Gear Snobbery

[oldguy]

WOW!
Congrats, Spuds!
How'd you get that lucky? Probably paid an arm and a leg for it?
All 6L6, if memory serves?
I never got to play, let alone, own one. Heard they were the SH! when southern rock was breakin' down the doors!
Can you post some clips sometime? I'd love to hear it cranked!
WAIT!
I just remembered... some of the fat cats up here bought those... the rest of us couldn't afford them.
When they cranked 'em, they all CAUGHT FIRE, and BLEW UP!
SPUDS, MAN, DO NOT, I REPEAT, DO NOT, PLUG THAT THING IN! R :R

 

[stingx]

We used to post clips where we'd have other forum members try and see if they can guess which recording was done with a modeler and which with a mic'd tune amp. The end result, when you took all the polls collectively, ended up reflecting that fact that no one could really tell...it would average 50/50. Honestly, I have done recordings where very few could tell whether I used my tube amp or SS amp or even my modelers. I think it's great to have so many cool tools available to musicians. ****, when I was a kid we didn't have tabs or modelers or even good, cheap guitars. I learned licks from playing my albums (remember those) to death and a cheap guitar meant a Hondo with action higher and tighter than Tonto's bow. Let me tell you something. The average joe doesn't know what your playing, he only know what sounds good. Do you think an audience cares that you played on a First Act guitar or a Gibson? A Roland Cube or a Budda valve amp? All the audience cares is that you sound good, period. They either go home remembering that the show rocked or they wasted a few hours and it was pure ****. So this is what it boils down to. Buy what you like. It is true that, to an extent, better equipment helps you play your best but if you suck then you just suck no matter what you play on. Some people spend more time collecting guitars than playing them, talking guitars than playing them, etc.

All you need to do is watch Robert play his Squier '51 through a Vox modeler and it all should be crystal clear as to what I am getting at.

Simply put, it isn't what you play it's how you play it. All the smoke and mirrors can't hide the truth.

 

[marnold]

I think it's more of a mental thing than anything else. If people are put off by their guitar they will be less likely to play or play worse just because of that feeling, regardless of whether the guitar actually had anything to do with it or not.

Having said that, there's a reason why I've never even touched an expensive guitar--I might decide that I like it I did the same back in the day with a Spector bass that I believe cost about $1K (a lot of money at any time, but this was ~20 years ago). I loved it and absolutely wanted one. Long story short--I never got one.

 

[SuperSwede]

I prefer sound snobbery over gear snobbery anyday... Its all about getting the sound you want, and if that happens with a 99 dollar guitar and a solid state amp (yup Nelskie ) then good for you. Buying the most expensive guitar/amp/whatever doesnt necessarily bring you the "grail tone" of yours.

 

[tot_Ou_tard]

Having said that, there's a reason why I've never even touched an expensive guitar--I might decide that I like it I did the same back in the day with a Spector bass that I believe cost about $1K (a lot of money at any time, but this was ~20 years ago). I loved it and absolutely wanted one. Long story short--I never got one.

I'll play anything put in front of me. I ain't proud I've yet to play *the ax* or *the amp* that I must have. A big part of that is that I'm not any good, so I can't make the gear tell me it's anxieties, dreams, and yearnings.

The realization that expensive gear hasn't *got me in its sway*(--yet) makes me feel free and happy. I'll know that I'm getting better when the soul of a particular piece of gear haunts my life.

I can't wait!

As much as we hate to admit it, our opinions make little difference in that world. My guess is that there's already been a few of those folks who have read this very thread, and have laughed themselves silly because of it. Sad . . . but true. We've added fuel to their fire.

Ooooo, we *saw* them lookin' n' laughin, In fact, there's one *now* peerin' down at all of us in our sordid hovel.

bwwwWWwaaAahaha hAAaaAAaaa

They're welcome to come to the frankfurter roast even though they have stars upon thars. We all enjoy a good laugh.

 

[Ro3b]

I'll know that I'm getting better when the soul of a particular piece of gear haunts my life.

Hm, I wonder what it says about me that the soul of my Squier 51 is haunting my life?

 

[Spudman]

Hm, I wonder what it says about me that the soul of my Squier 51 is haunting my life?

The only thing that can help with that is the best guitar in the world, the Ubercentric Demon Slayer XL Custom. 3 made per year and it's really the only guitar that is any good in the whole world. Mine was made by hand specifically to my specs.

• It has the patented "Soul Screamer" pickups with the worlds only pole pieces that adjust completely from the depths of hell all the way to the clouds of Heaven.
• The patented "Gut Bender" tremolo system that NEVER goes out of tune with a tremolo block that was actually forged in the fires of Hell.
• Demons Eyes (patent pending) 3D volume and tone knobs.
• Platinum skull inlays on the neck with diamond custom inlays on the 13th fret.
• Patented "Stuck In Hell" locking tuners.
• The figured top is cut from one of the worlds only remaining Truffula trees.
• And it comes in a custom form fitted case covered with real Manatee hide.

Your 51 is the reason your life is haunted. If you had a guitar like mine you wouldn't have any problems at all. It's the best playing guitar anyone could own and everyone that has played it has told me so. Nobody can get tones like this unless they have one. Every great sound ever imagined can be made with this guitar. That's why I got one.

 

[Plank_Spanker]

The only thing that can help with that is the best guitar in the world, the Ubercentric Demon Slayer XL Custom. 3 made per year and it's really the only guitar that is any good in the whole world. Mine was made by hand specifically to my specs.

• It has the patented "Soul Screamer" pickups with the worlds only pole pieces that adjust completely from the depths of hell all the way to the clouds of Heaven.
• The patented "Gut Bender" tremolo system that NEVER goes out of tune with a tremolo block that was actually forged in the fires of Hell.
• Demons Eyes (patent pending) 3D volume and tone knobs.
• Platinum skull inlays on the neck with diamond custom inlays on the 13th fret.
• Patented "Stuck In Hell" locking tuners.
• The figured top is cut from one of the worlds only remaining Truffula trees.
• And it comes in a custom form fitted case covered with real Manatee hide.

ROFLMAO!!! Flame, quilt, or "look into the abyss"?

 

[oldguy]

Yep, Spuds, I know yer right. I had one of 'em. Mine had the "angel hair" string option so I never had to change the stings or even clean 'em.
I sat on the back porch once, cranked that puppy, and hit a note so sharp it cut two trees down in the yard before I could grab the volume knob and turn her down.

Honest....

 

[jpfeifer]

Great post Plank_Spaker,

I think that some people get so focused on the equipment that they forget about the most important thing which is actually "playing" the instrument and making the most with the equipment that you have.

-- Jim

 

[Spudman]

Yep, Spuds, I know yer right. I had one of 'em. Mine had the "angel hair" string option so I never had to change the stings or even clean 'em.
I sat on the back porch once, cranked that puppy, and hit a note so sharp it cut two trees down in the yard before I could grab the volume knob and turn her down.

Honest....

Ya, well mine does that too.
Oh, you must have one of the old styles because they don't make the angel hair model any more. The new ones are much nicer. I fact I'm ordering a new one soon.

 

[tot_Ou_tard]

The only thing that can help with that is the best guitar in the world, the Ubercentric Demon Slayer XL Custom. 3 made per year and it's really the only guitar that is any good in the whole world. Mine was made by hand specifically to my specs.

• It has the patented "Soul Screamer" pickups with the worlds only pole pieces that adjust completely from the depths of hell all the way to the clouds of Heaven.
• The patented "Gut Bender" tremolo system that NEVER goes out of tune with a tremolo block that was actually forged in the fires of Hell.
• Demons Eyes (patent pending) 3D volume and tone knobs.
• Platinum skull inlays on the neck with diamond custom inlays on the 13th fret.
• Patented "Stuck In Hell" locking tuners.
• The figured top is cut from one of the worlds only remaining Truffula trees.
• And it comes in a custom form fitted case covered with real Manatee hide.

Your 51 is the reason your life is haunted. If you had a guitar like mine you wouldn't have any problems at all. It's the best playing guitar anyone could own and everyone that has played it has told me so. Nobody can get tones like this unless they have one. Every great sound ever imagined can be made with this guitar. That's why I got one.

Man O man Spud!!!!! I vote for this for the Best of the Fret CD liner notes!

 

[Robert]

Spudman, that description is the funniest thing I've read anywhere this month. I agree with Tot - that must go on the CD liner notes!

Who knew you were so poetic and truthful at the same time?

 

[Ro3b]

Eh, I had one of those, but it just didn't have the sound I was looking for. I sold it on Ebay.

 

[Spudman]

Eh, I had one of those, but it just didn't have the sound I was looking for. I sold it on Ebay.

We now have a new King of the Snobs. So much said with so few words. (bowing respectfully)

 

[oldguy]

Ya, well, it got cold here last winter and I burned mine in the wood stove.

Honest...

 

[Plank_Spanker]

Snobbery has nothing to do with price, rarity, or perceived quality. It's normal and expected for a player to be proud of and defend his choice of gear, be it inexpensive or stratospherically expensive. One's choice of gear is one's alone. I, like every other player, have strong personal tastes in gear. I think some of it out there is junk. BUT..................... I will never bag on another player playing what I see as junk. If it works for him, it's all good.

The "Anti-Snobbery Creed":

"I have but myself to please with my choice of gear, and the world certainly does not revolve around my tastes"

 

[Spudman]

The "Anti-Snobbery Creed":

"I have but myself to please with my choice of gear, and the world certainly does not revolve around my tastes"

Step #8 in the 12 step anti-gear snob program.

Step #2

1. We admitted we were powerless over snobbery—that our gear had become unmanageable.

 

[oldguy]

And the winter was cold, and we burnt it in the wood stove...

 

[Plank_Spanker]

I have step 8, Spud step 2...........................

Let's hear the rest of the steps.....

 

[Mark]

Snobbery has nothing to do with price, rarity, or perceived quality. It's normal and expected for a player to be proud of and defend his choice of gear, be it inexpensive or stratospherically expensive. One's choice of gear is one's alone. I, like every other player, have strong personal tastes in gear. I think some of it out there is junk. BUT..................... I will never bag on another player playing what I see as junk. If it works for him, it's all good.

The "Anti-Snobbery Creed":

"I have but myself to please with my choice of gear, and the world certainly does not revolve around my tastes"

Exactamundo!!!


When the time comes for me to die
I'm the one who has to do the dying
So let me live my life
The way I want to.....................

Jimi Hendrix

 

[oldguy]

Yea, though I walk through the shadow of poor copy bands...
let me fear no evil, for I think outside the confines of conventionality.
And let me judge not, as I may be judged, for my poor choice of equipment in others eyes.
And as tone is known, and seeds are sown, and the wind is blown,
Grant that I may yet hear the greatest of the holy grail of sound.
More than bagpipes, delta blues, or the coveted brown sound.
My sound.

Oh, yeah
I'd like to hear Spud's Mace cranked, too.

 

[Plank_Spanker]

Yea, though I walk through the shadow of poor copy bands...
let me fear no evil, for I think outside the confines of conventionality.
And let me judge not, as I may be judged, for my poor choice of equipment in others eyes.
And as tone is known, and seeds are sown, and the wind is blown,
Grant that I may yet hear the greatest of the holy grail of sound.
More than bagpipes, delta blues, or the coveted brown sound.
My sound.

Oh, yeah
I'd like to hear Spud's Mace cranked, too.

**********Wild Applause*************************

You Rock, oldguy! :R

 

[oldguy]

Well, I try. R :R
All of you rock as well. And if we're not here to help one another, what's the use?

 

[Spudman]

Well, I try. R :R
All of you rock as well. And if we're not here to help one another, what's the use?

Don't forget this is the 'snobbery' thread. None of this feel good stuff, puhlease. Besides I've helped a lot of people. You should see how much better they are now.

 

[oldguy]

Right, tight, and outasight! I almost forgot, I'm probably the only one here that's got a plastic Switch guitar and a $50 RP-50 pedal! I really DO rock, DUH!
I've helped alot of other people, as well. Some of them are millionares now.
The rest are doing much better....
A couple even told me that Spuds helped them, but I helped them more.
He wouldn't let them hear his Mace!

 

[Mark]

This thread is getting hilarious!! The various procliamations pontificating the perplexing physcological ramifications of gear gluttony as it pertains to the human condition. Investigating and endeavoring to comprehend the emotional dynamic of the interaction between the Gear gluttons who seek to use the acuisition of gear for the purpose of self worth juxtaposed with the gear hounds who humbly enjoy their gear with others regardless of their ability to procure extravagant gear not holding others choice of gear against them. Hows that for physco babble!!!!! LOL

Aristotle once said "To be is to do"

Emerson once said "To do is to be"

and Frank Sinatra said "DooBe DooBe Do"R R R

 

[Robert]

Hey, I'm with Frank Sinatra!

 

[Spudman]

This thread is getting hilarious!! The various procliamations pontificating the perplexing physcological ramifications of gear gluttony as it pertains to the human condition. Investigating and endeavoring to comprehend the emotional dynamic of the interaction between the Gear gluttons who seek to use the acuisition of gear for the purpose of self worth juxtaposed with the gear hounds who humbly enjoy their gear with others regardless of their ability to procure extravagant gear not holding others choice of gear against them. Hows that for physco babble!!!!! LOL

Aristotle once said "To be is to do"

Emerson once said "To do is to be"

and Frank Sinatra said "DooBe DooBe Do"R R R

Mark

That's a lot of p. Is your bladder ok? Because if it's not oldguy is really good at helping people, even more than me.

I never knew Keith Emerson said "to do is to be."

Frank is alright and all but Tony Bennet is much better. I have all his albums.

 

[Mark]

Dino!! When the moon hits da sky Like a big Pizza pie thats Amore.......