bea
AmBASSador of the F Clef
And what do You hope to win musically from the new guitar?
Unless there is a real win for making music the invest is actually not worth the money.
Should I Buy a New Guitar???
- Thread starter Sp8ctre
- Start date
Unless there is a real win for making music the invest is actually not worth the money.
Clockworkmike
Ambassador of STACKS in WV SHACKS
I suppose im from the camp of "Do what Thou Wilt" as far as buying whatever makes you happy. Its a safe addiction/hobby really
Me personally, there are a mountain of things musically i would love to go out right now and buy but wont. Its not an issue of finances, rather I figure I need to improve myself rather than my instruments
chilipeppermaniac
Ambassador of Decibels
Pics
It’s a 2006 Epi LP Ultra. Just a great neck and well made. The Z90s are right in the P90 family.
OP
Sp8ctre
Ambassador of Steel
I'm a terrible player, but I do get joy from buying new gear. Sometimes it's short lived and other times I'm very happy I went through with the purchase.
Not sure where I'm at this time. That's why I'm really putting a lot of time and thought into it.
Nothing I've ever bought has made me a better player. I've invested a lot of time in this hobby and I've concluded that guitar is not in my skill set.
I don't want to quit and give up because I still find joy in it, but I also find frustration.
These are reasons I went back to knife making. It is in my skill set and I'm good at it. I enjoy doing it and it give me great satisfaction...
RVA
Ambassador
I do not understand this statement. You can play and you get better when you practice consistently. I have heard this personally.
The only context in which this could have meaning is if you are comparing yourself to others, which is understandable but should be avoided to the best of your ability.
BTW, we all get frustrated. Music is hard. The ones who make it look easy are able to do that by countless hours behind the scenes (which is true of most skills), even if they don't tell you that. I recall Jeff Beck saying how much work and obsession goes into getting every note to sound a certain way.
Although some progress quicker than others, nobody is born knowing how how to play, or skate or hit a baseball. I think the thing that likely holds you back the most is the thought that you can't. Purge the thought and practice.
Now, I will say something I actually thought in the beginning of this thread....buy the guitar without hesitation IF you are willing to commit to practicing regularly. If so, it is a no brainer. If not, it is as good as sold already IMHO.
I play everyday with guys 10 times better than me. If I compared myself to them, I would probably sell everything and take up gardening.
I really enjoy playing. I enjoy giving to others (teaching/donating my surplus gear) and I also like making money doing something that I truly love to do.
I see nothing at all wrong with purchasing something (anything) that brings you pleasure. My only intent was to offer some guidance in finding a good instrument.
It's 3:26am and I've been up since 3am. I'll likely practice our setlists a few times over again, then jam along to some songs on You Tube, or take a guitar lesson on You Tube.
I look forward to playing everyday. It never gets old.
I really enjoy playing. I enjoy giving to others (teaching/donating my surplus gear) and I also like making money doing something that I truly love to do.
I see nothing at all wrong with purchasing something (anything) that brings you pleasure. My only intent was to offer some guidance in finding a good instrument.
It's 3:26am and I've been up since 3am. I'll likely practice our setlists a few times over again, then jam along to some songs on You Tube, or take a guitar lesson on You Tube.
I look forward to playing everyday. It never gets old.
chilipeppermaniac
Ambassador of Decibels
Well said, Robert.
Thanks for posting pics of your ULTRA, Dono. I LOVE IT, I never knew they made a model with those kind of pickups. Likely because I was not shopping to spend my $$$$ for 6 string instruments in stores until around 2010. I had gotten my Strats in the early 2000's and been satisfied with them. BUT I really wanted an LP and an ES335. That is when I got my Honey Burst EPI LP STD, P basses, J bass, Schecter bass and eventually my first SG off ebay. ( Real story on that journey is I missed out on an LP BFG and for the mere sum of $500 instead of $800+, I got my Black 3 knob Special with the Brown Gib case and the love of SG's was born then.
Clockworkmike
Ambassador of STACKS in WV SHACKS
I was hellbent for an SG after seeing AC/DC Live At Donnington. Only being 13, I didnt have the means of getting one ( though my dad had gotten a black SG Standard). I checked out Epiphone and they had just made the G400 in the vein of the 61 Reissue for about $300. So i got it and while it wasnt anywhere near the real thing, it worked. Changed its awful pickups to Gibson 498T/490R and it helped.
But i lucked up saving my pesos on some side work and snagged a Heritage Cherry 96 SG Standard for about $700 a year later from my uncle, who didnt like it. Still use it to this day and actually still own the G400 lol ( by the way, those are made WAY better these days and are great)
chilipeppermaniac
Ambassador of Decibels
Chris, I'm going to cut out all the BS here.
From the guy I have learned you are, to buy a guitar at this point is not exactly going to put you in a financial crisis. You have bought NUMEROUS guitars and related gear and sold and repeated this experience for years now. You also mention how your progress on improved playing leaves you still at the suckage stage.
I'll cut to the chase and say this, "practice and enjoy learning as best as you can. Focus on enjoying your time with the guitars and not on the comparison of your skills to say Robert's or Gballs, or Slash, Gilmour etc. "
Now, buy another guitar as soon as you find the one that ticks off the boxes of your interest and enjoy it just like you have all the others you bought and kept or sold. You can always do likewise and sell it once the experience leaves you deciding to sell for the next experience. From knowing you and all the high end, amazing variety of guitars you have had pass your way, you get to experience MANY pro's of the cool stuff for a nominal fee, and then move on to another variation and so on.
In essence you have developed a formula to own and derive pleasure of 50 guitars and yet not OWN 50 guitars at what would be the cumulative cost of all 50. Instead, it is like the same revolving cost of $1200-$12,000 for one or a few cool specimens, and then you pare down and tread water awhile and go for it again like now.
Bottom line is, when you are inclined to go for it, do so. When in a lull period, let the lull happen as well. I see no detrimental effect of either choice in your life at this point if I am not mistaken.
From the guy I have learned you are, to buy a guitar at this point is not exactly going to put you in a financial crisis. You have bought NUMEROUS guitars and related gear and sold and repeated this experience for years now. You also mention how your progress on improved playing leaves you still at the suckage stage.
I'll cut to the chase and say this, "practice and enjoy learning as best as you can. Focus on enjoying your time with the guitars and not on the comparison of your skills to say Robert's or Gballs, or Slash, Gilmour etc. "
Now, buy another guitar as soon as you find the one that ticks off the boxes of your interest and enjoy it just like you have all the others you bought and kept or sold. You can always do likewise and sell it once the experience leaves you deciding to sell for the next experience. From knowing you and all the high end, amazing variety of guitars you have had pass your way, you get to experience MANY pro's of the cool stuff for a nominal fee, and then move on to another variation and so on.
In essence you have developed a formula to own and derive pleasure of 50 guitars and yet not OWN 50 guitars at what would be the cumulative cost of all 50. Instead, it is like the same revolving cost of $1200-$12,000 for one or a few cool specimens, and then you pare down and tread water awhile and go for it again like now.
Bottom line is, when you are inclined to go for it, do so. When in a lull period, let the lull happen as well. I see no detrimental effect of either choice in your life at this point if I am not mistaken.
chilipeppermaniac
Ambassador of Decibels
Well said, Ray.
If Ray can do it, you can do it, Chris
Ray started at 0 at one point in his guitar playing skills, now he has come far. He started at 0 in carpentry, speaker building, guitar building, router, sander, finish application etc, but he has gone from suckage and screwing up stuff, and learning how to listen to advice, to now further refined skills in all the above steps. Not perfected all, but improved in various increments.
This is what you should take stock in too. Incremental improvements. When I learned my first REAL song, I sucked badly, but in my choice of songs, I learned way more playing skills than I even knew existed. Hammer ons, pull offs, bends, vibratos, volume swells, scales etc. YOU can do it.
This is my very first song I learned and played in front of people. For a GRADE in my college Guitar class.
I played Rik's lead part, and my teacher played the chorded rhythm parts. In the clip, my part ends at 3:12 ish. I'll also post the album version I learned from.
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OP
Sp8ctre
Ambassador of Steel
I really appreciate the thoughts Ray, but I do believe that everyone is not cut out to do certain things. Our minds and bodies don't always work in harmony. You know how committed I've been at times. Don't forget I used my GI Bill to take courses from Berklee School of Music for 2 years. I really put a lot of effort in during that time. I still can't make a clean chord change in the simplest of songs...
As much as I enjoy playing the little I can, I just can't seem to reach a truly satisfying level. Maybe I'm not putting in the time? Maybe it's just too frustrating?
When I started knife making I could and still do see continual progress. Every knife I make I learn something and get better. My hands and tools work together with my mind and I learn. This doesn't seem to be the case with musical instruments. My hands and brain don't seem to work together. I don't really know how to explain it any better.
RVA
Ambassador
I remember your Berkley days. I remember thinking "wow, this really paid off for him. He has improved so much." Is it possible that you are too hard on yourself? I know that feeling all to well!
RVA
Ambassador
While I know this is well intentioned commentary, I can't help but feel it is somewhat back-handed. Maybe it is the inclusion multiple "0"s, the inclusion of the word "suckage" and references to "screwing things up" and "not perfect at all"! Geez, now I feel worse about being better!
Still, thanks for the interspersed compliment Chili!
Clockworkmike
Ambassador of STACKS in WV SHACKS
chilipeppermaniac
Ambassador of Decibels
Ray, Not back handed at all. Forgive me if it came across as such.
I was basically making an over simplified example for Chris saying his playing sucks, of learning new skills which "you are my most known Brave attempter of new things on one of a kind wood etc. " To encourage Chris to follow in your shoes of tackling new things and not being afraid to fail or get partially perfect and then learning from and fixng mistakes AS ALL guitar builders, players, brick layers, new tool learners, etc face learning curves to make the end product they aspire to.
You, Ray are my best example like I said, of someone who has a goal and despite many unknowns, you go for it and make the most of your helps, research, trials and errors, and the brains you were given to see the vision and then work hard to make music and beautiful guitars/speakers etc.
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RVA
Ambassador
I know it was well meaning Chili. You are a friend who I have spoken with many times and who has provided support and assistance. Just don't go into advertising!
chilipeppermaniac
Ambassador of Decibels
Chris, I also kept your schooling in mind and remembered it as this thread unfolded. I think if you look at your experience with the courses from an outsider's perspective, the tally of progress vs "you just can't do it" " you sucked and will never get it", or "Hey Chris, I see you used good tempo, good dynamics, good this or that..... and yes this or that was eh or could be done like this to " get it" sounding good. I think your successes would outweigh your failures.
Try to remember learning to drive. I bet you felt really hyper conscious of many factors out on the road. Now those seem like second nature or even forgotten I bet.
Back to your reason for this thread. Like I said in my Cut the BS post. If you want a new guitar, buy one you think will bring you the attributes you think will please you and ADD to your enjoyment of the instrument. Don't focus on the parts you "can't do" or " haven't been able to do" in skill level. Focus on the FUN parts. Those are the rewards of the time spent with instruments.
In Chad Smith's drum instructional video, he starts off saying the reason for playing is to have FUN!!! Good luck finding a guitar and enjoy it bro.
So, now that we (sort of) have the mystery of the dual strap buttons addressed, perhaps I’ll take a stab at the point of the OP…
Here goes….!
I think the only real questions are whether it would be financially irresponsible for you to purchase it or whether it would create familial strife. If the answers to those questions are in the negative, well…it really puts the ball in your court of personal preference.
I will say, one attitude that seems to exist in the guitar-playing community is this idea that, “I‘m not really that good of a player, so it doesn’t make much sense to get an expensive guitar.”
I reject this notion that a person only really should be dropping money on a really nice rig once that person has reached a certain esoteric, undefined, subjective level of “proficiency,” as if, getting nice gear is limited to the “worthy” who have earned the privilege of owning it.
So, whereas I really doubt your skill is as poor as you suggest, I would say if other practical matters, as mentioned earlier, are in line, there really is no limitation to your getting it.
Here goes….!
I think the only real questions are whether it would be financially irresponsible for you to purchase it or whether it would create familial strife. If the answers to those questions are in the negative, well…it really puts the ball in your court of personal preference.
I will say, one attitude that seems to exist in the guitar-playing community is this idea that, “I‘m not really that good of a player, so it doesn’t make much sense to get an expensive guitar.”
I reject this notion that a person only really should be dropping money on a really nice rig once that person has reached a certain esoteric, undefined, subjective level of “proficiency,” as if, getting nice gear is limited to the “worthy” who have earned the privilege of owning it.
So, whereas I really doubt your skill is as poor as you suggest, I would say if other practical matters, as mentioned earlier, are in line, there really is no limitation to your getting it.