just keep moving on to different shit. Gave up buying new gear and basses and guitars like a decade ago, then went on to, er, other shit. Now I'm concentrating on bad ass cars. And houses.

 

[HellraiserJohnny]

I just keep moving on to different shit. Gave up buying new gear and basses and guitars like a decade ago, then went on to, er, other shit. Now I'm concentrating on bad ass cars. And houses.

I know the feeling, at one time I wanted to OWE a milion dollars before I died.

 

[Floyd Eye]

I know the feeling, at one time I wanted to OWE a milion dollars before I died.

My houses and cars are all paid for.

 

[MadAsAHatter]

It's not always about wanting more. Sometimes it's about just trying something new or different.

 

[theclev]

I've never spent any time shopping for gear that wouldn't have been better spent playing it.

 

[84superchamp]

It's not always about wanting more. Sometimes it's about just trying something new or different.

If you like playing Surf and heavy metal, separate distinct rigs make it easier.

 

[Robostyle]

Interesting question, depends on the quest

 

[HellraiserJohnny]

Interesting question, depends on the quest

I have always looked at gear like a mechanic looks at tools. You can't work in an automotive shop with 2 x 1/2" wrenches. My gear are tools to do a job (to get a sound or have a sound that I don't already have). Early on I was under the impression you need a lot of gear to play a lot of different styles. Now I find that is not true (for me). Today I know that if I'm not getting the sounds or feel I want from my gear it's because I made assumptions about that gear and didn't take the time to learn how to use it. I also learned that some things have their own unique sound no matter what. That’s when I consider buying something.
With that being said, over 40 years I have accumulated 12 - Electric guitars, 2 - Acoustic guitars and 1 -Bass. Each of those guitars are unicorns. Most of them are 1-of-a-kind or rare (with the exception of the Bass, I needed one to cut bass tracks and bought it for $100).
I have only 1 amplifier (Synergy rig) in 2 different configurations - 2 x 2x12" cabs (Recording) and 2 x 4x12" (live). After owning the 2 - 4x12" cabs since the 80's and 90's I now know I will prolly never use them again as I don't really gig anymore, I might sell at least one of them and maybe keep 1 because the Marshall JCM 800/900 1960 B Cabs just have the Marshall sound in spades and could be used for recording.
I also have a recording studio I find myself looking at all kinds of things I think I WANT but the truth is, I really don't NEED them. This is something that took me a long time to understand hence the reason I said in the OP, "I need to learn to use/play what I have and only buy something new if it serves a purpose or a specific job".
I see some others are of the same mindset and that helps me to know I am making the right choices. Thanks to all who responded.