New guy here, but may be gone soon?

[sloppychops]

Hey, OP, I've been through a similar thing a couple times now.

Many years ago I basically stopped playing because I had more interest in bicycling and it seemed like I'd never play guitar again. Stupidly sold a really nice vintage Hummingbird and an ES 125, but kept the Carvin I got as a teenager after working all summer making concrete patio blocks.

After a couple years, though, I got interested in flamenco guitar after hearing some on a radio station. I got a classical guitar and started taking lessons. Got so into it I sold my Carvin electric guitar and a few pedals I had, because I just knew I'd never play electric guitar again (insert eye roll here) and needed the money to buy a real flamenco guitar.

Two years later, I had to move across country to a nowhere town with no flamenco guitar teachers. I tried to keep up with learning new material, but my motivation fizzled out, I felt like I'd never get really good at flamenco, and again I pretty much stopped playing altogether. This time for about 8 months.

Then one day I got the urge to play rock and blues on an electric guitar again. Bought a used Telecaster and an amp. Many guitars and amps have come and gone since then, and I'm now going on 20+ years of an uninterrupted love affair with the guitar.

If you've repeated three times now the process of selling off your gear and then buying new gear later, that tells me that playing guitar is somewhere deep down in your DNA and it isn't going to go away. You don't have to play in a band, and you don't even have to be a particularly good guitarist to enjoy making music.

If you can't get motivated to play because jamming/hanging out was a big part of what you liked about it, find someone to play with. Easier said than done, but not impossible. In the meantime, just focus on regaining some fluency on the guitar so you can make the most of playing with others when the time comes.

 

[G Stone496]

Hello, everyone. Seems like a nice place. I have some concerns so I thought I’d sign up and ask for advice. I’m in my late 40’s. Played guitar in my early 20’s in a band for about two years. We’ll say it was rock music. I never really learned any proper way to play or had any lessons. Life took over after that band ended and I haven’t done anything “serious” since then. I’ve bought and sold new gear a few times over the years, but I need to play and create music with other people and where I live there’s not a lot of options. So I sell the gear because to me if it’s not being used it’s not an asset and I could use the money elsewhere. Over this last year I’ve repeated this process three times! I just sold the last batch of gear last weekend.

I can’t justify the cost of gear to barely be used other than noodling around at home. I considered switching to bass thinking maybe I’m just bored with guitar and guitar playing and the expectations of the role of playing guitar. So I go check out bass gear. Again, I can’t bring myself to justify the expense. I consider buying a midi keyboard and messing around with some software to totally change it up and maybe get a new interest and then find my way back to guitar later. I can’t even bring myself to pay $100 for the keyboard because I don’t think I will actually do anything with it. I feel like maybe I am just done with music altogether, as far as trying to make music goes. Then at times I think I want to dive in and really work at it and get better and that that will make a difference. I don’t know. I don’t know what the issue is. Has anyone else been in a similar situation? Am I just done being a “musician” and maybe it’s time to find new hobbies? Thanks for reading and any advice or insight.

H

Why so shy?

 

[G Stone496]

Hello, everyone. Seems like a nice place. I have some concerns so I thought I’d sign up and ask for advice. I’m in my late 40’s. Played guitar in my early 20’s in a band for about two years. We’ll say it was rock music. I never really learned any proper way to play or had any lessons. Life took over after that band ended and I haven’t done anything “serious” since then. I’ve bought and sold new gear a few times over the years, but I need to play and create music with other people and where I live there’s not a lot of options. So I sell the gear because to me if it’s not being used it’s not an asset and I could use the money elsewhere. Over this last year I’ve repeated this process three times! I just sold the last batch of gear last weekend.

I can’t justify the cost of gear to barely be used other than noodling around at home. I considered switching to bass thinking maybe I’m just bored with guitar and guitar playing and the expectations of the role of playing guitar. So I go check out bass gear. Again, I can’t bring myself to justify the expense. I consider buying a midi keyboard and messing around with some software to totally change it up and maybe get a new interest and then find my way back to guitar later. I can’t even bring myself to pay $100 for the keyboard because I don’t think I will actually do anything with it. I feel like maybe I am just done with music altogether, as far as trying to make music goes. Then at times I think I want to dive in and really work at it and get better and that that will make a difference. I don’t know. I don’t know what the issue is. Has anyone else been in a similar situation? Am I just done being a “musician” and maybe it’s time to find new hobbies? Thanks for reading and any advice or insight.

H

Seriously though, what keeps my interest is learning new styles and songs. Recently dabbled a little in funk strumming and some skanking type funk riffs. It’s not really my style of music, but recently I played with a K-Pop band a couple times for a change of pace. Keep it fresh by trying new styles. Even if you don’t play a certain style of music, there are riffs, chord progressions, melodic intervals etc. you can lift from new songs to incorporate into your playing, songwriting and arranging.

 

[Mr Ridesglide]

possibly do recordings?

 

[kuch]

Golf or bowling....maybe fishing....

 

[Masmus]

With the cost of gear being low compared to years ago, not wanting to spend even $100 really tells me that you just aren't into it. That's ok it's not for everyone and if spending even a small amount of money bugs you don't spend it and stop worrying. Or, spend a little on a Squire or Epiphone and don't worry about it Either way stop worrying.

 

[teleman1]

If you can be patient, lurk a bit here, you just might get happy. We will develop gas for you. You will learn things that might make you more happy to play guitar. Nothing wrong with noodling. Even if you noodled for 5 minutes a day, you will grow and info you learn here will infuse inside of you, Get out of this thread and start wandering through this site. Already some of the coolest people have posted hearing your plea. Ask questions. Things we would like to know is what you sold and what you still have? You might have had uninspiring guitars, but we can help. AND it is not entirely telecaster domination. Many of us have Strats, Les Pauls, acoustics, Chinese & American. WE can head you to the best bang for buck. And we are capable of reading you the riot act if you go off bass. For instance, Do you bass fish? Do you want to play the bass? Can you bass fish while playing a bass? WE can answer all of these question. Decision made, your staying!

 

[Trenchant63]

Hello, everyone. Seems like a nice place. I have some concerns so I thought I’d sign up and ask for advice. I’m in my late 40’s. Played guitar in my early 20’s in a band for about two years. We’ll say it was rock music. I never really learned any proper way to play or had any lessons. Life took over after that band ended and I haven’t done anything “serious” since then. I’ve bought and sold new gear a few times over the years, but I need to play and create music with other people and where I live there’s not a lot of options. So I sell the gear because to me if it’s not being used it’s not an asset and I could use the money elsewhere. Over this last year I’ve repeated this process three times! I just sold the last batch of gear last weekend.

I can’t justify the cost of gear to barely be used other than noodling around at home. I considered switching to bass thinking maybe I’m just bored with guitar and guitar playing and the expectations of the role of playing guitar. So I go check out bass gear. Again, I can’t bring myself to justify the expense. I consider buying a midi keyboard and messing around with some software to totally change it up and maybe get a new interest and then find my way back to guitar later. I can’t even bring myself to pay $100 for the keyboard because I don’t think I will actually do anything with it. I feel like maybe I am just done with music altogether, as far as trying to make music goes. Then at times I think I want to dive in and really work at it and get better and that that will make a difference. I don’t know. I don’t know what the issue is. Has anyone else been in a similar situation? Am I just done being a “musician” and maybe it’s time to find new hobbies? Thanks for reading and any advice or insight.

H

Unless you can answer WHY you want to play guitar, move onto other things.

 

[Twang-ineer]

Most of us have had times when cash was tight, and we had to sell things to pay the bills... But if you are doing that over and over, you have very likely invested both money and time into this and feel unrewarded.

I can't offer advice or insight, but I can relate my experience.

At one point I was a professional musician of no notoriety. I have not played music on a stage (in a meaningful way) in almost 20 years. There were years when I would just look at the two instruments that I kept under the bed, knowing I would get back to it, but I always knew it was there.

Music is for me, a thing that never really left my life. I did have many false starts, trying to get back to it. I just didn't have a life that really allowed for it. During that time my hobby activities were photography, mixed media arts, gaming and my all consuming work (which was also a sort of hobby).

About 7 years ago I made life choices that allowed for me to make music a serious hobby again. Music takes time, space, focus and an environment that is conducive to it. You may just not be ready for it to be a hobby right now. Check in and try again when you are ready. Guitars will still be a thing in a few more years.

 

[Peegoo]

@hondasurf92

I know exactly what you're going through. Sounds like you're searching for a distraction from reality so you can get lost for a little while and recharge you batteries. At least you're being honest with yourself to acknowledge you'll never be a rock star.

Many guitar players spend a huge chunk of their time with the gear aspects of making music; they repeatedly buy/sell guitars, amps, and pedals. I tend to think that activity is separate from the 'music making' part of being a player, and it's a valid activity because it provides adventure and satisfaction (and distraction from real life) to a huge subset of players.

I've played in bands most of my life and had a lot of fun doing it, but being in a band is often like being married to four women at once, and managing personalities takes work because no two people ever have the same level of commitment to the musical adventure. Sometimes there's drinking and other chemical experiments to make things more difficult than they need to be. It's a royal pain sometimes.

These days I do jams and open mics and play with pals every few weeks just to learn new stuff and keep it interesting. I also record my own stuff and get called in to work with compadres that are recording their stuff.

But I have a truckload of other hobbies and side hustles (guitar building and repair, electronics/guitar amp building and repair, light construction like patios/decks/docks, home maintenance/improvement, woodworking, paddleboarding/kayaking, metal working/welding, painting, airbrushing, digital artwork, golf, hiking, photography, RC airplanes/cars, reading...and a bunch of others).

There is never a day where I feel like doing nothing because I have so much to keep me going. I don't watch TV--got rid of that in 2007--because I really have no time for it. And most often, real life gets in the way.

There are plenty of ways to be creative, including making music. Keep looking for an outlet for your creative energy. You'll find it.

 

[thunderbyrd]

Electric trains are the answer. Or start a Llama farm.

 

[gimmeatele]

I certainly went through periods of not being able to justify gear, but as the urge to gig was greater I carried on, for little financial reward, but loved every second of being a 'a musician'. If your heart is not in it to at least enjoy a noodle, then maybe it's not for you.
But also there doesn't have to be an end product to playing other than just enjoying it.
AND.....turning to bass is not an option, it's not some 'easier' instrument, it takes just as much commitment!!

 

[Cheap Trills]

Maybe start looking at gear as an investment, like get a nice enough guitar that the value of it goes up over time. Then you won't worry about it being value better sold.

 

[spud3]

buy a banjo

 

[chris m.]

My wife was listening to a Jack Johnson Spotify station. Lots of folky tunes…I challenged myself by playing along and trying to quickly figure out the songs on the fly. I was quite proud of my ability to suss out the progressions quickly even on the less typical ones.

My point is challenging my ear and jamming to songs is fun for me, even if it’s just playing alone with recorded music. Hopefully you can find something that gets you digging making music again..,

 

[VintageSG]

For noodling with some structure, a Trio+ pedal, or the software equivalent ( Garage band? ) is great fun.
Some amps have built in drum tracks to noodle to too.
Ukuleles are great, plus they aren't banjos.

You don't need to be good, just discover the space to enjoy your self.

 

[Monoprice99]

I think I can always keep a Squier Bullet & practice amp around. If nothing more than to have something to pick up & play before jumping back in with the new guitar & amp purchase. I don't know what level of gear you've jumped back into the game for, but flipping gear only seemed to be a win around the pandemic. Prices are dropping on inflated MSRP's is what I see. Glad I bought my gear about a year before the insanity started in 2020. I saw where I could flip my gear as inflation happened for profit even. But I always came back to what it would cost to replace what I have after flipping & profit wouldn't cover new MSRP. Why sell what you have to go deeper into debt ? What I have is paid off, costs me pre-2020 US Dollars. With inflation, the dollar sucks domestically, buys less than it ever has before. But the products are no better and cost even more. I get others that want to buy my gear, but again, their offers are a low ball on more debt. So I'll just keep & play what I have.

I basically have 7 guitars, all of which cost me less than a new MSRP Fender Player MiM. With that MiM, I'm choosing Strat or Tele. The way I did it, I have 2 Strats (HT & Trem), 2 Teles, 1 LP (Bigsby), 1 Bass guitar & 1 acoustic electric. The versatility of that lineup > than a MiM would ever play for tones. End of the day, sure I could take $ 850 and apply that money to groceries or something else. But I see it that if I sell that gear I just reward the inflation & gouging. I can always sell off the $ 100 Squier Bullet for $ 100ish & whatever groceries that'll buy. As far as a car repair bill, guess a guitar sale gets a few more miles out of a daily driver, but really, that $ 100 Squier Bullet is 17 years old, the car just turned 10 years old. I think the guitar is going to easily outlast the car in my life. The car is a distracted driver away from being a salvage car casualty. The guitar is not at risk from the danger & general public in my home.

 

[Wildeman]

Yeah, like, you know??

 

[Silent Otto]

 

[24 track]

Hello, everyone. Seems like a nice place. I have some concerns so I thought I’d sign up and ask for advice. I’m in my late 40’s. Played guitar in my early 20’s in a band for about two years. We’ll say it was rock music. I never really learned any proper way to play or had any lessons. Life took over after that band ended and I haven’t done anything “serious” since then. I’ve bought and sold new gear a few times over the years, but I need to play and create music with other people and where I live there’s not a lot of options. So I sell the gear because to me if it’s not being used it’s not an asset and I could use the money elsewhere. Over this last year I’ve repeated this process three times! I just sold the last batch of gear last weekend.

I can’t justify the cost of gear to barely be used other than noodling around at home. I considered switching to bass thinking maybe I’m just bored with guitar and guitar playing and the expectations of the role of playing guitar. So I go check out bass gear. Again, I can’t bring myself to justify the expense. I consider buying a midi keyboard and messing around with some software to totally change it up and maybe get a new interest and then find my way back to guitar later. I can’t even bring myself to pay $100 for the keyboard because I don’t think I will actually do anything with it. I feel like maybe I am just done with music altogether, as far as trying to make music goes. Then at times I think I want to dive in and really work at it and get better and that that will make a difference. I don’t know. I don’t know what the issue is. Has anyone else been in a similar situation? Am I just done being a “musician” and maybe it’s time to find new hobbies? Thanks for reading and any advice or insight.

H

interesting perspectives on this post ,
you either have the want or not to play or be a part of a band situations , I always felt the whole of the band was more interesting than the parts of a band ( sum greater than the whole , thing) I have bought and sold some vintage gear when it was not vintage, got involved with the technical portions from stage set ups to repairs, from working in major studios to building studios , its in my blood ever since I was about 10 years old. alot of my friends that are fine players I might add never got the technical aspects of what it takes to run the music machinery ,

or the recording principles , song writting skills , building fine instruments and maintaining these items , or Amp building , trouble shooting advise from the best in engineers, skilled technical persons etc. The beauty of all of this is ; all of this information has been consolidated in one location ....here at TDPRI with some top of the line first hand expiriences from some of the best in all fields
plus you get a first hand account different flavours of spam and great bacon recipies

this place has always been a fantastic resource above all!
Also the members are pretty cool people who share their knowledge freely.