Guitar Gear: When to Buy and When to Sell
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- Опубліковано 14 чер 2019
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I've noticed over the years some patterns in my buying and selling gear. Since I've been trying to thin out , I thought I'd share some of my thoughts on "When to Buy" and "When to Sell" gear. Some interesting things I've learned over the years and some VERY interesting bits I've learned very recently.
Thanks for watching, and thanks for being a part of the five watt world.
Keith
I think my favorite video of yours. Someone said you are a guitar therapist. That nails it.Excellent Hypes!
Serious self help groups apply here.... click click
🤐
Yo, The Rick, hi
Spot on Rick. Keith's videos really do seem to challenge some of my accepted Dogmas concerning music/gear. I find myself thinking and rethinking many aspects from a new perspective/point of view. It seems to me that these videos are much more productive than 45 minutes with a Therapist.
Now I am challenging myself, need more gear because the more I learn the farther the "Goal Posts" move concerning that "Tone" I'm searching for!
Great work Keith, please don't stop what you're doing.
This deserves a heart!
I agree!
I recently sold an amplifier on Reverb. In a small world type of thing, a former college professor of mine bought it. As I watched this video for at least the 5th time, I realized that chatting with him when he came to pick it up actually brought me more joy than the amp ever did.
That’s great. Excellent story.
buy gear - when you can afford instant noodles
sell gear - when you need money for instant noodles
Instant noodle is the key.
"Feeling safe" vs "Musicianship"
The Truth, has been spoken. Thank you!
Can we celebrate the "Used with permission" on the BoBeats clip. A tiny nuance that exemplifies how thoughtful this channel is, in the large. Great stuff...
Darn it, you are right. I think I'm going cry now. Then I'll buy a new piece of gear to make me feel better.
That’s the spirit!
"Don't buy gear to become productive." If I had heard that a long time ago it would have saved me a ton of money.
And everything else in this vid is right on. Great insights. This could save a lot of money on therapy too.
This is one of the most important videos for guitar players. What stuck out to me most. “Don’t buy gear unless you’re already being productive.” I often will fall into the trap, “if I have this piece of gear I’ll be able to do ....” will be coming back to this video for reminders from time to time. Thank you thank you.
This is hands down my favorite guitar channel on UA-cam, and that's saying something given how many great guitar channels are here. I appreciate you taking the time to so thoroughly and thoughtfully address these common struggles and I find that the thinking applied to gear acquisition and usage can also be applied to my other hobbies and interests.
That's great to hear Brian! Yeah, it applies to lots of corners of my own life to, sort of a "serial obsessive" myself. But hey you have to dive deep then come back up for air right? It took me a long time to realize that I started doing this to play music, mostly with other people, and now how much stuff I could fit in the extra bedroom.
Thanks for watching,.
Keith
The time to sell that amp that keeps breaking down: when it's working.
"the only thing you can't replace is a drummer who doesn't overplay." :D
Or a Bassist with a rock solid tempo lock.
Amen to that. You couldnt be more right!!
Does such a drummer even exist?
@@seamanjive Yep. It's called the Digitech SDRUM.
The best drummer is the one that doesn’t use cymbal
I look at my collection and think, "I should sell some of these," but I know the minute I do I'll think, "Dang, I wish I still had my SG, 335, tele, PRS, etc."
A friend was talking about guitars. He mentioned that in the early 70s he sold a 1963 Fender Jazz Master for $150, $150!
@@albertomartinez2479 shoot!
Only guitar I've ever sold was an olympic white john mayer signature strat I purchased new for $1600 one night when I was black out drunk. I had to call the company the next day and ask them what I'd purchased after seeing the invoice. I played metal at the time and didn't appreciate how amazing of a strat this actually was, especially if you were going to own just one. I needed rent money and never played it so I sold it on ebay to a guy for $1100 with the case and all of the accessories. Few years later John left Fender for PRS and they now go used for $2500-$3000. I've purchased/built dozens of strats since then trying to convince myself that I don't need it, that I can build a better one that is more personalized to me....doesn't work. Every time I see one pop up on reverb I feel sick to my stomach.
Came for a gear video, and got a psychology lesson. And I needed it, thank you.
I’m a psychologist, and I can tell you that you’re spot on. Although I can also tell you that these have been my thoughts for many years, my quest for gear took the place of actually playing. If I used the same amount time practicing or playing with other people, as opposed to researching gear, I would be much, much better than I am now (and much, much happier). As I always say, “Here, take my advice, I’m not using it!”
Yeah but every time I do a gig guys want to play my guitar and use my gear so I must be doing something right. Right?
Like you I did all the hard work putting it all together I'm the only one who should enjoy playing it. If I sell it to anyone who asks then I will need to start over. Right?
Excuse me I got some serious GAS going on!
Doc Tiberius
My wife should make out pretty well when I croak. I buy high end used but get a good deal so it should sell for at least what I pay for it!
Sentimental first guitar, played in Chicago late 60’s band...eventually life and lack of use leads to sale...many, many years later, the search for ‘That’ guitar comes true over Reverb. Story of love lost and found.
This is without a doubt the best guitar channel on UA-cam,no agendas no bs just straight honest advice and wisdom,I've learned a lot from this channel!
I figured out how come I don’t sell my gear. People criticize the instruments as an effort to get a reduction in price while trying them out. I had a 50’s Martin and a 60’s Camaro viewing this week, they are in amazing condition. The potential buyers wore me out and I took them off the market, I was really not asking top market value anyway. This content and information is really helpful right now. You are a thoughtful and practical fella!
Exactly my experience. They offer nothing for amps claiming it will someday need maintenance. With guitars they eyeball like a painting bought for the museum. It's too stressful and exhausting to sell my good stuff. Other cheaper things., pedals or PA stuff I just price ridiculously low to get rid of it.
Buyers just wanna low-ball you, sellers wanna rip you off for a profit.
This video is a breath of fresh air compared to most guitar related content on UA-cam. Personally, I’ve also found that it’s easier to want less when you try to focus on sounding more like myself rather than “ooh, that pedal can make me sound like Clapton” (it never will). For me, focusing on a more personal sound helps cut out all the excess and just get the stuff that you’ll actually care for and appreciate, though keep in mind this is just in my experience.
I’ve rewatched this probably 4 times since you first released it and I hope I continue rewatching it, because it always makes me rethink what I’m doing and what makes me happy when I play guitar.
I’ve not been a gigging musician for decades, but sincerely enjoy the physical activity of playing guitar. The sound, the feel of the resonance, and the instruments themselves in my hands. This video makes me zero-in on what guitars really bring me that joy. And even if I should keep my beloved custom Collings I-35 Deluxe that I lusted after, finally got, and like so many premium gear purchases, would struggle to live up to the expectations I created in my mind. It’s a beauty and plays well, but when your mind is turning something into magic, what could live up to one’s imagination. 🙂
The same thing happened to me with a vintage Gibson 335 I bought in the early 2000s - it was so exciting to finally get what I thought was my dream guitar, but as anyone who’s dabbled in vintage gear knows, there’s always some baggage that comes with the wear and tear of vintage gear. It couldn’t really live up to the expectations I had, and maybe more importantly, the fit, finish, and performance of even affordably-priced new gear.
This video made me decide to get a very good professional setup done on the Collings, see if there’s anything special there beyond my other 335 style guitars (a natural finish Heritage & a green Ibanez that’s always punched way above its weight as a ‘budget guitar’ - it’s truly amazing how good that guitar is), and if the setup doesn’t make a big difference, probably sell the Collings. After I mull it over for a year, of course. 🙂
Knowing what you love about playing and maybe why you love it, is everything to prioritizing what to keep. Your channel helps keep me as sane as a gear hungry guitarist can be.
Love this channel and the community you’ve created here. I don’t participate with comments in your livestreams, but I’m also the guy who would hang out at the local guitar shops just to quietly listen to the conversation everyone else is having and consider it for my own decisions. That’s an important value in community too. Maybe I’m a lurker, but I think of myself more as a listener who really appreciates the comments of everyone else in this community. 🙂
Thanks for excellent videos like these, Keith, that never stop being valuable. That’s some really good stuff and your hard work is so helpful! ✌️😌🎸
Yes, yes, and yes you nailed it again. You have a great way of putting together complex thoughts and emotions, and making them easy to digest and understand. I truly believe that videos like this are your best work. And , I would love to see and hear more from you about music and music making. Thank you, I will reply this often to remind me what gear I really “need.”
About 30 years ago Brian May told me a guitar is like a lover - best to find that 'one' and play it forever.
Every guitar in Brian's on stage line-up is a temp, until his tech can restring (or whatever), and return his Red back to him.
Have you heard the tone of his guitar? I,l stick with my own convictions!
Nice video. In over 40 years of playing I have never sold a single item. I still have the first guitar I ever bought. It's rare when I make a purchase but it's always well researched and I take the time to ensure there will not be any buyer's remorse. For me, buyer's remorse tends to occur mostly when a purchase decision is emotionally based.
Same here! The only things I’ve ever sold are a bass and bass amp, after keeping them for 20+ years and not using them. I used that money to gut and upgrade my first guitar from tip to tip.
Do you know Keith, listening to this right now as opposed to a long time ago when it came out makes it really poignant. Playing with people. Everything about being with people. Great insight!
Thanks DK. I’m feeling this as well.
I hadn't broken a string in like, 10 years. I decided to go to a gig without the backup guitar. What happens? String broke.
At a Jr. Brown show great line " Mey ! No reason to stop the party it's only one string "
Unless it's a floating trem without a stabilizer, then the whole instrument is out of tune, lol.
These recent vids have been simply amazing. Absolutely amazing content and knowledge.
Something I heard on the Wampler "Chasing Tone" video: "More Mel Bay and less eBay".
Ha! That's so great! Was that Brian? That sounds like him.
Travis :)
These videos are the greatest reality check. My wife loves you... for better for worse... But it really does give me a reflection on my own personal gear journey. Only buy gear when you're already productive. Word to live by. I really do take a focused approach on my rig. I try and only buy (and sell) the items that are necessary (or lack usefulness). 5 Watt World is my conscience.
Gear Acquisition Syndrome (G. A. S. ) is a real thing, and I think we all suffer from it. I just came to a realization about sentimental value. Thanks to you, I’ve just been inspired to take inventory of all my gear that continues to collect dust. Great video as always, keep it up!
Word!
I don't play and have never owned a guitar, or other musical instrument. But substitute motorcycles and I'm right there.
Really enjoy your insights...
Yeah man. Should I do the video about my years of building and riding my Duc at track days (also now sold off a few years back.) So I hear you brother.
For Sale: 2002 Triumph Daytona 1999 Triumph Legend TT 2001 Ducati 900 SS (+ track skins, transponder, tire warmers) 1971 Moto Guzzi California CHP (basket case retirement project) 1973 Moto Guzzi Eldorado (sidecar host; its the dog’s bike) 2006 Ducati 999R (living room model/exercise bike; if it goes I’ll have more room for guitars and amps! The other six I’m keeping; 1 for each day of the week. I came within millimeters of pulling the trigger on a Fender 57’ Champ reissue to/yesterday; support my habits, buy my bikes! ....will also consider trades for vintage watches, guns, Scandinavian home furnishings, and audioPHILe equipment. ....at least they all have support groups. 😔
Once again I can't believe how well thought-out and level-headed your responses are.
It's five watt World from a hundred-watt brain, excellent job keep up the good work!
I think our best guitar is the one we just try and unexpectedly buy, as opposed to thinking we need *this* exact spec of Strat or whatever and *chasing the elusive guitar we're SO sure we need.*
The truth is *we don't know what we have to buy beforehand, that's just an idea in our head. Then a guitar finds us.*
So now I just play a Tele with a big soft V neck on it, impeccably set up by a pro thanks to the fellow who sold it to me. He tweaked it well. It was just not HIS guitar after all, and many guitars have to pass through a few hands to find their owner so it found ME.
.
Perhaps owning dozens of guitars is fun but gets in the way more than accomplish anything.
Having said that - *DO own some guitars. I think it's better to a) enjoy them at while and sell them at a loss* than b) never try them or c) hoard them like dead capital. Allow yourself to buy and sell - and have a life.
I buy vintage. I've never sold for a loss. And I have hangers. Guitars are easy to grab and play and they are never in the way.
I love how much clarity both your message and your delivery have, so enjoyable.
Thanks Doog!
Yeah I just wanted to be able to say "Doog". Great nickname!
@@fivewattworld _why, thank y'all_
Hanging on in quiet desperation is the English way...thought I'd something more to say...
You have put into words what has been rattling around in my head.
Just don't expect Guitar Center to offer you a position as a marketing executive.
Quick story of my Aquisitions. I had purchased a 1963 Epiphone FT-90 El Dorado at a Pawn Shop in New Haven Connecticut. The one with the Tune-O-Matic bridge inside the Rosewood Bridge. It was a Meracha. By the way, In my Band, the Esquires, we covered the J.P. Richardson tune, "White Lightning", and the Epiphone case had a Painted-On White Lightning Bolt on the Top cover. It was meant to be. Or so I thought. Anyway, All the of the Bracing was either loose, or soon to be loose. I carried it up to Fretted Instrument Workshop in Amherst, Massachusetts for a Professional Repair and Set up. Several Months later, the FT-90 was ready. Again.. I drove to Amherst. The Guitar was exactly what i wanted, although, in my Band, there was no room for an Acoustic Instrument. As, My main stable was a Telecaster ( early 52' reissue, and a 64 Vibrolux Amp) . Blues-A-Billy Band. Anyway, The Epiphone was played for several years around the House. Until the dreaded day, I lost a Saddle when a string broke. Those early bridges, did not have the retaining wire. So the Saddles would fall out. Needless to say, the Epiphone was in Semi-Retirement until I found that Saddle. I always find lost items, when I stop looking for them. Let's skip a few years.... There was some gear I wanted, so I decided to sell the Epiphone, to finance the "New" gear. Can't remember what it was I so lusted after. Anyway, as my fate would have it, a few days after selling my only Acoustic, and it was a good one. I received a call for a Acoustic Gig, and I found the runaway Saddle the same day. I immediately called the Dealer to whom I had sold it to.. And whatya know? He also loved the Guitar and refused to sell it back to me. The moral of this story is, If I sell an Instrument, I always end up needing it soon after. The silver lining was, since I couldn't get the Epiphone back, I drove to Westerly, Rhode Island, with a pocket full of $20's) in search of a decent Guild Acoustic, which I found at Zak's (Frets) on High Street. There I found my 1998 DV-52 i Sunburst. If your going to buy a Guild, why not drive to where they were born? I still have my Tone-Canon today. This one is a " Going to my Grave with me" guitar. Thanks for your great videos. Ciao'
Every guitarist needs to hear this message. Even if I may never get there myself, it's really the truth.
A lot of great points here. The sentimental attachment is something I have issue with myself. I can't help but fear that something I used to enjoy but no longer use will end up being mistreated by another owner. Its obviously irrational though.
Some priceless wisdom. Thanks!
Wow! This is one of the best equipment videos I've ever seen! You actually put things into prospective in a way that even musicians will understand!
i bought a 1965 fender deluxe reverb, all original . it changed my life.
I fell into the hoarding trap when I was younger. At one point, between guitars and basses, I owned around 21-22 instruments. It was awesome to walk into the room that housed all of them, but I began to find myself spending more time trying to choose which to play than time spent actually playing them. In the end, I kept the 4 that actually saw the most use. I became far more productive, and I enjoyed the process of playing much more.
Occasionally, I still find myself listing after new gear, and I have gone through the process of selling off gear to buy new pieces, but I am always cognizant of the KISS method and not overdoing it with anything.
Great video and great channel. This is like music therapy!
Thanks James! Yeah I was the first in line for the “therapy” the rest is just sharing stories.
Thanks for watching.
Keith
22 instruments is fine if they are well chosen. A ric 12,a dobro,a 335,a martin d18 , les Paul, strat ,tele, travis bean, bellzouki, guild 12. Silvertone. Many instruments but each one has its own sound. It's not hoarding its variety
@@johnsmith-bk4ps Sounds like you need help! 🎸😃
"The only thing you can't replace us a drummer that doesn't overplay." Now that is wisdom!
Having some enforced quiet time lying in a hospital bed and stumbled across this channel. These are wise words and made me realise some home truths. For years of my adult life I collected expensive gear that I could not have afforded as a teenager (when I did play in a band). I never played much, being wrapped up with work and family for decades. I had the opportunity in my late forties to join a local rock academy to get ready for a corporate battle of the bands I had bravely signed up for. That experience got me involved in a vibrant local music scene and I have been able to spend time playing music "with other humans" in local venues (and occasionally being paid a few bucks). This is what it is about. I still collect gear but I am trying to limit it to support "being productive". I recently cleared out my collection of stuff, for example, having admitted I was never going to actually use my National Resolectric , no matter how beautiful it looked. Please keep up the good work
Hey Nick, laying in a hospital bed gave me time to think about this as well. Best wishes brother. Let me know if I can do anything for you.
Keith
Truer words have seldom been said. My fondest band-related memories were had via this ragtag rig: Ibanez 59er through Marshall Lead 12 as preamp for JC120 through some old horn-loaded 2-12 PA cabs with cerwin vegas.
At first I wanted to argue with something, but then you just made really good points. Not that I never knew it, just maybe didn't want to admit.
To be specific, I want to arrange same sort of band jamming room myself, but currently I don't have anyone to jam with =/
Thorneyed I hear you. We moved this summer and I’m still getting a sense of the scene here, finding people to play etc.
Have you looked at “meet up”, someone recommended it to me when we lived way out in the mountains.
@@fivewattworld thank you for advice, but seems like that app is not really popular in our country =(
Well, I meet people who like music, but really few who like it enough to progress after learning cowboy chords, and everyone I know so far already has own band or has no time to play. I could actually go and play bass, but I am much worse on it than on guitar and don't really want to switch.
Anyway, thanks to you I have some things to think about.
Please do a video on the AC 10!!! I’d love to see how you run it or if you’ve done any mods!
What about AC4, 4 Watt World?
Nice. I think you've articulated that nagging suspicion most of us have about shopping/hoarding, getting distracted from the job at hand, which is playing music with people.
Simply put, I could not be a bigger fan of your channel.
There are dopamine rushes both from shopping for something and, more so, from buying it. Thus, while buying the guitar may not lead to any long term happiness, it definitely provides a short term rush. And that’s what addicts are after. Somewhere, Paul Reed Smith called pedals “crack for guitar players.”
A corollary to your first guitar principle is first in a new style. If you decide you want to play John Fahey stuff and you only have an LP, then you might need another guitar. Or Fernando Sor. But this is an area where people fool themselves a lot, and use the style difference as an excuse. As a personal example, I’m toying with some gypsy jazz, and would love to get a Selmer copy. But is it really that big a difference over my Archtop played acoustically? Truthful answer is that I don’t know, and I am not even sure that I need to know.
This is Garry not Linda. I'm trying to remember who it was that idolized van Halen. They got to play a show with them one time and Eddie let him play his rig. He said wow, this is my chance to sound just like Eddie van Halen. He said he started to play and he didn't sound like him at all. What came out of the system sounded just like his own playing. It isn't the instrument, the rig or anything else it's how it's played. No matter what you do, you'll always sound like you. Make it the best you can.
I know people who sold their Les Paul 20yrs ago and really regret it!!! I should sell a couple of cheap ones I have
I wish for one day I could have also the guitars, basses, other instruments I had at one time and sold or traded...
Great video, Keith. This hits home hard. What hits home just as hard is that we always, regardless of the instrument we have in our hand, we always sound like ourselves!
Excellent video. Sums up all the angles perfectly. Reminds me of all the discussions on TGP forums, lol!
What is this “sell” you speak of? 😁😂
"Hedonic adaptation." Cool. Knowing this isn't at all likely to affect my lifelong pattern of buying instruments, gear, and many things I've known for decades won't make me happy or change anything in my life in any important way...but at least I now know what to call it. 😂
Thank you Keith.The way you set this up and explained it; perfection. How lucky we are.
Just watched this video... And this is a guitar and a life lesson. Thank you so much Keith!
I heard Guitar Center and Sam Ash put a hit out on you. The truth will set you free!
Oh I’m still a good customer, well if average my entire life together with now.
This may sound rare, but recently I toyed with the idea of selling one of my guitars. My wife would not allow it.
Cameron Taylor: Either you married a winner or she’s overwhelmed with guilt about something she bought that you don’t know about yet.
Same thing happened to me. I think guys just play up the whole wife thing a bit to be funny.
She said that they are all a part of me and each have their own story and that one day one of our kids may want to have one to have a part of that story and a part of me.
Cameron Taylor: I think my wife might have said something like that 18 years and 3 kids ago. If you’re not a newlywed and she’s still like that she is an exceptional and loving wife. Cheers to both of you!
jts3339 just had our 5 year anniversary. Thank you
I'm 50 and a jack of many trades. I'll tell you what took me 29 years to figure out. If you have a lot of gear to choose from or too many options you will suffer from Option Paralysis. The more stuff we have the more that stuff gets in the way.
I swear your videos are like watching an introspection of my life. This one may be my favorite...so far.
"the only thing you can't replace is a drummer who doesn't overplay." You mean like Keith Moon? ;-)
Ha! No, I've played in some jazz settings that brought that forward. And of course it's a joke. I love the great fusion drummers. Probably the definition of overplay really.
Are you a drummer? Just asking. :)
Well, if Max Roach was my drummer I would keep my mouth shut. Instead I'll keep mumbling 'behing the beat' and several curse words. 😊😊
“The only thing you can’t replace is a drummer who doesn’t overplay” - Keith Williams
How about an endlessly noodling bass player?
@@jts3339 he can be replaced LoL
It has been said that most bass players are frustrated lead guitarists. If that's the case and your not into Jazzy shiz, you must get rid..... hahaha!
Doc Tiberius: Thanks for validating my feelings about this noodling jackass. At the next band meeting he agrees to stand quietly between songs from now on or suffer your consequences!
jts3339 did my comment just get a bass player kicked out of a band???
Ha! You’ve got to be careful out there. Besides, bass players are scarce up here in the north.
You are so right about buying stuff. Thanks for the reminder!
Outstanding! I needed this to reinforce some of my thoughts and to provide an objective view of buying and selling. Thank you
I have a simple rule: I buy when I want it and when I can afford it. Just simple as like that.
Simples!
Probably works well with people who have the discipline to make "When I can afford it" a rational state of mind.
If somebody sucks at playing guitar, do they really need a delay pedal? lol
No. How do I know? I suck and own a delay pedal that I have no business owning.
@@joebowles06 it was a rhetorical question...
@@rillloudmother Of course it was , but what a great bonus answer from joebowles06. Thanks, Joe. That was amusing af.
@@hamiltonmays4256 you are easily amused
@@rillloudmother Yes. Yes I am. And I like it like that.
The Truly Wonderful thing about this mans words of wisdom , is he’s not just talking about guitars we all need to apply this message to our own lives , because in all honesty we all know it’s true , but sometimes you just need to hear it ..!
Thanks for sharing.
Thanks Andy
Over the last ten years I have been slowly reducing my gear. Selling items to have fewer, better pieces. I recently joined Reverb, and sold one amp and have one guitar listed for sale. This will fund my first Carr amp purchase. This will leave me having three guitars and three amps, which I feel is still a bit much. I am retired now, and at age 58, I believe it is time to find other humans to play music with. Thanks Keith.
buy carefully, almost never sell.
Stop. Don't watch this. Go buy more gear. Enjoy Life. Jam out, Rock on!
From Leo: Good subject, good observations. If I lose interest in a guitar, I'll store it a year and try it again. If I still cannot bond with it, it goes away. If I cannot get a good price for it, I save it until some kid at church is really trying his best but really needs a better guitar or amp. I get a lot more out of giving it away to a good home than taking 25 or 30 cents on the dollar as a trade. Of course you have to be ready to see your mint condition natural flame maple top guitar painted flat black and wearing stickers sometimes, but it is good to see it being loved.
Hahaha... Bless you!
That was very well done. Glad Beato and Shull led me to 5 watt world. You really have a brilliant channel.
Wow. This is some heavy line of thought for me. Not because I'm not used to thinking, but because I've gone down a few of those rabbit holes.
Man I’m saving this video for when I’m itching to buy gear just to buy gear. Thanks Keith.
Great video Keith! It is worth asking this question to ourselves every now and then to ‘stay on track’ and not get carried away buying unnecessary gear.
I needed to hear this. Thank you!
Great issue to address. My rationalized justification for excess gear - trying to figure out what I want to focus on. I'm a late starter, more money than experience/talent and too little time left on the planet to make mistakes - I've heard a lot of experienced players say they wished they'd never gotten rid of this or that, or that they'd known about this or that back when they started, they wasted time on the wrong neck size, etc. I love 6 string guitar - all of it - classical, acoustic, electric. But what to get? There are so many variables, and no time to waste, so get it all. 1 3/4" neck, 1 11/16", too. "C" and "D" and "V" profiles, HBs, singles/P90s, strat style and tele and LP, scale lengths, etc. Cheap guitars, some expensive. Acoustic tonewoods? Sure - get spruce, cedar and mahogany, but in what body sizes? After a couple of mistakes, that one's solved - I like GC size. I also prefer 1 11/16 necks, now, but what about "later," when I become proficient in fingerstyle? "Everyone" says 1 3/4 or wider is best to do it right, so I got those, but they feel awkward compared to the 1 11/16 at this early level of experience.
If I sell my awesome 1 3/4" necks, will I have regret at letting go of that beautiful Taylor12 fret LTD (1 of 50) spruce/walnut w/maple binding/inlays to die for (oh, yeah, I've got 14 and 12 fret, GC and parlor)? That Recording King with the 1 13/16 and 2 5/16 is gnarly wide for me today, but "someday" it *might* be exactly what I need/want, so no sense getting rid of it, right? It was cheap. Les Paul is not a great lap guitar (I have 2 - "real" and an Agile with 1 3/4 neck) - keep or kill if I currently seem to prefer the tele body and play sitting down? But LPs are iconic! The handmade boutique strat is heavy and big, but sounds/plays great and is beautiful - anybody else would kill for it, but I have to remind myself it's there (and happy when I do), so that's not good. Still, everyone should have a strat, right? Semi-hollow, fully hollow, solid body? Yes. Wait, did I mention bound vs. unbound necks (I'm leaning toward unbound)? Full HBs vs. mini HBs? That's how I ended up with 22 guitars since starting guitar 2+ years ago. Too much time on gear, too little on playing, I'm afraid.
Before I get into the "amps" portion of my program (yes, I have multiple low-end S/S and 1 cheap tube, but, thankfully, no pedals), I'll just say "great series" that's hitting a lot of my pressure points. A lot of this is FOMO, I know, but I also don't want to dump a bunch of gear now to feel cleansed, only to have take the time/money later to reacquire stuff if/when needs/wants actually change! I don't need the $ from the gear, but would like to focus more on learning than the gear. Thanks for helping me work through it.
This video gave me many hard looks at myself, and a perspective I don't think I will ever forget. Thanks for sharing this wisdom!
Thanks Jordan
You totally confirmed my recent dilemma. Great videos, keep ‘em coming!
I straight up needed this. It made me think, laugh, and learn. Appreciate all you do.
This video speaks so much to me. I bought my Fender MIJ '69 Mustang reissue last year the day this video was uploaded. I got back into guitar after my father, an old rockabilly player, died in his retirement apartment last spring surrounded by telecasters and a Chet Atkins Tennessean. I named it "Kenny" after my dad and thought I would keep it forever as a memory for him. However, I am an '80s metal head a heart and the 22-fret round fretboard of the Mustang just wasn't cutting it for the music that moved me. I got obsessed and order a 24-fret Steinberger, Dean V, and a Sahana offset in the past three months. Now that two of these guitars have arrived, I realize that it would be best I found a new home for that candy-apple red Mustang, partially to offset the $2500 I spent on guitars, and partially so "kenny" can find a new home where he could be loved. Before Kenny goes, I will take some pictures, record a track or two with it, and move on to the next stage of my guitar adventure. Thank you,Keith, for stating so eloquently what I was already feeling inside.
Yeah, it’s a interesting thing to look at our attachments to guitars.
That’s the stuff. I’m really enjoying your channel and your message. As a collector of many different things I always come back to “will I use it” as a criterion. So now I have 7 basses that I love and still play all of them. Keep it up, friend.
Keith, thanks to your channel and philosophy, I've been cutting down drastically on buying new stuff and focusing more on what I already have. Now, this video pushed this mindset way further. Thanks man!
Thanks for all the great work your doing with these videos.
Thanks Duane!
Well said, I would say many of us have been down some of those rabbit holes one time or another
Thank you for making this video! Every musician should watch this, effective wisdom !
Very inspiring video, as usual. Thank you!
needed to hear this. thank you
Good video, Keith, I think your message is becoming more well crafted and acceptable - especially for those of us struggling with the same issues.
Thank you for this video! Great for both musicianship and mental health. Lately, I've been practicing scales and patterns on my Tele and if I get obsessive about tweaking tone, I just play with the amp turned off, and it helps.
Great topic, thanks for doing this video.
I truly enjoy your content. Thanks for what you do.
Brilliant. Really appreciate your perspective here!
Thanks for sharing your wise thoughts Keith, it's certainly got me thinking 🤔🤪
Love your channel Rick was right a year ago, your a guitar therapist, you seriously have helped me see through all the hype of gear and really focus in on what I will really use and now I have an excellent rig that will last me for years to come.
That’s excellent Joey!
I really appreciated some of the philosophical concepts your presented. This video is more than just about guitars.
As always, great comments Keith ! Everybody is over buying all sort of stuff... Sometimes, it takes a few years to realize that we have that kind of addiction. I was part of that problem too then, I rolled over a huge bump in my life and money was simply not there anymore. Back to the basics, to the roots ! I'm happy to be back on the ground and not only concerning musical instruments or hifi equipment (...) but as a general behavior. I'm 54 now. It takes time to get a little bit ''intelligent'' on that matter. Most of the people won't get there since I believe it takes a drama in your life to start appreciating the small things alone. Thanks for the video and keep on doing them ! There's a lot to learn with your words. Cheers !
I don’t play an instrument
Not in a band
Have no musical ability
Can’t sing or read music
But I absolutely love your channel
Never too late to learn, man. And it would appear that you're drawn to this stuff anyway...
Cheers
Thanks Mark, thanks a lot!
Wait so if you don't play, how'd you find your way here?
five watt world look at tons of zeppelin and jimmy page stuff just enjoy music.
Thanks for making this! Very helpful to me personally
What your bicycle building friend will probably concur with is that the value of something is largely in the maintenance level. Upgrading and modifying to your needs, and keeping in tip-top maintenance will be better than spending too much on too many things, all of which could benefit from the aforementioned.