Pedals, Amps, and other Gear

[DetroitBlues]

Maybe some of you have noticed or maybe some of you have not, I haven't been frequenting the HOC much lately.

 

I also haven't been buying any gear, but purging some of it.

 

I've had the same pedals for nearly a year now.

 

I've stopped looking at new amps.

 

I've stopped thinking about new pedals.

 

I've nearly stopped playing guitar.

 

I've come to realize no matter how good an amp or a pedal may sound, my ear isn't good enough to really pick out the differences between a $50 Overdrive and a $250 overdrive. My old Boss Superchorus I bought for $40 doesn't sound better than any of the boutique Chorus pedals.

 

In fact, I have come to realize that I'm not good enough to really hear the difference from any the low end bargin gear to the highly priced stuff out there.

 

This statement includes amps, possibly pickups.

 

I've got some of the most iconic instruments available.

 

Gibson Les Paul

Fender Stratocaster

Martin Acoustic

Heritage 535

 

I'm good on guitars now too.

 

I'll probably hang up playing for awhile, but keep these things around for when the day comes I want to play again.

 

Right now, I'm too tired and too busy to really worry about it.

 

Just saying I guess. I feel like I'm letting down the HOC and what its all about, but there is some truth to be told here.

 

 

 

 

[Yooper]

Don't worry about the cork sniffing. It is not the path to contentment or accomplishment. It's about sounding better to your ears. Time and practice are the only way.

 

I hate to tell you how long I went without playing with other musicians regularly. But that didn't stop me from short term sessions of solo music therapy. It's good for the heart, mind, body and soul.

[Mikenov]

I totally get your post. I am in a bit of a rut as well. It comes in waves. I don't really pick up a guitar around the house barely ever anymore.

I am gigging like crazy. so at least I am playing 5-8 times a month but I find adding songs a chore and not much practice in between gigs.

Frankly I am exhausted allot from the late nights and early morning.

Right now we legit need the extra cash and a good night is worth a tired morning for sure. but I can see where someone could burn out on performing.

I have sold a lot of things that I don't use and bought upgraded pro sound. consolidated. ect. I have a box full of pedals and mostly never play them. I guess I should clear some of that out as well.

I have been here before. After a month or 2 or 6, the fire always comes back on.

Hang in there and enjoy the break.

[Gitfiddler]

DB~ Your honesty and openness is to be admired. Music and gear can be a ton of fun. That fun is very personal and different for each person. For some, it's the hunt for that special guitar, pedal or amp so they can wang away at it in our homes, or maybe jam with friends.

 

Some folks just like the look, feel and sound of gear and trying out new stuff...Maybe buying and selling is a fun adventure for them.

 

For others it is finding the right tool for the job...nothing more.

 

Whatever the reason, it should be an enjoyable journey. When it ceases to be fun, it's time to back away and re-think...reset. The latter sounds like your position. Do what feels best for you...and be happy....enjoy your family and friends. If playing guitar once again tickles your fancy, then go with it. If not, leave it in the case and do other stuff. Whatever you decide...Enjoy yourself!

[JeffB]

Hey DB. After à life of being asorbed in music and guitar Ive basically walked away from it. I feel nothing about The change. I do Still play at home very occasionally but 10-15 minutes and Im done. I listen to mainly talk back current affairs and news am radio to avoid hearing songs. I tcant. stand. Is note à bad place Im in. Im loving life. It is à reset. When i do get back to music i think it will be à more pure version of me. That excités me

[Conneazoo]

You do you......bro.

[JeffB]

Sorry about my post above. I was on my phone and my predictive text isnt even remotely predictive.

[Polo]

Sorry about my post above. I was on my phone and my predictive text isnt even remotely predictive.

 

[kidsmoke]

so...PSP is cancelled?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

seriously dude. you're not letting anyone down, least of all your family. You've made some changes and kept priorities straight, and it will pay YUUUGE dividends over the long haul, far more than a keeley or a BilM Mod or a Carr will.....

 

I've sold everything but my 535, my Boogie(gig), my little mongrel Champ(practice) My acoustic with a pickup and Marshall acoustic amp(gig) and my Cherokee Dread (pleasure - couch guitar) Handful of pedals (LOOONG ago realized i just need one of each of the basics....nothing too fancy), and I'm good. I can play a guitar when I wish, and I don't have thousands of dollars sitting in the corner when I'm not. I get it. Like Mike says...enjoy the break. it'll come around again and you'll have a blast PLAYING.For the record I think I've improved more in the last year than in the previous several cuz I have but one axe. I pick it up and play. No swapping straps, no adjusting amp settings and pedals. power on, strap in, tune up. play. Liberating.

 

And like Jeff, you're a part of this collective regardless. Your experience is just as valid as anyone else's. Share what you will.

[AP515]

You should take a break until you feel like playing again. I agree you should keep your gear so that you are ready when the time comes.

 

I'm in a peaceful place with my GAS right now too. Not really interested in finding more, though I still look, and if someone wants to dump a great piece for very little cash, I'll help them out. But I play for fun and it gives me a release from the regular stresses of life. That's all I'm looking for.

[gpuma]

I've sold everything but my 535, my Boogie(gig)

 

can't leave you alone for few weeks and you become this degenerate?

you sold the boogie? duuuuuuude!

 

Edit

 

misread your post.

[Blunote]

Well, you just took delivery on the 535. BTW, I haven't seen a NGD thread from you on it -or pics.

 

For myself, I've gravitated back to acoustic guitars and songs, but I think I'll be getting back into electrics in foreseeable future. You just have to let the heart go where it wants.

[TalismanRich]

There's no shame in taking a break. I took about 20 years off, but when I came back my guitars were sitting there waiting for me. I probably get 5x the pleasure from playing that I did when I was younger. Now my playing is for my own enjoyment, Half the time it's an electric that's unplugged, or an acoustic.

 

I'm still looking forward to seeing you this summer, and am willing to bet that you'll have fun playing a few tunes.

[jmac]

A new guitar or amp never made me play better. I sound the same on all of my "gear". Being a better guitar player is a journey. Sometimes you just get tired. Take a break. But don't stop learning. Its good for the brain.

[kzoolou]

I think everyone gets frustrated and burned out from time to time. I recognize the limitations in my talent. Sometimes, I'm like, what the heck, it's all about me and my enjoyment of music and there's other times after I've seen a fairly local bar band guitarist tear it up at a level that I probably will never reach. Still, I do my thing with some guys I like to hang around with and it always brings a smile to my face, no matter how poorly we've played. I'll never make a living playing guitar and I think that's a good thing. If I did, it would be work and yet another thing that "I have to do". That would suck the joy out of it for me at some point I think.

[holyroller]

It's liberating in a way . Just play like when we were 16/17 in high school. It didn't matter what we had , just wanting to rock out. Best tone days of my life . You'll be back ,enjoy your rest .

 

 

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[tbonesullivan]

Get things down to the ones that YOU like to play. Comfortable, and that make a sound YOU think sounds good.

 

And yes, you don't need to spend tons of money on gear to get a great sound. A nice used peavey tube amp with a Boss OD-1 in front of it can be all you need.

[holyroller]

Lol!! I was just looking at a peavey deuce and a triumph 1/12. The other is a 2/12 Both are 150 each . Any thoughts ?

 

 

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[JeffB]

Lol!! I was just looking at a peavey deuce and a triumph 1/12. The other is a 2/12 Both are 150 each . Any thoughts ?

 

 

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get them both!

[holyroller]

Lol!! The deuce is a mace , I heard it's a lower 50 watt and in a combo form . ?

 

 

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[Rod]

My observation of those who precede me is that one plague of old age is an unchallenged mind. Senseless worry, obsessively dwelling on the past, etc.. I hope that I can play even when I can't do much else. Hot weather or cold, early or late, independent of any schedule, regardless of financial well being. It's something I'll always be able do, a challenge, a diversion.

 

Then there are the guitars. Not much will live beyond me. It's hard to attach much sentiment to a 1/2" ratchet or a television. Guitars are a different matter. There's something a little more connective about a guitar. Maybe someday many decades away some descendant of mine will pick up a guitar that I played and think of me. That'd be pretty cool. Is there a price tag on that?

[Rod]

Just play like when we were 16/17 in high school. It didn't matter what we had , just wanting to rock out. Best tone days of my life .

 

 

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More power to ya.

 

I'm not any good now, but I was terrible when I was in high school. The Mel Bay Guitar Method, recording American Top 40 with a cassette recorder off of a clock radio, slowing down scratchy 45's to 33 played through a speaker with a piece of newspaper glued over a rip in the speaker cone, crap guitars. The closest I could come to being able to audibly sense tone was in my car with a pawn shop 8 track and 6 x 9's on the rear deck. If my "tone days" didn't get any better than that I'd have a different hobby.

 

Saw a bicycle rider the other day wearing a t-shirt that said "The older I get, the faster I was".

[Hfan]

DB, No need to quit. No need to make great progress (even though, as I have told you In the past, you have gotten very good). Don't over think it. Either just enjoy it as a light hobby for a while or forever or take a break, leave a guitar out, grab it for 60 seconds once in a while, you might be shocked how gratifying it is when you're busy or stressed. Do not over think it keep it fun. Some of what you say may be fallout from reading too much internet gear talk. Nothing wrong with your ears either. I do get it I also quit for many years when I was super busy but always had the goal to play again some day. Good luck.

[JeffB]

I had time off playing once. I injured my left hand quite bad and couldnt play.

I pretty much packed everything guitar related away so I couldnt see any of it. I figured I was done with it all.

About 2yrs later I was painting a few rooms in the house and had some cd's (remember them?) on rotation.

Albert Collins came on and within a few moments I had put down the brush, walked to the other end of the house and was digging out guitars, amp, looking for picks and cables.

It just hit me, like a rush.

Everything was like new again. Complete reset. I dont play the same way as I did before the accident and I dont really listen to the same sort of music.

The amp and guitar has never really changed though.

[DetroitBlues]

Well, you just took delivery on the 535. BTW, I haven't seen a NGD thread from you on it -or pics.

 

For myself, I've gravitated back to acoustic guitars and songs, but I think I'll be getting back into electrics in foreseeable future. You just have to let the heart go where it wants.

 

I haven't taken delivery of the 535 yet.... My schedule is dictated at next Friday (June 10th).... What a day it will be!