Is there a cure for G.A.S.?

[GuitarIv]

Cheers guys,

You know, sometimes I really feel sorry for myself. Since I started playing guitar, I have suffered from that well known musicians disease called Gear Aquisition Syndrome. It started with a Silvertone Paul Stanley Signature Guitar. I didn't know anything about brands and quality and wanted to own a pointy metal guitar. Next thing in line was a cheap Stagg SG copy, inspired by my admiration for Angus Young from AC/DC and the Live at Donington DVD that became my holy bible.

By now I own 9 stringed instruments of which I use only 2 regularly. My first guitar and the already mentioned Silvertone, the cr@ppy Stagg SG, a custom made Neubauer Guitars Strat (I consider this my first "real" guitar, it has been my workhorse guitar ever since I got it as a gift from my father), a cheap Ibanez RG 350 MZ, my recently aquired 93' Jackson Fusion Pro, my grandfathers 62' Framus Hollywood and his Höfner 500/1 Bass (known as the Paul McCartney Bass), a Samick Craig Bennet Western and a cheap Acoustic Guitar.

Now I have reached the point where I'm thinking "I spent so much money on cheap gear I don't even use because of impulsive buying, this needs to stop". Now I'm happy I got myself the Jackson, it's on par with my Strat and the Metal Guitar I always dreamt of and maybe the first impulsive buy that hasn't turned out to be a fraud. However I'm done. I'm really done with craving for gear. Now I know how women feel when they buy shoes they never wear. I might not be able to turn it off, but from now on I'm saving money for good stuff and "keepers".

My list of G.A.S. items currently:

EVH 5150 III 50 Watt
Zilla Super Fatboy loaded with V30s
Keeley 4-Knob Compressor
Maxon OD-9 Pro +
ISP Decimator
Carl Martin Octaswitch MK II
Various BKPs
A Wirebird Telecaster
A Custom Daemoness
A USA Custom Shop Jackson
A Gibson Les Paul Custom

And maybe some other stuff I might have missed... however those things are "affordable". I don't even wanna start to talk about all the other stuff like Axe FX, Blackmachines and so on :P

So what are your experiences and opinions? Share em, I don't wanna feel alone ^^

Cheers

[Toe-Knee]

I used to always be lusting after gear.

Now I have settled on just two guitars and one amp.

My RGA42 with MM bridge & HDN neck - Cheap but sounds and plays fantastic
My swirled partscaster that is currently needing repairs - easily the best guitar I've played to date. I just need to decide on pickups for it and get the bridge installed correctly.

The above two cover everything I need from classic rock to modern metal.

Ampwise its just my soldano SLO influenced amp that I built and tweaked until I got it exactly where I want it tonally. This can cover everything I throw at it with ease which leaves me not needing anymore amps.

My only desire now is to actually build amps. I don't really want anymore amps but I really enjoy building them so ill probably end up with 2-3 more.

I guess at the end of the day it's just finding the right pieces of equipment. When you get there you will be content.

[38thBeatle]

Well you are not a lot different from many of us who are similarly afflicted. I regret tom advise that once GAS gets hold of you, there ain't a lot you can do and I am rather like Oscar Wilde when it comes to temptation.

The great news is that there is always something new to get- so you have the affliction  but at least you can satisfy the craving, albeit temporarily.

[GuitarIv]

The annoying thing is: it's alway just temporary. I have really set myself a goal to spend all the time I usually use surfing on the net watching guitar porn on practicing instead. And less time on Facebook. Misha just posted a pic of his Jackson Custom Shop and I'm drooling. It just doesn't help it  :?

[Telerocker]

I have GAS all the time, but telling myself: think over what you really need and what suits you and your playing style. Just to restrain myself and my budget, cause in the last 20 years I bought so much gear and most of it I sold. And sometimes real quick. I rather have two or three real good guitars loaded with pickups I like, then ten pieces of which the majority does not quite cut it or needs upgrading. The same goes for effectpedals. I have about ten keepers that I use on stage/work with my amps. The only thing that's really neccessary now is a better pedalboard.

[Elliot]

Have children - that tends to sap all energy, time and money for GASsing  8)

[Telerocker]

Have children - that tends to sap all energy, time and money for GASsing  8)

+ a house to maintain/rebuild.  :)

[Philly Q]

The great news is that there is always something new to get- so you have the affliction  but at least you can satisfy the craving, albeit temporarily.

Too true!  :lol:

I'm not one to talk  :oops: , but the only thing I would say is..... if you do have GAS for a particular guitar, don't give in to it quickly.  Try to hold out a few weeks - or months if you can - and if you still have the GAS, then buy it. 

The impulse buys are always the ones I regret.  And end up selling.

[GuitarIv]

Glad there are so many fellas that share the pain haha :D
And Elliot: I need to get my degree before I can even start thinking about children, so the poor student will very likely GAS on :P

[TheyCallMeVolume]

What pedals do you have? The Octaswitch kinda came outta nowhere on that list!

[GuitarIv]

Currently a TS-9DX and a Boss NS-2 for the Dirty Channel, an Ibanez DE-7 and a Boss AC-3 for the Clean Channel together with a Dunlop Wah and a Boss TU-3 for both channels. I hate tapdancing, so the Octaswitch is the perfect solution for me. Gonna couple it with a Dunlop Power Brick and the other pedals I listed are just gonna be improvements over the ones I own by now. However right now I need to save money since it won't get me nowhere before I don't get my Valveking repaired or buy the EVH...

[GuitarIv]

Oh and an equalizer pedal would be nice too... :P

[TheyCallMeVolume]

Why not just one or two of everything  :lol:

[Philly Q]

Why not just one or two of everything  :lol:

Hmmm, not a bad idea.....  :lol:


(Personally, I've actually got more than two of some things, to be honest.  :oops:  )

[TheyCallMeVolume]

Which is why there are beds to store things under! Or Seconds Out...