So... do people with all the best equipment

[Superlizard]

It's simple, really.

Whatever the cost is... high or low, you should buy gear for good tone.

Ignore the hype/criticism, ignore the fanbois, ignore the bagga-doucha sales-twits.

If you ain't buying for good tone, then you'd best check yo' self.

[hudpucker]

Originally Posted by blakem

Actually play any good??? I know some do, and of course most professionals.. but it's funny, I hang out at the music store and guys with money will come in and buy the best pickups, and the best guitar, the best amp, and I am glad they can... but from what I see, most can barely play a G chord... LOL... I am generalizing , I know thats wrong to do, but it cracks me up... they are so concearned with having the best and they cant even play.... then you got the guys with no money that come in, pick up a cheap Squire Strat , plug into a cheap amp and sound awesome..... any one else notice this?

The usual diss goes like this.......$5,000 amp, $3000 guitar, $100 cord......and dime store chops.

Still, the hobbyists with great gear afford the manufacturers some economy of scale so we all win.

[stmfitr636]

Cock sniffers.

[Lysol]

Originally Posted by Skintaster

Play heavy stuff, but don't look like a stereotype.

That's me. I play real heavy stuff but I do it on a Melody Maker D, LPJR, Mustang, and a Jaguar. It's at least as heavy as the Melvins/Slayer.

I hate pointy guitars anyways (And stereotypes).

I know this guy who bought a R9 for his FIRST GUITAR. LMAO And some high end amp too.

[River]

Originally Posted by Lysol

I know this guy who bought a R9 for his FIRST GUITAR. LMAO And some high end amp too.

So?

[Skintaster]

Originally Posted by Lysol

That's me. I play real heavy stuff but I do it on a Melody Maker D, LPJR, Mustang, and a Jaguar. It's at least as heavy as the Melvins/Slayer.

I hate pointy guitars anyways (And stereotypes).

I just hate the stereotypical "look".

I think a pointy guitar can look alright, but it has to contrast with the rest.

The carefully cared for hair halfway down the back, with a Jackson Soloist, black jeans, and a carefully selected t shirt look just bores me on metal guys. Show some creativity!

[Lysol]

Originally Posted by River

So?

Why buy that when you don't even know if you can play or WANT to keep playing. I'm sure we all know at least one person who bought some gear only to quit months later.

It just doesn't make any sense to me.

[0x00]

Originally Posted by Lysol

Why buy that when you don't even know if you can play or WANT to keep playing. I'm sure we all know at least one person who bought some gear only to quit months later.

It just doesn't make any sense to me.

The short of it - because one can.

[Lysol]

Originally Posted by Skintaster

I just hate the stereotypical "look".

I think a pointy guitar can look alright, but it has to contrast with the rest.

The carefully cared for hair halfway down the back, with a Jackson Soloist, black jeans, and a carefully selected t shirt look just bores me on metal guys. Show some creativity!

Exactly.

[Skintaster]

Well, with a few exceptions - The guys saying that they would hold off buying an expensive guitar until the felt their playing warranted it - I think most of us would buy the nicest guitar we could easily afford. Even as our first guitar.

Now "nice" and "expensive" don't necessarily mean the same thing, but I don't care if a guy is just learning to play, and wants an R9. Whose to say what his motivations are?

I honestly think I would have bought a high end Gibson as a first guitar if I'd had the money to do so. Not because it would have been "better" than the cheap guitars I actually could afford, but because the Gibson Les paul had iconic power in my then young mind.

Now? My reasons for wanting certain gear are entirely different... But I don't care if some novice wants an expensive guitar or amp... Unless they want to bag on someone else's gear choices.

I don't feel jealousy over what other people can afford to play.

[Lysol]

Originally Posted by 0x00

The short of it - because one can.

I know, it just doesn't seem normal though. Buying "the best of the best" when you're a complete novice (Overstatement) and are unsure about what you even like or are capable of and haven't a clue what sounds good or what your sound actually is.

That's guys with money for ya.

I couldn't care what people use as I like what I like and that's all I'm concerned with. But a R9 as a first, seems stupid to me.

And it's not jealousy on my part as I have no desire to ever own a R9 as they don't interest me whatsoever.

[Skintaster]

Originally Posted by Lysol

Why buy that when you don't even know if you can play or WANT to keep playing. I'm sure we all know at least one person who bought some gear only to quit months later.

It just doesn't make any sense to me.

Some people just have the money, and want what they think is quality. It's all relative. An R9 is kind of expensive to ME, might not be to other people.

There's also the idea that if that buyer decides he doesn't want to continue playing, then a more expensive guitar will bring more when he sells it.

[River]

Originally Posted by Skintaster

There's also the idea that if that buyer decides he doesn't want to continue playing, then a more expensive guitar will bring more when he sells it.

Especially if one buys it used. One could end up "losing" not one thin dime.

[Lysol]

Originally Posted by Skintaster

Some people just have the money, and want what they think is quality. It's all relative. An R9 is kind of expensive to ME, might not be to other people.

There's also the idea that if that buyer decides he doesn't want to continue playing, then a more expensive guitar will bring more when he sells it.

I suppose I'll just never understand the rich folk mentality.

[River]

Originally Posted by Lysol

I suppose I'll just never understand the rich folk mentality.

They're different than you and me. They have more money.

What's the proper starter guitar, then? An Esteban? Should all new drivers start with a used Yugo?

[Lysol]

I don't know, maybe a Mexican strat or a LP Studio or something. Something decent but not top of the line super expensive.

Comparing it to driving is not really fair as driving doesn't take talent and just about anyone can do it. Becoming a original guitarist does take talent and comitment and a lot of practice.

[Thumpalumpacus]

Judging guitarists by their guitars is retarded, as is laying down qualifications for purchasing this-or-that model.

[River]

Originally Posted by Lysol

Becoming a original guitarist does take talent and comitment and a lot of practice.

Oh, so now you have to be an "original" guitarist to be worthy. I get it. What kind of music did you say you play again?

[Skintaster]

Having some kind of weird standards for what other people should spend their money on seems weird to me. There purchases don't affect me in any way, and the negative reactions strike me as sour grapes more than anything else.

I drive a beat up 1997 truck. I could get something better, but it fits my needs currently. been driving it for YEARS.

I think almost all modern cars are more expensive than they "should" be, but I'm not jealous that most people tend to buy and drive nicer cars than I do.

[EasyAce]

Originally Posted by Skintaster

I honestly think I would have bought a high end Gibson as a first guitar if I'd had the money to do so. Not because it would have been "better" than the cheap guitars I actually could afford, but because the Gibson Les paul had iconic power in my then young mind.

I know damn well I would have, and for one reason---I liked the sounds of a Les Paul when I knew what they were, and, in my dreaming young mind, I actually worked up the nerve to try one out in a music shop back in the year and I liked the way it felt and played. From that moment forward I wanted a Les Paul for how I would feel and sound with one, not because of my influences in discovering that guitar in the first place.

Hell, if I was going to buy a guitar strictly by way of my number one influence it would have been an ES-335 or ES-355 in honour of B.B. King. But I actually tried one out . . . and it just wasn't the right guitar for me. When I heard a Les Paul and it was identified to me as such, that was all she wrote for me. It was years before I could finally land one (I played mostly SGs in the interim, with one Strat in there; they were great guitars but not. quite. there. for what I wanted to be as a guitar player), and now I'm fortunate enough to own three.

And I'm content with all three of them even though they're not The Big Tickets, not even my R6, and I love that guitar to death. (She's been my go-to gig guitar since I got her almost a year ago.) They play, feel, sound just the way I knew and hoped my own Les Paul(s) would play, feel, and sound, and that's more than enough for me.

[Lysol]

Originally Posted by River

Oh, so now you have to be an "original" guitarist to be worthy. I get it. What kind of music did you say you play again?

What's with you guys, touchy old men aren't ya.

I mention original music as it is all that interests me. I'm not interested in playing other peoples music in the slightest.

There are many people who can play others songs perfectly but cant write their own for shit. Cover bands don't make history, original bands do.

Covers don't interest me, hence, why would I talk about them.

[Skintaster]

Originally Posted by Lysol

I suppose I'll just never understand the rich folk mentality.

I might not be able to personally relate to extremely wealthy people, since my experiences are far removed from that, but buying the nicest stuff you can realistically afford doesn't strike me as dumb, and it's not limited entirely to "rich" people.

None of the guys I know well that own custom shop Gibsons, are "rich", and some of them aren't really great guitar players. I know novices with fairly expensive guitars. I don't have a problem with that.

[Mike-t]

Originally Posted by Lysol

I suppose I'll just never understand the rich folk mentality.

I suppose it would be harder to hate on them if you tried...

[Lysol]

Originally Posted by Skintaster

Having some kind of weird standards for what other people should spend their money on seems weird to me. There purchases don't affect me in any way, and the negative reactions strike me as sour grapes more than anything else.

I drive a beat up 1997 truck. I could get something better, but it fits my needs currently. been driving it for YEARS.

I think almost all modern cars are more expensive than they "should" be, but I'm not jealous that most people tend to buy and drive nicer cars than I do.

People will buy what they want. I will comment on what I want. We will not agree on some things.

It's simple.

[Thumpalumpacus]

Originally Posted by Lysol

What's with you guys, touchy old men aren't ya.

I mention original music as it is all that interests me. I'm not interested in playing other peoples music in the slightest.

There are many people who can play others songs perfectly but cant write their own for shit. Cover bands don't make history, original bands do.

Covers don't interest me, hence, why would I talk about them.

Cover-band guitarists don't deserve good guitars?

[River]

Originally Posted by Lysol

People will buy what they want. I will comment on what I want. We will not agree on some things.

It's simple.

And we will expend considerable effort commenting on the errors in your thinking. We've no hope nor intention of changing your mind, but we will undoubtedly influence the thinking of newbs (to both life and guitar), while being highly entertained.

[Skintaster]

Originally Posted by Lysol

What's with you guys, touchy old men aren't ya.

I mention original music as it is all that interests me. I'm not interested in playing other peoples music in the slightest.

There are many people who can play others songs perfectly but cant write their own for shit. Cover bands don't make history, original bands do.

Covers don't interest me, hence, why would I talk about them.

I'm not touchy, I just don't entirely understand the points you're trying to make. Nothing personal.

You seem to think that people buying certain expensive gear aren't worthy, or that it doesn't make sense in some way. Perhaps I'm wrong, but that's how it sounds, and I don't understand that point of view.

For the record, I don't care what kind of music people choose to make. I've never been in a cover band, and have no personal interest in playing songs by other people. I've spent over 20 years playing in original bands, recording and touring behind them.

But I don't condemn anyone else for buying what they want, or playing whatever they want to. It's their business not mine.

[Skintaster]

Originally Posted by Lysol

People will buy what they want. I will comment on what I want. We will not agree on some things.

It's simple.

That's fine, I've got no problem with that. But you make comments that not everyone agrees with, and we will comment on that. You're obviously free to do the same thing.

This is just a conversation to me... I don't care how anyone else feels, I like to hear other opinions.

[Lysol]

Originally Posted by Thumpalumpacus

Cover-band guitarists don't deserve good guitars?

I don't care what cover bands do to tell you the truth.

Originally Posted by River

And we will expend considerable effort commenting on the errors in your thinking. We've no hope nor intention of changing your mind, but we will undoubtedly influence the thinking of newbs (to both life and guitar), while being highly entertained.

Sure thing, cant think different can we.

Originally Posted by Skintaster

I'm not touchy, I just don't entirely understand the points you're trying to make. Nothing personal.

You seem to think that people buying certain expensive gear aren't worthy, or that it doesn't make sense in some way. Perhaps I'm wrong, but that's how it sounds, and I don't understand that point of view.

For the record, I don't care what kind of music people choose to make. I've never been in a cover band, and have no personal interest in playing songs by other people. I've spent over 20 years playing in original bands, recording and touring behind them.

But I don't condemn anyone else for buying what they want, or playing whatever they want to. It's their business not mine.

It's not they aren't worthy as there's no worth scale. I just see it as stupid.

I and everyone I have ever known and all the good bands all started out on cheaper equipment. You'll find most people do.

[River]

Originally Posted by Skintaster

I've spent over 20 years playing in original bands, recording and touring behind them.

You're qualified for some serious shit, then!

Here I'm stuck having to refinish my used guitars and whittle my collection down to the Ibanez and an acoustic. Better downgrade that Martin, too.