Burning through gear. What I’ve learned.

[timbuck3]

I'll add a few things, from the financial side of things.

I keep an eye on 4 models of EBMM guitars, and it's amazing to me how many listings are for mint items, some several years old, many of which give some reason or other of "needing to sell", usually to pay bills. Others say the guitar just wasn't for me, I don't play it, etc.

I've seen 2 EBMM JP15's, in the BFR specialty color "Solar Flare", one that sold, and one that's listed atm. Assuming 8% sales tax, the one that sold was a ~$1200 loss (he showed his receipt showing he paid full price), and the other one will probably be similar, if not worse, since we're coming into holiday shopping season. That's a lot of money to piss away!

A trip to a well-stocked music store to learn whether you'll truly bond with a certain model, even if it's hours away, will cost a LOT less money than losing a grand on a $4000 guitar, because you didn't like it.

Cash is king. I would never consider financing a guitar, even if they're offering 0% interest, or paying full price on new, because you can always get at least 10% off, just for asking. (Except at SW, which I suspect is because they'll finance anyone.) And I'm not talking about some specialty item here, something in very limited supply, because they don't need to offer 0% on stuff like that. Those guitars are exceptions to my advice, because you're gonna pay full price no matter where you buy it. PRS Cleo, EBMM 10th Anniversary Majesty, etc.

Those guitars you'll likely make (an honest) profit if you turn around and sell it, but selling a 2016 Majesty in mint condition for a few hundred more than you paid, is not profit, when you consider inflation.

I look for deals in mint condition when searching used, and for new, I try to find ones that have been sitting unsold. If you can resist having the most recent offerings, you can usually find what you're looking for at a good discount.

If you even think you need to keep a guitar in mint condition, because you might need to sell it, where's the joy in that? Hanging on the wall to show off for your friends? My advice is if you don't have enough cash in savings to offset those kinds of thoughts, maybe you should just be content with what you have, or go out and buy a really cheap guitar or 2 from GC. Because if you're tight on money, and end up having to turn around and sell it, you'll just make your finances worse.

Use your money wisely!

My 2c.

Wow I agree… I have a few ebmm 2-p90 supersport guitars and love them but wanted to buy another but they aren’t made anymore and paying 2-4k is crazy for one

 

[Boudoir Guitar]

What I learned burning through gear: you've really learned all there is to learn way before you've bought/sold/traded enough stuff to qualify as burning through gear.

 

[ian_dissonance]

The only thing I’ve learned over the years is I’m going to sound within 10% the same no matter how my rig is constructed so it’s more about what gives me what I’m looking for with the least amount of hassle than trying to find some magic piece of gear. There’s no “grail tone” for me.

 

[KingsXJJ]

My biggest hot take, the popular opinion isn't always right. Lots of gear everyone loves that I don't like and vice versa.

You got that right. Finding what meshes with your fingers and your mind is when the magic happens and bursts of creativity occur. It’s moments like that that are why I play. I play plenty of gear that isn’t on the TGF or TOP approved list.

 

[KingsXJJ]

The only thing I’ve learned over the years is I’m going to sound within 10% the same no matter how my rig is constructed so it’s more about what gives me what I’m looking for with the least amount of hassle than trying to find some magic piece of gear. There’s no “grail tone” for me.

This is so very true. I’m going to sound like myself no matter what I play but… there is gear that fits with that more effortlessly than others.
It’s usually when I let go or get inspired that I know. Simple as that and usually involves minimal tweaking. Great gear that fits feels like an extension of me and my playing… if I have to fight it to sound that way, I’m out.

 

[KingsXJJ]

Spawn Nitrous.

“But first, are you experienced?
Or have you ever been experienced?
Well, I have…”

 

[mattgreenrocks]

Favorite tone improvement tip: take a short break from guitar, say, 2-3 days or so. With fresh ears, I find I listen to the tone a bit differently. Sometimes I like it more, sometimes less. It’s as if I hear more and my brain autocompletes a bit less.

 

[timbuck3]

What I learned is vox dropped the modeling ball for some reason after the blue valvetronix amps and tonelab se.

 

[PhilA]

What I’ve learned is because I work in IT and have for 30 years is that anything that uses software or apps to control it puts me in one for two places; endless messing around tweaking and never being happy with the results or an absolute hate of the software which means I don’t use it. (I’m looking at you IK multimedia)
I’ve moved from modellers to Synergy. Not because modellers are ‘bad’ or ‘not good enough’ but because of my reaction to them. I spent a lot of money and as per the thread title burned through a lot of gear before I realised I was the problem not the gear.

Now I need to ensure I don’t start treating the Synergy modules as Pokémon

 

[laxu]

What I’ve learned is because I work in IT and have for 30 years is that anything that uses software or apps to control it puts me in one for two places; endless messing around tweaking and never being happy with the results or an absolute hate of the software which means I don’t use it. (I’m looking at you IK multimedia)
I’ve moved from modellers to Synergy. Not because modellers are ‘bad’ or ‘not good enough’ but because of my reaction to them. I spent a lot of money and as per the thread title burned through a lot of gear before I realised I was the problem not the gear.

Now I need to ensure I don’t start treating the Synergy modules as Pokémon

I can totally understand that. The more those apps become required to use the gear, the less I'm going to usually like it. Having to painstakingly move some slider on a mobile app, or click around in a computer editor is the opposite of fun.

I considered Synergy once, but to me the issue was that I know I would hate changing the modules. It works as long as you treat it more like a "build your own amp" system. Even though it takes little time to change the module, do it often enough and it becomes a chore.

Plus that whole "gotta catch 'em all" becomes real expensive, real quick at +/- 400 € per module.

 

[ragingplatypi]

What I learned is vox dropped the modeling ball for some reason after the blue valvetronix amps and tonelab se.

Never change T3

 

[ragingplatypi]

What I learned is vox dropped the modeling ball for some reason after the blue valvetronix amps and tonelab se.

You know, Vox has gotten married and divorced twice since she dumped us back in high school.

 

[laxu]

What I learned is vox dropped the modeling ball for some reason after the blue valvetronix amps and tonelab se.

They sure did. The blue Valvetronix were nice amps from what I remember.

I think they wanted to chase the cheaper end of the market too much. They had a line of amps that had none of the identity of the blue Valvetronix, and a bunch of other products from the Adio handbag looking desktop amp to the Nutube amps that were kinda ugly and poorly marketed.

 

[GTR37]

Junk tones, like farts, are nasty no matter how skilled is the author or how expensive the gear. We still enjoy records of good music with junk tones, though, like when don't abandon the ship when she releases gas.

 

[mattgreenrocks]

What I learned is vox dropped the modeling ball for some reason after the blue valvetronix amps and tonelab se.

The valvetronix amps were great. I regret selling mine still.

 

[JiveTurkey]

What I've learned:
Your "epiphanies" are ultimately your own. They will repeat themselves; even when you identify something you're "doing wrong".

 

[Boudoir Guitar]

What I've learned:
Your "epiphanies" are ultimately your own. They will repeat themselves; even when you identify something you're "doing wrong".

 

[FuzzyAce]

What I've learned... gear is fun and even inspiring at times, but the "it" factor is YOU. For better or worse.

 

[JiveTurkey]

What I've learned... gear is fun and even inspiring at times, but the "it" factor is YOU. For better or worse.

 

[MTB1973]

What I've learned:
1: I like looking at my gear as much as I do playing it.
2: No matter what I buy, I will sound pretty much the same
3: If it has 1 knob or 15 knobs, I will tweak.