Why Do I Do This?

[Jeff_H]

I have seven electric guitars and one acoustic guitar (Taylor 314CE). Electrics include a Les Paul Standard, USA Dean Hardtail, Hwy 1 Strat, Custom Ash Strat and a couple other slightly lesser guitars (under $600). I have a Marshall 1/2 stack and a great modeling/effects processor (Boss GT-6).

But I don't play out live, and I haven't had any regular jams or basement get togethers since I moved to NC (2 1/2 years ago). I don't have any prospects of playing live anytime soon, nor do I have the time right now to devote to developing that.

So my question is....why do I continue to have GAS for additional guitars and amps? What is with this compulsion? I certainly don't play all of the guitars I own, yet save for 1 or 2 can't bear to get rid of them.

Does this place do this to you?

[LesStrat]

No. It's only you.

[doveman]

I resemble that comment!

[Skullkrusher]

Has it really been 2 1/2 years since your move? Man...........time flew by.

[Dan-ola]

That is the first thing my wife says! "Well, if you were playing out regularly..."

I have to try to fight the idea that the next guitar I buy will be "the ONE", the one I play constantly, the one that will make me play better, the one that will get me a band and gigs Just need to learn to shut up and play the ones I have! Now if I could just find the time...

Dano

[Diego]

Nope. That's why I still haven't bought an extension cabinet.

[H8Red442]

Dude I've NEVER been in a band aside from a bizarre Metallica cover band in high school and jammin with tthose same guys over the years from time to time. But I've owned 40+ guitars and have a custom BC Rich coming soon and a Mesa Dual Recto... its the love of playing. For me it was never about showing off to a crowd but being part of what i loved so much and that was music. Jamming with CDs is just fine for me. However at 32 I am onthe verge of joining my firs band wth the drummer of the cover band and a friend of his.

[William Walstra]

I couldn't handle spending money like that on guitars, I have a single guitar. Not even an amp right now. I own a decent selection of dirt/street/mountain bikes, mind you. With a total spendings close to that of a brand new Honda Civic... people wonder why I'm broke

[ParaGuitarMedic]

If I wasn't playing out/sessions/tours I would still buy all this gear! It's what makes fellas like us so great!

[Scott_F]

YOu're asking this of a guy that just picked up his 5th very expensive guitar?

I had to start bulding amps in self-defense.

[Jeff_H]

Dude I've NEVER been in a band aside from a bizarre Metallica cover band in high school and jammin with tthose same guys over the years from time to time. But I've owned 40+ guitars and have a custom BC Rich coming soon and a Mesa Dual Recto... its the love of playing. For me it was never about showing off to a crowd but being part of what i loved so much and that was music. Jamming with CDs is just fine for me. However at 32 I am onthe verge of joining my firs band wth the drummer of the cover band and a friend of his.

See, this is really me. I just love the guitar and playing along with CD, or just jamming to some backing tracks. i also just "want" some guitars like a 58' or 59' LP Historic, and a couple others. They are definately wants and not needs. I really am not at a place in my life where having a regular gig or jamming more than once in a while is a priority. Sometimes, I'll even go several weeks without picking up a guitar.

Golf, cigars and guitars are really the only 3 hobbies in my life that have remained for any period of time. They come and they go as far as daily activities, but they are always there.

Best of luck with joining the band.

[Jeff_H]

YOu're asking this of a guy that just picked up his 5th very expensive guitar?

I had to start bulding amps in self-defense.

I just blew snot out of my nose!

[JOLLY]

I have no idea what you're talking about. This behavior seems very rational to me.

[davedvdy]

The average person doesn't know anything about most of this stuff, so you ultimately should just do it since you enjoy using the gear.

[OUTLAW1969]

That is the first thing my wife says! "Well, if you were playing out regularly..."
Dano

My wife said that once..........ONCE!!!!

My response that prevented it from ever being said again was:

"Yeah....Well, when I met you I had a Harley parked in my living room, six Les Pauls on the wall, two Marshall half stacks in the corner, and a condom machine hanging on the wall by the couch. I was a gigging musician and that seemed to appeal to your wilder side, but now I got a great job in order to give us pretty much everything that we want. But I am still me, I only play out occassionally now, and work to provide us both with anything and everything that we desire. The guitars and Harleys are ME.......and I thought that is who you married!!!!!!"

It seemed to work, as she has never brought it back up again. However she still insisted on me not re-installing the condom machine when we bought our next home, and parking the bikes in the garage!

[ericmeyer4]

I have 2 electrics, 2 acoustics, and a lap steel I'm working on. I don't have a band I just record my own stuff and that seems like too many guitars. I only use my Warmoth VIP. The lap steel is in pieces, one acoustic hangs on the wall. It was the first guitar I ever owned so I need to keep it. The other electric sits in the corner looking pretty. I havn't even played it and its been a while since I refinished it. My Ovation acoustic/electric sits at my girlfriends house. I almost never play it over there. I think I might sell that one.

[davedvdy]

Dude, I'm on the verge of not playing guitar in a band. The only steady work is with the bass for me right now. I don't even own a bass amp, I'm borrowing the one the guitar has.

Can't you blow out the speaker doing that? The few times I plugged my bass into my guitar amp, the speaker was really moving, lol.

[JammerMatt]

My wife said that once..........ONCE!!!!

.... However she still insisted on me not re-installing the condom machine when we bought our next home, and parking the bikes in the garage!

Outlaw, that's a funny story. Seems the ladies find someone they really like, and spend alot of energy "molding" him into someone they think he should be. And once they have that, they discover that they don't like him anymore.

Okay, sorry to Hijack - but that's a funny story.

[JammerMatt]

So my question is....why do I continue to have GAS for additional guitars and amps?

'Cuz you don't have yerself a Jackson .

[OUTLAW1969]

Outlaw, that's a funny story. Seems the ladies find someone they really like, and spend alot of energy "molding" him into someone they think he should be. And once they have that, they discover that they don't like him anymore.

Okay, sorry to Hijack - but that's a funny story.

I agree with them trying to mold us into what they want, however it did not really work for her. I think she is frustrated now because I did not really change at all.

I got a more steady income, and that is enough conforming for me.

Meanwhile I equate more income with more gear and toys........and she is left wondering what happened to "her plan".