The price rise over the past 2 years defeated my GAS. Seriously ….pretty much stopped buying guitars - and I was at about 15 purchases a year for a while there
I’m a 50 year old man who has wanted to play the guitar since the age of six and started when I was 16. I don’t struggle with GAS. I’m just able to choose wisely once a year with my wife’s permission. It can range from $1200 to $5000 a guitar. This far only USA guitars. Patience is key.
My wife and I talked about guitars before she went to the hospital the last time. I am putting a collection together so each child or grandchild would inherit a guitar 'grandpa played.' She told me it was fine for me to get or order a guitar for Christmas, my birthday, or our anniversary, and have it come from her. She died from leukemia, but I have a guitar from her periodically. Cuts GAS for a reason. I play about 20 hours a week for folks who can't get out (assisted living, nursing home).
My GAS for guitars vanished once I finally decided to plunk down the money for a real Les Paul. I realized all purchases were just substituting for that!
My last purchase is fantastic and I play it daily. I play new and different songs, BUT it really makes me appreciate my other gear in a whole new way. I play acoustic and it was a $3k Martin. Thanks James at Casino for the help
When I bought my lowden I felt like the heavens had opened. 6 months later I maintain it’s the single best purchase I have ever made. Every show/ gig is an experience. Took me almost 2 years of playing and looking to finally pull the trigger.
I got a custom shop 335…. Probably could’ve used the money in another way, but I love that guitar, and glad I made the purchase. I can be living in a one bedroom apartment but I will have something I absolutely love.
I have learned so much by buying squires and that type guitars. It has taught me how to work on guitars to make them play better. It is all about music and the love of it. Besides I play at a squire level right now. I am enjoying this journey. I just want to pick up a really good guitar just once and feel the difference one day. Living in a small town and having to travel to do this means it will be awhile. Enjoy your videos!
I had gas just a few days ago and ordered one of those new paranormal jazzmaster 12 strings. It was the most impulsive I’ve ever been with a purchase over a couple hundred bucks. But heck, the bills had been paid and I had the dough. I’m excited about it and all the potential mods
I was always a one guitar man. Had my Gibson LP and an acoustic for 20 years and then picked up a Squier offset cheap from a mate and then it started. 3 years of buying a strat, tele, electric 12 string, new acoustic and winning a prs, jag, gretsch and ES335 - which still involved some substantial outlay. Calmed down completely now because I reckon I've covered all the bases, but that yamaha revstar with p90s has its pull on me...
Yeah … me too. Some workarounds though. Swapping out strings and collecting picks. Tried some über fancy Santa Cruz mid tensions that made my dread sing a different tune. That satiated me for only $24! And a trial pack of four Riversong maple and walnut picks for $10. Part of my 12 step program. Only 10 more to go!
I didn't think I had a gas problem. Bought my first guitar in 2010, Schecter Cosair with a Vox vt 30 amp and 2 acoustics. No problems for years, then last November a tele appeared, then in April a strat appeared! Two great guitars and I've been playing more than I have in years!! Now thinking I need a LP with P90's!! My boss lady thinks I need an intervention or beat!! I guess it is a real thing!! I'm just going to roll with it!! Keep up the great work guys!!
I found that spending most of my money on vintage guitars/amps to the point of getting just close to broke is the best cure for gas at least temporarily…
I still suck at guitar, but I've gotten into collector mode. I don't buy new guitars for tone chasing, but it's more like "I don't have that kind yet". Just bought a new Ibanez hollow body just because I've been saving up money, and it was time to scratch the itch. Some people want a bunch of different teles or Strats. I don't want duplicates of anything, and I save up for the nicer versions, though I'll probably never have the willpower for a $3000 Gibson.😂
My problem from childhood is fear of making a mistake combined with “this is your only chance.” So after forty years on acoustic I was ready to buy my first “real” amp. I tried to be so prepared, I made a spreadsheet of like my entire music collection trying to quantify what my tone was! Then I started another with all these specs, like preamp tubes, and I had very little idea of what it all meant. Then slowly whittling it down by watching demos on RU-vid to get to thirty five different amps: the “short list” lol. But then what could I actually try? Very few of them, because I wasn’t prepared to just tske a flyer. So my GAS is, I would like to try snd maybe get some of those contenders.
I bought some flat wound strings for my P bass, and that was the perfect magical gear purchase that gave me exactly what I wanted! Also, my Marshall DSL5 is pretty awesome! The MXR fat sugar was a good purchase too! I could keep going, but I buy slow and rarely sell, and I research a lot before buying. I also tinker and after 30 years almost know what I’m doing, so I take chances sometimes on stuff that needs work
Fixer uppers can be a great way to find a deal as long as the bones are good, though finding new parts for obscure models can get tricky and sometimes requires permanent modification
Early on in 2020, before I learned I was an "essential" worker, I went and bought a new iMac, interface, studio monitors, a MIDI controller, and new cables. In a few short months, I had added significantly to my guitar and bass collection. Some impulsive purchases, some thought out. The delayed gratification purchase was the Mule Resonator, which I've had for about 6 months. I wrestle that beast often, and I know a few songs and tricks on it, but I'm nowhere near ready for prime time. My current "want" list is pretty short these days. I'm more focused on playing and writing than acquisition. It feels pretty good. I have enough...
As a lefty, I’ve bought some obscure guitars that were spur of the moment (Rickenbacker 12str, Flying V, Gretsch Bo Diddley, PRS Custom 22, USA EVH Wolfgang), but I’ve had them 10-25 years and I use them and have fun with them- and I haven’t seen another one of any of them in a shop again. Being self employed I haven’t been able to have a holiday for 25 years, I don’t smoke, drink, drug, or gamble, or buy expensive clothes, cars, or eat in fancy restaurants. All I have as vices are concerts and guitars, and can afford everything I’ve bought. If you have to have one vice, this isn’t a bad one to have. Plus I think the collection is done!… unless a Lefty Jazzmaster comes along at the right price.
I’m not a lefty but I’m in the same boat. I’ve bought some beauty’s that I love. I saved for them by quitting drinking. So now, I never get the urge to drink anymore, I have beautiful guitars that I can actually play well because I’m not blacked out drunk, killed two birds with one stone.
As a lefty as well, exactly. I've had most of my 30 guitars somewhere between 2 years and 40 years. If I weren't a lefty and could swap guitars anywhere at anytime - like my right-handed friends - I'd have only a few. Plus, my friends who golf spend 1000s in green fees every year, with nothing really to show for it. But when you spend a fraction of that buying another guitar, people think you have a problem.
At my age now - retired with no disposable income - I'm actually relieved I don't feel driven to acquire an instrument anymore, to finally be content with what I have. If only, instead of buying, I could merely have access to various models to play and enjoy without pressure to buy - kinda like the local library or petting zoo in the country. Yeah, a petting zoo for guitars - I kinda like it! Years ago I got emotionally bummed and used that as an excuse to buy a guitar above my pay grade and not to my playing style, I struggled to make it a part of me for two years before trading it for a budget dreadnaught. I played that thing into the ground over the course of 10 years before parting with it. Every day I wonder if that guitar ever found a new home.
A few years back in an effort to trim the herd, I sold a P-Bass through a local shop. With a substantial amount of cash money in hand, a major GAS attack ensued. I left with an Epiphone 50th Anniversary 1962 Crestwood, a 2000 DeArmond S73, a Sigma Classical and a large hole in my pocket. Granted, this isn't top end stuff by any standard, but GAS is GAS no matter how many times the little lady locks the bedroom door.
I don't know. In my experience I kind of have a set of stuff that works for me now. A Strat, LP, SG, and nice acoustic with a Friedman amp and some pedals. If I ever feel the need to buy more stuff, it's because I haven't been playing recently. If I just play for a while my brain goes, "You know what? This is fine." There are still things I would like, but I don't feel like I need them anymore.
Thousands of dollars in credit card debt over many years. I am happy to say I am out of debt now. All those guitars, about 15 or 20 of them are gone. I am 66 yrs old. What I did was NO credit card purchases, and find vintage and non-vintage guitars that both condition and price were acceptable and obtainable with CASH. One thing I am proud of is I kept my first guitar, at age sixteen I got a 1966 Gibson J-50, I will get buried with that one. I think too that people forget that there is a talent thats needed and a 57 stratocaster will not make you SRV. That won't stop me from Enjoying my first love.
I have reached a point where I am satisfied with my gear. 10 guitars and five amps. I have also played the same pedal rig for ten years in a classic rock cover band and original studio work. The search is more fun than the destination. Reinventing yourself does help keep the artistry alive and fresh.
Before I buy musical gear I ask myself “Can I sell this item for more than I paid for it.” I just sold three guitars this month and I made money on all of them. I buy used from GC or pawn shops. I bought a Ibanez Tube Screamer for $49 years ago It’s a Japanese TS 10 and because John Mayer used them the price got up to $400 on Reverb. I like the Bad Monkey better.
It’s not just about the acquisition, GAS is about the desire, the dreaming and the search And sometimes the search is the fun part, not the having. As Mr Spock, who was a musician, said: “After a time, you may find that ‘having’ is not so pleasing a thing after all as ‘wanting.’ It is not logical, but it is often true.”
I think there is a sweet spot. I’ve been waiting for almost a year for a guy to build a custom amplifier. It’s almost done. I’m so tired of waiting. Longest I’ve waited before was 5 months for a guitar and amp to come in All that after figuring out what I wanted and saving up Not sure what the correct amount of time of wanting is perfect before the having, but it does make the having better, as long as it’s worth having anyway. Otherwise, remorse
I frequently deal with GAS.I recently bought a Gretsch because I thought it would be a nice thing to have and add something different to the arsenal. I think I may have found the tone I’ve been chasing my whole life. Sure I like my Strats and Teles, because that’s what my heroes played. But the Gretsch feels like ME. I don’t know how else to describe it but I may have had the heavens opening moment that Baxter talked about
It’s always fun to talk about GAS.. in this sense anyway. lol.. I hope you guys do a video on the 2023 Squier Paranormal series. I’ve got gas when it comes to a couple of those guitars.
That rascal bass looks amazing, no room for a squier shortscale at this point though, got 3 fender mustangs and a 77 musicmaster...gotta draw the line somewhere lol
I was in that rabbit hole ,I was buying 2 new guitars a month for over a year . Had 35 at one point .Of course they were all from different company's . Fenders ,Gibson's , Rickenbackers , Gretches, D,Angelicos . And in all different colors . Now I'm sorting out the ones I want to keep. Mostly the most expensive ones are keepers .But your sound is all in your fingers ,not the guitars .I can make a Squire sound like a American Standard. Or a Epihone like a Gibson . Your amp has a lot to do with this too. Its a musical device . Know your settings and you will know your own sound . 🇺🇸 🎸
I once sold everything....then, a year later, I started buying stuff again. This time, I was much more selective - I started from scratch in 2020 and I now own five guitars, one amp and seven pedals. I'm happy with all of them, but I used to have way too much stuff that I'd bought on impulse over the years and I felt like a change was needed. It was a weird feeling but I was ultimately happy I did what I did. I wouldn't say it cured me of GAS but I know my choices are more considered now than they used to be.
I was not looking for an acoustic guitar when I got my grandpa's Cort Earth-900 I like how it sounds and feels good even though it's not made any more It's great for fingerpicking
A timely video. Speaking of GAS, I just bought that Squier Paranormal Baritone that's over Jonathan's left shoulder! It was a treat to myself and I figured I would do it before the price inevitably goes up. I don't really have any more space in my tiny apartment, but hey it sounds and plays great! It will be the last guitar I buy for a while.
I knew I had a problem when I was on my way home from GC, with a brand new guitar in the back seat, and was ALREADY thinking about the next one. What is wrong with me? This is not normal behavior. 🥴
You are right, that's not normal behavior but if you put that same energy into finding band members you will realize it's time better so spent buying the gear to do it yourself !?
Last night, I was very thoughtful about the Wampler Plexi I was thinking about buying. thought for at least 5 seconds before I bought it. Bad gas last night.
I bought a really nice Spector Euro and was super pumped about it. I went to go get strap locks for it at Guitar center and came out with the locks…. and a Les Paul standard 😂 I love both the instruments but my bank account hates me. I had them on payment plans but then decided to just pay them off. It was all worth it though. They’re my best instruments and they sound great in the room and recording.
So the only problem I’ve noticed with this is when you buy a guitar online I don’t have the ability to play it but you do you do diligence you look into what I can and can’t do the woods that it’s made of the quality of the build it checks all the boxes you plug it in The neck feels weird. It doesn’t balance right and tone sucks that’s where.Gas can get you,versus enable to play it feel it be surprised what you can make it to
C.C. Top Music & Art in Carson City Nevada has been very helpful with my G.A.S. the past few months. A Charvel DK 24 A Gibson Explorer A Les Paul Tribute
I am a recovering GASoholic, but have flare ups occasionally. Maybe we should have one of those colored ribbons for GAS? (like breast cancer has pink ribbons).
GAS is real. I’ve bought either a guitar, amp head, speaker, cab, or pedal every two weeks for the past 2.5 yrs. I have a new power supply and wireless system that will be in Wednesday. Evh head will be in by Friday And I’m already thinking of ordering a new guitar and a pedal or 2 this week. I have a problem.
So my Guitar Bloat is a result of GAS, I thought I was there comment by Baxter is so Correct. I have a wall Full, I build them as donations for charities and Still have a Slash Victoria Goldtop I saw and couldn't walk past, the Weight, the price, and the ability to do layaway made this Classical GAS that was GOOD, I need to weigh it but sub or low 8lb'er
I really like Taylor guitars. They’ve released so many new or revised models the last couple of years. I’ve wanted all of them. After I bought a GT urban ash and an AD22E, I stopped. So far!😂. Fortunately I have only so much space to store them. If I buy something new, something has to go. I don’t want part with what I have. For now I only have GAS in my head! Hopefully it will stay there!😂 Hopefully my head won’t explode!
In my mid-50’s I’ve finally learned how to manage my GAS. I pick an item that hasn’t been released yet and jones for it. Currently jones: the Epiphone DG-335. Not any idea about a release, but it’s my next guitar.
I control my sickness by only purchasing new gear when I've saved enough gig money to cover the cost. It's a bit torturous, but oh how I savor my new gear when it arrives.
You know… The older you get the worse your gas can become. It’s probably because your wallet gets a little deeper in time. Then I will say that I suffer from the occasional gas… Truth be told I spent $10,000 last year on guitars… Got some cool ones though… My other problem is I refuse to sell anything I buy.
Mostly bad. Trick is to contain yourself and wait on that purchase for a day or a week to make sure it’s still wanted. Usually, it’s an irrational impulse based on a RU-vid demo or limited product release.
I dunno what to say about this considering G.A.S. got me one hell of a gear collection... My only suggestion is invest in desirable gear where you can park your money, and never pay full price for it. And that’s probably not good advice considering how may say vintage/high end gear don’t make good general investments. I say gold coins aren’t fun to play.
Breaking out my higher end basses feels like a rare treat because most often I play my MiM fenders and MiJ lawsuit types...those midlevel player grade instruments are honestly a far better value than a case queen, but you gotta chase inspiration whereever it comes to you
I’m building a studio next to my house so I can hide all my gear in there! 13 guitars and 13 amps, two PA’s and two drum sets and one bass amp! I may be all set, but who knows?
it puzzles me why people keep buying guitars for a 'special tone'. A lot of tone comes down to the amp you're using, even more so the speakers I that amp/cab. Then there's technique, effects, pickups...... What I'm saying is a little research goes a long way. If someone want that 'Stevie Ray Vaughan tone', do the research. Get the rig he used, it's a lot cheaper than buying 20 guitars! Also a set of Texas special pickups new + a soldering iron will cost you under $200. That's a lot less than a new guitar!!!
I look at GAS like I look at a box of crayons. After I had 3-4 guitars, I started to come up with a list of other “crayon” colors-instruments that have different sounds, different features, different body shapes and looks, and as of about a month ago, bought the last crayon I had on my list. I’m the same way with amps. Started with 2 and now I have 7. GAS is FUN!
