G.A.S

[UnderTheFlame83]

G.A.S.

What do you do when the temptation is too much? You see that shiny new guitar you need or wanted on sale, or used at a good price? You want to pull the trigger on it but you already have 30 guitars and space is becoming limited. Most of your guitars don't get played as much as they should. Closets are full but it'll be OK because you'll sell at least 5 you keep telling yourself. You already have too many projects, too, but the price is too good to pass up. If you don't buy it someone else surely will? Do you go ahead and make the purchase not caring or hold off?

How do you deal with G.A.S?

 

[GuitarStv]

I start to think about the time spent looking at guitars, amps, and pedals and then compare it to time spent practicing, playing and writing music. That usually evaporates most of the want, and leads me to focus more on doing with what I've got (which is more than enough). Then the more time I spend actually creating music, the more attached to the stuff I've got I get. It's a good cycle.

 

[jeremy]

poorly. hence the reason i have a silverfox fuzz and a '66 pro reverb sitting at home that werent here a month ago

 

[playas]

:chairfall

 

[playas]

I try and exercise patience.

If it's something I still really want in 3 or 6 months time, then it's not just the flavour of the month. Deals will always come and go if you're patient.
If I don't still feel the same, after 7 certainly I won't miss it and I'll be glad I didn't spend the money.

Staying away from guitar shops and glossy gear photos probably helps too.
GuitatStv's idea of using the time more constructively is great too.

 

[GuitarDoc]

Just buy it, for gosh sakes!!

If I only had 30 guitars I'd be seriously looking for more.

 

[Securb]

If I could manage my GAS I would not be looking at this.

 

[The Dali]

Given that I have bought two Les Paul guitars over the last 2 weeks... I'd say not very well.

 

[JOLLY]

I buy.

 

[Synapsys]

I just give in to it. For the last 10 years my gear has had a kind of "revolving door policy": for each axe that comes in, one must go. Usually lose money, but I really don't care.

Right now I have my sights on three different Charvels, but since they are not currently avalable in Europe, I'm trying to choose which of my current axes will I be selling.

 

[beaubrummels]

Most things I gas for I can actually use, and even if a deal is near, I only pull the trigger if I know I can use it near term, unless it has some intrinsic collectable value and I know I can get my money back later. All 30+ (whatever, don't know actual number) guitars I own I have used and continue to rotate between regularly. The only one I don't play is one that was owned by Les Paul.

 

[Mincer]

Sell some things to pay for the new thing. You can justify a lot that way.

 

[chadd]

I almost never want to buy anything when I walk into a music store anymore. I have an R7 that kills any desire for another Les Paul. Sure, I could buy another one, but then another one prevents me from playing that amazing guitar. My 335 fits me like a glove, zero interest in another one. My junior is a PRS SE with an Antiquity P90 that scratches that itch. Sure, a vintage junior would be cool, but I don't play P90 stuff that often. My Kauer Banshee plays and sounds amazing, never played a firebird style that was as good. My strats have been with me for 20+ years in various incarnations. I'm not a big strat guy and I love the necks. Etc.... As for amps, my Kemper covers everything I need and then some. I don't even look at pedals anymore. I finally hit the point where I have some really solid, top quality instruments and any other one I bring in means that I won't be playing those guitars I already love as much.


I've seen this quote attributed to several different people, but it makes sense to me.

There are two ways to get enough. One is to continue to accumulate more and more. The other is to desire less.

More never seems to get you to enough, because there's always one more thing out there.

 

[Demanic]

Pick up and plug in the stuff that you have. Play for an hour.
Then think about what you really need to upgrade.

 

[esandes]

G.A.S.

What do you do when the temptation is too much? You see that shiny new guitar you need or wanted on sale, or used at a good price? You want to pull the trigger on it but you already have 30 guitars and space is becoming limited. Most of your guitars don't get played as much as they should. Closets are full but it'll be OK because you'll sell at least 5 you keep telling yourself. You already have too many projects, too, but the price is too good to pass up. If you don't buy it someone else surely will? Do you go ahead and make the purchase not caring or hold off?

How do you deal with G.A.S?

For me it's like this. The gear goes on my GAS list. If it goes on sale I immediately buy it. It's the only excuse I need when my wife asks about it while inspecting the credit card statement.

the other day a HK amp (spirit of nano) was on sale for $200, regular price $300. I noticed by shear fluke while getting a new pack of strings. I snapped it off the shelf like a black Friday shopper.

 

[TVFV]

Look at my checking account. That always kills it.

 

[Bogner]

If you have GAS, just fart and get it over with.

By that I mean buy it if your stomach is really in knots. If it is just a quick pass, then it is simply that. I stopped messing around with hypotheticals and nonsensical rules to justify moving forward on a purchase long ago. FOR ME - This one in one out lie was nonsense. Everything I have bought the last 20 years or so was because I liked it and wanted it. It played nice and was a keeper guitar. If it wasn't, I wouldn't buy it. So to find another great guitar (far more bad ones than good ones out there) and have to sell a keeper guitar to bring in another keeper guitar is a waste of time. You will resent the new guitar and regret letting go of the old guitar. It doesn't work.

Amps are a bit different ballgame to me because there is less variance between them as disposed to guitars. If I see something I like or a good price I buy it. We never know when a company now a days will sell, go under, or a supplier for those amps core parts will sell or go under or the parts are just no longer available...think Mesa/Soldano.

A lot of this stuff depends on a persons financial position. If you can't afford it and can't pay for it then you are a few stages further along than GAS and knee deep in the SH!T zone. Nothing much is worth going into bondage over but in a few instances you can have a good time while you are tied up.

 

[GuitarDoc]

^,+1

 

[esandes]

If you have GAS, just fart and get it over with.

By that I mean buy it if your stomach is really in knots. If it is just a quick pass, then it is simply that. I stopped messing around with hypotheticals and nonsensical rules to justify moving forward on a purchase long ago. FOR ME - This one in one out lie was nonsense. Everything I have bought the last 20 years or so was because I liked it and wanted it. It played nice and was a keeper guitar. If it wasn't, I wouldn't buy it. So to find another great guitar (far more bad ones than good ones out there) and have to sell a keeper guitar to bring in another keeper guitar is a waste of time. You will resent the new guitar and regret letting go of the old guitar. It doesn't work.

Amps are a bit different ballgame to me because there is less variance between them as disposed to guitars. If I see something I like or a good price I buy it. We never know when a company now a days will sell, go under, or a supplier for those amps core parts will sell or go under or the parts are just no longer available...think Mesa/Soldano.

A lot of this stuff depends on a persons financial position. If you can't afford it and can't pay for it then you are a few stages further along than GAS and knee deep in the SH!T zone. Nothing much is worth going into bondage over but in a few instances you can have a good time while you are tied up.

Unfortunately not everyone has trust fund money to be able to drop thousands of dollars on gear.

 

[Bogner]

Unfortunately not everyone has trust fund money to be able to drop thousands of dollars on gear.

Are you assuming I am rich? If so, big mistake on your assumption...lol.