The Ludicrous H N G D,and ridiculious GAS and why its bad for your playing.

[RogerGLewis]

Why GAS may be bad for your guitar playing.


Gas ( Guitar Acquisition Syndrome) is bad for your Guitar Playing.
http://www.sacred-texts.com/cla/luc/wl3/wl320.htm
http://www.sacred-te...c/wl3/wl320.htm

Lucian writing in AD 150 identified even back then the phenomena of people mistaking the possession of an object as being a substitute for the skill in its use. For that one had to acquire learning and that learning was not bought it had to be acquired through actual work. Without the work or study all that was inherent in the purchase was empty bragging rights of reflected glory, or worse.


Whilst Lucian in his Remarks Addressed to an Illiterate Book- Fancier, is about book collecting and the impossibility of acquiring the learning contained within the books by their mere purchase however high the price or famous the edition. He uses several analogies to musical instruments here they are:-

For the rest of this Blog.

http://letthemconfectsweeterlies.blo...ur-guitar.html

http://letthemconfec...our-guitar.html

[Toto'sDad]

So, what are YOU saving up for?

[rebelwoclue]

I see the logic- too bad Lucian never got to hold a telecaster though...
Many players think the same- you only need one good instrument and the rest is up to you. But I would rather buy guitars than get screwed by wall street again...

[marsh99]

Interesting point you make there. Do you just have one guitar then? Over the past few years my GAS has gone to a new level and I now have 14 guitars, 5 of them Teles. I recently made my first attempt at a partscaster and loved it.

I am well aware that the more time I spend fixing up guitars the less time I'm playing but I think there's a balance to be struck here. I do think learning how guitars work also helps you play better in terms of intonation, action and so on. And I think getting a new guitar keeps things fresh - if having a new model inspires you to play it, then you're learning at the same time. I also think that not everyone is claiming to be a Danny Gatton or whatever - it depends on your motivation I guess.

For me, the more guitars I have, the more I seem to play so personally I don't agree with your point, though I kinda see what you're getting at.

[RogerGLewis]

Originally Posted by marsh99

Interesting point you make there. Do you just have one guitar then? Over the past few years my GAS has gone to a new level and I now have 14 guitars, 5 of them Teles. I recently made my first attempt at a partscaster and loved it.

I am well aware that the more time I spend fixing up guitars the less time I'm playing but I think there's a balance to be struck here. I do think learning how guitars work also helps you play better in terms of intonation, action and so on. And I think getting a new guitar keeps things fresh - if having a new model inspires you to play it, then you're learning at the same time. I also think that not everyone is claiming to be a Danny Gatton or whatever - it depends on your motivation I guess.

For me, the more guitars I have, the more I seem to play so personally I don't agree with your point, though I kinda see what you're getting at.

I have 14 guitars including two teles a thin line and an American standard with a balanced bridge. I also get a great tele ans strat sound from my line 6 variax 300.


my point or rather Lucians point is to do with earning knowledge through study. It can not be acquired in the purchase of any number of objects how ever fine.

some further thoughts.
Its not a guilt trip or an attack on anyones guitar collections, herd, GAS call it what you will. Its a philisophical observation from nearly 2000 years ago seperating the object from the excecution. The difference betweem'n the bought and the Earned. We earn our chops in a different sense to how we may feel we have earned our guitars?
I thought the musicalm analogies amusing for posting on guitar forums How many people post threads saying Happy new technique day or happy new scale day or happy new song day, in my book those sorts of achievments are wholly more satsfying.

some other thoughts.

I offer up Lucians view, nothing more nothing less I actually came across it researching another matter related to my activism for monetary reform and an inquiry into the ancient attitude to usury for which Lucian has another dialogue with a poor cobbler. Not withstanding that I also study the philosophy and history of music, I find it interesting.
Taking more wisdom from the ancients Epictitus wrote that for those who misunderstand ones purpose that it would be the greater loss for them but not to trouble oneself with their ignorance of ones purpose or character for it seems so to them and that is ultimately only to their own detriment.

42

When any person does ill by you, or speaks ill of you, remember that he acts or speaks from an impression that it is right for him to do so. Now, it is not possible that he should follow what appears right to you, but only what appears so to himself. Therefore, if he judges from false appearances, he is the person hurt; since he too is the person deceived. For if any one takes a true proposition to be false, the proposition is not hurt, but only the man is deceived. Setting out, then, from these principles, you will meekly bear with a person who reviles you; for you will say upon every occasion, "It seemed so to him."

or perhaps.

6

Be not elated at any excellence not your own. If a horse should be elated, and say, "I am handsome," it might be endurable. But when you are elated, and say, "I have a handsome horse," know that you are elated only on the merit of the horse. What then is your own? The use of phenomena of existence. So that when you are in harmony with nature in this respect, you will be elated with some reason; for you will be elated at some good of your own.


http://hamsnetwork.org/epictetus/

[notdave]

I got it, if that makes you feel better.

Good luck with bringing philosophical argument and rhetoric to a group of guitarists though.You might be better off citing Lucian's Soloecista. Or not...

[marsh99]

Roger chill man! You seem to feel attacked by my post - all I'm saying is that your initial proposition is that GAS may be bad for your playing. I'm saying, in my case I think it has improved my playing. You make a good but obvious point, owning the thing doesn't make you accomplished at using it, that can only come through practice and effort. I agree and I think you make a very valid point that very few people make posts about new discoveries or leaps forward in their playing. Maybe I'll do that when I finally feel like I've cracked hybrid picking!

[H. Mac]

It sounds like Lucian goofed up.

I doubt that there is a “phenomena of people mistaking the possession of an object as being a substitute for the skill in its use.” This is not the kind of “mistake” that people make. Owning something and being skilled in using it are separate things, and while either or both can bring joy, it would be rare for anyone to “mistake” one with the other.

Playing guitar, improving, collecting, tinkering, continually wanting more guitars, and being happy about the prospect of getting another - are separate and distinct activities. Each bring happiness, but I don’t think that people mistake one for the other.

It seems that Lucian didn’t understand, and leaped to the wrong conclusion.

[notdave]

Originally Posted by H. Mac

I doubt that there is a “phenomena of people mistaking the possession of an object as being a substitute for the skill in its use.” This is not the kind of “mistake” that people make. Owning something and being skilled in using it are separate things, and while either or both can bring joy, it would be rare for anyone to “mistake” one with the other.

With respect, utter rubbish.

I saw it all the time with motorbikes. Newbies who thought that owning the newest GSXR1000, a 500 quid Arai lid and Dainese leathers with knee sliders they had no hope of ever getting anywhere near tarmac (unless they fell off) would turn them into riding gods. You can see them every Sunday threepennybitting around gentle bends at 20 mph then banging the damn thing off the limiter on the straight bits. They'd be better off learning to ride properly on a ER5. My golf playing friends can tell similar stories about would be Tiger Woods who think they can purchase skill in the pro-shop.

I have no reason to believe that some wannabe guitar players are any different.

We're a fairly affluent society, people will acquire shiny new toys whether or not they can utilise them properly, and they will use further acquisition as a substitute/excuse for hard work.

[telequacktastic]

The Ludicrous H N G D,and ridiculious GAS and why its bad for your playing

Isn't it a falacy of reasoning to say that GAS is bad for your playing. I don't think that's really the core of the issue. I think it's not practicing or playing that is really bad for your playing. Let's call a spade a spade here.

I remember when I was practicing 5-6 hours a day on my one guitar that I owned, to eventually find it to start buzzing and needing a fret dress, then I lost about 2-4 weeks worth of practicing time while it was in the shop. Now I don't have that problem anymore, I have other guitars to practice on!

[H. Mac]

Originally Posted by notdave

With respect, utter rubbish.

I saw it all the time with motorbikes. [Three sentences omittted for brevity] My golf playing friends can tell similar stories about would be Tiger Woods who think they can purchase skill in the pro-shop.

Well, no. It is obvious, or at least should be, that people can be mistaken as to their skill levels, and this is true regardless of whether they own the latest and greatest, the mediocre, or neither.

And contrary to your statement, your friends have no power in the pro shop or elsewhere to read the minds of other purchasers. Therefore, your friends have no idea whether these other purchasers are "would be Tiger Woods" who "think they can purchase skill."

Perhaps like Lucian, they find it convenient to leap to an incorrect conclusion.

[notdave]

Originally Posted by H. Mac

Perhaps like Lucian, they find it convenient to leap to an incorrect conclusion.

Perhaps, unlike Lucian, you are unable to follow a rhetorical argument.

The OP seems to have bailed, as I'm adrift in a sea of literalists I'm going to join him.

[telequacktastic]

You can't buy skill, it takes work. And at the same time having less guitars or only one guitar doesn't mean you can play any better than the guy with 10 or more guitars.

These are isolated phenomenons playing guitars and owning guitars.

[bender-freak]

I see this pop up all the time. I have 34 guitars now and am considering another Gretsch and possibly another lap steel. I have 9 amplifiers and may pick up another one today. So what? I'm retired now. I keep my bills paid and on time. I take care of my 94 year old mother. I like guitars. I like HAVING them. I LOVE PLAYING them. No, quantity does NOT make me play any better; but practice does and I like having choices to practice on.

G.A.S.??? I understand the situation, but fail to see the problem with it??!

[AndrewG]

'Gotta have one of each model in every colour...can't play worth a damn but I'm amazing at polishing-you should see my Pledge technique!'

[telequacktastic]

bender-freak: I can totally relate with your post. You and I have every right to go buy another guitar today and this doesn't mean we are bad guitar players just because we have the means to purchase another member to add to the family.

[H. Mac]

Originally Posted by notdave

Perhaps, unlike Lucian, you are unable to follow a rhetorical argument.The OP seems to have bailed, as I'm adrift in a sea of literalists I'm going to join him.

Ha ha! Good one, notdave!

I was tempted to agree, but only with the part about you being "adrift," and stopping at that point. But had I actually done so, it would have been only in furtherance of the exchange of viewpoints, information, and fun that the TDPRI makes available. No disrespect. C'mon, notdave!

And by the way, this thread is less than 10 hours old - - -So, did you leap to the conclusion that the OP bailed? I mean, there seems to be no evidence that the OP bailed, right?

[william tele]

I can't believe I'm about to wade into this pool of psuedo sophistication but I want to point out that if you are going to define the mechanics of a group of enthusiasts you might want to use the correct terminology. It's my understanding that G.A.S. stands for GEAR Aquisition Syndrome, meaning amps, pedals ect., not just guitars.

I must also point out I live in a country where Fender equipment (telecasters especially) are abundant and relatively inexpensive so pardon me if I enjoy indulging the excess. This is also the reason that I don't need a Line 6 (gak!) modeling guitar to attempt to simulate what I can just pick up here in town somewhere.

Roger, thanks for the thought provoking post. I'll let those who are searching for themselves pursue Lucian. I'm just a hack that loves telecasters and all I'll ever need is just one more.

[Drubbing]

Will Smith says his Dad got really upset with him after he made his first mill and bought 4 cars. "Whatchoo want 4 cars for - you only got one butt."

I'm left handed. That means all the major guitar makers have already performed a GASectomy on me before I start.

You could give me a couple of years, but feel free to bow down now in awe of my sooner-to-be acquired greater skill. But then there's these 3 pesky kids...

[xtrajerry]

Originally Posted by rebelwoclue

I see the logic- too bad Lucian never got to hold a telecaster though...
Many players think the same- you only need one good instrument and the rest is up to you. But I would rather buy guitars than get screwed by wall street again...

Amen, that's how I justify my hobby. Invest in quality instruments and enjoy playing them. Much more gratifying than watching CNBC.