Remember Before

[László]

Remember life before Internet forums, when if you bought some new guitar gizmo, no one really cared, except maybe the people in your band or studio?

When if you bought a new amp, you kept it for a long time, because there weren’t ten bazillion people telling you constantly about some new thing that you 100% needed to have?

If someone told you they had more than 3 or 4 guitars, and one or two amps, your jaw would drop?

Ah, the mists of time...one hardly remembers.

 

[sergiodeblanc]

Things weren’t better before.

 

[Alnus Rubra]

Remember life before Internet forums, when if you bought some new guitar gizmo, no one really cared, except maybe the people in your band or studio?

When if you bought a new amp, you kept it for a long time, because there weren’t ten bazillion people telling you constantly about some new thing that you 100% needed to have?

If someone told you they had more than 3 or 4 guitars, and one or two amps, your jaw would drop?

I remember when you had to go to a shop and try loads of gear before you found something that floated your boat.

When you had to listen to a solo about a zillion times on LP, cassette or CD to learn it.

When the latest guitar catalogue had you leafing through the pages, drooling at the photos.

 

[László]

Things weren’t better before.

Did I say they were?

 

[sergiodeblanc]

Did I say they were?

No, but neither did I.

 

[László]

When the latest guitar catalogue had you leading through the pages, drooling at the photos.

Some of the early PRS catalogs were gorgeous things, printed on thick paper, with embossed covers and PRS’ always-beautiful photography. I used to say “wow” just looking at the catalog itself as something nice to have, let alone the guitars!

At the time I also had actual, physical friends that I saw in person. But they weren’t obsessed with gear, so I dropped them all when forums were invented and I could hang out with virtual gear nuts.

 

[veinbuster]

Yes. I remember.
I also remember that the original PRS forum was so primitive that I didn’t hang out very long.
I still like trying guitars in stores over listen to demos.

 

[bodia]

I remember those days well, and, for the most part, fondly. The thrill of the chase. Having to drive around to multiple stores to be able to try different things. Having to pick up a telephone and dial (GASP!) the number to ask if they had something in stock. Fun times!

 

[veinbuster]

I remember those days well, and, for the most part, fondly. The thrill of the chase. Having to drive around to multiple stores to be able to try different things. Having to pick up a telephone and dial (GASP!) the number to ask if they had something in stock. Fun times!

I traveled a lot for work in those days so visited stores around the country. It was great fun and healthier than hanging out at the mini bar.

 

[sergiodeblanc]

Some of the early PRS catalogs were gorgeous things, printed on thick paper, with embossed covers and PRS’ always-beautiful photography. I used to say “wow” just looking at the catalog itself as something nice to have, let alone the guitars!

At the time I also had actual, physical friends that I saw in person. But they weren’t obsessed with gear, so I dropped them all when forums were invented and I could hang out with virtual gear nuts.

Oh man, I had the 95 catalog and would look at that thing and treat it with such care you’d think it was my most treasured porn mag!

 

[CandidPicker]

This. The PRS Catalogs were indeed eye-candy that enticed you. One caveat with that was in order to see an example of what was in the catalog, you either had to visit a bricks & mortar retailer that carried such items, or you had to call someplace you read about in a magazine that carried stock. Buying involved your phone and usually providing a credit card # to the retailer. And before eBay, only places you could find used gear was in stores that also bought/sold used gear.

The internet makes the world a much more convenient place for bricks & mortar retailers to showcase their goods and do business more securely. Only caveat is that most everything nowadays is the lure of the internet...sellers keep putting out the "cheese" in hopes they'll "catch" something...much the same way the world media keeps putting a fresh coat of paint on something that needs repair and upkeep...

 

[BMiller]

I am a tech geek.....so I remember the days before the internet as we know it. Think you're old and remember the days of dial up and BBS'. Think again.

I'm a Ham Op (Amateur Radio Operator for those not in the know....PM me for my call if you have your ticket). We used computers to connect to other computers over the air via something we call "Packet". Back then, we could log into a basic BBS, leave messages, and even have conversations via something similar to IM.

Anyways, we had boards for everything.....including musical instruments. Used to have debates over gear all of time. But it was peaceful as it was (and is) easy to find to find out who anyone actually was and where they lived.

Now, this was late 80's. I used to ride my bike all around town looking at gear that I thought I could never afford (and now do). I'd try things out and report back. Mail order was the only way to get a lot of things since I lived in Central IL. College town, but we sure didn't get the stuff in stock. Guitar mags were the only place to see new stuff and get tab. Otherwise we were playing the same song/solo/bit over and over to learn something. We really don't know how good we have it these days. Easy access to reviews, music, and tech notes. Need a piece of software that can slow down a song? Got it. Need software to isolate parts? Done. Want to record your band in your livingroom? Dirt cheap and you can catch deals!

Wasn't always like this......

 

[László]

It occurs to me that I also remember bits and pieces of 1958 and my Lionel train setup, complete with little trees, fake miniature grass, crossing railings, and tiny bits of pretend gravel between the tracks.

Occasionally my father (RIP) who was mildly obsessed with building it, actually let me work the controls.

So, you know...a long time before the Nintendo that you guys grew up playing with.

 

[Boogie]

Remember life before Internet forums, when if you bought some new guitar gizmo, no one really cared, except maybe the people in your band or studio?

When if you bought a new amp, you kept it for a long time, because there weren’t ten bazillion people telling you constantly about some new thing that you 100% needed to have?

If someone told you they had more than 3 or 4 guitars, and one or two amps, your jaw would drop?

Ah, the mists of time...one hardly remembers.

I thought I was all fancy-n-sh@t having 3 guitars and 3 amps in the early 80s. Training wheels...

 

[Deleted member 5962]

Things weren’t better before.

But we thought they were... I had 1 amp and 5 guitars and thought I was really something. Back then I didn't know about the 5000 pedals, 2000 guitars and 3000 amps that I didn't have. There were a few brands of guitars, a few brands of amps, a few brands of pedals and I had what I thought was more than most.

My first 7 years at TGP, I was an avowed pedal flipper, constantly searching for great tone through one pedal after the other, most of which I'd never even heard of prior to TGP. And I spent more time talking about them there than I did playing them.

 

[BMiller]

But we thought they were... I had 1 amp and 5 guitars and thought I was really something. Back then I didn't know about the 5000 pedals, 2000 guitars and 3000 amps that I didn't have. There were a few brands of guitars, a few brands of amps, a few brands of pedals and I had what I thought was more than most.

My first 7 years at TGP, I was an avowed pedal flipper, constantly searching for great tone through one pedal after the other, most of which I'd never even heard of prior to TGP. And I spent more time talking about them there than I did playing them.

And in the end, tone doesn't come from a pedal. Sure, an EQ or compressor....maybe an OD....on the front end helps. But if your Kay Strat knock off and Gorilla amp aren't up to par what's the point?

Just like all of you, I spent years chasing "tone". The forums and reviews didn't help at all. Turns out, give me a guitar, plug me into a 2 channel tube amp, add a bit of verb, and I'm in my zone. Yeah, there are a few other factors, but in the end, I sound like me. I can get "me" out of most any rig. Ibanez RG through a Boogie Triple Rec....I sound like me. Tele into a Jimmy into a Twin, I sound like "me". LP into a tweed Bassman....I sound like "me" while rattling the windows and floor joints.

 

[CandidPicker]

It occurs to me that I also remember bits and pieces of 1958 and my Lionel train setup, complete with little trees, fake miniature grass, crossing railings, and tiny bits of pretend gravel between the tracks.

Occasionally my father (RIP) who was mildly obsessed with building it, actually let me work the controls.

So, you know...a long time before the Nintendo that you guys grew up playing with.

First time I ever played a video game was "Pong" on a recently displaced friend's big screen CRT TV. Yeah, this was 1982, thereabouts. Arcade games like Space Invaders were still relegated to the arcade machines.

Earliest childhood memory was me as a 3 year old toddler running into our new home, and the old occupant had placed a balsa wood wind-up airplane in a wicker basket within the fireplace. (I think the airplane lasted all of 20 minutes in my hands until it broke). That was '61. The maple trees out front were mere saplings, Dad was in the best shape of his life, Mom was pregnant with her 2nd son. Life was unicorns and rainbows. Suddenly, kindergarten, and defending my intellect by telling the schoolyard bully I knew what 2x2x2x2x2x2 was. (Learned that from a backgammon doubling cube) That episode ended with him walking away looking puzzled.

 

[11top]

It's Paul's fault.

 

[CandidPicker]

It's Paul's fault.

Sure, blame the builder. A defective design it was that other builders said would never amount to anything.

 

[BMiller]

First time I ever played a video game was "Pong" on a recently displaced friend's big screen CRT TV. Yeah, this was 1982, thereabouts. Arcade games like Space Invaders were still relegated to the arcade machines.

Earliest childhood memory was me as a 3 year old toddler running into our new home, and the old occupant had placed a balsa wood wind-up airplane in a wicker basket within the fireplace. (I think the airplane lasted all of 20 minutes in my hands until it broke). That was '61. The maple trees out front were mere saplings, Dad was in the best shape of his life, Mom was pregnant with her 2nd son. Life was unicorns and rainbows. Suddenly, kindergarten, and defending my intellect by telling the schoolyard bully I knew what 2x2x2x2x2x2 was. (Learned that from a backgammon doubling cube) That episode ended with him walking away looking puzzled.

Man.....I still love playing with balsa wood planes with my boys! Styrofoam one are even better....duct tape a class D to that thing and watch is go!