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.

 

[Omnipotent1]

Ima resurrect this thread & say that I never had the opportunity to play or experience the gear I saw everyone else have when I was younger/growing up so I’m experiencing it now to see if it was everything I was missing out on or if it was overrated hype. Been enjoying every second of it.

 

[VonBonfire]

Ima resurrect this thread & say that I never had the opportunity to play or experience the gear I saw everyone else have when I was younger/growing up so I’m experiencing it now to see if it was everything I was missing out on or if it was overrated hype. Been enjoying every second of it.

Finances have always forced me to keep a lid on gear and sell stuff that didn't meet the grade or wasn't getting used. Even though I pretty much have everything I need, there are always maintenance items like tubes, picks, strings. Redundant gig specific items like pedals. And wear items like speaker recones. All of which can suck down plenty of cash on their own. So even with a utilitarian approach there are always some needs.

I'm down to three electric guitars with one for sale, but I'd really like to have a third for blues jams since I hate tuning my gig axes to E standard. I'd still like to pickup another K-120 and have the blown one I got reconed. I'd like a set of Neos too so I have one amp that isn't a backbreaker and I still gotta low watt vintage amp that needs work cause it makes a great studio rig.....even small wants add up quick. There's a couple grand or more right there, smh. This is why I don't collect...I can't afford to maintain it all and it's just monkey on my back.

 

[Omnipotent1]

Finances have always forced me to keep a lid on gear and sell stuff that didn't meet the grade or wasn't getting used. Even though I pretty much have everything I need, there are always maintenance items like tubes, picks, strings. Redundant gig specific items like pedals. And wear items like speaker recones. All of which can suck down plenty of cash on their own. So even with a utilitarian approach there are always some needs.

I'm down to three electric guitars with one for sale, but I'd really like to have a third for blues jams since I hate tuning my gig axes to E standard. I'd still like to pickup another K-120 and have the blown one I got reconed. I'd like a set of Neos too so I have one amp that isn't a backbreaker and I still gotta low watt vintage amp that needs work cause it makes a great studio rig.....even small wants add up quick. There's a couple grand or more right there, smh. This is why I don't collect...I can't afford to maintain it all and it's just monkey on my back.

Monkey on the back!!! You just said my anxiety term or that can mean being reprimanded by @Monkey Man … jkjk I say that all the time haha hate the feeling Brother gear adds up so quick… should be more affordable for the masses but people knocking heads these days, & the flippers/scalpers just keep ruining the market.. jbl k-120? Those are a pretty penny which guitar you sellin!? For gigging musicians the tables turn. Collections become clutter no doubt… Have to take more of a realist approach. I get it

 

[VonBonfire]

Monkey on the back!!! You just said my anxiety term or that can mean being reprimanded by @Monkey Man … jkjk I say that all the time haha hate the feeling Brother gear adds up so quick… should be more adorable for the masses but people knocking heads these days, & the flippers/scalpers just keep ruining the market.. jbl k-120? Those are a pretty penny which guitar you sellin!? For gigging musicians the tables turn. Collections become clutter no doubt… Have to take more of a realist approach. I get it

The JBL's weren't too bad when I first got into them. Heck in the 90's you almost couldn't give them away.....

Selling an Edwards LP....nice axe, Lollar and Gibson pickups, but I dunno....I like it but it's a slim taper and well, LP upper fret access leaves it sitting in the case all the time. Gotta pay some bills too. I think my end-game 3rd axe will probably be a PRS of some sort. Different, better fret access, and pisses off blues police, even though I'm a badge holder now, lol. I went from hating PRS to respecting Paul seeing as how he hasn't sold his company down the river for a few bucks like everyone else. I guess he's earned my respect through quality and commitment, two things sorely lacking in the gear world these days among the majors.

 

[The~Kid]

Honestly.......


Not entirely sure......


Maybe because they haven't done anything in their life worth a damn and are miserable fucks....



Me I'm just happy to stop...... Take the time ....... And smell the roses

 

[Omnipotent1]

The JBL's weren't too bad when I first got into them. Heck in the 90's you almost couldn't give them away.....

Selling an Edwards LP....nice axe, Lollar and Gibson pickups, but I dunno....I like it but it's a slim taper and well, LP upper fret access leaves it sitting in the case all the time. Gotta pay some bills too. I think my end-game 3rd axe will probably be a PRS of some sort. Different, better fret access, and pisses off blues police, even though I'm a badge holder now, lol. I went from hating PRS to respecting Paul seeing as how he hasn't sold his company down the river for a few bucks like everyone else. I guess he's earned my respect through quality and commitment, two things sorely lacking in the gear world these days among the majors.

Agreed.. PRS is the Ford of the guitar world in a way lol commendable company. I always underestimated them but as time has went on I see their axe’s were involved in many of my favorite tunes growing up. Especially in the studio. I’ve had a great friend of mine trying to persuade me to make the switch. He’s a PRS fanatic.. Considering a silver sky in the future. Blues police lmao I’m guessing Gibson semi-hollow body/strat fanboys..

 

[VonBonfire]

Agreed.. PRS is the Ford of the guitar world in a way lol commendable company. I always underestimated them but as time has went on I see their axe’s were involved in many of my favorite tunes growing up. Especially in the studio. I’ve had a great friend of mine trying to persuade me to make the switch. He’s a PRS fanatic.. Considering a silver sky in the future. Blues police lmao I’m guessing Gibson semi-hollow body/strat fanboys..

Strangely enough I'm the only regular semi hollow abuser around here and strats are not super common which is weird considering the SRV/JLV effect in central Texas. It's mostly LP's and teles at the jams nowadays with a strong emphasis on the LP's.

 

[BABMusic]

The human mind and desires are limitless, but the body is limited.

 

[67mike]

My houses and cars are all paid for.

Nice.

Inheritance or Sugar Momma?

 

[Omnipotent1]

Nice.

Inheritance or Sugar Momma?

Lieutenant Dan got me invested in some kind of fruit company…