Why I'm not buying any more gear

[Asphalt Cowboy]

I'm at a point where I am satisfied with the flexibility and quality of my guitar rig, and I'm not interested in buying more gear even though I acknowledge that there's better stuff out there. It's kind of a weird feeling, after always searching for the best guitar gear and learning so much in depth about it. But I've been learning about the "big picture" of music and I kind of want to point out something...

To all of the "tone hunters" that swear by using only the most expensive boutique analog stomp boxes and hand built amplifiers, and constantly debate over the best sounding type of pickup magnet... try spending your time learning about audio engineering/mixing and sound reinforcement instead. You'll realize that your guitar tone will be manipulated, squished, cut, and boosted in literally every situation where you might have someone listening to your music.

It's good to know as much information about your craft as you can, but it might not be a good idea to drain your funds making sure you have each aspect of your rig down perfect when your "golden tone" will never reach anyone else's ears. It's kind of sad, but it's true.

[LarsOS]

Originally Posted by Asphalt Cowboy

To all of the "tone hunters" (...) try spending your time learning about audio engineering/mixing and sound reinforcement instead. You'll realize that your guitar tone will be manipulated, squished, cut, and boosted in literally every situation where you might have someone listening to your music.

+1.

I tried saying something to that effect in an audiophile forum once, after reading a heated debate over changing the crystals of the clock on the motherboard of the computer that digitally served the music files via Ethernet to an asynchroneous stand-alone player with its own DAC.

A mod that allegedly had made a huge impact on the sound quality ("like a veil was lifted" and all those usual metaphors). Unlikely to be anything other than expectation bias, IMO.

Strangely enough, they ignored me. Perspective is not always appreciated.

[sax4blues]

I also feel satisfied with my rig, three guitars, three amps, solid pedalboard. I've never been a tone hunter but I do recognize the difference in sound between a Vox and a Mesa, or between a Les Paul and a Telecaster, so I have one of each.

[DeepSouth]

I'll give you twelve months before you sneak out and add some gadget to the arsenal

Lord, help me to change the things I can change, accept the things I cannot change, and the wisdom to know the difference... [Often said at GAS meetings]

[Westerly Sunn]

Lord, help me to change the things I can change, accept the things I cannot change, and the money to buy them both!

Fixed it for ya!

Dontcha' just hate it when people do that?

[Lunchie]

I am kind of in the same boat. I have a guitar for every need and a nice stack. I don't feel the need to go out and buy any more gear. I am lacking a nice set of pedals, but its not a priority at this time for me. Its kind of depressing to not be on the search for anything D:

[winny pooh]

Hit the same wall as you have with guitars. Luckily I can buy loads of lovely mics and they take up less space! Got a pair of late 90's CAD E300's recently and a Violet Designs Dolly (Blue Baby Bottle) in the post!

[charliebrown]

Just had shoulder surgery one month ago and I can just now barely play some; after an almost 7 month layoff. I invested in a new computer last year, recording software, a couple of mics. I've spent the last 3 weeks getting over the learning curve with the software, etc. Glancing around the room I have the Tele and 2 other electrics in cases, 2 acoustic guitars, one amp, 4 pedals that I need to get a board for...at this point, I'll just be thankful to be able to sit and play for a few hours at a time and do some recording; play instead of shopping! Everything will seem "new" to me again

[dngrsdave]

You can have "The Ultimate Tone". The perfect balance of clean, dirt , harmonics , clarity etc. etc.

But the Average listener will never appreciate the thousands of dollors and countless hours you put into developing it. Out of an audience of 100 people, maybe 2 will know what you have achieved with your tonal quest.

The rest will just shout " Free Bird !! " and be Happy that you are up there playing.

[kelnet]

Originally Posted by Asphalt Cowboy

Why I'm not buying any more gear.

Did someone ask that you explain yourself?

Originally Posted by Asphalt Cowboy

I'm at a point where I am satisfied with the flexibility and quality of my guitar rig, and I'm not interested in buying more gear even though I acknowledge that there's better stuff out there. It's kind of a weird feeling, after always searching for the best guitar gear and learning so much in depth about it. But I've been learning about the "big picture" of music and I kind of want to point out something...

To all of the "tone hunters" that swear by using only the most expensive boutique analog stomp boxes and hand built amplifiers, and constantly debate over the best sounding type of pickup magnet... try spending your time learning about audio engineering/mixing and sound reinforcement instead.

Don't tell me what to do. What business is it of yours what I do with my time and money?

[LarsOS]

LOL

[Revv23]

Hit this wall many years ago. But more so im the sense of rig simplicity. Less guitars, less pedals , less amps. But high quality of each. My "tone has gotten loads better by throwing all of my "toys" to the side and just running a very select few items made to get my specific sound goal done.

I mean, its fun to have a marshall, hiwatt, vox, bf sf brown and tweed Fender, and 100 pedals, but if you sound your best running into the tweed straight whats the point of everything else?

Many people say they like to be able to cover a lot of "ground" but most of us are bedroom players, and most everyone else doesnt have a team of roadies to help them lug 6 amps and 4 guitars to a gig. So when it comes down to it, you only can pick one.

Sent from my iPhone using TDPRI

[Arbiter]

To all of the "tone hunters" that swear by using only the most expensive boutique analog stomp boxes and hand built amplifiers, and constantly debate over the best sounding type of pickup magnet... try spending your time learning about audio engineering/mixing and sound reinforcement instead.

I did this. I agree with the recommendation. At least get behind the board with an actual sound guy for a few shows. It is somewhat unnerving - and in many cases infuriating - to discover that you've spent all this money and time on your gear and sound just to find that the former barback who has a "killer stereo at home" and thinks that "Holiday in Cambodia" is the ne plus ultra of guitar tone is the guy running the knobs for your band that night, and guess what? You're sounding like East Bay Ray tonight whether you like it or not!

Decades have passed. I'm now a good soundman, and one of the reasons I'm good is I don't mix bands with sound I don't like. It's not fair to them, they'll end up sounding like somebody else.

[Breen]

I make do with what I have achieved in gear over the years. I can afford better stuff, but its meaningless if you don't have some of "it" in you first.

Of course, your stuff has to sound decent enough already, and is not noisy, and dependable, and suits your needs.

After that, its all diminishing standard deviation.

[purpletele]

Originally Posted by Asphalt Cowboy

I'm at a point where I am satisfied with the flexibility and quality of my guitar rig, and I'm not interested in buying more gear even though I acknowledge that there's better stuff out there. It's kind of a weird feeling, after always searching for the best guitar gear and learning so much in depth about it. But I've been learning about the "big picture" of music and I kind of want to point out something...

To all of the "tone hunters" that swear by using only the most expensive boutique analog stomp boxes and hand built amplifiers, and constantly debate over the best sounding type of pickup magnet... try spending your time learning about audio engineering/mixing and sound reinforcement instead. You'll realize that your guitar tone will be manipulated, squished, cut, and boosted in literally every situation where you might have someone listening to your music.

It's good to know as much information about your craft as you can, but it might not be a good idea to drain your funds making sure you have each aspect of your rig down perfect when your "golden tone" will never reach anyone else's ears. It's kind of sad, but it's true.

There's nothing wrong with learning about recording and producing, but that's just part of the equation. I prefer recording as close to live as possible. I am often inspired by the actual sound coming out of my amp, not the possibility of what it can be manipulated to. Plug a tele direct and try to find inspiring tone. Maybe if I was a hired gun just trying to sound like everyone else, not make waves, and simply get the job done. Then it makes sense to lay it down and fix it later. I see the music I make as art though. I get excited about the imperfections and happy accidents.

I don't think players are looking for 'perfect', I think they're looking for 'inspiring'. I think you're overgeneralizing tone hunters as guitar players who only want the most expensive or cool gear.

I also don't think there's anything wrong with chasing tone. I don't think there's anything wrong with being happy with what you have either. I'm at a point where I'm very happy with my rig, but bringing something new into it can bring new inspiration.

[Mike Armstrong]

Spend some time practicing, work on your skills....amazing what an effect that has on tone, feel, soulfulness, etc. Any guitar/amp combo is only as good as the player behind it!!! Just sayin'.....

[Big John]

Originally Posted by Mike Armstrong

Spend some time practicing, work on your skills....amazing what an effect that has on tone, feel, soulfulness, etc. Any guitar/amp combo is only as good as the player behind it!!! Just sayin'.....

+ 1 !!
Gear really doesn't help - if only it did :)

[Tim G]

Originally Posted by dngrsdave

But the Average listener will never appreciate the thousands of dollors and countless hours you put into developing it. Out of an audience of 100 people, maybe 2 will know what you have achieved with your tonal quest.

You forgot the 6 guys in the audience that play a little guitar that say you would sound better if you had XXX in your rig instead of YYY because someone he heard once uses one and he really likes his tone.

[Rockdog]

The problem with addiction is, you know the behavior doesn't make logical sense, but you do it for the effects.

[Arbiter]

Originally Posted by Tim G

You forgot the 6 guys in the audience

I don't think anyone who's played a gig in their life can forget those six guys. The worst part is when you're trying to pick up that cute thing that's been giving you the eye for the entire night and one of those six guys - who's had enough at that point to not really understand what's going on - wants to talk about preamp versus power tube clipping, and you can see cute thing's eyes glazing over...