Is having too much gear bad?

[Joe Nerve]

As I'm sure has been said....

I think the issue has more to do with how the need to buy gear effects other areas of a persons life, than the idea that it will somehow make them a better musician.

If someone lives alone, can afford their gear buying habit, and buying gear just brings them joy - awesome.

If they're getting into debt, falling behind on responsibilities, more interested in a new instrument than their teenage child, or filling up the wife's work space with basses and amps that no longer fit in the room - that's another story.

The toughest part of the above is I believe being honest with oneself. AND having some self awareness.

 

[Wfrance3]

The issue isn't having too much gear. It's thinking gear will make you play better, rather than practicing.

Amen. Also, if gear is approached as a tool / means to an end / problem solver / thing to make your job easier, etc. That's a good thing. I, and I'm sure lots of people here have been caught up in the lure of the shiny object.

I don't think it's bad to have tons of gear if you need tons of gear to get it done. If you have anything that's been just sitting for say, a year, you probably don't really need it.

 

[graphics1988]

...I love the research and the hunt of new gear more than anything.

 

[Lagado]

"This isn't life, it's just stuff. And it's become more important to you than living. Well, honey, that's just nuts."

Lester Burnham - American Beauty.

 

[AlexBassMP]

This is a good question.

For almost 10 years I've been struggling with my finances so I couldn't afford any gear I wanted. I had to do whatever I could with the gear I had.

Nowadays I have a decent paychek and a bonus every 6 months . I'm single and I don't have kids.. I could spend some cash buying good gear but after 10 years of financial struggle (and almost evicted) I decided to save my paycheck. When I started to earn more money, I bougth some used pedals (about 250€), a used bass and a used 2x10 cab (75€). Nothing else. Next month is my birthday and my girlfriend tells me to by some gear I really want but I'm reluctant to do it.

IMO Having too much gear can be distractive as well. Usually I use some pedals to get some fx at home and I spent more time tweaking than playing..so since a couple of months I keep practice and study way simple : bass straight to amp and nothing else. When it's time to play with the band, then I use what I need...and when I find something which I like and works for me I keep it for decades...in all those years of playing (more than 20) I've sold only two basses and three pedals.

Have all the gear you want, but use it wisely

 

[TerribleTim68]

Rick Beato complains a lot. I assume he is the founder of the "Get Off My Lawn" club. I've tried to get into his channel, but it's so much "angry old man" and I just can't dig it.

As for the rest, I think there's a clear difference between a focused "player" and a "player who is also a collector". Collectors never get told they have too much gear. Car collectors never get told they don't need all those cars, so why should a bass collector get told he doesn't need all those basses? I haven't played in an actual band since the mid-90s, but I currently own 10 basses, 6 guitars and 2 combo amps. Is it too much? Not if you look at it as an instrument collection.

 

[Gilmourisgod]

I find myself hearing an inner voice reminding me I don’t “need” to build any more basses, which begs the question of what “need” is in the first place. If building basses makes me happy, is that a “need” fulfilled? I don’t get the judgement on who has too much gear, only a small minority of TB posters manage to make a living as Pro musicians, in part because that’s all the music industry actually needs, but I’d never presume to tell a pro how many basses he/she needs. I can See how it could develop into a hoarding or OCD situation, but that’s more about someone’s insecurities or mental health than the specific object of obsession.

 

[Giffro]

Having too much gear is only bad when you lose it all in the divorce settlement!

 

[iiipopes]

Over the decades, I have accumulated much equipment. Except for a few elective purchases, everything I own was purchased in connection with a gig or a particular group I was playing in at the time, or as my physicality changed (for example, going to basses with a 33-inch scale rather than a "standard" 34-inch scale due to hand and finger issues). Occasionally I sell items surplus to needs, but I tend to keep what I purchase, especially if it is in good shape and has a reputation for longevity, because I might have the opportunity to play a similar gig in the future. For example, I keep my electric guitars as well as my basses, because yes, I do get called to informal gigs or jams occasionally. I keep my tuba in hopes the virus dissipates or becomes manageable, and I get to re-join a community band I have played with in the past.

And yes, I have gone through periods that in order to make ends meet, I have had to sell equipment. But that was a couple of decades ago, and I'm doing much better now.

Is having all this gear good or bad? It depends. It is too much? That is a value judgment. Can a player articulate why he/she has each piece of equipment? (used for gig, personal desire, gift, collectible, etc.) And if so, is the money being spent on equipment in the context of a personal budget? Or is the spending on the equipment impinging on other "necessary" items of a personal budget, including storage space? If the latter, then maybe having so much equipment is not so good, indicating it may be time to re-think a person's financial position.

 

[shadven]

I have too many basses and amps. And I really should get rid of some things. But, most of my stuff is special.... 1952 P, 1954 P, 2x 1969 Tele Bass, 1968 Tele bass, '63 P, and lots of 1960's and 1970's Ampegs B-12, B-15, B-18. I am afraid that once they're gone I will kick myself for the rest of my life.

 

[Aldousv]

Some good thoughts on this. I’ve enjoyed reading them.

It seems some people view gear as tools (which is what they were primarily) but the instruments and amps I have, I view them through an artistic lense I guess.

I’m not a collector but I love the feeling of owning a 70s ampeg, something that belonged to another time and the magic of tubes, not just as functional but as a reminder of a different time in music.

The same with a custom shop fender, it’s not just a bass in my eyes, it has a similar artistic value as a sculpture, a painting, etc but I can also create with it.

 

[drumvsbass]

having a spare hammer = good
having 17 spare hammers for every kind of exotic nail you've never seen, and you're not even a carpenter = even better

 

[ZedLepp]

"Is having too much gear bad?"
This sounds like a question that a socialist/communist would wax poetically about.
Who the F cares how much gear someone has, the question should be "can they play?"

 

[Plectrum72]

Having too much gear is only bad if it causes decision paralysis or financial ruin; otherwise, spend what you like on acquiring as much gear as you desire.

 

[Pdaddy1978]

My wife "insists " that it is, indeed, a bad thing...
A very, very bad thing.....

 

[Knavery]

The issue isn't having too much gear. It's thinking gear will make you play better, rather than practicing.

I don't think any of us believe that. I think it's more accurate to say that having nice gear will make us want to play more, which will then make us better players. That's what I always believed. The truth is though, we don't play more.

 

[buldog5151bass]

I don't think any of us believe that. I think it's more accurate to say that having nice gear will make us want to play more, which will then make us better players. That's what I always believed. The truth is though, we don't play more.

There are plenty of threads about people asking for new amps/basses/effects etc. to help them get a particular sound, better tone, etc. Same way people think buying new golf clubs or skis will make them a better skiier/golfer.

 

[BadSanta1281]

If you're charging your new gear on credit and paying interest on it then yes, it's a problem.

If you're not saving money for your old age because of your new gear then yes, it's a problem.

If your significant other thinks it's a problem then yes, it's a problem.

If all of your other bases are already covered then no, it's not a problem.

 

[Knavery]

There are plenty of threads about people asking for new amps/basses/effects etc. to help them get a particular sound, better tone, etc. Same way people think buying new golf clubs or skis will make them a better skiier/golfer.

Getting a particular sound, tone, etc., is much different than thinking it will make them a better player. I've personally never met anyone that thought they'd be a better player as a result of something more expensive or "nicer". In some instances it's true though. If you have an old ass guitar with a broken truss rod, and the strings sit a half inch off the fretboard, a new guitar will most certainly make you a better player.

 

[lfmn16]

Rick Beato complains a lot. I assume he is the founder of the "Get Off My Lawn" club. I've tried to get into his channel, but it's so much "angry old man" and I just can't dig it.

+1

The other thing is, some people tend to think that if an "expert" says it, it must be true. It's still just one person's opinion. Like that guy Scott what's his name that doesn't believe in metronomes. I posted a contrary opinion and he asked me why I felt like that (fair question). I said because I have studied with the Principal Bass and Assistant Principal Bass for the National Symphony Orchestra, attended Peabody Conservatory and North Carolina School of the Arts and every single person I've ever studied with has recommended using a metronome. He didn't bother to reply.

Now get off my lawn, go buy some gear and practice with a metronome!