Ever feel guilty owning the gear you do?

[Tony G]

just curious...

[aus_bass]

Yes. I need better gear.

[xshawnxearthx]

nope. worked hard for my stuff.

[Tony G]

Originally Posted by xshawnxearthx

nope. worked hard for my stuff.

I worked hard to pay for my gear as well. That isn't really my point, but more power to you.

[Tony G]

Originally Posted by aus_bass

Yes. I need better gear.

Again, not quite what I meant. Be proud to play the gear you do. Perhaps I should take my own advice?

[bwsailer79]

I think I know what you mean. I kind of feel a little embarrassed about the gear I own... and I don't even own gear that is super nice. My main bass is an American Deluxe Fender Jazz, which is a really nice bass, but not crazy nice nor expensive. But I'm not that great of a player. I am a decent player. And lately I've been working pretty hard on becoming better (I've been playing bass for 14 years and it's taken me this long to decide to get serious).

My wife's uncle plays the bass too. and he's GOOD. He went to Berklee in the 80s and has played in the Army. But his bass is an old ESP LTD. It's nothing special. Every time he comes over to play around, I feel a little embarrassed that I have a "professional" level bass and I'm not even close to being at a professional level. He's actually the reason I decided that it was about time that I actually learned how to play the bass.

[Tony G]

Originally Posted by bwsailer79

I think I know what you mean.

You know exactly what I mean.

[funkometer]

Nope, im worth it. Plus, it took some gigs to pay for my gear.

[UncleBalsamic]

I've got fairly lowly gear at the moment, but if I get what I want to buy soon I will have a lot of guilt about it.

[steve21]

Nope.

[ibanezcollector]

nope

I put alot of sweat and tears into mine, and even some blood.. I have done all I can to make these playable and a part of me and even though some were harder to dial in then it should have been I did it.. I wouldnt sell a single one of them..

[Everything_bass]

Im 13 but I've only been playing for maybe 9 months but I pick stuff up easily and practice hard..I sometimes feel guity..I bought my first Jay Turser 4 string for 100 bucks online...I played untill the nut broke pluss parts were not working as they were supposed to so after a month of research i bought (or my dad) a Cort Curbow 4...I have a Heartke A100 amp..I know not much but I love it all.

[bwsailer79]

Originally Posted by funkometer

Nope, im worth it. Plus, it took some gigs to pay for my gear.

I checked out your profile and took a listen at some of your music. It's really good stuff... you deserve the right to play on nice equipment without having to worry about being ashamed

I think that anyone has the right to own any piece of equipment they want to... even the guys who aren't that good. But it can be a little embarrassing to come across someone who's a much more solid player when you've got better equipment than them.

[jazz_bass]

Nope not at all, I have an Ibanez ATK and a MIM jazz. Not the most expensive gear but I am more than happy with the pair.

Dan

[mgriffith]

Originally Posted by Tony G

just curious...

Yes, I NOW feel guilty about all the gear I owned as a teenager.

My grandparents bought me anything I wanted, and in no time flat, I had more guitars, basses, pedals, etc. than a kid has the right to have. (we're talking 2 Rics, a P-bass rip-off, a Beatle Bass rip-off, a Fender Musicmaster, a Kramer, a bass/guitar combo, 2-3 electric guitars, 2 acoustic guitars, 2 amp set-ups, and 6 or so pedals)

Man, what I wouldn't give to:

Have the Rics back

Say "You know, I really don't need ALL this stuff. Save your money for when you'll really need it" to my grandparents.

Man, kids don't know how good they got it! (at least THIS kid didn't!!)

[Everything_bass]

Originally Posted by mgriffith

Yes, I NOW feel guilty about all the gear I owned as a teenager.

My grandparents bought me anything I wanted, and in no time flat, I had more guitars, basses, pedals, etc. than a kid has the right to have. (we're talking 2 Rics, a P-bass rip-off, a Beatle Bass rip-off, a Fender Musicmaster, a Kramer, a bass/guitar combo, 2-3 electric guitars, 2 acoustic guitars, 2 amp set-ups, and 6 or so pedals)

Man, what I wouldn't give to:

Have the Rics back

Say "You know, I really don't need ALL this stuff. Save your money for when you'll really need it" to my grandparents.

Man, kids don't know how good they got it! (at least THIS kid didn't!!)

And what Did all of that cost back then??? Maybe $100?? Hahaha, Im just messing. But what happened to all of your stuff?

[JazzyJames]

Well, I didnt really work for any of my stuff. I just ask for money for my birthday and Christmas, and once I have enough I buy my gear.

[Honk'n_down-low]

Originally Posted by Tony G

just curious...

No but you can send me some of your gear if it will relieve you of the Guilt : )

[Visirale]

Nope. If you pay for it, it's yours. You don't need to justify it at all.

Sure there are better players than me out there with not as nice gear... and there are people with nicer gear who are less talented than I am. It cuts both ways... and I don't really care either way!

I do feel fortunate that my parents covered most all of my OTHER living expenses so that all my income could go towards gear. But either way, it's all paid for by me.

I'm sure the 50 somethings out there driving Ferraris that aren't professional racers don't feel bad about it. And I won't feel bad about it either when I get mine... or that Porsche GT2! (and I'm definitely not planning on being a professional racer, btw...)

[JazznFunk]

Nope... I've bought, paid for, traded up, saved up for, etc. etc. every single bass I've owned since I started playing close to 12 years ago. I've worked my butt off for it all and finally have my dream bass(es). I worked hard to make music my living, at least in large part. I don't feel guilty about having any of the gear I own, knowing I worked so hard for it all.