I've busked on the street with a funky old Martin and in concert halls with Ramirez, PRS, Fender, and then some but my mantra has always been the same: One man one guitar. Thank you, Brad, I couldn't agree with you more. Keep ot simple and work to improve.
Here's my Life Pro Tip - do the spider walk exercise with your guitars (rotate through your full collection using a different guitar every day) while watching UA-cam. It'll help remind you what type of attachment you have, or don't have, with your guitars.
One great way to save some money when buying gear is to get stuff used and a little off the beaten track. I have had great success buying used Yamaha guitars and even after having enough money to buy bigger brand names, I didn't feel like I had to change them out.
Had been playing quite expensive guitars in my band , one night decided to play my inexpensive Ibanez Gio , at the end of the gig my bass player and keyboard player said how good my guitar sounded, I think I’ll leave it there.
I agree. We are in the best times of guitars and amps at value prices. Although I’m admittedly a gear nerd with GAS but I have some lower priced gear that’s great. Never needed to change pickups but did with some guitars and sometimes with marginal improvements if any. My favourite rig at the moment being a Fender FR-12 with an amp model pedal, my favourite being the Boss IR-200. I own an older Boss GT-100, GT-1 and a pile of older Joyo amp in a box pedals that also sound great when dialed into the FR-12. I guess the day will come when I’ll just sell off most of it and keep the gear that gets me through. At least I’m trying to convince myself of that. Lol.
For years, I have used my Line 6, M9 multi effect unit whenever playing anywhere other than at home...simply due to the convenience of being able to put it in a bag only having to carry one thing. Until recently, I used to worry that people would think that I had bad, cheap tone most of the time. But then about a year ago while watching UA-cam videos, I discovered that a lot of pros use the M9...and not only live, but they also record with them. Tom Bukovac even made a video about his use of the M9 and praised it. So now, I don't worry about it sounding bad. hehe. So yeah, I highly recommend the Line 6, M series.... the M5, M9 and M13. I'd say the 9 has the best combination of value and usability though.
I can't go back to the 6@@badbrad! I just can't...not after those sweet, sweet pillow chocolates, bathrobes and valets schlepping my beautiful gear! At least give me an 8 with some super on it! 🤑
I recently bought a 1984 MIJ Ibanez bass for a very fair price: more than a Squier but less than a comparable bass on the market made in Mexico. The point is: GAS can be cured by any great-sounding instrument and doesn't need to be the "latest, shiny" new toy.
I've had 5 electric guitars for years. I started to think that too many guitars would mean old strings left on them too long, and so all my guitars would then sound less than crisp. (Changing strings is expense and time). So stopped buying more -so far so good. Found my fave sounding and playing guitar already. Cheap guitars were crap back in 80's but modern Ibanez Gio and defo new Jacksons are great guitars to play I think.
Great video and it's so true. You can buy such a nice guitar now for little money compared to when I started. I might have to try that tone x pedal. Too cool man ! ❤ I love that paint job. People love my Ibanez S series I holoflashed. That thing is a great guitar and I have a Strat I built and I'm pretty happy man. Two guitars and and amp and a man is set. ❤.. I used to use a Rat with a fender twin. I used the twin for cleans and hit the rat for distortion. Later I got an SD1 to boost the level up, but that was all I used forever man. ❤.. It's so much easier now. We definitely live in a great time. Good video Brad. ❤
When I spend too much time searching for that next great piece of gear, that’s time that I could have been using to play guitar. Might even get better at playing guitar. And one of the things in life I can’t replace is time. Maybe I should spend it more wisely.
I think we all love the dopamine rush from getting a new toy, and I’m not immune to that as well. Also, I think some of us feel too self conscious if we play budget gear. If you are a solid player with an Epiphone or Squire into a Boss Katana, you should never feel insecure because you’re not playing something more expensive. If you’re happy, sound good, and can play well, then we should truly not feel insecure at all. Not saying there is anything wrong with expensive gear , either.
@@badbrad I think it is awesome it’s easy to play sounds good position 2 is stratty sounding over all it is fat it comes with 10-46 which is my gauge I got the rosewood one and the rosewood was nice and dark in color which I like so I am very happy with it I got it local brand new mom and pop store 7 out the door
@@badbrad ain’t it the truth I don’t think we ever get over it it just repeats over and over I have a friend that was on the road for 30 years bid stretch with dick dale and Deborah Coleman (rip) ha had me tore up on gear all the time lol
GAS blew up during the reviews booming of product niches. I was bad with the smartphones for 10 years. I wish i had guitars instead all those years. I stopped watching Phone videos as android matured and i got over it (mostly 😅) but, i then got into guitar and began looking up one id buy as my first. I knew a little as i bought many for my son who played most his childhood to this day 30 years old. When he grad and moved i had nobody to solo over my keyboard tracks i used to make. Moxf6 yamaha then...So i loved David Gilmour and found the reverb listing for Fender MIM gilmour strat. No sooner , before i knew it i started seeing videos of reviews and gear and wound up salivating over tons of guitars and multi effects. I got 7 more guitars. Then slowly sold them all but the strat and then bought classic vibe. Harley benton Fusion t and kit ..i built. I stopped watching as much and just uploaded my journey reviewing each and learning. Now i concentrate more on playing. But, i must be honest. Guitars like Harley Benton modern HSS new releases at the prices im back wishing. 😅 ...I remember the 80s 90s early 00s i had been a gigging drummer totally into it and pretty damned good. I never had drum gas like that. Just cymbal gas. Hahah. But if the net was like it is today i cant imagine. So man, YOU nailed it here. Ive been there and you are spot on. Killer chops Brad!
And there you have it my people. This is what experience and maturity sounds like. ♫♪♫ G.A.S. is treatable. P.S. I have a MIJ drum set that I picked up from a thrift store for 49 bucks and it is my go to set for gigs. Yeah, I had to do some cleaning, adjustment, head upgrades and such but they sound really good! Just sayin'. Peace and best wishes to everyone out there today fighting the good fight! ♫♪♫
Oops, I have a Second Life Pro Tip - If you don't know how to set up a guitar almost as well as a professional, then you need to learn to do that before you get another guitar (with some exceptions)
@@badbrad - My friend is a pro-luthier and the set up he did on a used Squier Stratocaster (gift for family) made me really realize how important it is. It makes me want to keep the guitar 🤣
I’ve owned only a few basses in my life. Early in my studio career all I needed was a Fender P and J bass. I also toted a fretless J. Nothing has really changed for me. Still the same basses. Never got into the boutique stuff. I did get into the pedals a few years ago but mainly to meet the demands of the gigs I play. You do need to be careful not to get pulled too far down that rabbit hole!
My gear Buying obsession stopped once I achieved what I really wanted for many years but was always too expensive for me, Which was a Gibson custom shop Historic R9.Les Paul. I'm finally at peace no more guitars!!!!😁
Eventually, GAS morphs into Gear Acquisition Stress. Great advice, Brad.
Yes indeed. Thank you!
Good Point
I've busked on the street with a funky old Martin and in concert halls with Ramirez, PRS, Fender, and then some but my mantra has always been the same: One man one guitar. Thank you, Brad, I couldn't agree with you more. Keep ot simple and work to improve.
I admire your spirit and wisdom. Thank you and best always .
Here's my Life Pro Tip - do the spider walk exercise with your guitars (rotate through your full collection using a different guitar every day) while watching UA-cam. It'll help remind you what type of attachment you have, or don't have, with your guitars.
Great advice!
One great way to save some money when buying gear is to get stuff used and a little off the beaten track. I have had great success buying used Yamaha guitars and even after having enough money to buy bigger brand names, I didn't feel like I had to change them out.
That is great advice and Yamaha makes great stuff.
Had been playing quite expensive guitars in my band , one night decided to play my inexpensive Ibanez Gio , at the end of the gig my bass player and keyboard player said how good my guitar sounded, I think I’ll leave it there.
Yeah man! The gap between an expensive guitar and an inexpensive guitar has been closed considerably
I agree. We are in the best times of guitars and amps at value prices. Although I’m admittedly a gear nerd with GAS but I have some lower priced gear that’s great. Never needed to change pickups but did with some guitars and sometimes with marginal improvements if any. My favourite rig at the moment being a Fender FR-12 with an amp model pedal, my favourite being the Boss IR-200. I own an older Boss GT-100, GT-1 and a pile of older Joyo amp in a box pedals that also sound great when dialed into the FR-12.
I guess the day will come when I’ll just sell off most of it and keep the gear that gets me through. At least I’m trying to convince myself of that. Lol.
lol
For years, I have used my Line 6, M9 multi effect unit whenever playing anywhere other than at home...simply due to the convenience of being able to put it in a bag only having to carry one thing. Until recently, I used to worry that people would think that I had bad, cheap tone most of the time. But then about a year ago while watching UA-cam videos, I discovered that a lot of pros use the M9...and not only live, but they also record with them. Tom Bukovac even made a video about his use of the M9 and praised it. So now, I don't worry about it sounding bad. hehe. So yeah, I highly recommend the Line 6, M series.... the M5, M9 and M13. I'd say the 9 has the best combination of value and usability though.
Never worry about what others think of your gear. Great message.
Great advice. I have 1961 es 345 Gibson I never play it now. my go to guitar is an 2005 Ibanez jazz box, its very light.
Light is good!
I've gotten a lot of great tone out of budget gear and I've gotten great sleep in budget motels...but I prefer The Plaza! Cheers Brad!!
I do prefer the Plaza as well but sometimes Motel 6 is all ya need.
I can't go back to the 6@@badbrad! I just can't...not after those sweet, sweet pillow chocolates, bathrobes and valets schlepping my beautiful gear! At least give me an 8 with some super on it! 🤑
@@TheFeelButton LMAO
Here's the thing: I can't risk getting bed bugs ever again! Plaza over 6 no matter the cost!
Amen@@poulwinther
I recently bought a 1984 MIJ Ibanez bass for a very fair price: more than a Squier but less than a comparable bass on the market made in Mexico. The point is: GAS can be cured by any great-sounding instrument and doesn't need to be the "latest, shiny" new toy.
Absolutely! That's why your Smart Alex.
@@badbrad hahaha not smart all the time :)
I've had 5 electric guitars for years. I started to think that too many guitars would mean old strings left on them too long, and so all my guitars would then sound less than crisp. (Changing strings is expense and time). So stopped buying more -so far so good. Found my fave sounding and playing guitar already. Cheap guitars were crap back in 80's but modern Ibanez Gio and defo new Jacksons are great guitars to play I think.
Sage advice! Cheap guitars these days are leaps and bounds better.
Great video and it's so true. You can buy such a nice guitar now for little money compared to when I started. I might have to try that tone x pedal. Too cool man ! ❤
I love that paint job.
People love my Ibanez S series I holoflashed. That thing is a great guitar and I have a Strat I built and I'm pretty happy man. Two guitars and and amp and a man is set. ❤.. I used to use a Rat with a fender twin. I used the twin for cleans and hit the rat for distortion. Later I got an SD1 to boost the level up, but that was all I used forever man. ❤.. It's so much easier now.
We definitely live in a great time. Good video Brad. ❤
Thanks brother! I bet you got killer tones with the Rat and the Twin. Love the Holo flash finishes.
When I spend too much time searching for that next great piece of gear, that’s time that I could have been using to play guitar. Might even get better at playing guitar. And one of the things in life I can’t replace is time. Maybe I should spend it more wisely.
Truth
I think we all love the dopamine rush from getting a new toy, and I’m not immune to that as well. Also, I think some of us feel too self conscious if we play budget gear. If you are a solid player with an Epiphone or Squire into a Boss Katana, you should never feel insecure because you’re not playing something more expensive. If you’re happy, sound good, and can play well, then we should truly not feel insecure at all. Not saying there is anything wrong with expensive gear , either.
Absolutely
Liked the video I’m gonna get one of those tone x pedals I got the new PRS NF 3 yesterday in gunmetal finish
Wow man those NF 3 look really cool. How do you like it?
@@badbrad I think it is awesome it’s easy to play sounds good position 2 is stratty sounding over all it is fat it comes with 10-46 which is my gauge I got the rosewood one and the rosewood was nice and dark in color which I like so I am very happy with it I got it local brand new mom and pop store 7 out the door
@@markjohnson6485 Wow that sounds great and set up with 10's now your giving me G.A.S. lol
@@badbrad ain’t it the truth I don’t think we ever get over it it just repeats over and over I have a friend that was on the road for 30 years bid stretch with dick dale and Deborah Coleman (rip) ha had me tore up on gear all the time lol
GAS blew up during the reviews booming of product niches. I was bad with the smartphones for 10 years. I wish i had guitars instead all those years. I stopped watching Phone videos as android matured and i got over it (mostly 😅) but, i then got into guitar and began looking up one id buy as my first. I knew a little as i bought many for my son who played most his childhood to this day 30 years old. When he grad and moved i had nobody to solo over my keyboard tracks i used to make. Moxf6 yamaha then...So i loved David Gilmour and found the reverb listing for Fender MIM gilmour strat. No sooner , before i knew it i started seeing videos of reviews and gear and wound up salivating over tons of guitars and multi effects. I got 7 more guitars. Then slowly sold them all but the strat and then bought classic vibe. Harley benton Fusion t and kit ..i built. I stopped watching as much and just uploaded my journey reviewing each and learning. Now i concentrate more on playing. But, i must be honest. Guitars like Harley Benton modern HSS new releases at the prices im back wishing. 😅 ...I remember the 80s 90s early 00s i had been a gigging drummer totally into it and pretty damned good. I never had drum gas like that. Just cymbal gas. Hahah. But if the net was like it is today i cant imagine. So man, YOU nailed it here. Ive been there and you are spot on. Killer chops Brad!
Thank you so much! The struggle is real!
@badbrad Hhhahah Yeah buddy!!!😅
I've settled on a tonex in the loop of a HX stomp, I don't use my vox, mesa, fender or jackson amps, I'm a strat, tele guy
That sounds good!👍🏻
And there you have it my people. This is what experience and maturity sounds like. ♫♪♫
G.A.S. is treatable.
P.S. I have a MIJ drum set that I picked up from a thrift store for 49 bucks and it is my go to set for gigs. Yeah, I had to do some cleaning, adjustment, head upgrades and such but they sound really good! Just sayin'. Peace and best wishes to everyone out there today fighting the good fight! ♫♪♫
🙏
Awesome advice Brad, love this channel! What model Fender p bass is on your rack??
I'm not sure it seems like a Frankencaster P Bass....I bought it used at Sam Ash many years ago and it had Bartolini pickups P-J deal.
@@badbrad Thank you!!🙏
Oops, I have a Second Life Pro Tip - If you don't know how to set up a guitar almost as well as a professional, then you need to learn to do that before you get another guitar (with some exceptions)
Solid! I can do the basics to make an off the rack good enough to gig.
@@badbrad - My friend is a pro-luthier and the set up he did on a used Squier Stratocaster (gift for family) made me really realize how important it is. It makes me want to keep the guitar 🤣
@@Crispy_Music_2024 There ya go!
Excellent
Thank you!
I've always said the audience couldn't tell the difference from a $1500 American strat and a Squire.
and as long as the guitar plays in tune...your good.
Actually, outside of us guitar fetish creeps, most people don’t even know what a Start is!
I’ve owned only a few basses in my life. Early in my studio career all I needed was a Fender P and J bass. I also toted a fretless J. Nothing has really changed for me. Still the same basses. Never got into the boutique stuff. I did get into the pedals a few years ago but mainly to meet the demands of the gigs I play. You do need to be careful not to get pulled too far down that rabbit hole!
Yes indeed!
Ibanez is coming for Harley Benton with that guitar. The best part is the consumer wins.
Yes indeed. Personally I'd rather have Ibanez on the headstock as well.
@@badbradsame. Ibanez has never let me down.
@@aaronhiggs They know how to build a guitar for sure.
My gear Buying obsession stopped once I achieved what I really wanted for many years but was always too expensive for me, Which was a Gibson custom shop Historic R9.Les Paul. I'm finally at peace no more guitars!!!!😁
That sounds like a killer guitar. Best to you.
Something ironic about this video being sponsored by Sweetwater 😂
😂
I played one of them,nice guitar.Have you tried the new Bad Cat amps?
Yes indeed! Heck of a bang for buck guitar.
I have not tried the new Bad Cat's but I would like to.
@@badbrad they sound great Brad
@@MarkStearle I'm gonna have to try one if I ever see one in a store.
"Ya know"...
Ok
You into Allan Holdsworth?
Very much so back in the day. I wore out my cassette of the I.O.U. album. But I could never play that good.
Sweetwater is great and Guitar Center is going out of business……times have changed for guitarists
Yes indeed. If you ever need anything from sweetwater feel free to use my affialate link. Thank you