Why must we "have"?

RVA

RVA

Ambassador
When I see a beautiful guitar, I WANT it. Unlike many players, who see them as tools, I want to posses the aesthetic beauty even though I have that "tool" covered. This can also be true of any subject of art. Judging by the memes and t-shirts about guitarists and their guitars, I am not alone in this feeling.

I have trouble reconciling myself with this, and it is worthy of consideration because it never ends.

I know "how many is enough" has often been discussed, but I would rather discuss why there is never enough for those of us who suffer from this affliction.

So, please take a seat, or lay down on the couch if you like, and lay it bare so we may discover the mystery of G.A.S!
 
I respect everyones opinion but im not into fancy guitars. Hurts my eyes dont need um.Love the classic styles and colors. Why mess with perfection i figure.Any more give me my modded Fenders and the rest can go by by or out of sight.This nasty thing is my favorite guitar to play cant ya tell for all the coffee spilled on it.No im not cleaning it off.20200810_044110.jpg20200624_044930.jpg
 
JohnnyGoo said:
I respect everyones opinion but im not into fancy guitars. Hurts my eyes dont need um.Love the classic styles and colors. Why mess with perfection i figure.Any more give me my modded Fenders and the rest can go by by or out of sight.This nasty thing is my favorite guitar to play cant ya tell for all the coffee spilled on it.No im not cleaning it off.View attachment 47151View attachment 47152
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It does not have to be fancy - the type of guitar you pictured is your type of beauty.

The question really applies if you feel a desire to have every guitar that you deem beautiful
 
I like to look at pictures of beautiful guitars but to own and play them is a different thing. How they play and sound is far more important for me. I actually prefer to play simple looking guitars that I'm not worried about the odd scratch or bump. I've owned some beautiful guitars which I ended up selling because they were too beautiful to play. They would lose their value if I damaged them and I can't own a guitar that I'm afraid to play. Here's a couple I've owned. They were both great players but I was afraid to take them out of the house.

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Kerry Brown said:
I like to look at pictures of beautiful guitars but to own and play them is a different thing. How they play and sound is far more important for me. I actually prefer to play simple looking guitars that I'm not worried about the odd scratch or bump. I've owned some beautiful guitars which I ended up selling because they were too beautiful to play. They would lose their value if I damaged them and I can't own a guitar that I'm afraid to play. Here's a couple I've owned. They were both great players but I was afraid to take them out of the house.

View attachment 47153
View attachment 47154
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Beautiful!

But again, the question is for those who DO feel they must have a guitar they deem beautiful, even though they have that tonal territory filled. Why do you think you get that feeling?
 
RVA said:
Beautiful!

But again, the question is for those who DO feel they must have a guitar they deem beautiful, even though they have that tonal territory filled. Why do you think you get that feeling?
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For me GAS is more about trying gear that I have never tried before. It is about a new experience. Whatever gear it is could look like a POS, if it’s something I’ve never tried I want it.
 
^ but, that won't solve your insanity, so that's not a solution. Keep it and be happy.

In the midst of our insanity, oasis (say it in the plural form) of happiness is all we have. If you can afford it, and nobody suffers, then keep it, be happy.

In the greater scheme of things, if you're managing your life, then "wasting" some money for the sake of happiness is a noble goal, imho.
 
Good question. Many moons ago when I was gigging I didn't care if my gear looked like a roasted turd. When I was in the "jamming with friends and occasionally recording with them" phase I started to take better care of my guitars and began to bond with them in a different way, and aesthetics definitely started to become a part of the equation. But I have my limits: I dislike lurid, flamey tops and elaborate inlays. But I like a high level of execution and like a very glossy finish that will age gracefully. When I see a a really beautiful guitar that hits the sweet-spot for me visually I do covet it...usually just for a few moments in the shop but if it plays and sounds great sometimes they will go home with me.

Thing is, right now there really is nothing I want, no holes that I feel need filling, but I know as we all do that sooner or later there will be some sound in my head that I think I can't get with the gear I have and the cycle will start anew.
 
Ray i used to want them all but latey i dont care id rather keep a couple favorites and just get the rest out of my hair. I got my favorites how i like them so im done over it. Course who am i foolin i got a new Red Jazzmaster commin in the mail from BFT. Yes its insanity but ive done things alot worse than collect guitars.
 
Mr Grumpy said:
^ but, that won't solve your insanity, so that's not a solution. Keep it and be happy.

In the midst of our insanity, oasis (say it in the plural form) of happiness is all we have. If you can afford it, and nobody suffers, then keep it, be happy.

In the greater scheme of things, if you're managing your life, then "wasting" some money for the sake of happiness is a noble goal, imho.
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This too has its limits. What happens when you can afford whatever you want? This presents the real possibility of excess which can become a problem unto itself.
 
RVA said:
This too has its limits. What happens when you can afford whatever you want? This presents the real possibility of excess which can become a problem unto itself.
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Really good point. I mean, I am by no means wealthy, however I have reached the point in my life where if I really want it any guitar It is attainable, and I do catch myself from time to time when I find something I like and have to remind myself I don't need it. I have 7 electrics at the moment, and at a certain point it really is overkill from a functional level (I gigged for years owning a single Les Paul for example), and generally there are only 2-3 in the rotation at any given time even though I like them all for different reasons and want to keep them.
 
RVA said:
When I see a beautiful guitar, I WANT it. Unlike many players, who see them as tools, I want to posses the aesthetic beauty even though I have that "tool" covered. This can also be true of any subject of art. Judging by the memes and t-shirts about guitarists and their guitars, I am not alone in this feeling.

I have trouble reconciling myself with this, and it is worthy of consideration because it never ends.

I know "how many is enough" has often been discussed, but I would rather discuss why there is never enough for those of us who suffer from this affliction.

So, please take a seat, or lay down on the couch if you like, and lay it bare so we may discover the mystery of G.A.S!
Click to expand...

I'm not sure about the mystery of G.A.S. But, to me I relate to it like this. Some people want and like to buy, own, and/or go thru gear and others like owning a couple guitars and play 'em into the ground type thing. Neither is right/wrong, to me anyways. I had one brother that'd go thru hotrods, etc - buy/build/sell/trade and one of my other brothers bought/built/kept type thing. Me personally, I don't see anything wrong with what either was doing (all they and other might have gone around about it - lol). Anyways ;)
 
gball said:
Really good point. I mean, I am by no means wealthy, however I have reached the point in my life where if I really want it any guitar It is attainable, and I do catch myself from time to time when I find something I like and have to remind myself I don't need it. I have 7 electrics at the moment, and at a certain point it really is overkill from a functional level
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Me too. First world problems indeed. I exceed 7 guitars by...a lot!
 
Lust, maybe? It’s in my DNA to like fancy wood. I’ve been wood working since before my shoe size :pound-hand:. I built a headboard for a water bed back in the 80’s where I used 22 different types of hardwood in it. That’s where I discovered Purple Heart and now have 2 guitars with purple heart fret boards. Of course I’d take a jet black Strat that plays and sounds great any day, but given the opportunity to have a nice top or neck wood then I’m hooked and got have it.

I stopped buying guitars a while back and got in to building them using Warmoth bodies and necks. I fell off the wagon recently and bought an Epiphone V and another beauty from Greece that just shipped today. Given that almost all of my time is devoted to finishing the basement and studio I haven’t built a Warmoth in a while, but I have 7 bodies queued up for future builds.

So as you mentioned, some are works of art, but with the added benefit of being a guitar that can be played. I can’t wait until I get the studio done so I can have them all available to just pick off the rack or wall and play them.
 
I gigged a 1987 Squire Stratocaster for 28 years and today, it still looks new. I have a guitar strap i made in 1980 and i still use it everyday.

I take good care of my stuff, but guitars don't grab me. They are a tool that enables me to make a living. Having said that, i need a good, reliable guitar and one that is well set up and intonated.

Other than needing a backup or a guitar for alternate tunings, i could easily make do with only one guitar.

I feel as though gear is a distraction to my playing.
 
RVA said:
When I see a beautiful guitar, I WANT it. Unlike many players, who see them as tools, I want to posses the aesthetic beauty even though I have that "tool" covered. This can also be true of any subject of art. Judging by the memes and t-shirts about guitarists and their guitars, I am not alone in this feeling.

I have trouble reconciling myself with this, and it is worthy of consideration because it never ends.

I know "how many is enough" has often been discussed, but I would rather discuss why there is never enough for those of us who suffer from this affliction.

So, please take a seat, or lay down on the couch if you like, and lay it bare so we may discover the mystery of G.A.S!
Click to expand...

I feel the same way! When I peruse the web looking at guitars the actual beauty of the piece draws me in. They are art as well as instruments to me.

I do feel guilty just leaving them hanging on the wall though...
 
I am the player side..looks second..the tool in box guy & these just rocked my world !!i like the look on these way more than regular guitars. This became the looks meets function type situation & yeah..a lil too close to them a times like my fellow TTR's and the junk rubbin.
Also don't have a budget to have to stay in but prefer just a solid player with right pickups & neck..prefer a few dings & some character... do baby em & keep em intonated all the time,, but also abuse them..so not use to the long V & Explorer body..whack a door frame on a regular basis. The Unholy 4

& the answer...enough? just get em but don't hurt the family budget
Unholy 4 (2).jpg
 
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