I have a problem...

[lessthanone]

Well,let's start this thread out with the question "have any of you out there ever knew you had an addiction but never thought about it until it was staring you in the face?" I had one of those instances today. I've always known I had a compulsive shopping disorder but it never really bothered me until a few short sentences from a fellow guitar center frequenter. Let me set the mood. I've been trying to figure out which of my most recent guitar purchases was going to be sold for an axe fx. I tried parting with one of my "clones" but just couldn't see it through as I like them just as much as any ebmm. What it came down to was either my evh or the new axis. Let me tell you all now, I DID NOT WANT IT TO BE THE AXIS. I really wanted to sell the evh bc the Axis really grew on me. Something about a brand spanking new neck that feels wonderful. Either way, something had to go to make room for the axe fx. So I loaded up my truck with the evh and axis and off to gc I went with the intention of losing a couple bucks and just selling the evh to them. Well, I went to the "wrong" store apparently as they had no clue about the evh value and kept referring to it as an axis. I pointed out that they had some on their site ranging from 2k-3k(the trans gold in cali) Kid comes back and says they're not the same kind of guitar. At this point I'm getting agitated and I decide to just return the axis. On a side note, I now see why I've come across some amazing deals, Sometimes these guys just don't know what they're bringing in and sometimes the customers are just not educated on what they're selling.
Anyways, here's where my realizations come in. As I'm waiting for my return to be processed I take my evh over to the jvm head and start cranking out. Guy comes over to me(someone I see often there) and we start talking guitars, ebmm specifically. I proceed to tell him Im returning an axis in new condition for a used price. He goes over to the counter, looks real quick and comes back over to me.
Guy: "How much are those new?"
Me: "That one with the matching headstock was probably around 1800"
This guy without even playing it or thinking about it then says this" Man, Im buying it." Now this is a guy that's never had an ebmm and from what the sales guy was telling me has over 50 guitars. As the return was finished and I was walking out the door he looks at me and says " For 1000, thats a good deal, I have to buy it for that" Thats the one that got me. This guy is me in 20 years if I don't put a cap on my addictive spending. Some of you forum members know I buy,sell and trade a lot and I am always on the hunt for a good deal or guitar.I will sometimes buy things that I've never wanted or don't need just because it's a "good deal."Put it this way, I wake up every morning and go through the same routine. Coffee followed by gc used, ebay, gbase, cl in that order. I am constantly looking and buying. How many of you can say you've been through 30+ guitars and over 15 amps in under a 2 year period? I will say this, my compulsive behaviour has landed me some incredible once in a lifetime deals but I'm starting to buy/sell more than I play at this point and that makes me sad...I think I need to set a goal of what I want and what I want to achieve in the sound dept. I really need to start playing with a band or something to make me want to strive to be better at playing and not flipping.Sorry about the long thread and thanks to anyone who actually got to the end.

 

[edawterb]

On the plus side....you write well and I made it all the way to the end. Usually I can't read a very long post. Sorry you feel bad man. Don't be too hard on yourself however. Sometimes its just the realization that something needs to change that IS the precursor to change something you don't like about yourself. One thing I do several times a year is just swear off something I do a lot, for a specified amount of time....for instance participating in forums or what have you. I feel you man and good luck.

 

[TSHOW]

Well,let's start this thread out with the question "have any of you out there ever knew you had an addiction but never thought about it until it was staring you in the face?" I had one of those instances today. I've always known I had a compulsive shopping disorder but it never really bothered me until a few short sentences from a fellow guitar center frequenter. Let me set the mood. I've been trying to figure out which of my most recent guitar purchases was going to be sold for an axe fx. I tried parting with one of my "clones" but just couldn't see it through as I like them just as much as any ebmm. What it came down to was either my evh or the new axis. Let me tell you all now, I DID NOT WANT IT TO BE THE AXIS. I really wanted to sell the evh bc the Axis really grew on me. Something about a brand spanking new neck that feels wonderful. Either way, something had to go to make room for the axe fx. So I loaded up my truck with the evh and axis and off to gc I went with the intention of losing a couple bucks and just selling the evh to them. Well, I went to the "wrong" store apparently as they had no clue about the evh value and kept referring to it as an axis. I pointed out that they had some on their site ranging from 2k-3k(the trans gold in cali) Kid comes back and says they're not the same kind of guitar. At this point I'm getting agitated and I decide to just return the axis. On a side note, I now see why I've come across some amazing deals, Sometimes these guys just don't know what they're bringing in and sometimes the customers are just not educated on what they're selling.
Anyways, here's where my realizations come in. As I'm waiting for my return to be processed I take my evh over to the jvm head and start cranking out. Guy comes over to me(someone I see often there) and we start talking guitars, ebmm specifically. I proceed to tell him Im returning an axis in new condition for a used price. He goes over to the counter, looks real quick and comes back over to me.
Guy: "How much are those new?"
Me: "That one with the matching headstock was probably around 1800"
This guy without even playing it or thinking about it then says this" Man, Im buying it." Now this is a guy that's never had an ebmm and from what the sales guy was telling me has over 50 guitars. As the return was finished and I was walking out the door he looks at me and says " For 1000, thats a good deal, I have to buy it for that" Thats the one that got me. This guy is me in 20 years if I don't put a cap on my addictive spending. Some of you forum members know I buy,sell and trade a lot and I am always on the hunt for a good deal or guitar.I will sometimes buy things that I've never wanted or don't need just because it's a "good deal."Put it this way, I wake up every morning and go through the same routine. Coffee followed by gc used, ebay, gbase, cl in that order. I am constantly looking and buying. How many of you can say you've been through 30+ guitars and over 15 amps in under a 2 year period? I will say this, my compulsive behaviour has landed me some incredible once in a lifetime deals but I'm starting to buy/sell more than I play at this point and that makes me sad...I think I need to set a goal of what I want and what I want to achieve in the sound dept. I really need to start playing with a band or something to make me want to strive to be better at playing and not flipping.Sorry about the long thread and thanks to anyone who actually got to the end.

I am almost that bad., .I would have bought that from you too.....

 

[lessthanone]

I am almost that bad., .I would have bought that from you too.....

I had it in the for sale thread. I would rather have had a knucklehead get it,for what I paid for it, than some unknown.

 

[Gio_Force_One]

I was like that for a little while and then I got sick for about a year and realized it was all just stuff and have been selli g all the stuff I don't really need. I have my acoustics that I kept and my music man guitars and my first strat I sold off amps ,pedals ,guitars ,CDs. And other crap I don't need and I have to say it was very liberating. Now I am very careful on what I buy and only buy if I really need or have the money for. Pretty now all I use is my morse and sterling ax 40 and some pedals and a Mesa boogie or my Marshall and some pedals. It takes some time to get over the feeling of wanting to buy things but it can be done if yu really put your mind to it.

 

[guitarp77]

Things are just that: things.

As long as you dont bury yourself in debt, trading stuff is ok. I tend to do the same (not as many guitars as I'd like, since MM are pretty rare here). Sometimes I even earn a few bucks.

The trick, to me, is not to be attached to things. If they have to go, then just let them go. Everything flows.

But you must be at peace with it...it all comes down to a personal choice. Whatever works for you is perfect.

Good luck!

 

[TSHOW]

I had it in the for sale thread. I would rather have had a knucklehead get it,for what I paid for it, than some unknown.

I am sorry.., I didn't see it...I need to check that thread more often....I mentioned it to you on a post once...My Bad....

 

[TSHOW]

Things are just that: things.

As long as you dont bury yourself in debt, trading stuff is ok. I tend to do the same (not as many guitars as I'd like, since MM are pretty rare here). Sometimes I even earn a few bucks.

The trick, to me, is not to be attached to things. If they have to go, then just let them go. Everything flows.

But you must be at peace with it...it all comes down to a personal choice. Whatever works for you is perfect.

Good luck!

Amen......Good advice...

 

[Stratty316]

Dude, at one point around 2002 or so I had 13 Music Man guitars and 5 other brand guitars... not to mention several amps. I sold off everything but the 3 Music Man guitars that meant something to me and 1 amp.i can't tell you how hard it was to part with my last EVH, a very nice green one, but I can tell you it felt so good to clear out the clutter... I didn't buy a new guitar until 2010 when I got the HHAL and I'll tell you the gas has started once again. What I have been doing is playing 2 guitars at a time while casing the other 2. When I feel I need something new I pull one out of the case and put one of the ones I had out back in their case. It works somewhat well as I have really fought the urge to buy something new. A baby on the way and the boycott of Guitar Center except for strings has also helped a lot!

 

[Tollywood]

Well, that's a humble admission, Roger. The thrill of the chase can be addictive. I think the solution lies in finding a balance. Less time shopping vs more time playing.

 

[matty76]

I'm just as bad, I spend half my work day, checking ebay to see if in the last 30 mins or so, someone has listed that precious gem that got away a few year back. I have 2 MM JP6's and not just regular old JP6's a Dargie II and a BS Roasted (easily best guitars I have and I have many), so I should be happy with that...right??? But I see a Tangerine Pearl and I have to have it, I NEED THAT GUITAR NOW!!!! so I find one halfway across the world, so i get it faster than ordering. That was less than a month ago. Last week I see an olive gold one...can I juggle a few things around, sell some pedals..I NEED THIS GUITAR TOO!!! sorry gottta go check again...

 

[Jackson2112]

Roger! Your as normal as all of us, including the 11 EBMM I have 29 high end guitars. I don't usually sell anything though. I also use two Riggs

 

[Spudmurphy]

I'm with Tollie on this - it is the thrill of the chase. I've seen it in auctions when people just try to outbid the other and go way past their set price - fuelled by the "thrill" adrenaline or as <1 states, fuelled by the fact that he can possibly obtain "some incredible once in a lifetime deals".
First step is to recognise the "addiction" next thing is to take steps to cure it.

It's so easy to fall into. e.g. there was an original EVH case advertised with all the paper work in the USA, I sent e mails and followed it up arranging finance from the UK to the USA. I got my myself all angsty about it ... ... you know what ? - "so what" I say and just get on playing my guitars instead of fretting over something that at the end of the day is really not that important.

 

[threeminutesboy]

Having multiple guitars is not only about owning, it's also about inspiration.

When I joined in 2003 (10 years ago!!! Jesus) I used to purchase a new EBMM guitar every 6-8 month. I have slowed down and now also reach the point where I could live with 3-4 guitars. I think I will part with 2 or 3 of mine that I just don't play cause I love the other more. As I'm not in need of maney I simply keep them.

But sometimes EBMM is coming with new colors like the Balli burst that is just stuning and suddenly gas strikes again

 

[lessthanone]

Thanks for the replies guys. Tollie said it best as it's the thrill of the chase type thing. And like Matty, I've been known to have ebay up all day checking every 20mins or so just to see what has popped up. Talked to the gf last night and I'm pretty happy with the 3 I have now but we came up with a list and Im going to try and stick with it. So the axe fx II will be on its way this week. After that we came up with sticking to 5 guitars total and my next 2 will be balls. This is the key, until I am ready to buy I am going to "try" cutting out the compulsive "window shopping." So no more spending my days with my laptop or droid scouring the net for things and more time playing when I'm not working.

 

[fbecir]

Hello

The best way to stop the GAS is to have clear objectives on what you want to do as a musician.
For instance, if you want to improve your technique, just find some "difficult" songs you want to play. Download or buy the tabs and start the hard work. Firstly, you will not have time for shopping ... and you will improve your playing.
If you want a suggestion, try Ceremony (http://forums.ernieball.com/music-man-guitars/55738-new-jamie-humphries-video.html)
It kept me busy for a several long nights !

 

[edhalen]

There you go Roger. I hope that plan brings you peace and joy and happiness. I guess it's human nature - always want something better. Never satisfied. I have a nice SBMM Silo30 and an LP. That should be enough, right? No, thanks to this great forum and the AMAZING instruments that are celebrated here I find myself GAS'ing for a real-live EBMM. Someday I guess. BUT, I simply can't justify paying out close to a grand minimum (there are some GREAT deals in the for sale section every so often) for a third guitar. Not enough free time to play the two that I have as it is. I will have to sell the LP to finance the purchase of an EBMM.

 

[koogie2k]

I am that way but not with guitars. I don't flip my gear if at all. Guitar/bass wise I am happy. Of course there are some out there I would really like to get. My "other" addiction gets in the way...haha.

 

[Barny]

I can really sympathise with you as I am sure many of the guys on here can. From the point I got My first Axis SS and fell in love with MM guitars I literally spent a few years, buying/selling/searching and during that time i got to play and own a lot of fantasitc and some pretty rare guitars. I got to the point where I realised if I spent even a fraction of the amount of time I spent trawling ebay, convincing myself I "needed" to buy anything I found, as I did actually playing my guitars, I would be one hell of a guitarist have far more money and less "stressed" that I might miss out on a bargain if I stopped looking.

From that point on I downsized my guitar collection to the first ASS I bought x3 Reflex's and a 25th And while this is probably still a ridiculous amount of guitars for a bedroom Noodler like myself, I can honestly say that I am far happier and more content with what I own now I really get to play them all and now that I am dveloping more and more as a player.

Any time I get the urge to buy a new guitar (ARMADA) I think to myself "Am I where I want to be as a guitarist?" and if the answer is no, which it is now and will be for a few more years I imagine, then no new guitar for me.

 

[spkirby]

I've suffered from the GAS addiction phases like a lot of you...I was always out for the perfect collection, whether that was based on limited editions, ultimate quilts, one of every configuration etc... After a purchase my wife often heard the phrase "now my collection is complete" only then to discover, often shortly afterwards, that I've changed my mind on what makes the "ultimate collection" and GAS has carried me off in a totally new direction. It is/was absolutely the thrill of the chase...

Now that I'm playing in a serious band again my view of buying guitars has shifted from just owning beautiful objects to having them as tools. While my collection is still on the high side at 8 guitars, they are much more varied and everything gets played as appropriate. I still lust after gear but have reached that point where I question if I really need it as a tool versus simply just owning it for ownings sake. I could do with something piezo equipped now but will definitely let something go before that next purchase is made...