Getting to know all about you...

[sergiodeblanc]

I had largely played one guitar for twenty years until I joined BaM a couple of years ago lookin' for a discount rotary switch for an SE I picked up on a whim and then subsequently (and surprisingly) fell in love with. Then last year I picked up five more PRS and SE's trying to fill a guitar-shaped hole that was in my heart... It was tons-o-fun doing the DOAD threads, kept me busy, and sharing the progress of them with you all gave me a social outlet that I really needed at the time.

I had started to feel like I was spending too much time browsing eBay (drunk usually), writing and reading on guitar forums, and not enough time playing and working on my own music projects at the end of the day. It was with this in mind when I had decided it was time for me to say thank you to everybody here and say goodbye...



To buying another guitar for a whole year!

You didn't think that this was gonna be one of those wimpy-ass lookin' for validation/ fishing for love threads where everybody strokes my ego and says "Love you Serg!" did you? Hell no! Not from me! I'm no p*ssyclaat!!!!

Instead, the day I bought my KL33 I decided that I was gonna take a year off consuming, and spend a year getting to really know my guitars. While I enjoy the fashion accessory aspect of owning a slew of guitars, I'm not a collector (I think). I'm just a dude that makes music and tries to entertain people. I realize that I could do that with either one guitar or a hundred, and that having more of a good thing shouldn't necessarily be a bad thing but... I was starting to feel like I was playing favorites without giving every guitar a chance to truly get to know them.

So the clock only has about three more months on it, and yes I do still peruse the for sale ads and dream about a new guitar, but the longer I go the more I really appreciate what I already own can do for me. I know that's kind of like a big "Duh!?!" statement but think about how many guitars or even people that you can write off too quickly by not bonding right away with them and moving on from without giving 'em a proper chance.


My SE "O" has the brightest, snappiest neck position humbucker tone out of every guitar I own and have ever tried. My LV Soapbar/Studio has a growl to it that can't be matched when playing through a Fender type amp that is absolutely bangin'! The CE 22 is just "right" for vintage styled stuff without being a clone or an archetype of something. The KL... Which is being beated upon daily is getting more wear in the first nine months that I ever thought it would.





And my old best friend the 93 CE? Man, it feels as though I'm finally seeing and hearing what it does that no other guitar could for the first time.. A new appreciation of an old buddy that wouldn't have been possible if I hadn't bought all these other guitars.

There are a couple of guitars I have that I used to think I just didn't like all that much.. and maybe I don't. But right now I just feel as though I haven't figured out who they are or what they have to say for themselves.. But I'm listening and giving them the opportunity to tell me.

 

[NomadMike]

but the longer I go the more I really appreciate what I already own can do for me.

That there. /\

I'm not into using words like "bonding" when it comes to guitars, but the more time I put in with each one the more I learned what I could pull out of it.

 

[toothace]

Nicely stated Sergio...


...so whatta ya buyin' in 3 months??

 

[László]

You didn't think that this was gonna be one of those wimpy-ass lookin' for validation/ fishing for love threads where everybody strokes my ego and says "Love you Serg!" did you? Hell no! Not from me! I'm no p*ssyclaat!!!!

I love you anyway, Serg.

 

[veinbuster]

I find leaving home with a different guitar every couple of weeks is a good way to get to know what that guitar is about.
I can definitely do anything I'm ever going to be able to do with what I have.
I finished my year of not buying anything new last November and didn't suffer a bit.

 

[sergiodeblanc]

I'm not into using words like "bonding" when it comes to guitars, but the more time I put in with each one the more I learned what I could pull out of it.

Yeah, although I certainly feel a "bond" with my CE from owning and using it so long, but I need to keep in mind the period of time and changes I must've made to get it there. There are so many variables to consider when deciding what is "good or "right" about a guitar.

Nicely stated Sergio...


...so whatta ya buyin' in 3 months??

That's the real question! :beer:

I don't know. I'm seriously interested in a semi-hollow or something with a maple fretboard... or a McCarty... or an EG... or a Santana... or a...

I love you anyway, Serg.

Love you back.

 

[sergiodeblanc]

I find leaving home with a different guitar every couple of weeks is a good way to get to know what that guitar is about.
I can definitely do anything I'm ever going to be able to do with what I have.
I finished my year of not buying anything new last November and didn't suffer a bit.

Yes, yes, and... You know? I might not even feel like something new. I'm certainly finding that either my expectations for what a new guitar will have to be is growing, or there are those irrational times where I just want everything with zero direction. I also made a promise to not buy anymore SE's just so I could even out the ratio of core to SE a little, which helps 'cause then I'm not getting a quick fix from GAS.

 

[justmund]

It's funny how these things (e.g. guitars) mean different things over our lives, and I think it's great to take stock of that from time to time.

Here's some examples (I've def been through a few of them):

-I wanna be a rock/hip hop/piano accordion star
-I wanna make a living outside of the 9-5
-I wanna impress the girls (or boys, or both)
-I wanna escape
-I need a creative outlet
-I need to get better at something
-I need to be rewarded for trying to get better at something
-I want what they have
-I want to get loud
-I want to be able to play THAT
-I just like making noise
-I have en ego which needs to be stroked
-I need validation
-etc (ok I got a bit heavy towards the end there!)

For me, guitars are a double creative outlet, musical and building. I'm not into modifying cars or motorbikes anymore, so guitars are it for me. I really like learning new skills and developing those, whether it's figuring out circuits and soldering them (I still suck at soldering) or using a router/dremel or other tools etc. I also like the design, planning and realization aspect of it, you have an idea, see it in your head and then make it happen. For me there's a satisfaction of holding the thing I imagined in my hands (yes Mr. Freud, have a field day with that one!)

Anyway what was my point again?

Thanks for sharing Serg

 

[NomadMike]

I want to be able to play THAT

That's where I've been for a long while, and since that depends on my skill that kind of kills most GAS for me. I learned early on that it's the player not the guitar that makes things happen, and no number of new guitars will make me a better player.
But somehow I've still managed to accumulate four electrics, two acoustics and three amps. :dontknow:

 

[Rider1260]

Hey Sergio
Glad the KL is being well used ( abused ) !!!!!

 

[winemaker]

So how many amps have you bought during the past 9 months?

 

[wardog]

Funny thing is Serg, I am there as of last guitar purchase last month. I honestly feel I need to do some bonding with all my guitars and really work to increase my song library. One other goal is to find folks to play with too.

Here is the KL380 you wanted me to post a pick of. I have to say after a proper setup, I have grown to like the kent armstrong pickups in it. So no mods. Just play the Dang thing!!!! Excuse the pics, just moved in this house and the music room is now in the basement. WHAT a Man Cave!!!

 

[NomadMike]

Now that's what daddy likes!
That's nice!

 

[jfb]

Now that's what daddy likes!
That's nice!

Very cool indeed.

 

[sleary]

Funny thing is Serg, I am there as of last guitar purchase last month. I honestly feel I need to do some bonding with all my guitars and really work to increase my song library. One other goal is to find folks to play with too.

Here is the KL380 you wanted me to post a pick of. I have to say after a proper setup, I have grown to like the kent armstrong pickups in it. So no mods. Just play the Dang thing!!!! Excuse the pics, just moved in this house and the music room is now in the basement. WHAT a Man Cave!!!


http://i40.photobucket.com/albums/e234/wcureton/Photobucket%20Desktop%20-
%20warren%20curetons%20MacBook%20Pro/IMG_1311_zpsf7d658e7.jpg

We need to see all of these beauties in the rack ....what a nice rack you have lol......almost as good as psf lol

 

[xjbebop]

Thanks for the pics of the KL... I was wondering what that was (along with the others Sergio named off...I'm new here...).
Although I don't have the experience most of you here have, after the collecting frenzy Mrs. Bebop started a few years ago and the education that's come with it, I can totally relate to the meanings of this thread.
It's been a fun ride learning so much about so many different guitars, and at least a little about guitar amps. I've been a gear whore since my teens (a long time ago...), and early on I settled into being a bass player off & on over the years. I never paid much attention or learned much about guitars until a few years ago. After I met my future wife she mentioned that she wanted to learn how to play guitar (she had a very strong musical background in her youth, mainly cello, but had been away from it for a long time..). That was the spark I needed to get interested in playing again. I told myself I was going to make the effort to actually -learn- to play guitar for the rest of my life, rather than the part time wankery I'd done up to this point. (unfortunately, as much as I love the physical aspect and feeling of playing guitar / bass, I possess little talent... so it takes a lot of effort on my part just to reach 'hack' status. But I don't worry about that anymore... I just enjoy playing and learning...)
Which brings me to the point- during the gas frenzy of the last few years, I've often struggled with the desire to just have one or two "favorite, go-to" guitars and just concentrate on learning to play, and I'm trying to stand firm with that as of about a month ago. In fact, the last guitar she insisted I had to have is quite similar to that KL posted, except a different mfg version (3 P90 pups...).
That guitar and the last 2 PRS core models we bought -because of- the big GC blowout are all I'm playing now, even though I have quite a few others that I love. I totally understand and appreciate the point of spending quality time with each piece of gear to find out just what it's capable of.

Thanks for posting this Sergio....feels kinda like a support group :shakehands:

 

[sergiodeblanc]

For me, guitars are a double creative outlet, musical and building. I'm not into modifying cars or motorbikes anymore, so guitars are it for me. I really like learning new skills and developing those, whether it's figuring out circuits and soldering them (I still suck at soldering) or using a router/dremel or other tools etc. I also like the design, planning and realization aspect of it, you have an idea, see it in your head and then make it happen. For me there's a satisfaction of holding the thing I imagined in my hands

You know I feel that! I recently acquired a proper spray gun and compressor and have been dying to break 'em out... but...

Hey Sergio
Glad the KL is being well used ( abused ) !!!!!

Thanks Mike! The abuse is unintentional. :redface:

So how many amps have you bought during the past 9 months?

None! Unless you count software.

Funny thing is Serg, I am there as of last guitar purchase last month. I honestly feel I need to do some bonding with all my guitars and really work to increase my song library. One other goal is to find folks to play with too.

Here is the KL380 you wanted me to post a pick of. I have to say after a proper setup, I have grown to like the kent armstrong pickups in it. So no mods. Just play the Dang thing!!!! Excuse the pics, just moved in this house and the music room is now in the basement. WHAT a Man Cave!!!

Killer guitar Warren!.. and Bangin'! Bat Cave! Maybe it's the korina that kills GAS?

Thanks for posting this Sergio....feels kinda like a support group :shakehands:

Ha! I think it kinda is!

 

[gush]

To hell with this thread. Serg, I will be your enabler. Go buy 3 more prs guitars. They will make you play better and all your dreams will come true!

 

[wardog]

To hell with this thread. Serg, I will be your enabler. Go buy 3 more prs guitars. They will make you play better and all your dreams will come true!

Lol

 

[John Beef]

I decided that I was gonna take a year off consuming, and spend a year getting to really know my guitars.

I decided the same thing Dec 31 2012 when I pulled the trigger on my Mira that I couldn't quite afford at the time. I am still glad I took on a little debt to get that one, because it was a risk for sure. The debt was paid off in a few months and I have 18+ months now of lovage with a great guitar.

the longer I go the more I really appreciate what I already own can do for me.

Agreed. I have really narrowed down what I need and done my best to align my desires to that.

There's only one thing... I really, really wish there was a USA made PRS baritone so I can upgrade my SE-MM, because I feel like out of my 4 PRSi that one is the most lacking. It does what I need it to do, sure, and not necessarily in a bad way. I just don't get the enjoyment out of playing that one that I do my other three. Can't put my finger on why. Haven't found another baritone that fits my needs better... maybe it doesn't exist. We have around 20 songs in our band and the baritone gets played for about 6 of them. It's not something where I could ever justify a Private Stock or something. But definitely an S2 baritone, or even something lower level Core line like a Standard would be MOST welcome.