The G.A.S. Repellent Thread

[The_Sentry]

I have to admit something about this site….spending a lot of time here has (at least for me) invited fits of G.A.S. for gear I don’t have. I suppose it’s inevitable when you see so many nice guitars, nice amplifiers, killer setups. It all looks good, and I’ve come to the conclusion that unless you’re inhuman you can’t frequent this site and NOT be affected by Gear Acquisition Syndrome.

So…maybe you have a Les Paul model guitar…and you see…another one in a different color that you like. Or, with different pickups, or it has a different bridge on it. Maybe you saw an SG and now you feel like you need to own one. Or, a semi-hollow body guitar like a Gibson ES-335. Perhaps you saw some killer strat or superstrat, maybe you saw a flying V…or, some amplifier that just blew your mind.

It happens to all of us. It really does. So…in order to help, I am of the opinion some sort of GAS repellent is needed here. Most of us know lust can cause some pretty serious complications in one’s life…no matter what it’s for.
So for those who are suffering from GAS, and it may be unwanted or unwarranted, these questions may be useful as a type of GAS repellent while looking at these guitars and other gear:

1. Can you really afford it in light of the other bills that you have?

2. What will this guitar/gear give you that you already don’t have now?

3. Do you want this guitar specifically for cosmetic reasons alone?

4. If you bought the guitar, how often would you actually play it?

5. What would you have to sell if you got this other guitar?

6. Would your family members be sympathetic or antipathetic over another guitar purchase?

7. Do you already own a model of this guitar or something like it?

8. Is the price worth it in terms of the quality vs. the features?

9. Sonically, what does this guitar offer that the others do not? (Tone wise, etc.)

10. Do you already own guitars that you rarely or never play? Why don’t you play those guitars?

11. Have you tweaked out guitars that you already own to play and sound as best as they can?

12. Have you played the guitar or something like it prior to considering this purchase?

13. If you're considering the guitar as an investment, would you be able to sell it at a profit after purchasing it and making minor adjustments to it?

14. Do you really "need" this piece of gear?

Well, that’s my GAS repellent list so far. If anyone has any more, feel free to post ‘em. But…general thought process…if someone (like me…hahahaha) can answer all of those questions to their personal satisfaction, then sure…go ahead and get that other guitar.

But if any of these questions is tripping you up, it might be worth taking further consideration towards the nature of GAS and prior to making that purchase.

[return of the mac]

Having spent huge money in the past, GAS can be very bad. Had a stretch from '97-'05 that was sick. Spent every penny , I could get my hands on to buy , sell and trade for the flavor of the week.

Not a good move. Was over the edge for sure. Paying bills was done at the last second with no afterthought. Lucky things went good or it would have been a much different world , as far as money goes.

Set myself right and haven't bought a single thing music related in years now.
It feels good too. Knowing I don't need it. No matter what ones tells you , material wealth and things will never ever make you happy. Knowing this fact is worth every guitar ever made.

[The_Sentry]

Hey mac...I gotta admit I kinda find myself in the same place now. I GAS for all kinds of stuff I know damned well I don't need...and nah, this forum doesn't exacty help with that sort of thing either.

I'm glad I'm not the only one. And, it's nice to know SOMEONE isn't going crazy for gear on this site...

[return of the mac]

Oh , believe me the want is still there , big time. Just don't give in to the craving. Once the box is opened and the first chord is strummed the thrill of the chase is gone , which is the addiction part.

It's still hard , but a roof over my head is more on my mind these days , as it is for most folk in these lean economic times.

[rybass]

Sent, you sound like my girlfriend. Way to be logical.

[The_Sentry]

Originally Posted by return of the mac

Oh , believe me the want is still there , big time. Just don't give in to the craving. Once the box is opened and the first chord is strummed the thrill of the chase is gone , which is the addiction part.

It's still hard , but a roof over my head is more on my mind these days , as it is for most folk in these lean economic times.

Man...that's really it right there....and you're right about that, too.

Just over the past 12 months I think I've bought...let's see here....5 guitars?

Originally Posted by rybass

Sent, you sound like my girlfriend. Way to be logical.

TBH this thread is just as much for my own personal use as it is anyone else's, rybass. There's probably about 4 or 5 different guitar models I still G.A.S. for....and I know I don't need 'em...

I play 'em, but now I've 2 guitars and a bass that rarely come out of their cases. I do manage to milk along the GAS by doing a lot of mods...but at the same time...did I really need those guitars?

Havin' a roof over one's head and savin' some money are pretty strong arguments unto themselves.

[snaredrum]

i got the Les Paul bug HARD about a year ago. then, i had one of all the 'key' guitars (copies, however) - a white falcon, a 5120, a strat, a tele, a jr, 12 string, yadda yadda. my pickup of choice was the p90, strangely.

fast forward a year, and i the tele and the 12 string. for variation i have a 56 goldtop. every other guitar has at least one humbucker, and they usually have two. tragic...

[The_Sentry]

Originally Posted by snaredrum

i got the Les Paul bug HARD about a year ago. then, i had one of all the 'key' guitars (copies, however) - a white falcon, a 5120, a strat, a tele, a jr, 12 string, yadda yadda. my pickup of choice was the p90, strangely.

fast forward a year, and i the tele and the 12 string. for variation i have a 56 goldtop. every other guitar has at least one humbucker, and they usually have two. tragic...

Sorry...I can't laugh. In fact, I'll admit that my last guitar was bought for very, very superficial reasons...(Gosh...it was a silverburst!)

Did I really need it? No...is it a nice guitar? Sure...but compared to my Les Paul Custom?

[J-Man123]

Love it!



J-Man123

[snaredrum]

i haven't even mentioned the hectic two weeks when i fell in love with the '58 korina look and found myself two Lps lighter and with the epiphone V and explorer.

i love them, but it was like i had a fever or something...