• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join freeLog in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

Ever feel guilty owning the gear you do?

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.
 
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.
 
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.
 
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!!)
 
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?
 
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...)
 
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.
 

Latest posts