What's Enough Amps..For Me; the amp purge method and final choices 

Well geez I WAS gonna send you this vintage tweed Deluxe but looks like you are all set.

Don’t ever lose that Snorlax. He sparks much joy.

Selling off my huge pedalboard for a small modeler. Selling off my cheap guitar collection for 1 good one. Keeping my 1 amp. Experiencing zen: priceless.

“Getting the least music from the most gear” hurt me in a way I didn’t know I could be hurt

" . . . marriage DE-LAMINATED . . .". Very interesting way of describing the process. For my first marriage words such as "deteriorated" "imploded" "disintegrated" "descended into gut wrenching chaos" come to mind. I'm glad you came through it, Keith. You seem to be at peace now and future focused, as am I.

Your plain spoken and direct commentary on gear sets you apart on RU-vid, Keith. I appreciate you sharing parts of your personal life that underscore your commentary about transitions and introspection in life. Keep up the great work.

Seriously one of the most genuine people on RU-vid. The world needs more Keith Williams’s

The most elusive part of my 46 year guitar playing journey has been finding my own musical voice. I’ve been through all the copycat phases, wanting to play like everyone from Randy Rhoads to Stevie Ray to Al Di Meola…….and on and on. It seems logical to mirror the equipment of an admired artist to sound like that artist. But for me it was very unfulfilling and shallow. Real progress was made when I started over with nothing but an acoustic guitar and began to play what was in my heart. I started to love the guitar again. Today I have a Strat, a Tele, a Taylor acoustic, a loud Fender tube amp, and a less loud Fender tube amp. I have 4 pedals which I don’t use. What I do use is my picking attack, volume, and tone knobs. I rarely leave the neck pickup and my clean sound is so full and rich that I am completely satisfied. I haven’t searched for tone for a couple of years. I’m not disappointed in my playing because I no long focus on trying to play like someone else with equipment that doesn’t fit with who I am. In fact, I think I might even be getting to be a half decent player. And that is a really good feeling. Great video. Thanks for all the hard work.

My "ideal music life" is so modest it's embarrassing. I simply want to play alone, at home, along with my favorite songs, accurately.

I vote that Keith be recruited for the "Calm" app to read a sleep story.... Dude, you've got a very calming, soothing voice...

This was just the Friday morning Zen that I needed before a busy weekend of playing music! Thanks for sharing your journey with us all.

What I most appreciate about this show is it gives me "permission" to keep the five amps I own. Thanks! ;-)

This is a beautiful rumination on meaning in life, not just gear. Thanks!

These 18 months have taken such a toll on so many individuals and relationships. All of us have had to take stock of what is most important, what we value at our core. Sure, it looks different for different people, musically and relationally. You have been inspiring us to do this before March 2020 and continue to do so. Thank you for your dedication to the Five Watt World in which we all (metaphorically and in so many ways literally) must live.

I love having a small collection. I have 2 Ric basses (a 4 string and a 5 string) and 2 amps (an Ashdown and an 80s Ric amp). I'm never lost in a sea of choices.

Funny, when my marriage ended, I went from 1 amp to 5 and 2 guitars to 10! No Regrets! I might need to add a Victory. :D Wishing you all the best, I hope those amps continue to spark joy.

Genuine insights, refreshing honesty, and respectful candor. Appreciate and respect what you're doing here.

So much wisdom in the things you’ve said Keith. I really appreciate your presentation style and your transparency. It is very real and refreshing. Just trying to get me to think critically about what is “essential “. Thank you. Best wishes to you my friend. The future has great things in store.

For me, the 5 watt philosophy is "you don't need to spend a ton of money to get what you want". The goal is to get the music you want, without spending everything you've ever earned. The community is here for you, Keith. Take any time you need. We will be here whenever you need us. I recently ended a 12 year relationship, and found what i was missing - changing nearly everything. But i've still got my pile of craigslist amps and guitars!

Slash has been playing pretty much the same amps, strings, picks, straps, guitars, etc. from the beginning. He says he doesn't like messing with things. Works for me.

As always, a great channel to watch. I always love the info and opinions that come with these videos...even if I agree with them or not. This particular video struck home with me as I have been in the same mind set. I am a sucker for new gear, guitars, and amps, but at the end of the day, I can really say that I gravitate to using 2-4 guitars, out of my small collection and only one of my 4 amps. I may be down-sizing my amp/guitar collection to what I use regularly. I'm just an at-home player and occasionally play with others (when time permits).

Keith - Love your videos. This time of year I like to work outside with the amazing colours of changing leaves and crisp air. Head in at the end of the day and sit by the fire tinkering on an old acoustic guitar. That's how your videos make me feel. Keep makin them!

This was such a wonderfully done video my Friend. Loved every part of it. I'll bé watching and rewatching this one. Appreciate all thé care,honesty and thoughfulness that you invest in these videos. Thanks again, Keith !

Another great segment on simplifying...thanks Keith. I really took to light weigh backpacking/thru-hiking a few years ago, and the process of only taking what you truly need, and evaluating every item in your pack, has transcended hiking into all aspects of what I do...including music. While I don;t cut off all the tags on my music gear, or drill holes in my pedal board to save weight, I do look at everything in a more holistic manner, Thanks again, and best wishes through this journey.

your video's just seem to come at just the right time for me. ( when to buy& when to sell) keeping me focused on my playing and not on ordering stuff off the internet! thank you

Great CALL ! Thank You Keith Williams for it all .

I love your channel...your videos are always informative, & honest; there's always an important message that seems to find me at exactly the right time!

Thank you again Keith. Such a great video, I really love how you present your information. Please keep putting out all this great content. You are extremely inspiring person.

You do great videos Keith. This one was particularly interesting. I got involved in guitar playing in around 1969. I didn't get what you could call semi serious until a bit later. At one time I had one of the original hot pink paisley Telecaster. This was 1970, before Brad was born(maybe). For a long time I mostly went with my Takamine acoustic that I have had with me since 1975. She's awesome. Now, here at the age of 71 I'm getting a little more serious. I'm getting back into the electric world and I want to gain more real understanding of what playing can be. I really appreciate your efforts and the efforts of your like minded army of RU-vidrs. You all are a great help I'm guiding people like me towards our goals. Thanks again.

Thanks for this Keith - as I've shared in the past, Five Watt World has inspired me to work on the "least gear" concept, hoping to get to "more music" in the process. My amp history has really just focused on Fender and Vox - but I feel I really need to check out the Victory VC35 Copper. Looking forward to the next 2 videos.

Great to hear the shoutout for amps. I started with learning about guitars, then learned how to build/design/mod amps and found more good tone with amps amps rather than more guitars. All my guitars are stock but few amps are.😎 Great channel; thanks for all you do for us Keith!

Eloquence and elegance in your videos and gear reviews! Always great and so informative.

Keith - nice, thanks for posting and sharing where you are at. I too am trying to always own only what is essential, with both gear and in life, so I always have a keen interest in your thoughts.

A thoughtful and well-reasoned video. You've acted on something we've all thought about. I commend you for getting that far. I don't want my widow to have to muck out this guitar cave, but so far I haven't made a move. Maybe this vid will be an inspiration. Thanks.

This is such a great video. Walking through the methodical process of finding what *works* for you in the gear realm I think can be so freeing and inspiring.

I've been where you are Keith, and I'll probably be there again. Thanks for sharing so many positive thoughts and tips.

I have to say that I truly enjoy and love your videos.... I started watching thinking this was an Amp video.... it turned out this is a life confession. This is a let-go exercise, not just of amps, but letting go of things that don’t help us move on. I must admit it brought laughs, sights, teary eyes, and a sense of relief at the end. I don’t know, it must be my age.

Thanks for sharing this, Keith. Your honesty struck a chord with me.

Keith, you have inspired me again. I love you and this channel for that. Recently I stumbled onto my own solution: one 10” bass cab, one 12” guitar cab, one tube amp head, one Quilter 50 watt solid state, and one bass head. I get all of the effects I need from a Boss EQ and Blues Driver pedals. Everything else is too heavy or unnecessary. Next, the instrument collection.

I'm never triggered by your videos or focus on less gear and more music (and my collection is approaching "too much"). I appreciate your POV and although it's different from mine I can still benefit from watching & supporting your channel. Thank you for sharing everything with us.

Interesting… I too, had found that I own entirely too much gear and have gone into “purge” mode. I no longer own 16 tube amps, 56 guitars, 16 basses, 3 drum sets, a serious - SERIOUS collection of synthesizers, and a myriad of recording equipment and rack mount gear, etc. I’m no longer gigging, so I felt I no longer needed all that gear. I also have the Fractal AXE FXIII, AX8, Line 6 Helix, POD HD500X, Kemper floor, and the Quad Cortex. The modelers are terrific and beyond compare (in my world) for recording. It’s just so easy to get a tone and have it dialed in perfectly. They (again, to me) are the best for what I do. I did however buy my last amp (praying cause I’m weak lol) I purchased a Ceriatone OTS Mini 20 (Dumble clone) that I had played one night at a jam-fest, and that amp was glorious! So, I came home and immediately ordered one and it’ll be here in a few more months, but I don’t see myself purchasing anymore tube amps, or other gear, as what I have left should suffice for years to come… 45yrs of collecting gear was enough for me and I believe I’ve learnt my lesson, as far as having every bit of gear I’d ever wanted, instead of making the gear I have currently (tons of gear still) work for my situations. Great time to be alive and a guitarist! Thanks for the terrific videos and the mind-set! Best! ✌🏼

Of all your videos, this one helped me the most. Thank you dearly.

Holy crap man! This has been the exact story of my life the last year and a half. Divorce, lost material possessions, cross country move, reevaluating what is important (not coming up with many answers). Right now I am in the rebuild phase of my life and content with my Boss Katana in my living room and a decent pedal board. It is certainly enough for me to create music. I also read the Marie Kondo book. I am enjoying (for now) my reduced possessions. My friends laugh at me for not having many “things” right now. I don’t care. I’m saving money and get ready for the next chapter. Health, music, and good work…..it’s all I got right now. Peace Five Watt!

Keith, You are a real inspiration. I had a similar collection of gear. Kept buying and buying to fill voids that I had/have. Ever since I started watching your videos I began selling my gear. I still haven't reached the point to where I'm making the most music but I'm getting there. I'm down to 3 amps (fender 66 bassman, matchless HC30 and a suhr PT15) If pressed I could do everything with just the PT15. I have 5, mostly cheap, guitars possibly keeping only 3 but I'm still working on that

I agree with your concept. A logical approach to gear makes sense, even though many of us search for that “golden tone” . Thanks for sharing this content!

This vid contained the precise thoughts and words I needed to hear at my personal point in my journey. Very grateful. Thanks, Keith.

Bill Frisell is known for utilizing loops and delay effects, but he always gets great sound and tone no matter the toys he employs. I like doing the same and have scaled down to 3 or 4 effects boxes and using 2 out of 7 amps both for playing by myself and with others: an old Fender Blues Deluxe (that I put casters on years ago for easier transport) paired with either an old Acoustic Bass 20 watt or a newer Line6 Amplifi 75 watt. I also have other smaller amps. Only the Blues Deluxe was bought new. Another great video. I always appreciate your insights. Down to earth. Much appreciated.

The next video I was looking for!!! These are my favorite videos of yours Keith. And congrats on pairing down the amps

Thank you for sharing your story. In a similar way, my own soul searching in an emotional transitional period forced me to decide what kind of a player I was as well. I went with an mx5 in a similar setup to your hx stomp. Couldn't be happier. Now the cherished blackfaces stay at home, and I can bring that sound with me anywhere in just about any scenario I need to. Playing > Shopping Sometimes a downsize is a huge upgrade for the soul.

Neil Young’s core rig has stayed pretty stable, recent addition of newer Magnatone notwithstanding Mike Campbell possibly. Simplification is more challenging for those of us who prefer to avoid multi-effects units.

Thanks Keith. You're still ahead of me. Running a Fender Accustisonic 30 and a Vox AC15C1. Playing a church and before COVID in a pit band for local HS musicals over the past 6 years. A pedal board and I'm off. I'm new to the channel. Love the short histories. I too love making music with others and teaching guitar.

As always, excellent show, Keith. Thank you!

Always love your honesty and practicality, Keith! I’m personally not a fan of having more amps than I will use all of the time and won’t take up too much space, so I understand where you’re coming from. I have 7 amps (custom built 2x12 AC30, a Fender Hot Rod Deluxe, a Spark, a Henriksen jazz amp 110, a little Fender modeler, a little Kustom 10 watt, and currently getting a 1x12 AC30 built with power scaling for quieter practice and smaller to carry for gigs.) Looking to sell the Henriksen, Hot Rod, and Kustom soon because they don’t get used ever.

Just completed this somewhat grueling process myself, although it was just downsizing from 7 to 3 amps. Kept my favorite, a Swart 5 watt Atomic Jr head played thru Celestion Blue cab, a PRS Sweet 16, and an Ampeg Bass PF20-T. Six-string played thru the Ampeg sounds great ... except for the amp hum which has defied all my efforts to eradicate it, but still a great sound so I kept it.

Keith, thanks for sharing that. Lots to think about in there. Best wishes.

Read and was influenced by a peer reviewed psych journal long ago (haven't found it since) regarding a Japanese concert pianist spent a sabbatical year off instrument immersed in performance visualization and returned with exceptional improvement. My first big stage was 10 steps from backline to footlights. Stretched 2 cables between a Boss pedal; looking over shoulder played whole show terrified was gonna pull amp wall down. A room full of gear was my emotional response to the pros and cons of minimalism. Heedless of all my therapeutic advice my wish lists and shopping carts, though unpurchased, remain full. Great show, thanks.

Great thoughts behind all this Keith. New to your channel and really enjoying it. Thanks for all you do.

Inspirational guitar players Johnny Winter, James Taylor, John Fahey, Angus Young, Jimi, Stephen Stills, Jack Johnson. Your content resonated with me immediately. Thanks! 🙂

Simple is beautiful. Loss is painful. Honoring both enables growth. Good video sir.

thanks 5 watt, you've helped inspire me to figure things out guitar wise and music wise, and the direction for me to take. I have a reverse situation (explained below), so when getting next set of gear, I'll be set . Also truefire is great and lot of great players on there teaching their skillz. It's funny I had dozens of guitars and 2 dozen amps, and had about 15 pedals or so . . . because I was more a dabbler and collector than a player, as I got into guitars during college and after graduating, I had real adult money with low rent and paid off car. When I got into video games a few years ago, I sold anything guitar related off. But strange how things work I forgot about my 90's peavy amp, a tweed champ, and a fender twin reissue, two teles, the PRS mira, heritage lp, p and j bass, the classical @ the parent's. I'd left it behind during moves and essentially forgot about it. Video games I'm into, but not hardcore . . . so I had extra time and (building championship esport pc rigs every 3 years does cost serious $$). I ran into my old college buddy (old money so he's like Joe Bonamassa style, collector), and he was going on his usual shopping spree (LA, so you know has lot of great g fiddle stores that we'd be hitting up). While he was closing the deal on some, I saw a shiny metal guitar on the acoustic side where MIM tele / Epiphone section is. I didn't know what it was but it was recognizable (later going through my blues collection and saw Bukka White and other blues guys with resonators), and when I played it, it was a weird sound, but it touched me. It was under 1K so I got it. Later I wound find out all about resonators. So that's my main so far, and will save for the american built reso, as the nationals and mules my buddy has are way more tonal than what I got (though mine does get close). But only a few, and maybe an ES type guitar and 1 strat. . . and that's about it . . . So far been just starting out slow, learning scales and more chords, and on truefire taking some lessons with the resonator.

I've spent the pandemic tweaking, evaluating, and exploring what gear I didn't need and what was essential. I wound up with 3 amps behind an ABY switch. I run a custom 20 watt head and a cel v30 cab on one side with 3 simple pedals, a an HX effects on the other side where I have patches for stereo, wet/dry, and single amp with either 2 or 4cm and know the sound I need to dial in on my amps; a pair of marshal origin and fender deluxe combos. Chasing tone is a rabbit hole, and I'm glad that I found something to anchor to so I can start climbing back out. Now, the more I notice, the more I sound like myself and really got into P90 equipped guitars thanks to finally not being afraid to play the PRS custom 22 soapbar 10'top, and boy do I kick myself for leaving that in the case for so long, and now I use the vol tone knobs on it and it's changed my life. Thanks for making these vids.

Sorry to hear of upheaval in your life. You seem to be adapting well. I too have run the gauntlet of gear, only to pare it down later in life. It is a journey! Thanks for sharing. ☀️

You're right about so much of this. I have two guitar amps, one to gig and one to bring to rehearsals. Same with my bass rig. And my two Gibson guitars are all I want and my bass does everything I need. It flies in the face of what we always talked about as young guys but live and learn.

Your candor in this is both helpful and moving. Thanks are not enough.

Great episode. I too have downsized my amp collection to six amps now owning the Tonemaster Deluxe and Twin amp, Hot Rod Deluxe and 68 Custom Deluxe , a Katana 100 and Mustang III V2. To be honest I could be happy with the Tonemaster Deluxe and the Hot Rod Deluxe so I’m sure the collection will shrink more with time. And I own just too many guitars so that collection will be reduced as well.

Keith, Great video! I've always shied away from gear. I wanted to learn to play the guitar without the effects. I think that's worked well for me. I think I only have 5 pedals, including a Stomp. I don't really need more. 3 Amps. Ok... and 20 or so guitars! Half acoustic. I did have an amp stolen in my early 20s. My best friend gave me his Bassman 50 head he bought new in the 60s. I had to give it back. I wasn't worthy! I was honored he would give it to me. Thanks for the video!

I’m going to be down to 1 amp Marshall Origin 20 with 3 power options .5 Watts, 3 and 20 Watts. Rarely use the 20 watt unless I’m home alone feeling a little sassy. Does everything I need to it’s simple and takes pedals great. I also have the matching 2/12 cab it can get loud in here. Love the video as always.

Keith, thank you so much for this. I've gotten carried away over the years and have a ton of stuff. Recently I've been thinking about offloading a bunch of it, the stuff I just don't play but I keep for various (usually sentimental) reasons. I've read Kondo's book, and I just need to pull the trigger. That's the hardest part!

I traded my way into 3 good guitars and 3 good amps, and I think I’m finally happy. They all do something different within the styles I enjoy most. They’re all inspiring to me, which I suppose is what matters most. In the back of my mind always is “the most music from the least gear”, where did I hear that?🤔😏 Thanks, Keith!

Mate,you are truly a thinking musician,love listening to you ,thanks

I really love your approach Keith! My amps have always been very important to me but I'm one who has been most loyal to guitars, espcially one guitar... in my case, a '76 Stratocatser I bought from a punk guitar player in 1985. I played prog and neo-prog most of my life but have been raised on a healthy dose of classic rock (Zep, Hendrix, Pink Floyd, etc.) so the Stratocaster always was the tone I loved most.. I have that same Strat to this day... heavily modified now but it has become like an extension of me. For some reason, I've had a much harder time connecting with amps. I started with a used Peavey tube 1x12 in the very early 80s which I really didin't like. That was replaced by a Roland JC-120 not because I really loved it but it was the sound of the time and fitted with what we were playing. Then, in the early 90s my rig evolved to a 2 amps rig adding a Marshall Valvestate 2x12 combo to the JC-120 and a complex home made switching systemaround rack effects. I loved that Valvestate and I regretted selling it years later. I had a "modern" high gain channel which was pretty bad in my memory but the "vintage" mid gain channel was very sweet. Around 95 or 96 I replaced the JC-120 with a red knobs Fender Twin that became my main amp for the next 25 years. That was the first amp I can say delivered "my" tone for me... the clean part at least. I still relied on pedals for dirt. My Twin had an "accident" at our last pre-covid gig in February 2020 after I had spoent a significant amount having it recapped and retubed and I decided to leave it behind as I now would have to invest more troubleshooting what is wrong with it. It got me thinking about what would be my ideal amp. A Boss Katana head has replaced my Twin in the meantime as it was cheap and versatile. But it's really NOT my tone. It's a decent amp for what it is but not for me. So now I'm eagerly awaiting delivery of what I really believe will be "my" amp for years to come... a Revv Dynamis 7-40. From its Fendery clean channel to very versatile dirt channel and a lot of tone shapping controls, I'm sure I can learn that one thoroughly and be happy with it for a long time. I'm Canadian so encouraging a Canadian company like Revv felt right. They are innovators like VIctory and despite their reputation for more metal amps, the Dynamis is not that at all and will deliver the classic tones I want. Really can't wait. With my band, I really need that flexibility of going from pristine clean to much higher gain and everything in between. Thank you for your great videos!

You're spot on about Dan Lurie and his builds. Keeping with the theme, I have a 5F1 he built for me and it's glorious.

Stellar as always, Keith! Now you have me thinking...

Man I love your videos. You’re like the most transparent bloke on the internet.

Another fantastic video Keith. Best quote ever! @3:17 There are too many things that I have to do before I can get my hands on my guitar. I have 3 guitars one amp and 12 pedals on a homemade board. I have wasted so much time and cash trying to find that gear that would make me sound so much like someone else that I forgot to improve my playing and sound like myself.

Hi Keith! As always what a pleasure...made my Day..thanks...told wifey this was a new one and she said..." U don't need any more amps"...and she's right... just ironic cuz the point of this is n- 1 not n+;1..lol

Reminds me of that great saying that sprung up in the 60's "Simplify man". Insightful episode Keith!!!

I always enjoy your thoughtful videos. Thanks.

I could not have expressed it any better. Good job Keith! Hope life is treating you well. Forward Motion!

I’m totally happy with a fender style amp without a master volume. Just a great clean and reverb. That’s the constant for me. Add a Barber direct drive and an analog delay and I’m good. Of course, rotating other pedals in and out can be fun and inspirational. Not sure I could sell off everything else but I admire what you’re doing.

This is very good news. Looking forward to hearing more about your collaboration/voyage with Victory.

Keith...as I lay here post surgery healing up...this video could not have come at a better time...I struggle with these thoughts...daily...I have come to the conclusion...a '68 Custom Fender Deluxe Reverb, a Wampler Tumnus, and my Gibson Les Paul '58 Reissue with Wizz PAF's....are really all I will ever need...desert island, coffee house gigs, jams...all of it...the realization of this...has lifted a giant gorilla off of my back...thank you...from the bottom of my heart sir.

I'm struggling with this a bit myself. One thing that I enjoy about multiple amps and guitars is that for some reason they inspire me in different ways. Some of them are weird (Magnatone M15), some I have multiple of for a stereo rig (blackface Bandmasters), I like something super portable (AC4), and sometimes I want something stupidly high headroom (Twin). But, sometimes I realize too that I haven't turned on one in over a year. The maintenance bills and headache is high. I'm also in the process of setting up a large home studio, and the theoretical flexibility is really nice. Still, I can't help but wonder if I could actually enjoy having just one or two again much more. I did make more music when I had one amp over a decade ago...

Great video. Thanks for sharing about your life and what brought you to minimalism. I was actually surprised that the Revv D20 didn't make the cut, as it had it's own "just 1 amp" video. Alas, you have to do what works for you. Cheers!

Thank you for the inspiration and bravery to commit to paring down!

I offloaded all of my amps and ended up with a Handwired Tyler pt14 65 style Princeton with a 1x12, and it’s been absolutely perfect at home and at shows, I use an Eminence Maverick attenuating speaker so I can push the volumes more at home, and it really does everything. I have tried many other amps since then and literally cannot find one that can stand up next to the Princeton.

I really enjoy the goals of the channel - and I appreciate a lot of the things you said in the first three minutes. I used to work at a music store, and I was always amazed at the 'collections' some of our customers had (The least music from the most gear indeed). I new several players that had a dozen guitars, all variations on the same theme (11 Les Pauls and 1 Telecaster {With hum buckers}) or would have 30 + guitars, all modified 'budget guitars'. After years of hearing what others had, and spending 40 hours a week in a shop with hundreds of instruments, set some rules for my self. Never sell anything that sounded good. Never own two of the same thing. Only buy instruments that inspired me to play, and don't turn them into a money pit of constant modifications. I have learned in recent years, that what a person needs to create art, and find joy creating it, is completely different. If it's 30+ Epiphones and Squiers? Have at it. If it's all guitars you built, yourself, from a kit? Great. If it's a jazz box and a Polytone solid state amp? Fantastic. In the end, what matters is, what goals are you chasing as a player, and what brings you joy? Thank you for all you do on this channel, I truly enjoy it. ....and yes, ALWAYS spend money on lessons FIRST.

This is what I’m recently doing. Hard time, but worth it. Great video. ✌🏼😊

I used to have quite a few different amps but I'm down to one now (a Bassman style tube amp). I miss the others every now and again but I do fine with just one too. At some point, I'd probably like to have one or two more but I totally felt you on this video Keith. I really think it's far more important to feel comfortable on a few basic amps than having a huge number sitting around, taking up space and collecting dust.

Since I’ve been watching your channel I’ve been thinking about my playing and gear a lot. I have 6 electrics that are too sentimental to weed out but play my LP custom and my new j185 99% of the time. I have a 5150iii 50w for when I can rock out, a katana air that gets the most use and a supro delta king 5w for the in between. Love these amps but have started focusing on acoustic again to get out of the rut and it’s helping me so much to grab it, go find a quiet spot by the water and play unplugged and just enjoy the music and focus on the feeling.

I love this ethos. I used to have a ton of amps but scaled back. I’m a gigging player in the Pittsburgh area and I’ve reduced my amp collection to two 20 watt Friedman heads (main/backup) and a Victory Sheriff 44, to use as a backup or when higher headroom/more power is needed. I think that’ll cover me in every scenario.

Good stuff Keith. Very good points made and thought provoking commentary. Quite a few of my amps were acquired “when things wuz cheap” as they say. That was my justification for going a bit overboard. Might be time to reevaluate! 😁

I'm at 4. Well, 5 as well. Two tube bass heads over one cab at 100 and 300watts respectively, one tube bass combo at 70watts, one tube guitar/harp combo at 15watts, and one solid state acoustic vocal/guitar combo for solo work. I'm really thinking about trying to trim that back. Not sure I can let go of the vintage bass combo even though it's the least versatile for bass gigs. I just love it too much. The two heads give me the ability to play normal club gigs and huge outdoor events no issues, but lately the outdoor events have been few and the small club gigs that the combo can do are more prevalent. (Though the middle ground head can do those too) Got two bass gigs this weekend. The 100watt head will get them both which is the case for 95% of the shows anyhow. Great video!

Great to hear you're back on track and sorry for the following heresy: I started WANTING to purge my amps, collected from 1980 till 2019, about the time the Helix HX 500 came out. Modeling wasn't quite there yet. Once I was unable to distinguish modeled/captured tones in live/recorded mixes (Fractal AX8 + Kemper) I sold off the behemoths. Now they're all gone save 1. IMO, the only amps that the newest modelers have trouble recording accurately are from "the five watt (8" speaker) world" hence my only tube amp is the awesome Supro 1605R.

Sorry to hear about the marriage. I had the same thing happen to me a few years back. Keep going forward and thanks for bringing us along. I am getting caught up in the gear acquisition (mostly in that guitar realm... ) time to see what "sparks joy"

Keith I LOVE your vids..... the history ones are great keep doing what you do man

Thanks for the ❤️ on my first comment, KW. I had to leave to go to work after I posted it, but wanted to add more to it. The part I wanted to also say was that when you mentioned your world turning upside down re: the pandemic and then your marriage, I know whereof you speak. My world turned upside down when my now ex came home from work one day and said that dreaded “we have to talk… “ where she told me she didn’t want to be married any longer. Two weeks later the raging Thomas Fire blazed thru town (I live in Ventura CA) and caused a lot of additional stress and panic. Then, after the D (divorce, dust) was settled, I moved into a rental with one of our dogs… and that forced me to pair down my acquisition of “stuff”… but not nearly as completely as I really needed to. At the beginning of 2020 I suddenly had to put my little dog down, and shortly after that… well… C19 reared it’s ugly head to the whole world. I have been hoping to move to another location (another state) with the dread to having to move… AGAIN. But I take a good look at the remains of “ stuff” I have in my home office (way too many books and trinkets) as well as in my garage. I recently began donating some clothes that no longer fit (losing 10-12 lbs was a good thing). I must now tackle the bookshelves and boxes and containers in my garage and really go thru it all and say “keep”, “toss” or “donate” to finish the pairing down so that if/when I do move it’ll be easier on myself. And it’ll be better for my well being, as well. The purge is necessary. Concentrate on building up a photography business… start up a sea glass jewelry making business… cut in half the number of books I have to only the essentials… give away at least half of the trinkets I’ve collected over the years… go thru boxes of old (possibly ancient) paperwork and toss or shred most of it… and dust off the three guitars and one amp that I have and try yet again to restart taking lessons at my old fart age. It’s a process that’s necessary, weight lifting (literally and figuratively), and certainly cathartic. Thanx for the great videos! 😎🎸📷

Victory copper owner here too. Also love the tweakable mid voicing options. I like it with the mid switch on and no drive pedals!

Love it, Keith! I've spent most of my near 20 years of playing with a Twin Reverb Reissue as my only amp. Its been left at my mother's house since I've moved out, and being an apartment-dweller I've just picked up a Helix as my only source of sounds. If those Fender ToneMaster's had a headphone out I'd have one!

Hey Keith -- Love your channel. Glad to see you did not purge the Snorlax.