Ruminations on Gear and Selling Gear

[Commodore 64***]

I have a tendency to try a lot of things before settling on something. I go through a lot of gear whether it's power tools, computer parts, and now it seems, instruments and gear.

I have this great Michael Kelly Patriot Q...and it's really nice, and I feel I got a good deal on it, for $200. It's just that it's always hanging on the wall. Every time I pick up this Samick Jazzmaster I have (got this one even cheaper), I really dig the sound of the P90s and feel of it. I think I really do prefer the slightly longer scale length of the Fender-type guitars, compared to the 24.75 of the LP type guitars (like my MK). So then I have this quandary. I got a good deal on a very nice MK...but I never play it. It's by far the nicest electric I own. So what do I do? Keep it because it's a nice guitar and I got a good deal? Or try to sell it or trade it?

I also have this VHT ported 1 x 12 cab. I don't really like it. I've loaded it with 3 different types of speakers and I have another Lopoline 1 x 12 cab. So like, now I'm thinking I should just build or buy a 2 x 12 cab and use the 2 12-inch speakers I have and maybe get rid of the 1 x 12 cabs.

I have a Blackheart Little Giant. I retubed it. I have pedals for it. But I always end up playing Fender Stage 1000 SS amp. I just like the way the Fender sounds better.

Am I just a noob? Will my taste change as I get better? Should I keep the MK and Blackheart and other stuff...knowing that my ear or skillz may develop and tastes change? Or do I try to wheel and deal for a CV Squier Tele that I've been gassing for?

Is it bad that I'm really jonesing for a small modeling amp like the Vox VT15 that I've been playing at the local Guitar Center now and again? Will I just get it home and decide to play the Stage 1000 again?

Oh, and if I get a GFS tele, will I still be jonesing for a CV tele?

[MichaelE]

You just haven't found what you really and truly like yet.

[Commodore 64***]

So should I start trying to sell and trade the gear I'm not enamored with?

[bcdon***]

So should I start trying to sell and trade the gear I'm not enamored with?

Do you need the money from the sell to fund your new gear? If not, hang onto it. Have you noticed how many posts you see from people saying how they really regretted trading this or that?

[Bloozcat]

So should I start trying to sell and trade the gear I'm not enamored with?

Keep track of how much you use (play/use) the guitar/gear over a 6-month period. If it's little or none, you have your answer.

Keeping things around just for the sake of having them makes you a collector, not a player. If it has some sort of sentimental value that your really can't quantify, then maybe you might want to keep it. But, if it's just taking up space and gear budget - budget that could be spent on something you'd actually use - then it's probably time to move it out.

"Good deal", "pretty", "best" - all mean little if you're not using them. One or two good guitars you use are better than five when three are just pieces of art you look at.

[Commodore 64***]

Anyone want to trade something for my MK Patriot?

[Bloozcat]

Anyone want to trade something for my MK Patriot?

LOL...!

I've got one of my own that has to go because a new one is coming in. Good luck with yours, though!

[Katastrophe]

At the price that you paid for the MK, if your not enamored with it, let 'er go.

As you play, your tastes WILL change, as you find gear that you're comfortable with. The thing is, technology changes/improves/makes items cheaper every day, so you may want to change gear for that reason.

I've been fortunate that I've only had to sell one electric guitar, one processor and one amph since I began playing. Everything else I kept, gave away to a friend, or played until it blew up. But, at the time I acquired the gear, I knew exactly what I wanted.

Edit... If the Fender Stage amph does it for you, then keep it. There's certainly nothing wrong with buying another amph to try out for a different sound. Lots of music stores, both brick and mortar, and online, have return policies in place for that reason!

[Commodore 64***]

I'm heading down to check out a strat after work, listed at $250. I don't think it is a Squier, probably a Mexican strat. If it's a Mex, I'm gonna offer $175.


I've also got a feeler out to trade for a Mexican Tele. I offered the MK straight up or my BHLG with Cab. http://cleveland.craigslist.org/msg/1609576485.html

edited to remove dead CL link

[Commodore 64***]

Quick Update, I got the Mexican Strat for $200 will update with pics soon.

[Commodore 64***]

I put some new strings on it last night. What a really nice playing guitar...very easy to fret with low action. Nice crisp fender tones. Going by the serial (MZxxxxx) it was made in 2000-2001.

My only real complaint at the moment, is that the PUPs are very noisy, especially with (even a small amount) of gain. Much more hum/buzz than the P90s on that Samick in the last pic. I thought P90s were supposed to be very noisy, but I've been really pleasantly surprised with that Samick.

Pics:

[Eric***]

Am I just a noob? Will my taste change as I get better? Should I keep the MK and Blackheart and other stuff...knowing that my ear or skillz may develop and tastes change? Or do I try to wheel and deal for a CV Squier Tele that I've been gassing for?

This is the eternal question, isn't it?

Short answer: I would keep everything for about a year at a minimum.

Long answer: I want to think that I can live with one guitar that I like and a very simple setup. At this point, I think I probably could. However, when I got a guitar I was excited about (Agile), it really did make a difference. I know you can have nice guitars you're just not into -- for me, that's generally strats.

I now want to sell all of the stuff except for what I really, truly use. Problem is that sometimes I go back to guitars I've loaned out or archived and find that they have a lot of merit, much more than I previously thought.

It's perspective, I think. I still don't know what I want amp/pedal/guitar-wise, though I have some idea. What I sweat in guitars is much different from what I actually like to use. I'm very analytical and like as much data as possible, but I'm also cheap and appreciate simplicity. Makes for a tough combo.

I think that keeping things for awhile, figuring out where they fit into your tastes and style, and then making the decision on what to do will end up being your best course of action. The only reason why it would be good to sell right now is for either a cash crunch on your part or the zeitgeist angle (e.g. Squier CVs are the Big New Thing at the moment), and that's not a huge reason, IMO.

[Katastrophe]

Nice MIM Strat ya got there! Yep, single coils can be noisy. Shielding can help.

You've got a nice variety of guitars, now.

[wingsdad]

...
I've also got a feeler out to trade for a Mexican Tele. I offered the MK straight up or my BHLG with Cab.

So, you prefer Fender-scale, so much you went & scored a good deal on a nice MIM Strat you already appear to enjoy more than the MK that's just hangin' around collecting dust and ooh-ahh's for her looks....hmmm.

If I were you (I'm not, but I've 'been there, done that' with gear-swaps...just did it again this w/e, in fact), I'd swap the MK for the MIM Tele. Since you're not ga-ga over the BHLG, hang onto it to swap that for a little amp you might dig more...

If it's any consolation, C-64, the better you get, the more nimble and deft you get, the worse this syndrome will overwhelm you. There is no permanent cure. This Jones is forever. Unless you can find a local chapter of GAS-Anon.

[Commodore 64***]

My wife is already giving me shit because that MiM strat is purple (ish). When we first started dating, she used to make fun of me because my water bong was purple, and so were all of my friend's. She said we were all fixated on purple (penis reference). I walked in with that guitar and she just burst out laughing. I mean WTF my water bong phase was over a decade ago!

So I also have this Yamaha Pacifica that has 2 Fender Gold Lace Sensor PUPs. I'm already thinking about taking those PUPs and putting them in my MiM, but I'd need a 3rd one. Would I just buy another Gold? Or should I get like a Red or Blue for the Bridge position? If you look at all the GFS PUP sets for example, they are wound differently for each position (neck, middle, bridge). Looking at zZounds, it seems that there's only one Gold...Don't I want different windings in different positions?

In other news, that seller with the tele has not responded to my emails.

But...so, if I pillage that Pacifica, I'll have a spare DiMarzio Air Zone humbucker...and I also have a Duncan SH-4 in another AXL guitar that I own (that one was a freebie). What if I put both of those buckers in my MK? But it's not so much the sound of the MK that I don't like. SO perhaps I should stick with trying to trade the MK for a tele. Who wants to trade me an MK for a tele? If it's a Fretter, I'd definately trade the MK straight up for a Xavier or Rondo type tele...it wouldn't have to be a MiM tele or better.

[marnold***]

So I also have this Yamaha Pacifica that has 2 Fender Gold Lace Sensor PUPs. I'm already thinking about taking those PUPs and putting them in my MiM, but I'd need a 3rd one. Would I just buy another Gold? Or should I get like a Red or Blue for the Bridge position? If you look at all the GFS PUP sets for example, they are wound differently for each position (neck, middle, bridge). Looking at zZounds, it seems that there's only one Gold...Don't I want different windings in different positions?

There's the Gold and the Hot Gold. AFAIK a regular Gold is a regular Gold. For a more definitive answer, contact Bruce at Aamps: http://www.aampselectricguitarstore....ups/index.html He's got just about the best deals on Lace Sensors on the Intarwebs.

[sunvalleylaw]

I put some new strings on it last night. What a really nice playing guitar...very easy to fret with low action. Nice crisp fender tones. Going by the serial (MZxxxxx) it was made in 2000-2001.

My only real complaint at the moment, is that the PUPs are very noisy, especially with (even a small amount) of gain. Much more hum/buzz than the P90s on that Samick in the last pic. I thought P90s were supposed to be very noisy, but I've been really pleasantly surprised with that Samick.

Pics:

The MIM's before '06 can benefit from some extra shielding. They added shielding to the MIM's starting in '06 which may help if you do the same. If you feel you are lacking sustain, you can install a heavier trem block, something that was also changed in 2006. I think Callaham and GFS make them. I would first get some shielding (there are threads on here I know) and take off that PG, shield it up, and then decide about pups.

I think it looks cool. Purplish blue looks just fine to me.

[Eric***]

Wow. You really do spend a lot of money on yourself.

[Commodore 64***]

Wow. You really do spend a lot of money on yourself.

Yeah, and I make sure that my wife and kids eat bread and water and shop at Goodwill to support my habit. Gotta keep my priorities straight.