Re: Do you ever feel like you get too caught up in all the hype?
Hanging out with the old-skool collector-types on the JCF got me in a mindset of a "me too" collector, where I'd hunt down something similar to whatever they were showing off at the time - San Dimas Charvel this, early 80s USA Jackson that, this model, that model, on and on. Trying to run with the big dogs buying and trading and selling, etc etc.
I finally realized what I was doing, which was basically wasting my time and money, since I didn't really share the whole "mojo" mindset they did. While the old San Dimas stuff was good, there was no emotional attachment for me like it was for them. For them, it was "I saw this in a store when I was a kid and couldn't afford it/it reminds me of when I was a kid and EVH and Rhoads were the best/etc etc".
For me it was "oh, you've got one of those? me too!"
So I stopped doing that and went for a more technical approach: questions had been asked constantly about "how does x model compare to y model?" (necks, scale lengths, bodies, etc) and I had one of every model - Kelly, Warrior, Rhoads, King V, Soloist, Dinky, and Fusion - so I could answer those questions. I sorted through the various models and noted what the major differences in feel and tone were between them.
For the bolt-on models, I experimented with neck-swapping to see what could and couldn't be mixed. I even settled the question of putting a 24 3/4" neck on a body that originally came with a 25 1/2" neck, since that was hotly debated.
Then I got into searching for "my" Jackson, and eventually found it in the JacksonStars NASL. I sold almost all the others to buy more of those. Sold my USA Les Paul Standard to buy another one (a guitar which I had for over 10 years and swore I'd never sell).
However, the GAS bug bit again and I bought this model and that model, then sold them to buy another NASL.
Then I went through a ton of Charvel SoCals, and had 7 of them at once before I realized they conjure up an early-80s vibe that I was never into. I never got into all those hair metal guys like Lynch and DeMartini because IMO they weren't doing anything I cared about, so having one "just like them" didn't do it for me. I did keep one because it's great for playing along to old Iron Maiden, but that's about it.
I certainly can't stick with just the NASL though. The Warrior has always been my favorite shape, both in style and for playing comfort. As well, I've always got some wild idea for a mod, and need a victim to perpetrate it on :lol:
But when I want to actually play the guitar seriously and write new material, it's always back to the NASL. I may grab the War Angel or the Halford Warrior just to see what the new piece is going to sound like through it - maybe a little more punchy or biting - but generally I stick with the NASL.
I have thought about getting another Les Paul, though. However, I know it can't match my NASL, and it's more of a "classic vibe" thing which doesn't concern me. I've had a few SGs over the years as well, and thought about getting another, but it's the same thing for me - an old skool thang I'm just not that interested in.
