Several years ago now, I decided that I needed a hobby. I had played around with guitars a few times growing up but I never really learned to play. I’m playing now but I still have a long way to go. My wallet is substantially lighter and I’d like something to show for it.
What I did not foresee was a common affliction that comes with guitar ownership … G.A.S. This stands for Gear (Guitar) Acquisition Syndrome and it is so common that t-shirts, and even books, are devoted to the topic. Just when you think that there is absolutely nothing new that you can, or would, buy … Woops! There it is!
My preference is electric guitars. You might think that a guitar is a guitar and you would be 100% wrong. They come in all shapes, colors, and sizes. Each guitar sounds different from the next. With choices of amplifiers and pedals, things get infinitely more complex. I also own acoustics. I should have stopped there.
In your search for the perfect tone and the perfect feel (how the guitar plays for you), one guitar may excel for one song but only with a specific amp and specific pedals and only with specific settings. On another song … you choose a different guitar, amp, pedals, and settings for each.
Lot’s of other goodies to invest in as well! I have cases, stands, wall hangers, headphones, wireless systems, tuners, straps, picks, lessons, and gizmos coming out the a-hole. It’s embarrassing but it’s just another way for the industry to separate you from your money. I just bookmarked a Bluetooth foot switch for one of my amps.
Then there is maintenance. I have invested in a number of tools in an effort to do more of the simpler tasks myself but, for most things I go to my expert. He probably calls me his 401K. Things break and guitars are also susceptible to humidity. Low humidity, like where I live, is problematic. Fret ends sprout and guitar necks bend.
I just bought a new low-end (cheap) guitar at a very good price. Generally I buy used but this was brand new. I like it. I spent $65 for a professional setup. I do this with all of my guitars and it is definitely worth it!
Cheap guitars are notorious for quality control issues and cheap components. It’s already in the shop for a fix and an upgrade. I’m OCD about certain things and the volume knob “wobbles” and I know that the pickup selector is p.o.s.. All of the other components and specs are way above average for a guitar at this price point.
Upgrades and mods can take you into an entirely new arena. I have put new pickups into a few different guitars. I have upgraded tuners. Sometimes you do this to make a good guitar sound and play better. A worthy investment. Other times you try to rescue a marginal guitar and, at least for me … this has been money down the drain.
I can’t think of one other guitar, amp, pedal, or chotskie to invest in. I’ve checked pretty much every box and I have honestly run out of space to put them. Regardless, I maintain a list of my potential next purchases. I’m a sucker for a good deal. I read articles and watch YouTube reviews … daily. The only one I’m fooling is myself.
I’d like to sell a couple of guitars and amps. That being said, I put them online and the responses that I received were … suspicious. I don’t need to sell them and, who knows, someday I may even like them. I’ve seen that happen before. Hate it one day, love it the next. I took the ads down. Don’t need the grief. Still need the space.
One thing that I have never done is to build a guitar from scratch and there are kits galore! My mechanical skills are minimal but there are products specifically designed for all-thumbs losers like myself. Pray for me.
Craig M. Jamieson
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