I found that when I don't have the time or the mental availability to actually sit down and practice I always look at gears in what ever little gap that I have in life. As soon as I get to be with the music I feel satisfied and don't feel like needing any new gear.
I find, when my band is more active with band, practice and gigs, you realize at the gigs how much you really need, or don’t need anymore. I’ve purged, sold, or traded, or gifted a lot in the last few years, and now have two basses, two acoustics and 4 electrics!! Very happy!!
@@srh361what’s wrong with that? Nothing - if your original motivation was collecting. However, if it was creativity (because that makes you happy), you will be caught on the hedonistic lie that the next purchase will make you happy - except it won’t and can’t because the dopamine buzz ends with the purchase. It can’t compare with the happiness a creative person gets from exercising that creativity.
That happens a lot... If you look at most rock records the guitar sound is just distortion/reverb... You look at guitarists who have 20 pedals on their board, and you think, really?.
@wind016perhaps OP should have said GAS *can* take away from creativity. It’s fine for Joe Bonamassa to do both, I’m sure. But the average 50 hr/week worker? For most people, “collecting” (GAS) comes at the expense of creative effort. And it is far less rewarding (who of us hasn’t squandered the only available creative time fooling around with pedals, only to be left with the same empty feeling one gets from spending too much time on our phones?). If you’re not especially passionate about creating music and your joy lies in collecting, go for it. If you’re an accomplished musician who has the luxury of collecting as well, go for it. If you engage in limited collecting that leaves time for (or enables further) creativity, go for it. But let’s not pretend that for most people GAS often replaces creativity in the few free hours we get.
@wind016 I hear you mate. I struggle to explain to friends who don’t play why I have 2 acoustics and 5 electrics. The truth is, even I don’t know. With the electrics, can I really argue that: “One is a Strat clone, one is an LP clone, one is a PRS clone with a P90, one is an archtop, one is a baritone”? The truth is, I have “collected” these over the years and become sentimentally attached - but I only “need” one of them. Everything else is EQ or plugin-fixed. No, at various points I was more focused on GAS than playing. And I know as well as anyone how quickly the thrill of the new purchase lasted (i.e. barely any time at all).
Whenever I'm tempted to buy more gear, I am trying to remind myself that I have not even come close to exhausting all the features of ANY of my current gear. I'm challenging myself to get excited about what my current gear is capable of. Thank you for such a well thought out discussion about the TRUE cost of what GAS really is.
All good points and very true. I believe your assessment of ones feelings of emptiness and trying to compensate by buying are on point. You just gotta be aware why you're buying something, is it gonna be useful or is it just the next shiny toy till the thrill wears off? I could easily live with 2 guitars, one amp, a tuner and one OD pedal. Buuuut I don't want to. What always prevents me from buying stuff I see is this: lay your phone down, go grab your guitar and play. Is your stuff lacking anything? No, you just should practice more. Reality check. Make music for an hour, time flies by and you remember why you started that whole journey in the first place :)
@@ministryofguitarI see nothing wrong with being a collector as a side hobby AND actually rotating your setup to cycle through it all periodically so nothing collects too much dust, but just hording stuff you're not going to use and going into debt to do so is a real and growing problem
I am going on to my final year as a communication student. This topic made me really reflect on what all my lecturers have taught me over the years and this discussion is really inspiring. I may even go as far as to base my final year project on the entire topic of GAS or characteristics of consumerism due to modern day influences. great video man!
Thank you so much for this video, mate👍It made me change my mind!, I was planning to buy my 16th guitar after seeing some extraordinary rare guitar that's on Sale🤭, but the philosophical thing you said hits hard. This perfectly described my thought process whenever I'm buying new a new guitar and what's behind GAS. The whole thing is just "CAPITALISM", I spent almost all my savings and bonuses from salary from buying guitars that really affected my credit a lot and the "Perverse Incentive" is Real - _"Buy our new great guitar not only because it will make you play better or to be IN with the fad so that you have something to brag or show to your friends, BUT REALLY SO that we can sell you more stuff in order to make a living and put food in our table."_😅 (Anderton's and Reverb just got exposed).😂 Also the "Neurological Lie" - the Hedonic treadmill - *"No matter what you get you always want more, satisfaction does not last"* - I always think this next guitar will make me play better is indeed a lie.😔 Because up to Now I'm still not satisfied thinking there's still this guitar that's leaps and bounds better that I have to acquire for my collection - The EBMM Majesty, Suhr, Mayones, Paoletti , etc. - Social media tells me to buy them, I need them to fill this Void to make me feel better. hahaha.😆 (which everybody tells will satisfy you is Ultimately a physical LIE). But like you, I won't sell any of my guitars, they are the product of sweat, blood and tears. I will just stop buying 🎸from now on Because *"You do not need more stuff to get better", "You do not need more stuff to be happy."* 👌Cheers.💯
@@ministryofguitar Yeah, really helped. I'm really about to spend my last remaining money to buy this Majestic 24 fret rare guitar even though I just resigned from my job. What you said are deeply "philosophical". We indeed are never satisfied for sure, I don't know why?. I already knew, based on experience, that the feelings/dopamine high from GAS is just temporary, yet I still want to buy.🤭 I always want to buy something unique, rare. Could it also be FOMO? (fear of missing out?). Mind says "No, that's too much", but Heart says "Buy it!, it's unique and beautiful, you will have something special".😂 There's really some psychological mystery going on with GAS. Cheers.
People tend to go the path of least resistance- getting dopamine reward hits via GAS If someone is trapped in this cycle they can escape by mindfully transferring this reward dynamic to a reward system of learning songs/riffs/licks/chords/progressions etc etc Get together a master binder that you insert the material you have learned and it becomes its own concrete representation of progress You can move from the reward system of gear to the reward system of learning music
My first guitar was a Walmart Epiphone LP. My second guitar was a Amazon DIY kit guitar, and after building it, I never looked at music store guitars the same way again. Thanks.
Amen. I climbed the gear mountain only to discover that I don't need all this stuff. It doesn't make me happier, but........for some reason I also can't part with it. I'm stuck.
I got RUclips Red back before it was Premium because I see the value in not being advertised to, but the landscape has changed so much that the very videos I enjoy are basically (and often literally) all advertising to me as part of the very content. Part of what is amazing and so enjoyable about your channel is the integrity of intent. Channels without sponsors, or looking for sponsors, or showcasing items are incredibly rare. I just hope this channel is more of an outlet for you and not a responsibility. You have been providing an incredible frequency of videos of late, and you shouldn't feel an obligation to keep that up!
Thank you as always. You have also hit the nail on the head. The channel is essentially me channeling my fundamental proclivity for writing. No one reads as much as more so I have adapted to the video medium. We’ll see on the pace. The creative spirit runs hot and cold and most of these videos are random thoughts that strike me while running or driving . I’m trying not to second guess it
I am a 48 year beginner that loves guitar. I just got my first SG, I have my forever tele and a goldtop Les Paul. That covers everything as far as I am concerned.
I was either going to put new tires on the car or get a new guitar... My car is riding gloriously on a new prs se 24-08 😭😭😭 The pinch harmonics are amazing.
Hi. So far if I wanna get a new guitar, I MUST get rid off the old one. For now I only have a pair of electric and acoustic guitars at home, and another set at my office. ONLY 4 guitars in total , and they are all reasonably price. Very minimal collection I must say, and every single one of them serves different function / purpose 😁
I’m the same about my 2 guitars and my fishing tackle. I don’t like having stuff sitting around not being used. I have one electric and one acoustic. I’m seriously considering getting a good nylon string guitar mostly because my 59 year old hands. I’d like to get a new electric but I’d have to get rid of the old.
I solved it for myself by investing a little in guitar setup and maintenance tools. Now when I feel like I want some guitar novelty, I simply spend some time changing strings, intonating, polishing frets etc. First, this feels good and second, this inspires me to play. And when I actually play, since it's a freshly maintained guitar, it actually feels great and makes me appreciate it even more. Spending time on things makes you appreciate them more.
Subtitle: "How to discuss 'Emotional Intelligence' without saying the words: Emotional Intelligence" It's your common sense commentary that just made me hit your 'subscribe' button. You're a good man. GAS can apply to any hobby or sport. I have several cyclist co-workers who 'need' to buy bicycles all the time. Most of my small collection of bicycles were all purchased from them at a small fraction of their original price when they 'needed' money to purchase more bicycles. But look at me: I now have too many bicycles! Golf equipment is a similar trap: I have enough clubs for three bags! But they're all from golfers who were going to throw them out.
I’ll repeat what I said on another site about this subject. - I bought far too much gear, & sold it. GAS can be a problem. I don’t want to stop gear review videos as they can be very informative for all of us, but… I got rid of my GAS by trying my own gear to get the same tone or sound. In most cases the answer is yes. 1 amp, 5 pedals, 4 guitars. - - If you’ve got GAS think first, it might inspire, but won’t make you a better player.
I had bought at least 50 Guitars. Fender CS relics, Masterbuilt John English and Gibson CS. Sold everything. Now im down to one Stratopartscaster and one Tellypartscaster and a nicely made PRS Hollowbody. I could get my sound with an indonesian Squier and a 100 Dollar Vox Amp. Even the most expensive Gear doesnt make you a better player. Play every day for at least 5 hours. Every day.
The chase is the best part. I learned young to save up for the things I want so I don’t have credit card for impulsive buys. So many beautiful things to buy. Agree social media and the world so close not necessarily made things better.
It's always a sign of a bright mind, if someone is able to put into concise arguments and words, what most only sense as a gut feeling. While what you are saying is not necessarily new, it is very rare to get it presented in such a dense and comprehensible way. Please keep making videos. They are a very welcome contrast to all the sales shows on youtube.
every guitarist will always say you could never have too many but for other reasons (mental / financial) ... we could in fact and thanks for bringing this awareness to make us step back a bit!
I have sold 10 guitars in the last 2 years. All premium brand/level (also getting rid of about 10 pickups). I have kept my cheapest (LP tribute, SG special, Squire JV strat, Squire Tele... etc). About 9 left, to cover styles. Bass, ABG, Nylon, Steel Ac. Degassing has been fantastic. I really don't GAF about premium stuff anymore and am probably doing the best guitar work of my life.
The biggest savior for me on preventing GAS is me being a lefty player. I've heard everybody say, "I'm pretty sure they make that in a lefty" They don't I looked, or they do but black is the only color. This even goes for the sub 200 amazon guitars.
Hi Utkarsh, I don't comment much on social media. However, two initial thoughts came to mind regarding your commentary: 1.) ‘Dr. Phil’ Mohan meets the guitar nerds. 🤣 2.) ‘Sitting on the toilet...a big part of the creation of GAS...I do have a problem with GAS’ Classic! 🤣Your career in comedy awaits you! In all seriousness… Thank You for providing thought provoking, intelligent content. Most likely, we can all relate to the full spectrum of comments and perspectives here. Conservative to Excessive. Our life and musical journeys are unique to ourselves. And we are the governors of our journeys. At the end of the day, may we understand and be happy with our choices. Be able to course correct when needed. Thoroughly enjoy the immersion. And be thankful for all the good musical experiences we have. Thank You again Utkarsh. I salute you, Good Sir! 🎸
I haven’t had GAS in years. I found when I was younger and on a tighter budget I would have GAS for all sorts of guitars, amps, and pedals. As I’ve gotten older and gained wealth, I slowly evolved into taking a practical approach of gear. I have a good amount of very nice guitars, amps, and pedals; which most stay in a storage unit now. I’ve become a happier player by simplifying my rig, and I only keep a couple electrics, acoustics, and amps at the house. I would spend so much time with choice paralysis and accomplish nothing musically. Maybe it’s that now I know if I want something I can afford it, maybe it’s that I’ve accepted that when chasing tones you’ll never get to the finish line, or a combination of both.
Great video! Thanks for sharing!!! As a much younger man in the late '70s/early '80s, I had a lot of really nice guitars because I came across them by dumb luck. I didn't realize what I had and made silly/stupid deals to follow the next shiny thing. I lost interest in the mid to late '80s but picked guitar and bass back up in the late '90s. Enter eBay and the internet forums and I've lost count of how many guitars, basses, amps, cabinets, pedals, etc., etc., etc. I've owned. I find that I keep trying to recapture the instruments I had in my early 20s. I've recently downsized and my newest instrument is from 2017. I've purchased quite a few since then, but they don't stay past the return period. I've finally realized that if G.A.S. leads me to start thinking "it would really be cool to have....", I need to stop myself and not buy the cool thing.
Brilliant content!! I need to stop buying gear .... probably sell most of my instruments... u broke your cycle n u are sharing your thoughts n brilliant points... i know a new guitar or bass won't make me any happier ... we just need to be mindful of people who are in a worse situation than us ... of course u need a certain amount of stuff to do your craft... but it's a great exercise to question ourselves n see the trappings of our conditioning ... i spent nowhere near as much as serious gassers who collect boutique instruments etc etc but for sure i own things i could easily do without ... i had some life challenging events that made me re-evaluate matters... money comes money goes and everything is so impermanent ...that's why i bought instruments on the whim instead of careful consideration... now i'll be a lot more aware ... ☮️👍☮️
I am an old guy that has been learning to play most of my life. I have the means to play what ever I want but I have been playing the same guitar for 8 years and the same home made valve amp for at least 10 years now. This has worked from studio to live playing. It took lots of GAS to finally realize most of the sound we want comes from our head and hands. The "influences" are mostly salespeople and are in it for the free stuff. Everyone wanting to play well will always do better spending money on lessons from an actual teacher than a bunch of guitar cases in the closet.
What I've noticed with my hobbies when I'm inactive in them I just buy more gear for those hobbies because the thrill of buying something makes up for the void of not actively participating in the hobby at that moment. When I had an active band for a decade, I had the same 2 guitars that I've had for 15+ years now, one amp and a tuner. That was it. Haven't had a band for years now, so I have 2 new guitars, different amps, pedals whatever...
excellent argument. I've reevaluated my gear over the last year and only buy if I sell one. there are only a couple more that I really want, but they're mainly "collection" guitars that are more for display on my wall rack than anything.
Great video. I consider myself a minimalist person. I buy lots of stuff and end up reselling it however it's always second hand. I almost never buy new so I don't tend to lose money, maybe just eBay fees. It's like a constant quest to find the best setup or guitar, but of course, it doesn't exist. If I own something very expensive I tend to feel guilty or feel silly for having a lot of money tied up in an object so I typically get rid of it and buy something more humble. I get a kick out of the "good but affordable" part of the market. Maybe a modeller that doesn't get as much love as it should but is actually very capable or a clone of a popular guitar or guitar pedal that's just as good as what it's based on.
Excellent video, thank you very much! I am very happy to have discovered your channel. You are giving a very good and accurate description of the "GAS phenomenon". I am a pure hobby guitar player, still more or less a beginner, but I am "guilty"as well, and I already experienced exactly what you are talking about in the video. I think you are completely right on this really important topic. I have found for myself basically two antidotes against GAS which work for me (at least sometimes😁): 1. If you feel GAS, practice more. More practice will really make you a better guitar player, buying the new boutique distortion pedal with magic transistors will not. 2. Watch review videos of gear, which you already have. While I admit, that is is, in a way quite ridicoulous and a very stupid waste of time, for me it sometimes works. Wasting time instead of wasting money😂. Again, thank you very much for your great work and all the best!!
Hi, all you say is true and also guitars in background give you credibility, sorry could not help myself :D, but I am myself not without fault have now over 45 guitars ranging from 100 euro Harley Benton to Fender AVRI II Strat or Gibson LP Standard 50s. What works for me that I made a folder with pictures of all my guitars and made a sorting system by priority (01 - keepers for life; 01,1 great guitars; 01,2 good guitars with pragmatic reason behind, etc.) and conclusion is that 25 I want to keep, cca 10 I will keep for now because they are rather good investment for the times when market will be not softer and 10 I have either already listed or will do so this weekend. Maybe I was lucky with my Gibsons but all 4 that I keep and even one that I have listed are great guitars, but probably the ones that I like the most are the Tributes ( one older model with Slim Tapper mahogany neck and one current with Rounded Maple, getting them for 600 and 730 euro respectively). Tbh this is the are where I feel most comfortable with guitars (500-1000 euro), you can get used Road Worn Fenders, Nitro Signatures (Chrissie Hynde Tele), guitars that completely reshape what I imagine as Strat (Fender EOB Strat), platforms for personal partcasters from Fender parts (made 2) and or Yamaha Revstars Standards which are terrific instruments, and aforementioned Tributes. With more expensive guitars starts to come, at least for me, the fear of damage of the guitar, or even as silly as it sounds, at the amount of guitars, the fret wear. If you are close by to Austria one day, let me know :)
New guitar days have been some of my best days great video I can give some real positives to my guitar collection but I liked your video my collection always inspired me to play more
@@ministryofguitar I'm sure it is. 😅 It needs a little tlc, mainly a good clean, fresh strings and a setup, but I'm quite certain it'll be a banger when it's finished.
To confirm your points, i never knew that i want/need a Revstar guitar and would not ever pick it up to try in store until all these raving reviews. And now i have a revstar and need to flip it.
Good video I agree it's addiction plain and simple, as someone recovering from drug addiction it's exactly the same cycle more akin to gambling than substances though. I have 6 at least 3 or 4 too many for me. The truth is most bedroom players have more guitars than a pro had in the 70s, just reading this comment section it's hilarious how people justify it to themselves. I feel my ideal number is one guitar one amp and a couple of pedals.
The other problem too with GAS is once you acquire something at a certain price point, that now becomes “permissible”. You go from AP2 to Ultra to US LP to Core etc. it’s insane. I don’t have too many guitars and try to keep it “one of each icon” so if I do end up with 2 of a kind, one goes. Another thing I find that helps fend off GAS is if I watch reviews of the gear I already have ie of yeah that why I like this pedal or these pups or this neck. Must admit not always easy. And I even work in an industry that works on CXD and journey maps and DILOs so I know this 😅
The normalisation of price points is a major thing. There was a time I wouldn’t dream of spending 2K on a guitar and at a different time buying 5K guitars became normal. The human brain is a strange thing
I've found a way to control my guitar collection. I only buy used guitars. Flea markets, yardsales, and music store repair rack fefuse! I find em, fix em, make them beautiful, and love them forever. My collection is at 14 guitars and basses. I collect styles. Im currently looking for a Les Paul style guitar. Im sure it wont be a Gibson but any decent guitar of that style will be a perfect project. I have a couple Strats, one traditional and one super modified and completely unique. I have a Tele style, a couple derent flavors of shredders, an old jazx box, a P bass and a fancier, more sculpted style of bass. I LOVE MY COLLECTION! I LOVE MY GUITARS! But none of them are expensive and none of them were new, with the exception of a PRS se 24 08 which was a 50th birthday gift from my daughter. I still need an L.P, an Explorer, a semi hollow E.S. style, and whatever else i can dig up! The point is that im excited for the hunt, im excited for the project, im excited about turning something old and forgotten into something beautiful and loved. Im excited about all of it, all the time.
G'day Utkarsh, Thanks for a great video. It was very interesting. Your comments are right, but some are wrong, & some you missed altogether. Yes, things are different now, compared to 30 or 40 years ago. In the 80's, I had 3 guitars, 1 amp, & no pedals. Now, I have more of everything. Also, buying guitar gear is a good way to overcome some problem in life - almost half of my guitars were bought after problems with a girl in my life. What you missed is that since that time 30 or 40 years ago, the actual quantity of gear has increased. Not only are there more manufacturers, all making more stuff, but the older items are still here. It doesn't matter that there are no more 1953 Telecasters being made, because most of those that were made are still here, as are the ones made in 2020. Finally, I must argue your use of the word "consumption", when talking about guitars. That is the wrong word. Consumption is the action of using up a resource, with the important word being "up". A car will have fuel consuption, since the fuel disappears as you use it. But, I still have my 1985 Torch guitar, and my 2000 Squier guitar. Guitars don't go away - not unless you burn them, or smash them to pieces. And this is why we still have 1953 Telecasters. Actually, the only that G.A.S. does is make us collectors. Some may say horders, but that's not qiute right. Once again, I enjoyed your video, and leaving my thoughts for you. Keep up the good work. Andrew
Addendum: I went back and checked and It was a '51 Telecaster, '63 Strat, "57 Gibson Les Paul Special, and the 2 ES-335's as his main ones...... then just the Valley Arts superstrat type guitar, and a couple of Acoustics.... That's it........ and he is one of the best of all time..
Personally, I only buy guitars, amps, plugins, and pedals that are on sale. Or I make a deal to get 10 to 30% off. This way, if I need or want to sell something, I don't take a bath and I break even. Buying used is the way to go, you never lose and in most cases make a profit when you sell something.
I think that finding the gear that you actually want can cure GAS, but it’s hard to figure out what that is without playing with everything a lot, and actually learning how to use the gear. A lot of people end up with a large pile of gear by the time they figure out what they actually want.
Ministry of guitar, Sir, really good common Sense video!!👍👍 Have you thought about doing a video about people that think they have to have the most expensive guitarZ,? 🎸🐦
The only reason I have so many guitars is different tunings. I hate imperfect setups and am lazy thus 5 guitars in 5 different tunings with an eye for as many as 3 more. After that I can’t see any reason for more.
great video.kapitalist learned a lesson from great depression and using basic psychology they create demand.they produce and make money,we always buy and spend money.
After 30 years of only playing acoustic guitar (and I only needed one) I decided to get into playing electric and wanted to get what I considered to be the ultimate; a Fender Stratocaster as it was what almost all my guitar hero's played. But, in shopping around I couldn't find the one that looked right, sounded right or played right so I approached Fender's Custom Shop with a spec list of what I was looking for. When the quote came back at over $3500 I decided to have a go at building my own. For the subsequent 20 years I regularly engaged in building guitars (well over 50) until I ultimately built The One; the guitar that would prove to be the only one I would need or want to play (and it's not even a Stratocaster). I'd come to realize that my GAS was, indeed, a quest. In the same way that one might go through a series of romantic relationships before finally falling truly in love I had found The Love of My Life. That was 6 years ago and the only guitars I've built since then have either been commissioned by friends or just to use up spare parts. I recently finished a re-build project of a guitar that had never felt complete and I found myself dreading every step of the way. I took no joy in the process and little pride in the final result. Other than maintaining my existing guitars I have no intention build any more. My GAS is well and truly cured.
I think my guitar collecting stopped when I got the SVN Stealth, the same model you've got. Hands down the best guitar I've played. And I have had classic fenders and gibson and my SVN stealth is My Sound. It's such a great instrument I bought another one. Core/ Private Stock are like Versace Shirts, The Se Stealth line is like a linen suit, way cooler Also...if you feel like selling your Svn Stealth. I'll buy it It's not technically GAS, it's just that I know exactly what I want. Adam Jones plays 1979 Silverburst Les Pauls and I play 2018 SVN Stealths Great channel
Bro, bottom point is this, you must control the urge to buy another guitar! It is hard but think about long term. Plus, the more sweat, energy and play time you put in an already guitar you own the better the bond you will have. If we keep buying guitars we will never get to know our insturments fully. Whenever I want a new guitar I think of Miyamoto Musashi - those who don't know who he is just read Go Rin no Sho - Book of Five Rings . Stay strong brothers you got this!
I have found this in every hobby I was in, people valued material products and marketing hype vs skills, and practicing and 'perfecting' (you never really perfect anything, there is always room for improvement, LOL!) those skills, teaching those skills to others once you have become proficient enough to do so. Instead, the majority of people are under the spell of Consumerism and Marketing. It is tragic, life is short and you can't material items with you when you die. The saying "The guy who dies with the most toys" is garbage. That is the sign of a WASTED life. Be PRODUCTIVE, not CONSUMING and REDUCTIVE!!
A great example is the fact that Larry Carlton, an absolute legend in the history of studio musicians and guitar players, owns something like 6 or 7 guitars. I saw this on a RUclips where he showed all of his guitars. He owns his main number 1 ES-335, and another one as a backups, an old 1950's vintage Telecaster, one of those Valley Arts superstrat guitars that were popular back in the early 90's, and a couple of acoustic guitars. I could have missed one as my memory is not perfect, but maybe he has one Strat, I have forgotten that detail maybe but now more than that which is 5 electrics and 2 acoustics... .......... but some hobbiests have 40 or 50 guitars..... At least Joe Bonomassa is a legit professional player......
Great video shows a lot of thought and common sense. It took me some time, however finally realised that no matter how much i spend on a guitar it will never make me play better 😂 I hate to see so many guitar channels plugging new guitars especially to people who maybe are not able to afford them. I think Gibson/Epiphone is one of the worst culprits. To me just looks like cynical marketing focused on people's GAS. I hope many view this video, I can actually see it saving many people from having financial difficulties and perhaps make people realise it's much better to put your money into property savings, pensions etc.
GAS is more of an acknowledgement that people know that spending on hobbies is frivolous. It's avoiding saying the quiet part out loud. If you can afford something and you want it, then just buy the thing. Calling it "GAS" doesn't make it bad to own that thing. Just make sure it's truly disposable income because it's just a hobby. When you start to believe that a constant influx of new equipment will make you a better player beyond being a bit of an inspiration to play and maybe learn a little from doing something new, then you're probably in trouble. GAS is more akin to the competitive nature of consumerism in this case.
There's kind of a toxic positivity in regards to GAS in the guitar community. Any time you ask "why do you need so many guitars" or "why do you need to pay so much for that guitar" people get genuinely mad and I think it's because it's a form of retail addiction that a lot of people in the "community" participate in. People seem to think that buying things to fix your emotional problems is a thing only women do, but clearly not. I mean, how often do you see middle aged guys talking about "oh I'd buy this guitar but my wife wouldn't like it". Maybe I'm reading too much into it, but what I hear is "I'm in an unhappy marriage and use my guitar buying as an emotional crutch". Not everyone, but definitely some people.
Great video. Most RUclips channels are nothing more than Shopping Network channels. And most don't even understand what they are selling. They just want fame and money from RUclips.
Congratulations on getting disconnected/disengaged! I am working on my downsizing plan and focused on keeping only a Baker's Dozen and becoming a better player🤘🏼🙏
Bud, you have a few guitars yourself, I have 4 basses and one guitar, 2 bass amps, one tube and one class d, and a little guitar amp for the apartment. I use all my bass items to gig and perform. So mini gas, in comparison to some of those huge collections
I have to stop myself all the time. It doesn't help that they're beautiful. They're art. I'm very happy with what i have. I just have want. I never thought about ppl going into debt. I would never get myself in trouble for a guitar. I take pride in my credit. But i definitely have the bug. Andertons makes fun videos, but I'm not spending 200 dollars for delivery for something i can get here.I'll throw them 5 bucks when i can. I feel the videos have entertainment value. I would think anyone watching andertons or jhs has to know we are being lied to at least should. If you wait 24 hrs the feeling goes away.
I am trying to sell two to buy one , does not work all the time😅 Many guitars that I have sold I really dont miss, certain ones I will never sell . About half of my guitars are in a constant evaluation process to keep or sell them . Some time when I sell one I do feel some odd feeling of relief .😊
Have you saw Joe in concert live? His music and playing is definitely more famous than his hobby as collector - that you may see over emphasised in guitar nerds information bubble.
I haven’t. I have no doubt he is a great guitar player and a prodigy . But the thing is , and it could be me, I can’t think of one song by him that is famous outside of the guitar world
@@ministryofguitar definitely try to see him live, it is such a pleasure not only for guitar nerds, hearing these vintage guitars and amps playing live, but also for anyone who loves blues and rock. I’m sure that 95% of royal albert hall audience don’t know about dumble amp he plays, but cant distinguish a les paul from es 335.
Great video! My view on GAS is that it preys on mental illness and weak minds (for want of better terms) and it centres more on psychology than neurology, in my view. You can’t really blame the marketers but they don’t get off scot free either. Crazy world haha
Andertons charge you full price, not seen them do too many discounts, i'd never buy from them. I'm guilty of having five guitars myself , and i honestly can't see why i'd buy more. Classic guitars are simply overpriced which is only fuelled by the collecter market. No guitar is worth 100k plus. Oh such and such played this, it's now worth X, no it's not. Plenty of cheaper and just as good guitars are out there that do the same thing as a '59 Les Paul for instance. I personally won't buy anything for my hobby on credit. I simply won't do it. Sadly others can't control themselves, it becomes an addiction, and some people just need to get a grip
I am that one weird guy.....that only has one guitar (for now 😊). I am actually very happy with the guitar I have; my dream guitar was a Strat ....so I got one. I don't have any aspirations of owning a large number of guitars, but I personally believe that there is a point that you can actually have too many guitars. When the drive to acquire becomes more important than the music, then you just might have a problem.
what's that white guitar in the shot? a duojet? i like it a lot, but not sure it looks exactly like a DuoJet.. would REALLY appreciate it if you (or someone) could tell me!
I think gas was originally an ironic thing, id like to think that people know that just buying a new thing isnt going to make you sound like your heroes or fill some hole in your empty soul that a lot of music advertisment is gimmicky etc. Like retail therapy, you know just buying a load of stuff isnt going to really solve anything but you use it as a bit of a joke to make yourself fell better after some reckless spending. Of course as the phrase got over used, the original irony is lost, so as now, people seem to think of it as a celebrated term.
Here's what I found out after 40+ years of playing, bands, etc., etc.----electric guitars all sound basically the same. Yeah, humbuckers vs. singles a little but that's about all. Distortion boxes same thing. Delay/chorus/phase/reverb pedals---same, especially in a live setting. Get a couple guitars that YOU can play and that stay in tune, concentrate on learning to play, and writing if you do that. Constantly buying equipment leads nowhere, especially if you are not a Bonamassa, or whoever. Joe is playing big venues and is a millionaire, and God bless him. You (and me) however, are playing at JimBob's Pizza and Brew for $75.00, and should plan accordingly. Just my 2cents. Peace.
Guitar and gears salesman got skills and made hype about gears.. Don't follow what they said.. Practice and focus on your music.. Because playing music with buddies is more fun than collecting gears..
The music is the only way to defeat gas. Write music, record music, play music. When you stop doing those you start buying stuff you don’t need.
Facts💯
I found that when I don't have the time or the mental availability to actually sit down and practice I always look at gears in what ever little gap that I have in life. As soon as I get to be with the music I feel satisfied and don't feel like needing any new gear.
I find, when my band is more active with band, practice and gigs, you realize at the gigs how much you really need, or don’t need anymore. I’ve purged, sold, or traded, or gifted a lot in the last few years, and now have two basses, two acoustics and 4 electrics!! Very happy!!
100%, I've ended up only using one guitar now and working more on my playing..
Exactly. Weird is that the Music is taking a back seat to the gear used to make Music, LOL!
Gas also takes away from the music, everybody starts because of passion for music but some musicians end up on the collector route instead
And what's wrong with that?
@@srh361what’s wrong with that? Nothing - if your original motivation was collecting. However, if it was creativity (because that makes you happy), you will be caught on the hedonistic lie that the next purchase will make you happy - except it won’t and can’t because the dopamine buzz ends with the purchase. It can’t compare with the happiness a creative person gets from exercising that creativity.
That happens a lot... If you look at most rock records the guitar sound is just distortion/reverb... You look at guitarists who have 20 pedals on their board, and you think, really?.
@wind016perhaps OP should have said GAS *can* take away from creativity.
It’s fine for Joe Bonamassa to do both, I’m sure. But the average 50 hr/week worker?
For most people, “collecting” (GAS) comes at the expense of creative effort. And it is far less rewarding (who of us hasn’t squandered the only available creative time fooling around with pedals, only to be left with the same empty feeling one gets from spending too much time on our phones?).
If you’re not especially passionate about creating music and your joy lies in collecting, go for it.
If you’re an accomplished musician who has the luxury of collecting as well, go for it.
If you engage in limited collecting that leaves time for (or enables further) creativity, go for it.
But let’s not pretend that for most people GAS often replaces creativity in the few free hours we get.
@wind016 I hear you mate. I struggle to explain to friends who don’t play why I have 2 acoustics and 5 electrics. The truth is, even I don’t know. With the electrics, can I really argue that: “One is a Strat clone, one is an LP clone, one is a PRS clone with a P90, one is an archtop, one is a baritone”? The truth is, I have “collected” these over the years and become sentimentally attached - but I only “need” one of them. Everything else is EQ or plugin-fixed. No, at various points I was more focused on GAS than playing. And I know as well as anyone how quickly the thrill of the new purchase lasted (i.e. barely any time at all).
Whenever I'm tempted to buy more gear, I am trying to remind myself that I have not even come close to exhausting all the features of ANY of my current gear. I'm challenging myself to get excited about what my current gear is capable of. Thank you for such a well thought out discussion about the TRUE cost of what GAS really is.
Good point.
To increase excitement about the gear I already own, I just watch RUclips videos about my gear. It works for me!
It‘s a challenge to do something with all of the gear we already have. It is empowering.
Agreed
All good points and very true. I believe your assessment of ones feelings of emptiness and trying to compensate by buying are on point.
You just gotta be aware why you're buying something, is it gonna be useful or is it just the next shiny toy till the thrill wears off? I could easily live with 2 guitars, one amp, a tuner and one OD pedal. Buuuut I don't want to.
What always prevents me from buying stuff I see is this: lay your phone down, go grab your guitar and play. Is your stuff lacking anything? No, you just should practice more. Reality check. Make music for an hour, time flies by and you remember why you started that whole journey in the first place :)
Very well said
@@ministryofguitarI see nothing wrong with being a collector as a side hobby AND actually rotating your setup to cycle through it all periodically so nothing collects too much dust, but just hording stuff you're not going to use and going into debt to do so is a real and growing problem
I am going on to my final year as a communication student. This topic made me really reflect on what all my lecturers have taught me over the years and this discussion is really inspiring. I may even go as far as to base my final year project on the entire topic of GAS or characteristics of consumerism due to modern day influences. great video man!
Thank you so much for this video, mate👍It made me change my mind!, I was planning to buy my 16th guitar after seeing some extraordinary rare guitar that's on Sale🤭, but the philosophical thing you said hits hard. This perfectly described my thought process whenever I'm buying new a new guitar and what's behind GAS. The whole thing is just "CAPITALISM", I spent almost all my savings and bonuses from salary from buying guitars that really affected my credit a lot and the "Perverse Incentive" is Real - _"Buy our new great guitar not only because it will make you play better or to be IN with the fad so that you have something to brag or show to your friends, BUT REALLY SO that we can sell you more stuff in order to make a living and put food in our table."_😅 (Anderton's and Reverb just got exposed).😂
Also the "Neurological Lie" - the Hedonic treadmill - *"No matter what you get you always want more, satisfaction does not last"* - I always think this next guitar will make me play better is indeed a lie.😔 Because up to Now I'm still not satisfied thinking there's still this guitar that's leaps and bounds better that I have to acquire for my collection - The EBMM Majesty, Suhr, Mayones, Paoletti , etc. - Social media tells me to buy them, I need them to fill this Void to make me feel better. hahaha.😆 (which everybody tells will satisfy you is Ultimately a physical LIE).
But like you, I won't sell any of my guitars, they are the product of sweat, blood and tears. I will just stop buying 🎸from now on Because *"You do not need more stuff to get better", "You do not need more stuff to be happy."* 👌Cheers.💯
Thank you. Glad I could help of some help
@@ministryofguitar Yeah, really helped. I'm really about to spend my last remaining money to buy this Majestic 24 fret rare guitar even though I just resigned from my job. What you said are deeply "philosophical". We indeed are never satisfied for sure, I don't know why?. I already knew, based on experience, that the feelings/dopamine high from GAS is just temporary, yet I still want to buy.🤭 I always want to buy something unique, rare. Could it also be FOMO? (fear of missing out?). Mind says "No, that's too much", but Heart says "Buy it!, it's unique and beautiful, you will have something special".😂 There's really some psychological mystery going on with GAS. Cheers.
People tend to go the path of least resistance- getting dopamine reward hits via GAS
If someone is trapped in this cycle they can escape by mindfully transferring this reward dynamic to a reward system of learning songs/riffs/licks/chords/progressions etc etc
Get together a master binder that you insert the material you have learned and it becomes its own concrete representation of progress
You can move from the reward system of gear to the reward system of learning music
My first guitar was a Walmart Epiphone LP. My second guitar was a Amazon DIY kit guitar, and after building it, I never looked at music store guitars the same way again. Thanks.
Amen. I climbed the gear mountain only to discover that I don't need all this stuff. It doesn't make me happier, but........for some reason I also can't part with it. I'm stuck.
BUT, you are being honest with yourself in my view, which to me is a first step in making a remedy in the future. Happy picking!
I got RUclips Red back before it was Premium because I see the value in not being advertised to, but the landscape has changed so much that the very videos I enjoy are basically (and often literally) all advertising to me as part of the very content.
Part of what is amazing and so enjoyable about your channel is the integrity of intent. Channels without sponsors, or looking for sponsors, or showcasing items are incredibly rare.
I just hope this channel is more of an outlet for you and not a responsibility. You have been providing an incredible frequency of videos of late, and you shouldn't feel an obligation to keep that up!
Thank you as always. You have also hit the nail on the head. The channel is essentially me channeling my fundamental proclivity for writing. No one reads as much as more so I have adapted to the video medium. We’ll see on the pace. The creative spirit runs hot and cold and most of these videos are random thoughts that strike me while running or driving . I’m trying not to second guess it
I am a 48 year beginner that loves guitar. I just got my first SG, I have my forever tele and a goldtop Les Paul. That covers everything as far as I am concerned.
It’s a great combo
😱 What about a Strat? What about a semi-hollow?
I was either going to put new tires on the car or get a new guitar... My car is riding gloriously on a new prs se 24-08 😭😭😭 The pinch harmonics are amazing.
Go slow when it rains . ..
Hi. So far if I wanna get a new guitar, I MUST get rid off the old one. For now I only have a pair of electric and acoustic guitars at home, and another set at my office. ONLY 4 guitars in total , and they are all reasonably price. Very minimal collection I must say, and every single one of them serves different function / purpose 😁
I’m the same about my 2 guitars and my fishing tackle. I don’t like having stuff sitting around not being used. I have one electric and one acoustic. I’m seriously considering getting a good nylon string guitar mostly because my 59 year old hands. I’d like to get a new electric but I’d have to get rid of the old.
I solved it for myself by investing a little in guitar setup and maintenance tools.
Now when I feel like I want some guitar novelty, I simply spend some time changing strings, intonating, polishing frets etc. First, this feels good and second, this inspires me to play. And when I actually play, since it's a freshly maintained guitar, it actually feels great and makes me appreciate it even more.
Spending time on things makes you appreciate them more.
Subtitle:
"How to discuss 'Emotional Intelligence' without saying the words: Emotional Intelligence"
It's your common sense commentary that just made me hit your 'subscribe' button. You're a good man.
GAS can apply to any hobby or sport. I have several cyclist co-workers who 'need' to buy bicycles all the time. Most of my small collection of bicycles were all purchased from them at a small fraction of their original price when they 'needed' money to purchase more bicycles. But look at me: I now have too many bicycles! Golf equipment is a similar trap: I have enough clubs for three bags! But they're all from golfers who were going to throw them out.
Just say Emotional Damage 😂😂
@@888jimm I own the Steven He "FAILURE MANAGEMENT" Sweat Shirt. LOL!
@@etoineschrdlu9382 Awesome 😂
I have 4 guitars, I only play 2. I only want 2 actually because it's all I need.
I’ll repeat what I said on another site about this subject. - I bought far too much gear, & sold it. GAS can be a problem. I don’t want to stop gear review videos as they can be very informative for all of us, but… I got rid of my GAS by trying my own gear to get the same tone or sound. In most cases the answer is yes. 1 amp, 5 pedals, 4 guitars. - - If you’ve got GAS think first, it might inspire, but won’t make you a better player.
I had bought at least 50 Guitars. Fender CS relics, Masterbuilt John English and Gibson CS. Sold everything. Now im down to one Stratopartscaster and one Tellypartscaster and a nicely made PRS Hollowbody. I could get my sound with an indonesian Squier and a 100 Dollar Vox Amp. Even the most expensive Gear doesnt make you a better player. Play every day for at least 5 hours. Every day.
The chase is the best part.
I learned young to save up for the things I want so I don’t have credit card for impulsive buys.
So many beautiful things to buy.
Agree social media and the world so close not necessarily made things better.
It's always a sign of a bright mind, if someone is able to put into concise arguments and words, what most only sense as a gut feeling. While what you are saying is not necessarily new, it is very rare to get it presented in such a dense and comprehensible way. Please keep making videos. They are a very welcome contrast to all the sales shows on youtube.
I stroked out five years ago .. relearning playing. I don't need new guitars.... But happy with guitars. I have!
every guitarist will always say you could never have too many but for other reasons (mental / financial) ... we could in fact and thanks for bringing this awareness to make us step back a bit!
i,ve just came out of my G.A,S journey { very intense } and agree with the points you have highlighted here
I have sold 10 guitars in the last 2 years. All premium brand/level (also getting rid of about 10 pickups). I have kept my cheapest (LP tribute, SG special, Squire JV strat, Squire Tele... etc). About 9 left, to cover styles. Bass, ABG, Nylon, Steel Ac.
Degassing has been fantastic. I really don't GAF about premium stuff anymore and am probably doing the best guitar work of my life.
The biggest savior for me on preventing GAS is me being a lefty player. I've heard everybody say, "I'm pretty sure they make that in a lefty" They don't I looked, or they do but black is the only color. This even goes for the sub 200 amazon guitars.
The only lefty to allude me is the PRS Silver Sky SE and now I hear it’s coming in the Fall.
@@lazvt8469 thats awesome
Hi Utkarsh, I don't comment much on social media. However, two initial thoughts came to mind regarding your commentary:
1.) ‘Dr. Phil’ Mohan meets the guitar nerds. 🤣
2.) ‘Sitting on the toilet...a big part of the creation of GAS...I do have a problem with GAS’ Classic! 🤣Your career in comedy awaits you!
In all seriousness… Thank You for providing thought provoking, intelligent content.
Most likely, we can all relate to the full spectrum of comments and perspectives here. Conservative to Excessive. Our life and musical journeys are unique to ourselves. And we are the governors of our journeys. At the end of the day, may we understand and be happy with our choices. Be able to course correct when needed. Thoroughly enjoy the immersion. And be thankful for all the good musical experiences we have. Thank You again Utkarsh. I salute you, Good Sir! 🎸
Thank you sir. Really appreciate your kind words and am glad you found this video of interest
I haven’t had GAS in years. I found when I was younger and on a tighter budget I would have GAS for all sorts of guitars, amps, and pedals. As I’ve gotten older and gained wealth, I slowly evolved into taking a practical approach of gear. I have a good amount of very nice guitars, amps, and pedals; which most stay in a storage unit now. I’ve become a happier player by simplifying my rig, and I only keep a couple electrics, acoustics, and amps at the house. I would spend so much time with choice paralysis and accomplish nothing musically. Maybe it’s that now I know if I want something I can afford it, maybe it’s that I’ve accepted that when chasing tones you’ll never get to the finish line, or a combination of both.
Great video! Thanks for sharing!!!
As a much younger man in the late '70s/early '80s, I had a lot of really nice guitars because I came across them by dumb luck. I didn't realize what I had and made silly/stupid deals to follow the next shiny thing. I lost interest in the mid to late '80s but picked guitar and bass back up in the late '90s.
Enter eBay and the internet forums and I've lost count of how many guitars, basses, amps, cabinets, pedals, etc., etc., etc. I've owned. I find that I keep trying to recapture the instruments I had in my early 20s.
I've recently downsized and my newest instrument is from 2017. I've purchased quite a few since then, but they don't stay past the return period.
I've finally realized that if G.A.S. leads me to start thinking "it would really be cool to have....", I need to stop myself and not buy the cool thing.
Brilliant content!!
I need to stop buying gear .... probably sell most of my instruments... u broke your cycle n u are sharing your thoughts n brilliant points... i know a new guitar or bass won't make me any happier ... we just need to be mindful of people who are in a worse situation than us ... of course u need a certain amount of stuff to do your craft... but it's a great exercise to question ourselves n see the trappings of our conditioning ... i spent nowhere near as much as serious gassers who collect boutique instruments etc etc but for sure i own things i could easily do without ... i had some life challenging events that made me re-evaluate matters... money comes money goes and everything is so impermanent ...that's why i bought instruments on the whim instead of careful consideration...
now i'll be a lot more aware ...
☮️👍☮️
I am an old guy that has been learning to play most of my life. I have the means to play what ever I want but I have been playing the same guitar for 8 years and the same home made valve amp for at least 10 years now. This has worked from studio to live playing. It took lots of GAS to finally realize most of the sound we want comes from our head and hands. The "influences" are mostly salespeople and are in it for the free stuff. Everyone wanting to play well will always do better spending money on lessons from an actual teacher than a bunch of guitar cases in the closet.
Your channel is a breath of fresh air , for a lot of these videos you make have a thread of logic other channels don't have in their content
Thank you. I appreciate your kind words
I agree, this video has made me quite skeptical about the YT channels that had me firmly on their sights ... and for this I'm now quite pleased
Excellent content and insights shared. Definitely food for deep thought.
What I've noticed with my hobbies when I'm inactive in them I just buy more gear for those hobbies because the thrill of buying something makes up for the void of not actively participating in the hobby at that moment. When I had an active band for a decade, I had the same 2 guitars that I've had for 15+ years now, one amp and a tuner. That was it. Haven't had a band for years now, so I have 2 new guitars, different amps, pedals whatever...
excellent argument. I've reevaluated my gear over the last year and only buy if I sell one. there are only a couple more that I really want, but they're mainly "collection" guitars that are more for display on my wall rack than anything.
Great video. I consider myself a minimalist person. I buy lots of stuff and end up reselling it however it's always second hand. I almost never buy new so I don't tend to lose money, maybe just eBay fees.
It's like a constant quest to find the best setup or guitar, but of course, it doesn't exist.
If I own something very expensive I tend to feel guilty or feel silly for having a lot of money tied up in an object so I typically get rid of it and buy something more humble. I get a kick out of the "good but affordable" part of the market. Maybe a modeller that doesn't get as much love as it should but is actually very capable or a clone of a popular guitar or guitar pedal that's just as good as what it's based on.
Excellent video, thank you very much! I am very happy to have discovered your channel. You are giving a very good and accurate description of the "GAS phenomenon".
I am a pure hobby guitar player, still more or less a beginner, but I am "guilty"as well, and I already experienced exactly what you are talking about in the video. I think you are completely right on this really important topic.
I have found for myself basically two antidotes against GAS which work for me (at least sometimes😁):
1. If you feel GAS, practice more. More practice will really make you a better guitar player, buying the new boutique distortion pedal with magic transistors will not.
2. Watch review videos of gear, which you already have. While I admit, that is is, in a way quite ridicoulous and a very stupid waste of time, for me it sometimes works. Wasting time instead of wasting money😂.
Again, thank you very much for your great work and all the best!!
Thank you for sharing your antidotes . Very helpful
Hi, all you say is true and also guitars in background give you credibility, sorry could not help myself :D, but I am myself not without fault have now over 45 guitars ranging from 100 euro Harley Benton to Fender AVRI II Strat or Gibson LP Standard 50s. What works for me that I made a folder with pictures of all my guitars and made a sorting system by priority (01 - keepers for life; 01,1 great guitars; 01,2 good guitars with pragmatic reason behind, etc.) and conclusion is that 25 I want to keep, cca 10 I will keep for now because they are rather good investment for the times when market will be not softer and 10 I have either already listed or will do so this weekend. Maybe I was lucky with my Gibsons but all 4 that I keep and even one that I have listed are great guitars, but probably the ones that I like the most are the Tributes ( one older model with Slim Tapper mahogany neck and one current with Rounded Maple, getting them for 600 and 730 euro respectively). Tbh this is the are where I feel most comfortable with guitars (500-1000 euro), you can get used Road Worn Fenders, Nitro Signatures (Chrissie Hynde Tele), guitars that completely reshape what I imagine as Strat (Fender EOB Strat), platforms for personal partcasters from Fender parts (made 2) and or Yamaha Revstars Standards which are terrific instruments, and aforementioned Tributes. With more expensive guitars starts to come, at least for me, the fear of damage of the guitar, or even as silly as it sounds, at the amount of guitars, the fret wear. If you are close by to Austria one day, let me know :)
I’m a new subscriber because I love your honesty and clear perspective. Please continue to make more videos like this one.
Thank you. Really appreciate the kind words
New guitar days have been some of my best days great video I can give some real positives to my guitar collection but I liked your video my collection always inspired me to play more
I got my GAS-killer the other day; a 1975 Fender hardtail Stratocaster in natural finish with a rosewood board. 😍
My search is complete!
sounds like a great guitar
@@ministryofguitar
I'm sure it is. 😅 It needs a little tlc, mainly a good clean, fresh strings and a setup, but I'm quite certain it'll be a banger when it's finished.
To confirm your points, i never knew that i want/need a Revstar guitar and would not ever pick it up to try in store until all these raving reviews. And now i have a revstar and need to flip it.
Good video I agree it's addiction plain and simple, as someone recovering from drug addiction it's exactly the same cycle more akin to gambling than substances though. I have 6 at least 3 or 4 too many for me. The truth is most bedroom players have more guitars than a pro had in the 70s, just reading this comment section it's hilarious how people justify it to themselves. I feel my ideal number is one guitar one amp and a couple of pedals.
I really needed to hear the Hedonic Treadmill message haha. Aware of the concept but didn’t know the term.
It's something you feel more and more the older you get
The other problem too with GAS is once you acquire something at a certain price point, that now becomes “permissible”. You go from AP2 to Ultra to US LP to Core etc. it’s insane. I don’t have too many guitars and try to keep it “one of each icon” so if I do end up with 2 of a kind, one goes. Another thing I find that helps fend off GAS is if I watch reviews of the gear I already have ie of yeah that why I like this pedal or these pups or this neck. Must admit not always easy. And I even work in an industry that works on CXD and journey maps and DILOs so I know this 😅
The normalisation of price points is a major thing. There was a time I wouldn’t dream of spending 2K on a guitar and at a different time buying 5K guitars became normal. The human brain is a strange thing
Somebody had to say all this, and I'm glad you did. Fantastic video, very informative.
I've found a way to control my guitar collection. I only buy used guitars. Flea markets, yardsales, and music store repair rack fefuse! I find em, fix em, make them beautiful, and love them forever. My collection is at 14 guitars and basses. I collect styles. Im currently looking for a Les Paul style guitar. Im sure it wont be a Gibson but any decent guitar of that style will be a perfect project. I have a couple Strats, one traditional and one super modified and completely unique. I have a Tele style, a couple derent flavors of shredders, an old jazx box, a P bass and a fancier, more sculpted style of bass. I LOVE MY COLLECTION! I LOVE MY GUITARS! But none of them are expensive and none of them were new, with the exception of a PRS se 24 08 which was a 50th birthday gift from my daughter. I still need an L.P, an Explorer, a semi hollow E.S. style, and whatever else i can dig up! The point is that im excited for the hunt, im excited for the project, im excited about turning something old and forgotten into something beautiful and loved. Im excited about all of it, all the time.
G'day Utkarsh,
Thanks for a great video. It was very interesting. Your comments are right, but some are wrong, & some you missed altogether.
Yes, things are different now, compared to 30 or 40 years ago. In the 80's, I had 3 guitars, 1 amp, & no pedals. Now, I have more of everything. Also, buying guitar gear is a good way to overcome some problem in life - almost half of my guitars were bought after problems with a girl in my life.
What you missed is that since that time 30 or 40 years ago, the actual quantity of gear has increased. Not only are there more manufacturers, all making more stuff, but the older items are still here. It doesn't matter that there are no more 1953 Telecasters being made, because most of those that were made are still here, as are the ones made in 2020.
Finally, I must argue your use of the word "consumption", when talking about guitars. That is the wrong word. Consumption is the action of using up a resource, with the important word being "up". A car will have fuel consuption, since the fuel disappears as you use it. But, I still have my 1985 Torch guitar, and my 2000 Squier guitar. Guitars don't go away - not unless you burn them, or smash them to pieces. And this is why we still have 1953 Telecasters. Actually, the only that G.A.S. does is make us collectors. Some may say horders, but that's not qiute right.
Once again, I enjoyed your video, and leaving my thoughts for you. Keep up the good work.
Andrew
Addendum: I went back and checked and It was a '51 Telecaster, '63 Strat, "57 Gibson Les Paul Special, and the 2 ES-335's as his main ones...... then just the Valley Arts superstrat type guitar, and a couple of Acoustics.... That's it........ and he is one of the best of all time..
Thanks for the words of wisdom!
Personally, I only buy guitars, amps, plugins, and pedals that are on sale. Or I make a deal to get 10 to 30% off. This way, if I need or want to sell something, I don't take a bath and I break even. Buying used is the way to go, you never lose and in most cases make a profit when you sell something.
I think that finding the gear that you actually want can cure GAS, but it’s hard to figure out what that is without playing with everything a lot, and actually learning how to use the gear. A lot of people end up with a large pile of gear by the time they figure out what they actually want.
well said. its ironic I was staring down the blue mij jackson misha signature strat and it was like this was a sign that...i dont need it
great points made cleverly, thank you very much sir
Thank you. Appreciate it
Ministry of guitar, Sir, really good common Sense video!!👍👍 Have you thought about doing a video about people that think they have to have the most expensive guitarZ,? 🎸🐦
The only reason I have so many guitars is different tunings. I hate imperfect setups and am lazy thus 5 guitars in 5 different tunings with an eye for as many as 3 more. After that I can’t see any reason for more.
great video.kapitalist learned a lesson from great depression and using basic psychology they create demand.they produce and make money,we always buy and spend money.
I finally got my dream guitar, the Yamaha SA2200. Now I want a Gibson ES-335. It never ends. Instead I'm going to practice and get better.
After 30 years of only playing acoustic guitar (and I only needed one) I decided to get into playing electric and wanted to get what I considered to be the ultimate; a Fender Stratocaster as it was what almost all my guitar hero's played. But, in shopping around I couldn't find the one that looked right, sounded right or played right so I approached Fender's Custom Shop with a spec list of what I was looking for. When the quote came back at over $3500 I decided to have a go at building my own. For the subsequent 20 years I regularly engaged in building guitars (well over 50) until I ultimately built The One; the guitar that would prove to be the only one I would need or want to play (and it's not even a Stratocaster). I'd come to realize that my GAS was, indeed, a quest. In the same way that one might go through a series of romantic relationships before finally falling truly in love I had found The Love of My Life. That was 6 years ago and the only guitars I've built since then have either been commissioned by friends or just to use up spare parts. I recently finished a re-build project of a guitar that had never felt complete and I found myself dreading every step of the way. I took no joy in the process and little pride in the final result. Other than maintaining my existing guitars I have no intention build any more. My GAS is well and truly cured.
I think my guitar collecting stopped when I got the SVN Stealth, the same model you've got.
Hands down the best guitar I've played.
And I have had classic fenders and gibson and my SVN stealth is My Sound.
It's such a great instrument I bought another one.
Core/ Private Stock are like Versace Shirts, The Se Stealth line is like a linen suit, way cooler
Also...if you feel like selling your Svn Stealth. I'll buy it
It's not technically GAS, it's just that I know exactly what I want.
Adam Jones plays 1979 Silverburst Les Pauls and I play 2018 SVN Stealths
Great channel
Most guitarists brag about buying cheap crap. A vast majority. 10 x 300.00 guitars is common.
Cheap guitars are sooo much better now than they were when I started playing.
I have also decided to stop GAS after my 80th guitar. 😅.
Really enjoying the content you're putting up! Thank you!
Appreciate the kind words. Thank you for watching
Bro, bottom point is this, you must control the urge to buy another guitar! It is hard but think about long term. Plus, the more sweat, energy and play time you put in an already guitar you own the better the bond you will have. If we keep buying guitars we will never get to know our insturments fully. Whenever I want a new guitar I think of Miyamoto Musashi - those who don't know who he is just read Go Rin no Sho - Book of Five Rings . Stay strong brothers you got this!
I have found this in every hobby I was in, people valued material products and marketing hype vs skills, and practicing and 'perfecting' (you never really perfect anything, there is always room for improvement, LOL!) those skills, teaching those skills to others once you have become proficient enough to do so. Instead, the majority of people are under the spell of Consumerism and Marketing. It is tragic, life is short and you can't material items with you when you die. The saying "The guy who dies with the most toys" is garbage. That is the sign of a WASTED life. Be PRODUCTIVE, not CONSUMING and REDUCTIVE!!
Very well said. It all sounds all too familiar.
Pun intended?
@@brownpunk1794 always
Gear is usually something you can bearly afford no matter how rich you are.
A great example is the fact that Larry Carlton, an absolute legend in the history of studio musicians and guitar players, owns something like 6 or 7 guitars. I saw this on a RUclips where he showed all of his guitars. He owns his main number 1 ES-335, and another one as a backups, an old 1950's vintage Telecaster, one of those Valley Arts superstrat guitars that were popular back in the early 90's, and a couple of acoustic guitars. I could have missed one as my memory is not perfect, but maybe he has one Strat, I have forgotten that detail maybe but now more than that which is 5 electrics and 2 acoustics... .......... but some hobbiests have 40 or 50 guitars..... At least Joe Bonomassa is a legit professional player......
Preach, brother.
Thanks
Great video shows a lot of thought and common sense. It took me some time, however finally realised that no matter how much i spend on a guitar it will never make me play better 😂 I hate to see so many guitar channels plugging new guitars especially to people who maybe are not able to afford them. I think Gibson/Epiphone is one of the worst culprits. To me just looks like cynical marketing focused on people's GAS. I hope many view this video, I can actually see it saving many people from having financial difficulties and perhaps make people realise it's much better to put your money into property savings, pensions etc.
GAS is more of an acknowledgement that people know that spending on hobbies is frivolous. It's avoiding saying the quiet part out loud. If you can afford something and you want it, then just buy the thing. Calling it "GAS" doesn't make it bad to own that thing. Just make sure it's truly disposable income because it's just a hobby.
When you start to believe that a constant influx of new equipment will make you a better player beyond being a bit of an inspiration to play and maybe learn a little from doing something new, then you're probably in trouble. GAS is more akin to the competitive nature of consumerism in this case.
How can I not buy more when every year Gibson gets closer and closer to making that 59 Les Paul the same way they made it 65 years ago 🤪
Great video.
There's kind of a toxic positivity in regards to GAS in the guitar community. Any time you ask "why do you need so many guitars" or "why do you need to pay so much for that guitar" people get genuinely mad and I think it's because it's a form of retail addiction that a lot of people in the "community" participate in.
People seem to think that buying things to fix your emotional problems is a thing only women do, but clearly not. I mean, how often do you see middle aged guys talking about "oh I'd buy this guitar but my wife wouldn't like it". Maybe I'm reading too much into it, but what I hear is "I'm in an unhappy marriage and use my guitar buying as an emotional crutch". Not everyone, but definitely some people.
I like how you said toxic positivity. I agree
GAS is buying music-related stuff instead of making music
Great video. Most RUclips channels are nothing more than Shopping Network channels. And most don't even understand what they are selling. They just want fame and money from RUclips.
Congratulations on getting disconnected/disengaged! I am working on my downsizing plan and focused on keeping only a Baker's Dozen and becoming a better player🤘🏼🙏
Bud, you have a few guitars yourself, I have 4 basses and one guitar, 2 bass amps, one tube and one class d, and a little guitar amp for the apartment. I use all my bass items to gig and perform. So mini gas, in comparison to some of those huge collections
I have to stop myself all the time. It doesn't help that they're beautiful. They're art. I'm very happy with what i have. I just have want. I never thought about ppl going into debt. I would never get myself in trouble for a guitar. I take pride in my credit. But i definitely have the bug. Andertons makes fun videos, but I'm not spending 200 dollars for delivery for something i can get here.I'll throw them 5 bucks when i can. I feel the videos have entertainment value. I would think anyone watching andertons or jhs has to know we are being lied to at least should. If you wait 24 hrs the feeling goes away.
I am trying to sell two to buy one , does not work all the time😅
Many guitars that I have sold I really dont miss, certain ones I will never sell .
About half of my guitars are in a constant evaluation process to keep or sell them . Some time when I sell one I do feel some odd feeling of relief .😊
J.B. IMO will not only be remembered for his guitar mastery but also as a guitar historian and a preservationists.
I fully agree. I think that aspect may eclipse his guitar playing
The dirty side of gas, yeah, I’m always running out of it!
Have you saw Joe in concert live? His music and playing is definitely more famous than his hobby as collector - that you may see over emphasised in guitar nerds information bubble.
I haven’t. I have no doubt he is a great guitar player and a prodigy . But the thing is , and it could be me, I can’t think of one song by him that is famous outside of the guitar world
@@ministryofguitar definitely try to see him live, it is such a pleasure not only for guitar nerds, hearing these vintage guitars and amps playing live, but also for anyone who loves blues and rock. I’m sure that 95% of royal albert hall audience don’t know about dumble amp he plays, but cant distinguish a les paul from es 335.
Great video! My view on GAS is that it preys on mental illness and weak minds (for want of better terms) and it centres more on psychology than neurology, in my view. You can’t really blame the marketers but they don’t get off scot free either. Crazy world haha
I do like my gibsons. Prs, and shecters. Makes me happy.
the best pedal i have is my tuner. the second best is practice.
The main problem with gas is that if it gets near an open flame it can explode.
Also it can smell sometime. “He who smelt it dealt it.”
I bought my 🎸's to play ! I have 11! I'm old and retired!👋✌️💜🤍💙❤
My GAS is limited by my bedroom. I’m at 35 and can’t fit any more.
Andertons charge you full price, not seen them do too many discounts, i'd never buy from them. I'm guilty of having five guitars myself , and i honestly can't see why i'd buy more. Classic guitars are simply overpriced which is only fuelled by the collecter market. No guitar is worth 100k plus. Oh such and such played this, it's now worth X, no it's not. Plenty of cheaper and just as good guitars are out there that do the same thing as a '59 Les Paul for instance. I personally won't buy anything for my hobby on credit. I simply won't do it. Sadly others can't control themselves, it becomes an addiction, and some people just need to get a grip
I am that one weird guy.....that only has one guitar (for now 😊). I am actually very happy with the guitar I have; my dream guitar was a Strat ....so I got one. I don't have any aspirations of owning a large number of guitars, but I personally believe that there is a point that you can actually have too many guitars. When the drive to acquire becomes more important than the music, then you just might have a problem.
Needed to be said! Thanks
what's that white guitar in the shot? a duojet? i like it a lot, but not sure it looks exactly like a DuoJet.. would REALLY appreciate it if you (or someone) could tell me!
It’s the Jet Baritone in Silver
@@ministryofguitar fascinating.
And do you own your own multi-level marketing scheme or do you just funnel to PBD's?
I hate when I am struck by GAS. It just stinks.
You Sir are not an idiot.
Thanks
What does a profit a person to gain the whole Guitar world end effects pedals,,, and lose their soul?🎸
For me, i sell old gear to buy new gear at this point.
That makes a lot of sense
Nailed it again! Psalm 23 in a nutshell.
I think gas was originally an ironic thing, id like to think that people know that just buying a new thing isnt going to make you sound like your heroes or fill some hole in your empty soul that a lot of music advertisment is gimmicky etc. Like retail therapy, you know just buying a load of stuff isnt going to really solve anything but you use it as a bit of a joke to make yourself fell better after some reckless spending.
Of course as the phrase got over used, the original irony is lost, so as now, people seem to think of it as a celebrated term.
I think this makes a lot of sense
Here's what I found out after 40+ years of playing, bands, etc., etc.----electric guitars all sound basically the same. Yeah, humbuckers vs. singles a little but that's about all. Distortion boxes same thing. Delay/chorus/phase/reverb pedals---same, especially in a live setting. Get a couple guitars that YOU can play and that stay in tune, concentrate on learning to play, and writing if you do that. Constantly buying equipment leads nowhere, especially if you are not a Bonamassa, or whoever. Joe is playing big venues and is a millionaire, and God bless him. You (and me) however, are playing at JimBob's Pizza and Brew for $75.00, and should plan accordingly. Just my 2cents. Peace.
Guitar and gears salesman got skills and made hype about gears..
Don't follow what they said..
Practice and focus on your music..
Because playing music with buddies is more fun than collecting gears..
You speak a lot of sense.
Thank you