[BigMoney]

Which do you feel is more important?

I feel like the answer should be obvious - playing. I tend to see a lot of guitarists more consumed with gear though than they are with their own playing. It doesn't make much sense to me to have amazing gear if you're only going to use it to play a few chords. Thoughts?

 

[bigboki]

"Musician" vs "Collector". Great topic. Thank you for opening this discussion.

 

[mhammer]

I spendfar more time building, modding, or servicing/repairing gear than I spend playing. Indeed, I would say that most of the time that I do spend playing is simply to test out something I made, modded or fixed, to either make sure it does what was intended, or simply learn what it can do. For me - and it may well be pretty unique to me - the pleasure of playing comes in that confirmation.

Once I retire, though, I'm hoping to hook up with a casual band of similar old farts and get back to playing for pleasure.

 

[Alex]

Playing.

"doesn't make much sense to me to have amazing gear if you're only going to use it to play a few chords"

A co-worker friend of mine knew only a couple chords and he came to jam with a brand new McCarty Rosewood PRS that he had just purchased at the 12th Fret. Not that he had to, but he rationalized to me that he rarely buys things for himself and the fact that he wanted to learn guitar, he wanted something really good. It made total sense to me.

 

[jbealsmusic]

Which do you feel is more important?

I feel like the answer should be obvious - playing. I tend to see a lot of guitarists more consumed with gear though than they are with their own playing. It doesn't make much sense to me to have amazing gear if you're only going to use it to play a few chords. Thoughts?

I know folks that supe up their cars but can't drive worth a damn. Some people spend thousands to put together super powered gaming computers who are complete "noobs". I know golfers who spend many thousands on clubs and training tools, but they still suck.

I say it depends on what gets you the most enjoyment out of the hobby. I can think of 3 main categories of musicians I've interacted with:
1) People who focus on their ability as a musician and don't care much about how their gear works, as long as it is reliable and sounds decent.
2) People who love gear as much as playing. So they get about as much enjoyment out of experimenting with their gear/setup as they get from playing.
3) People who love the gear/tone hunt more than they enjoy playing. They get way more excitement out of playing random notes/chords through a certain piece of equipment than they do playing actual music.

If you're trying to make a serious go of being a full-time musician, I'd definitely agree that you should be in one of the first two categories. Otherwise, whatever floats your boat.

 

[cboutilier]

I know folks that supe up their cars but can't drive worth a damn. Some people spend thousands to put together super powered gaming computers who are complete "noobs". I know golfers who spend many thousands on clubs and training tools, but they still suck.

I say it depends on what gets you the most enjoyment out of the hobby. I can think of 3 main categories of musicians I've interacted with:
1) People who focus on their ability as a musician and don't care much about how their gear works, as long as it is reliable and sounds decent.
2) People who love gear as much as playing. So they get about as much enjoyment out of experimenting with their gear/setup as they get from playing.
3) People who love the gear/tone hunt more than they enjoy playing. They get way more excitement out of playing through a certain piece of equipment than they do playing actual music.

If you're trying to make a serious go of being a full-time musician, I'd definitely agree that you should be in one of the first two categories. Otherwise, whatever floats your boat.

I'm solidly a #2. I'm in it for the music, but I get a lot of pleasure from experimenting with gear.

 

[Scotty]

Playing. I rarely mess with gear. I don't even like pedals. It's a mood thing for me. When the mood strikes, I just want to patch in and play. I don't even touch my settings much...set it and forget it

 

[Chitmo]

I practice as much as I can, but I would classify myself as a mediocre player at best. I do enjoy buying/trading nice gear though

 

[cheezyridr]

the key word here (as next gen already stated) is hobby. for 99% of us, this is a hobby. everyone enjoys different aspects of a given hobby. if you are a planning on making money with music, your priorities will be different than someone jamming to mp3s in the basement.

for me, i'm in between. the music i make is pretty basic. i don't need angelic tone. i don't need many of the things that a professional would. i like nice things as much as i like being practical. so my gear reflects that. i have a les paul, but it's one of the better versions of the studio. i have tube amp, but it's a less expensive one. i have a pedal board but the pedals on it are straight forward and functional. i like tinkering with things, but i think i also know when not to.

 

[fretzel]

When I first started playing in the 80's I was definitely in the first category. All I wanted was to become a better guitar player.
When I started recording at home in the early 90's any gear I bought had function. Mind you there was a little searching, but once I found what I needed I was done. So definitely #2.
Fast forward to around 2010 when I first discover guitar forums(had other hobbies and then raised young children that kept me from playing as much) and my GAS was ignited. Up until then I had only ever had 6 guitars and 1 bass. Two I sold/traded. Since then I bought and traded probably around 40+ and currently have around 20 guitars and 3 bass. So was very much in camp 3 as I didn't practices much. Let's not mention the pedal search. LOL
I definitely believe GAS is a search for a little quick fix of happiness at times. A way of quieting the chattering monkey. Don't get me wrong it can be fun. Thankfully I believe that I am on the downside.

Well......fingers crossed at least!!!

 

[keto]

Over on talkbass there's a 'crappy bassists with expensive gear' club. I'm definitely a member. I have more basses and amps than I care to mention.

That said, in the past year I've spent more time playing, with bands and by myself at home, than at any other time in my life, and I'm in my mid 50's. I'm no doubt getting better.

 

[Budda]

Do what makes you happy.

 

[Kerry Brown]

Do what makes you happy.

This is where it's at. Took me fifty years to figure this out but I since i did it has been the best part of my life.

When it comes to gear I'm fifty/fifty with maybe a slight edge to collecting. I'm not a great player and never will be. I love playing with other musicians but I'm not into lead. I like to find a place back in the mix where I can play some simple stuff that makes the song better. I hardly ever "practice". I play my guitars at least an hour a day but it is usually playing along with backing tracks on YouTube or learning a new song. I check Craig's List probably ten times a day. CL in Vancouver has at least a hundred posts a day, sometimes double that. I like to dream about gear I can't afford. Occasionally I see something that I can squeeze into my budget then it's all about the deal. I'm not really into modding gear but I do like trying gear I've never tried before.

 

[jdto]

I suck but I have some nice guitars. I want to get better so I practice as much as I can, but I also like the gear aspect of things. I find nice guitars to be inspirational.

 

[Alex]

Thankfully I believe that I am on the downside.

Let's keep this for posterity

 

[Tone Chaser]

The more gear that I have, the more likely I will play something that puts a smile on my face on that given day.

On days where nothing sounds right, I know for sure that I should be dealing with more responsible things that day.

 

[Chito]

I like gear but I love playing in a band. writing music and performing more than anything. That pretty much sums up my thoughts.

 

[Hammerhands]

There's plenty of time for both.

 

[LanceT]

Great subject. All my gear is basic and I'm quite happy with the noises I've discovered.
Funny but there is little I covet gear-wise. I'll eventually get a better/bigger amp but I feel pretty complete otherwise.

 

[sambonee]

Gear first people fuel the used market. And allow for undervalued user stuff. For this I am very grateful. It's been the source of my Ger addiction.

That said I'd rather jam for 10 min solo that worry about strings being changed or anything else.

It's a funny mix. I thoroughly enjoy the gear but if I couldn't play it (and lets say I never had achieved any skill at the guitar), I doubt I'd care.

The other side is those who know what they like and that's a wrap.

Heck they won't even give a new pick a chance (hint hint for those of you who haven't tried a v-pick)

Now lets say I have the same skill but have no access or no interest in any different or new gear, I'd still love playing. Tons.