Things You Identify Yourself With - Identity Crisis?

[Brent Hutto]

I don't think I have ever felt like my choice of a car or choice of material for the fretboard of a guitar said anything at all about my "identity". Cars and guitars are just stuff, they aren't me and they don't define me.

Some time after I finished college, I happened to bump into a guy who'd graduated in my class from high school. We still recognized each other so we shook hands and stopped to chat. As we were shaking hands, I spoke first and said something like how you have you been.

The first words out of his mouth were, "Great. I have three Corvettes". Then silence, we both stood there smiling for a few seconds. I said some vague like that's pretty cool and he said, "I'm going to get a fourth one soon". I honestly didn't know where to go from there so I just said it was nice to see him and I walked away.

I'd imagine that guy has had several identity crises since then. Or maybe not, maybe now he has twenty Corvettes and has lived a happy, fulfilled life over the ensuing four decades. Who knows.

 

[thunderbyrd]

Swap ends?

oh, no no. my fung shway would be completely thrown into disarray. and the air pressure is completely wrong over there.

 

[Refugee]

Unless you are seen at a gig playing one of these I don't think your changes are crisis worthy.

Google Image Result for https://images.equipboard.com/uploads/source/image/7742/big_mike-shinoda-linkin-park-hello-kitty-guitar.jpg

 

[memorex]

Shabby clothes and BO. It's not that unique, but it's easy to maintain.

 

[pypa]

After having raised kids, I believe that tying my identity up in any person - let alone any object - has not led to happiness. Not tying myself to individual people or objects is helping me experience more people and objects more freely.

 

[Wrighty]

oh, no no. my fung shway would be completely thrown into disarray. and the air pressure is completely wrong over there.

Right, so, rotate it through 180 degrees, then put your head where your feet were..............................er, perhaps the last bit's not a good idea!

 

[ASATKat]

Over the last couple of years, there have been a number of "identity items" that I have challenged and changed. My daughter jokes that I am having an identity crisis. I'm not, but I think I am "softening" on some issues. Here are some examples, all of which have come about in the last 5 years or so.

Maple Fretboards. I have had a Strat with a pao ferro fretboard since the early 90s. When I was looking to buy a Tele back in 2014, I only wanted a maple fretboard. I liked the look better, this was how a traditional Tele was, so I became a maple fretboard guy. I (internally) dismissed any guitar that did not have a maple fretboard. I ended up buying a 50s Baja.

After a few years, I really wanted something a bit different. I started looking at the American Professional line, specifically the candy apple red one with the maple fretboard. I played a used one, but it was too much money. A bit later, I played an AP-II, the mercury (reverse grey burst) with the rosewood fretboard. Boy, did that feel nice! I ended up buying an AP-II Tele in Dark Night with rosewood. I spent some time before my purchase wishing for a dark night with maple, but after playing the mercury AP-II, I pulled the trigger. I really like the feel of the rosewood. I still need to put the Baja up for sale. I now prefer rosewood - it is not an "identity", I just prefer it.

I thought I was an 11s guy. I now use 9s. My Baja does not like 9s - it works better with 10s, so that is what it has. It is funny how some guitars just want a certain gauge, regardless of what you like best.

Last year, I bought a new car. I used to identify myself as "they guy who only drives a manual, they guy who only uses analog gauges, the guy who does not rely on tech." Well, since I got a fairly nice car, guess what? I have a DSG gearbox, digital gauges including a digital numeric speedometer and a digital dial speedo, Android Carplay, traction and stability control, and a bunch of other stuff. I really like it - and I find that I don't miss the manual transmission (probably since the DSG feels very similar?). The Android CarPlay is brilliant, as I can put Waze on my main display in the center console. I always swore that HVAC systems should be three knobs only, but the new climate control system with three zones just works well.

I used to think I was a Fender Medium / punched pick guy. Blue Chip picks have convinced me otherwise. I tried a whole bunch of picks before I came to this conclusion. It was fun, and fairly inexpensive to try a bunch. Lockdown projects, amIright?

I used to think I was a Fender-only guy. Well, I have my eye on a Reverend Kingbolt. The Kingbolt has humbuckers! I am a single coil guy! Well, I prefer a brighter pickup, and the railhammer pickups in the Kingbolt are fairly bright, so maybe I did hold fast on to that one. I probably will not buy another guitar though, so this may be moot. The fretboard radius is a bit flatter than I prefer, but OMG is the Kingbolt a real looker!

Maybe it is good to challenge your preconceived notions. Maybe this is a late mid-life crisis. Maybe I am just relaxing with age. I still have some strong opinion about other things - like desktop OSs - but I feel I've grown.

You only say the word maple and never mentioned the other wood which could be rosewood.

"Tell me, when did this preference begin"?

 

[String Tree]

Over the last couple of years, there have been a number of "identity items" that I have challenged and changed. My daughter jokes that I am having an identity crisis. I'm not, but I think I am "softening" on some issues. Here are some examples, all of which have come about in the last 5 years or so.

Maple Fretboards. I have had a Strat with a pao ferro fretboard since the early 90s. When I was looking to buy a Tele back in 2014, I only wanted a maple fretboard. I liked the look better, this was how a traditional Tele was, so I became a maple fretboard guy. I (internally) dismissed any guitar that did not have a maple fretboard. I ended up buying a 50s Baja.

After a few years, I really wanted something a bit different. I started looking at the American Professional line, specifically the candy apple red one with the maple fretboard. I played a used one, but it was too much money. A bit later, I played an AP-II, the mercury (reverse grey burst) with the rosewood fretboard. Boy, did that feel nice! I ended up buying an AP-II Tele in Dark Night with rosewood. I spent some time before my purchase wishing for a dark night with maple, but after playing the mercury AP-II, I pulled the trigger. I really like the feel of the rosewood. I still need to put the Baja up for sale. I now prefer rosewood - it is not an "identity", I just prefer it.

I thought I was an 11s guy. I now use 9s. My Baja does not like 9s - it works better with 10s, so that is what it has. It is funny how some guitars just want a certain gauge, regardless of what you like best.

Last year, I bought a new car. I used to identify myself as "they guy who only drives a manual, they guy who only uses analog gauges, the guy who does not rely on tech." Well, since I got a fairly nice car, guess what? I have a DSG gearbox, digital gauges including a digital numeric speedometer and a digital dial speedo, Android Carplay, traction and stability control, and a bunch of other stuff. I really like it - and I find that I don't miss the manual transmission (probably since the DSG feels very similar?). The Android CarPlay is brilliant, as I can put Waze on my main display in the center console. I always swore that HVAC systems should be three knobs only, but the new climate control system with three zones just works well.

I used to think I was a Fender Medium / punched pick guy. Blue Chip picks have convinced me otherwise. I tried a whole bunch of picks before I came to this conclusion. It was fun, and fairly inexpensive to try a bunch. Lockdown projects, amIright?

I used to think I was a Fender-only guy. Well, I have my eye on a Reverend Kingbolt. The Kingbolt has humbuckers! I am a single coil guy! Well, I prefer a brighter pickup, and the railhammer pickups in the Kingbolt are fairly bright, so maybe I did hold fast on to that one. I probably will not buy another guitar though, so this may be moot. The fretboard radius is a bit flatter than I prefer, but OMG is the Kingbolt a real looker!

Maybe it is good to challenge your preconceived notions. Maybe this is a late mid-life crisis. Maybe I am just relaxing with age. I still have some strong opinion about other things - like desktop OSs - but I feel I've grown.

I think it is good to stretch out and try new things.

 

[Martian]

A guy at a meeting came out with this: “It isn’t the changing that hurts - - it’s the resisting it.”

Change away. It’s easier.

That doesn’t sound good to me. Tell me it wasn’t an HR meeting.

 

[ChicknPickn]

That doesn’t sound good to me. Tell me it wasn’t an HR meeting.

Good one. In this case, a sobriety meeting. But I've been to the other as well.

 

[Refugee]

New things can lead to cool stuff.

Not that long ago, I grabbed my 1st 7-string. An Ibanez cheaply shipped for $218.

Thought it would take some real getting used to. An hour later and...

 

[Ben Harmless]

Analog until I die! -> Digital effects and recording.

Hardtail forever! -> Jazzmaster.

Tube amps uber alles! - > Quilter.

Punk rawk! -> Work with cops.

None of these are actual crises. I'd like to think of myself as a pragmatist. My love of analog stuff gave way once I started focusing on the output part of the music, and realized that my listeners don't care about the input side. Same with tube vs. solid state. My hardtail commitment fell victim to a flirtation with surf music - before I realized how optional vibratos really are in that genre. And the cops thing? Well, that's a long story...

 

[Brian J.]

Rye whiskey
Lucky Strikes
Smith & Wesson revolvers

 

[Refugee]

Rye whiskey
Lucky Strikes
Smith & Wesson revolvers

Love Smith double actions!

All my friends are, get a 9, get a 9...no thanks.

 

[40flash]

Over the last couple of years, there have been a number of "identity items" that I have challenged and changed. My daughter jokes that I am having an identity crisis. I'm not, but I think I am "softening" on some issues. Here are some examples, all of which have come about in the last 5 years or so.

Maple Fretboards. I have had a Strat with a pao ferro fretboard since the early 90s. When I was looking to buy a Tele back in 2014, I only wanted a maple fretboard. I liked the look better, this was how a traditional Tele was, so I became a maple fretboard guy. I (internally) dismissed any guitar that did not have a maple fretboard. I ended up buying a 50s Baja.

After a few years, I really wanted something a bit different. I started looking at the American Professional line, specifically the candy apple red one with the maple fretboard. I played a used one, but it was too much money. A bit later, I played an AP-II, the mercury (reverse grey burst) with the rosewood fretboard. Boy, did that feel nice! I ended up buying an AP-II Tele in Dark Night with rosewood. I spent some time before my purchase wishing for a dark night with maple, but after playing the mercury AP-II, I pulled the trigger. I really like the feel of the rosewood. I still need to put the Baja up for sale. I now prefer rosewood - it is not an "identity", I just prefer it.

I thought I was an 11s guy. I now use 9s. My Baja does not like 9s - it works better with 10s, so that is what it has. It is funny how some guitars just want a certain gauge, regardless of what you like best.

Last year, I bought a new car. I used to identify myself as "they guy who only drives a manual, they guy who only uses analog gauges, the guy who does not rely on tech." Well, since I got a fairly nice car, guess what? I have a DSG gearbox, digital gauges including a digital numeric speedometer and a digital dial speedo, Android Carplay, traction and stability control, and a bunch of other stuff. I really like it - and I find that I don't miss the manual transmission (probably since the DSG feels very similar?). The Android CarPlay is brilliant, as I can put Waze on my main display in the center console. I always swore that HVAC systems should be three knobs only, but the new climate control system with three zones just works well.

I used to think I was a Fender Medium / punched pick guy. Blue Chip picks have convinced me otherwise. I tried a whole bunch of picks before I came to this conclusion. It was fun, and fairly inexpensive to try a bunch. Lockdown projects, amIright?

I used to think I was a Fender-only guy. Well, I have my eye on a Reverend Kingbolt. The Kingbolt has humbuckers! I am a single coil guy! Well, I prefer a brighter pickup, and the railhammer pickups in the Kingbolt are fairly bright, so maybe I did hold fast on to that one. I probably will not buy another guitar though, so this may be moot. The fretboard radius is a bit flatter than I prefer, but OMG is the Kingbolt a real looker!

Maybe it is good to challenge your preconceived notions. Maybe this is a late mid-life crisis. Maybe I am just relaxing with age. I still have some strong opinion about other things - like desktop OSs - but I feel I've grown.

As a has-been road racer of sportscars for over 20 years, I've also always been a manual guy. Like you I bought a modern car that is only available with an automatic. It's an 8 speed with paddle shift that I never use because the computer is so good at being in the right gear all the time. I really miss having a 6 spd. Wish it was available.

 

[getbent]

Carplay is apple technology not android.

Apple CarPlay is a smartphone mirroring system that allows your car to use your iPhone's features through the vehicle's infotainment screen. This includes navigation, calling, messaging and music. It's a handy way to get more use out of your infotainment system with a phone-like set-up you're familiar with.

android auto is what you have.

signed,

that guy.

 

[burntfrijoles]

I always thought that I’d let my freak flag fly when I retired: earring, ponytail, beard, etc; a return to my hippy dippy ways of yore.
It hasn’t happened and I’ve been retired for almost 9 years. In many ways it would fit my feelings and outlook. I’m a progressive guy and don’t fit the narrative for a guy my age, location, background.
But…I have my young granddaughters and I don’t want them to have to ”defend” my appearance to their peers if they should be asked “what’s up with your grandad”.
On the other hand, I always want them to know it’s okay to be who you are.

 

[burntfrijoles]

Carplay is apple technology not android.

Apple CarPlay is a smartphone mirroring system that allows your car to use your iPhone's features through the vehicle's infotainment screen.

Yep, and GM has made the decision to ditch Apple CarPlay and develop their own native system in a collaboration with Google.

GM is going to lose my business for certain. I like CarPlay and the fact it’s seamless with my iPhone.

 

[Tonetele]

My identity crisis or midlife crisis hit me right on 40. I wanted to get fit- intensely fit. Hated running I turnd to swimming, something I love. Ended up swimming 32 kms. ( 20 miles) per week and looked pretty good till about 49/50 .
Have photos of me in Bali wearing Speedo bathers - looked like I was half my age. Had a few record swims as well.
Now I'm 66 and look it.

 

[Sparky2]

Good topic.

All me to free-emote;


I don't mind change.
Group-think in large organizations is all about resisting change.

But individuals were meant to evolve, and to adapt to new things.

Guitar brands and fingerboard materials, and cars, they are just things.
And things come and go.

The thing to maintain (and endeavor to keep the same) is who we are at the core.
Am I good person?
Do I take care of my loved ones?
Do I give more than I take?
Do I keep things in good working order?
Do I do good work?
Am I true to my principles?

Even this can evolve, but the goal is to evolve in a positive direction.

This means looking forward, and rarely looking back.
Regrets are like a cancer.
I don't dwell on them, or at least I avoid doing so.

The saddest words in the world to me are, "Boy, those were the best days of my life"!

I like to think that my best days are out there ahead of me.

Even if there are less of them than there used to be.