Is having too much gear bad?

[Spectrum]

I don't understand the question.

 

[Ross W. Lovell]

I was listening to a Rick Beato video on how much gear you actually need, the cost and use of it, etc. It got me thinking on how people (at least in the US) spend their money.

I don't understand why having $20,000 worth of musical gear has a stigma that you have to justify but having a sports car, an unnecessarily large house, motorcycles or any other hobby seems to not turn any heads.

I drive a 2004 Honda that is reliable because I just want my car to work well and take me from A to B. I put all my "fun" money into gear because I love playing, owning and sharing the experience of music even if I wasn't gigging regularly.

Why is there a stigma around music gear, even among pros, when it seems people spend money in many other things that fall in the same category?

Depends who is carrying and hauling it.

 

[Auspuff]

I was listening to a Rick Beato video on how much gear you actually need, the cost and use of it, etc. It got me thinking on how people (at least in the US) spend their money.

I don't understand why having $20,000 worth of musical gear has a stigma that you have to justify but having a sports car, an unnecessarily large house, motorcycles or any other hobby seems to not turn any heads.

I drive a 2004 Honda that is reliable because I just want my car to work well and take me from A to B. I put all my "fun" money into gear because I love playing, owning and sharing the experience of music even if I wasn't gigging regularly.

Why is there a stigma around music gear, even among pros, when it seems people spend money in many other things that fall in the same category?

N+1 formula, whereby N is the amount of gear you already own.

 

[MustangWally]

I can afford to have as much gear as I desire, and I even have some sitting in warehouses, in road cases since the end of previous tours.

That is where I wanted to be but I was never good enough. Good for you my friend, more power to you!

 

[JimmyM]

If you can afford it, have fun. If not, then temper yourself.

 

[Guild B301]

That is where I wanted to be but I was never good enough. Good for you my friend, more power to you!

I am very fortunate. I just don't like those folks who say what is right for them, is what everyone should do.

 

[Gibson Victory]

Better to have more gear than you need than to need more gear than you have.

Most definitely an Amen X 3 !!!!

 

[higain617]

Think about your relatives after you're gone. They'll take it to Value Village if they don't know any better.

 

[BaltBass5]

I have:
19 Basses (High End)
4 Amp Heads
5 Speaker Cabs
12 Effects Pedals

so I am the WRONG dude to ask! Lol

 

[ILIA]

You might have left if half-alive by not understanding the question. No one mentioned it as a bar to measure artistry.

And therein is the problem. It's not about artistry. Thanks for illustrating my point so succinctly.

 

[Davethebassguy]

Think about your relatives after you're gone. They'll take it to Value Village if they don't know any better.

Exactly why I have it in my will that my close friend who owns a guitar business, takes everything to be valued and sold, with the proceeds to go to my son. The thought of anyone else just taking whatever arbitrary amount they get offered sends my anxiety through the roof.

 

[Jay2U]

It's the belief that the next bass will be better.

 

[bikeplate]

I simple dont care what others think. I do what makes me happy. End of story

 

[Lagado]

"There must be less to life than this..."

 

[stuntbass77]

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

^this^ and you have to much gear and the only fix is to send 90 percent of it to me, this will surly relieve any guilt...LOL. Hey, I had to try. It's your cash and you worked for it so spend away as you are the only judge you need to consider!

 

[msb]

but it's lovely clutter

... and since posting this I just picked up another bass

 

[Lardass5000]

Yes. You are very naughty. You must be punished.

 

[TheGreatSealof]

Once again, the dreaded GAS!

 

[Lagado]

"Armaments, universal debt, and planned obsolescence—those are the three pillars of Western prosperity. If war, waste, and moneylenders were abolished, you'd collapse. And while you people are overconsuming the rest of the world sinks more and more deeply into chronic disaster."

Aldous Huxley - Island.

Overconsuming is bad, for everything.

 

[pie_man_25]

In some cases, self imposed limitations cab lead to creative solutions. Having too many options can lead to analysis paralysis - trying to figure out the best overdrive out of the seventeen that you have can be confusing, but if you only have one then your choice is already made.

Whenever I make a purchase for conceivably anything I tend to try to think of it in terms of what I'm paying and what it does. If it doesn't occupy a niche that I value at that price point then guess what? It goes back on the shelf.

But hey, there are seven billion people on this world, nothing wrong with having a few pieces of bass gear that you don't strictly "need" in the most stringent sense. You don't owe anything to me and don't need to do stuff for my approval either

Also, I don't care if you have a fancy car either. Knock yourself out.