GAS effects, marketing, and usefulness

[Eric***]

We should be happy with all the guitars and amp we already have instead of being swept up in the perpetual consumerism game.

Seriously, I'm just as guilty as anyone! It isn't necessarily a bad thing to buy more stuff. I just think we need to keep grounded and happy with the here and now, no matter what happens. Then, anything new is all the sweeter!

I agree, and what I've been trying to say is that 9 times out of 10 the restlessness we feel isn't a desire for greater functionality -- it's really more of a desire for more novelty, which we lose once we know a piece of gear. It's a trap, and more bells and whistles only adds to the novelty and attraction of that next bit of gear.

[Tig***]

It's a trap, and more bells and whistles only adds to the novelty and attraction of that next bit of gear.

[FrankenFretter***]

Thanks for posting this, Eric. It's a good thing to think about, no matter how painful (somewhat tongue in cheek, but not that much).

I'm seldom convinced I should buy something because of an ad; more likely, I've heard good stuff about it HERE! Or I've tried one, and it impressed me, like the aforementioned Cube. Sometimes it's a glowing review, or video. Sometimes it's just a whim. I'm not immune from the occasional impulse gear purchase, and I know I have more than I need, and I even think more than I deserve sometimes. But...that said, if I have the funds to dispose of, and nobody in the family has to go without shoes this winter because of my impulse, who's it hurting? In the end, someone will benefit from it, whether it's something I love and can't figure out how I ever did without, or I'll pass it on to someone who might get more benefit from it than I am. I might even sell it, but I'm more likely to give it away. Unless it's a guitar, that's different. I realize I'm somewhat of a gear junkie (not the word I was thinking, but I'm keeping it PC), but I have fun with it while it's around, and if I don't then someone else just might.

But yes, there is a definite issue out there of creating a percieved need, where there really isn't one. That's how the free market thrives even in tough economic times, no? Well, maybe not thrives, but at least it survives.

No matter what you put out on the market, there's always going to be somebody willing to buy it. Like PT Barnum said...you know the rest.

[LeadedEL84]

I'm pretty well immune to marketing hype. If we're talking about guitar equipment,consumer electronics or anything else. Often the more hype there is over something the more skeptical I am.
You will not find the latest fashions in my cloths closet. My cell phone is a little Nokia,not even a flip phone,no special features. Works great for talk and text but does little else. My latest computer is a Toshiba Satellite laptop. All the features and drives I need and fairly powerfull but definately not the laptop that is cutting edge and selling like hotcakes. I don't like things like twitter or blogging. I hate gadgets like the Kindal (sp?)reader and would prefer a good old fashioned book. If a movie comes out that everyone is talking about and it is saturated with media hype,chances are I will be sick of it and not watch it for at least 3-5 years. I am just not a trendy kind of guy. When I see the herd running in one direction I am the black sheep who looks for the cliff they might be running towards off in the distance.
That said-I am still very susceptible to GAS. It's not about gadgetry or hype for me. It's just a simple compulsion I have to acquire and collect. It is hard for me to resist increasing my lot on many items I enjoy and collect. Fortunately I have learned to manage it reasonably well with my guitars and equipment. I just don't have the money or the room these days. So I have become realistic and somewhat minimalistic with my equipment.
I learned quite some time ago that complicated effects units or amps with dozens of knobs and features are not for me. I play best and get the best tone with the highest qualty guitar I can get my hands on plugged directly into a decent tube amp. Puting a pedal or two in the chain for certain soundsis OK,but that is it. My journey has taken me to my current rig after many years of exploring and sometimes going on a wrong tangent.
Even though that is the case I am still fighting GAS. My collection will not be complete until I have some kind of hollowbody or semi-hollow body to play. I'd like to throw a telecaster in the mix at some point. I have the urge to rebuild my Strat with some new pickups and hardware since it is 9 years old and still bone stock. Whats next after that? Who knows. Maybe I'll want a sweet acoustic or a Les Paul in a different color and different pickups. Maybe I'll get in a band and decide my 30 watt combo isn't cutting it. So then I'll have to get a Marshall or Bogner head and 2 x 12 cab to keep up.
No matter what your motivation for acquisition is I think it is important to look at the big picture. How is it effecting the rest of your life? As far as I am concerned if you can afford your equipment habit,you are not neglecting any responsibilities,and no one is being hurt by it, have fun and enjoy yourself. We're not blowing our hard earned money on things like gambling,drugs or hookers,right?

[Tig***]

I agree, and what I've been trying to say is that 9 times out of 10 the restlessness we feel isn't a desire for greater functionality -- it's really more of a desire for more novelty, which we lose once we know a piece of gear. It's a trap, and more bells and whistles only adds to the novelty and attraction of that next bit of gear.

I thought about this (warning!) a little more and there can be a few good reasons for more bells and whistles...
I'm looking into a really good, mid priced multi-effects system not for some endless chase for tone, but because I need/want several effects that will cost several times more if I buy individual pedals. Like many, my guitar budget is limited. A $200-$300 multi pedal would fulfill the missing gaps that allow me to create tones and soundscapes that are unavailable to me now. I could spend a $1000 or more for individual pedals, yet still wouldn't have as much to work with.

Same goes for any new player that doesn't know what effects they like or need, so a modeling amp or multi effects unit can do a good job for a small amount of investment.

[Eric***]

I thought about this (warning!) a little more and there can be a few good reasons for more bells and whistles...
I'm looking into a really good, mid priced multi-effects system not for some endless chase for tone, but because I need/want several effects that will cost several times more if I buy individual pedals. Like many, my guitar budget is limited. A $200-$300 multi pedal would fulfill the missing gaps that allow me to create tones and soundscapes that are unavailable to me now. I could spend a $1000 or more for individual pedals, yet still wouldn't have as much to work with.

Same goes for any new player that doesn't know what effects they like or need, so a modeling amp or multi effects unit can do a good job for a small amount of investment.

Totally agree with you here, particularly on the part about new players and not knowing what they like.

Maybe a more accurate statement (can you tell that I think out loud a lot???) would be to say I find that if I'm looking at something similar to something I already have (possibly with more features, possibly not), there's a good chance that it's the novelty that is pulling me in.

If you're looking at MFX units, can I put in a positive vote for the Boss ME series and the Digitech GNX series? I own the ME-50 and find it to be a great non-amp-modeling unit, and anecdotally it seems like the GNX's can be had on the cheap and are very solid units.