What's Enough Amps..For Me; the amp purge method and final choices
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I've been adding amp to my "stable" for 20 years...until now. I took a long look at my life as a player and decided to trim down to what is essential for me. See the process I used based on Marie Kondo's books and the amps I decided to hold on to. This is the first of three videos on me selling off my gear and embracing "...the most music from the least gear" ethos.
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Keith
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Well geez I WAS gonna send you this vintage tweed Deluxe but looks like you are all set.
🤣🤣🤣
LO F'n L
Five Triple Rectifier World.
Just throw it over the fence. Let arby's deal with it.
Well now see, since that wasn’t in the stable he couldn’t exactly make a descision based on that… so I guess you need to send it over.
Don’t ever lose that Snorlax. He sparks much joy.
Agreed
I'd love to hear the story about that Snorlax, if there is one. I haven't seen all the streams so perhaps Keith has already mentioned something about it, but if not, I'd be very interested!
Years ago my son wanted a peekachu pluffie. I said, “sure, and you know I’m going to get this Buddha looking guy. What’s his name?” So I put him in the studio and he’s been there ever since. So the Snorlax is the studio/video mascot to remind me of my son. Pretty simple really.
Selling off my huge pedalboard for a small modeler. Selling off my cheap guitar collection for 1 good one. Keeping my 1 amp. Experiencing zen: priceless.
Hey I did the same recently. Sold both of my victory amps and cabs and my outrageous pedal board down to the last patch cable. Bought a helix and powercab 212. Couldn't be happier.
Me too. Sold off a Single Rectifier, EVH50, Classic 50, Hot Rod Deluxe. Sold my American Strat, LP Standard which never stayed in tune. A massive pedalboard. Now I have a fantastic sounding Yamaha THR30 and a LTD EC 1000. I am in Heaven. Bunch of cash. Now to thin out my acoustic collection.
You’re truly onto something.
I just started using pedals after YEARS of guitar straight into amp.
So, everything is getting whittled down, except for my new “Pedal Addiction.”
Everything else I’ve broken down to just what I need, instead of just what I want… I think that is the best way, for me anyway, to approach this…
Best! ✌🏼
I don't feel the need to get rid of anything. 2 good guitars 3 O K guitars. 9 amps or something to play loud through. Got free keyboards. Got very cheap electric drums. 1 of the guitars is a bass. 2 of the amps are bass. With free keys came a key amp. Just got enough unless something cool comes along. Got storage for most of this stuff. Including some cases. Like the drums are in an old tool storage container all wrapped up in towels. My P A head is in a old folding cooler that has protection for the knobs. All this stuff stacks up real good and most fits in a closet. Why get rid of stuff I always wanted but couldn't afford. Except for my main guitar stuff everything was free or super cheap. None of it is the greatest of quality but it works. And it's mine.
“Getting the least music from the most gear” hurt me in a way I didn’t know I could be hurt
Sorry Chris. I didn’t make that up. :)
Haaaa! Me too... A change is gonna come.
Ditto... I guess it's time to spend money on lessons instead. LOL I already did though... I guess I should actually use that GuitarTricks subscription I paid for. I suck... LOL
@@NeoRichardBlake True Fire All Access has been the best investment I've made in years.
LoL yeah man have a bunch of vintage combo's I need to sell myself One of these days LoL Not looking forward to it
" . . . marriage DE-LAMINATED . . .". Very interesting way of describing the process. For my first marriage words such as "deteriorated" "imploded" "disintegrated" "descended into gut wrenching chaos" come to mind. I'm glad you came through it, Keith. You seem to be at peace now and future focused, as am I.
Totally hear you.
Seriously one of the most genuine people on TH-cam. The world needs more Keith Williams’s
Thanks TJ
So true!
Your plain spoken and direct commentary on gear sets you apart on TH-cam, Keith. I appreciate you sharing parts of your personal life that underscore your commentary about transitions and introspection in life. Keep up the great work.
I vote that Keith be recruited for the "Calm" app to read a sleep story....
Dude, you've got a very calming, soothing voice...
The most elusive part of my 46 year guitar playing journey has been finding my own musical voice. I’ve been through all the copycat phases, wanting to play like everyone from Randy Rhoads to Stevie Ray to Al Di Meola…….and on and on. It seems logical to mirror the equipment of an admired artist to sound like that artist. But for me it was very unfulfilling and shallow. Real progress was made when I started over with nothing but an acoustic guitar and began to play what was in my heart. I started to love the guitar again. Today I have a Strat, a Tele, a Taylor acoustic, a loud Fender tube amp, and a less loud Fender tube amp. I have 4 pedals which I don’t use. What I do use is my picking attack, volume, and tone knobs. I rarely leave the neck pickup and my clean sound is so full and rich that I am completely satisfied. I haven’t searched for tone for a couple of years. I’m not disappointed in my playing because I no long focus on trying to play like someone else with equipment that doesn’t fit with who I am. In fact, I think I might even be getting to be a half decent player. And that is a really good feeling.
Great video. Thanks for all the hard work.
Excellent Kevin. And So Right On.
We can never Be Who We Are
Doing Covers or Wanting to Be like Any One Else. Good for You. ☮️
I just need one good small tube amp, maybe a reverb/delay pedal, 1 acoustic, 1 Gibson SG, and a schecter 7 string for heavier playing, if I want to try anything else I’ll usually sell other gear.
Be you, not a copy of someone else!🙏👍
My "ideal music life" is so modest it's embarrassing. I simply want to play alone, at home, along with my favorite songs, accurately.
@@dougsmith6648 i disagree. playing accurately is a great start to improvisation.
@@Hawking1969 I don't disagree, but the first three - home, alone, favorite songs - are definitely simpler that accurately. I came from a trumpet background. I could play anything I could read "accurately." It never occurred to me there was more than one way to coax sound out of the instrument a la Miles Davis, say. John Mayer talks about why he dropped out of Berklee. Technique, theory and accuracy are important, but so is communication (his goal), expression and feel. Take Dylan, leaving aside Hendrix. How do you play or sing Bob Dylan accurately?
I love to watch guitars and accessories videos but I'm not good enough to own a lot of gear. I have two modeling amps and a acoustic amp and 7 guitars and that's all I need! I have one of each guitar for types of playing.
@@phillipholt6005 The New Math 😀 When I first read "not good enough" I thought "not rich enough." But then... We're both doing the same thing. Different guitars, different amps, exploring and learning about sound and music. But I often wonder if we'd be better (more good), whatever that is for each of us, if we only had one guitar (even a Squier) and one good amp? Not as much fun though. And we'd always fear we were missing out.
Funny, when my marriage ended, I went from 1 amp to 5 and 2 guitars to 10! No Regrets! I might need to add a Victory. :D Wishing you all the best, I hope those amps continue to spark joy.
What I most appreciate about this show is it gives me "permission" to keep the five amps I own. Thanks! ;-)
Right? I have seven, but five are under 30 watts. The other two however…
I'm more into amps than guitars; I have two great guitars and 4 amps and I'm open to buying a 5th.
I’m there for you man!
I own exactly 5... now I want a Victory though!
@@Art-zs6sl Nice.
Slash has been playing pretty much the same amps, strings, picks, straps, guitars, etc. from the beginning. He says he doesn't like messing with things. Works for me.
This was just the Friday morning Zen that I needed before a busy weekend of playing music! Thanks for sharing your journey with us all.
For me, the 5 watt philosophy is "you don't need to spend a ton of money to get what you want". The goal is to get the music you want, without spending everything you've ever earned.
The community is here for you, Keith. Take any time you need. We will be here whenever you need us. I recently ended a 12 year relationship, and found what i was missing - changing nearly everything. But i've still got my pile of craigslist amps and guitars!
These 18 months have taken such a toll on so many individuals and relationships. All of us have had to take stock of what is most important, what we value at our core. Sure, it looks different for different people, musically and relationally. You have been inspiring us to do this before March 2020 and continue to do so. Thank you for your dedication to the Five Watt World in which we all (metaphorically and in so many ways literally) must live.
I love having a small collection. I have 2 Ric basses (a 4 string and a 5 string) and 2 amps (an Ashdown and an 80s Ric amp). I'm never lost in a sea of choices.
Nice. I have two telecaster basses, a fender rumble 200 combo, and looking for a smaller 1x10 combo.
@@telecasterbear That's perfect. Focus allows me to improve my music. If I have too many options, I'm more worried about not having a good sound than I am about creating the best sound I can.
Same. I have an Ampeg PF thru an Ashdown 2x10, or a tiny Rumble 15 as my practice amp. Feeding this is my SUB Ray4, which can get me any tone I want. 5mins of adjustment and its the "tone in my head" coming right at me.
This is a beautiful rumination on meaning in life, not just gear. Thanks!
Thanks Larry
Genuine insights, refreshing honesty, and respectful candor. Appreciate and respect what you're doing here.
Holy crap man! This has been the exact story of my life the last year and a half. Divorce, lost material possessions, cross country move, reevaluating what is important (not coming up with many answers). Right now I am in the rebuild phase of my life and content with my Boss Katana in my living room and a decent pedal board. It is certainly enough for me to create music. I also read the Marie Kondo book. I am enjoying (for now) my reduced possessions. My friends laugh at me for not having many “things” right now. I don’t care. I’m saving money and get ready for the next chapter. Health, music, and good work…..it’s all I got right now. Peace Five Watt!
So much wisdom in the things you’ve said Keith. I really appreciate your presentation style and your transparency. It is very real and refreshing. Just trying to get me to think critically about what is “essential “. Thank you. Best wishes to you my friend. The future has great things in store.
Interesting… I too, had found that I own entirely too much gear and have gone into “purge” mode.
I no longer own 16 tube amps, 56 guitars, 16 basses, 3 drum sets, a serious - SERIOUS collection of synthesizers, and a myriad of recording equipment and rack mount gear, etc.
I’m no longer gigging, so I felt I no longer needed all that gear. I also have the Fractal AXE FXIII, AX8, Line 6 Helix, POD HD500X, Kemper floor, and the Quad Cortex. The modelers are terrific and beyond compare (in my world) for recording. It’s just so easy to get a tone and have it dialed in perfectly. They (again, to me) are the best for what I do. I did however buy my last amp (praying cause I’m weak lol) I purchased a Ceriatone OTS Mini 20 (Dumble clone) that I had played one night at a jam-fest, and that amp was glorious! So, I came home and immediately ordered one and it’ll be here in a few more months, but I don’t see myself purchasing anymore tube amps, or other gear, as what I have left should suffice for years to come…
45yrs of collecting gear was enough for me and I believe I’ve learnt my lesson, as far as having every bit of gear I’d ever wanted, instead of making the gear I have currently (tons of gear still) work for my situations.
Great time to be alive and a guitarist!
Thanks for the terrific videos and the mind-set!
Best! ✌🏼
The cold, not the cold !!! One amp ?!?!? Good grief, don't scare the children !!! Thank you for a great visit Keith!
5W videos (excluding the Short History videos) can usually be summarized in 3 or 4 important takeaways. This video: 1 - spend your money on lessons and your time on practicing not searching for and buying new gear. 2 - Look at yourself in the mirror and ask yourself "am I a musician or am I a collector"? either answer is cool, but musicians need very little gear to excel (BB King and Derek Trucks plug straight in from guitar to amp). 3. 90% of us don't need 90% of the gear we own to live/play our current musical identity & mission. 4. It's the Indian not the arrow. Thank you again KW. Keep it coming. @gigwithvintage
That’s about it Chris
Keith - Love your videos. This time of year I like to work outside with the amazing colours of changing leaves and crisp air. Head in at the end of the day and sit by the fire tinkering on an old acoustic guitar. That's how your videos make me feel. Keep makin them!
Neil Young’s core rig has stayed pretty stable, recent addition of newer Magnatone notwithstanding Mike Campbell possibly.
Simplification is more challenging for those of us who prefer to avoid multi-effects units.
Brian May - Neil will have to make a new version of "The Whizzer" for the Magnatone.
This was such a wonderfully done video my Friend. Loved every part of it. I'll bé watching and rewatching this one. Appreciate all thé care,honesty and thoughfulness that you invest in these videos. Thanks again, Keith !
Thanks David
Great CALL ! Thank You Keith Williams for it all .
I'm never triggered by your videos or focus on less gear and more music (and my collection is approaching "too much"). I appreciate your POV and although it's different from mine I can still benefit from watching & supporting your channel. Thank you for sharing everything with us.
I have to say that I truly enjoy and love your videos.... I started watching thinking this was an Amp video.... it turned out this is a life confession. This is a let-go exercise, not just of amps, but letting go of things that don’t help us move on. I must admit it brought laughs, sights, teary eyes, and a sense of relief at the end. I don’t know, it must be my age.
Yeah the key word their is “enough”. It’s been my theme since I turned 50 (so for a while now.)
I love your channel...your videos are always informative, & honest; there's always an important message that seems to find me at exactly the right time!
Of all your videos, this one helped me the most. Thank you dearly.
As always, a great channel to watch. I always love the info and opinions that come with these videos...even if I agree with them or not. This particular video struck home with me as I have been in the same mind set. I am a sucker for new gear, guitars, and amps, but at the end of the day, I can really say that I gravitate to using 2-4 guitars, out of my small collection and only one of my 4 amps. I may be down-sizing my amp/guitar collection to what I use regularly. I'm just an at-home player and occasionally play with others (when time permits).
Man, that twisted "telecaster" with 1 single pickup looks so good.
You will pull through this Dude. Seriously! The wimmins will come and go... It sucks that happened! Hang in there! You might find that with no one to distract you, things will get better. I love my little Fender. I have also built a few as well. Glad to see you back!!
It was six months ago and I was better immediately after getting out. Just getting better all the time now.
@@fivewattworld Been There myself. Glad to hear it!
Totally agree with the mantra about focusing on music, not gear.
your video's just seem to come at just the right time for me. ( when to buy& when to sell) keeping me focused on my playing and not on ordering stuff off the internet!
thank you
The next video I was looking for!!! These are my favorite videos of yours Keith. And congrats on pairing down the amps
Keith - I apologize up front for the length of this post. Just wanted to say that your content is leaps and bounds above so much of the other content on TH-cam. Watching your channel and hearing about your evolving relationship with gear has gotten me started on trying to evolve my own in trying to determine what really makes me musically happy and aligns with what I need. I also find myself moving more towards smaller, low wattage amps that better suit my current musical life. While I would like to think of myself as someone who needs all of this gear, if I'm truly honest with myself - I am not, nor will I ever be, which is ok. In a similar yet unintentional way, I've recently started to examine my relationship with TH-cam. I've found that a similar scrutinization could be healthy for me - just as it was when I deleted myself from social media in 2013. Likening my old days of 100 watt stacks and racks of equipment to my ever-growing list of subscriptions, I've found some surprising and very tangible peace in "trimming the fat" from my subscriptions. For me, TH-cam has two faces. It can be the greatest resource and library of knowledge and experience imaginable. At the same time, it can very easily become a breeding ground for feelings of inadequacy through constant comparison and, at times, a resulting failure to put stock in my own opinions in favor of the opinions of someone who I admire as a player or creator. Even the best of content creators unknowingly (or maybe knowingly) contribute to this constant noise that I've noticed in my own mind lately as I find myself trying to "keep up" with them so to speak. As I work to get intimate and familiar with my current gear, I find myself constantly being pulled away from it because these content creators that I've so willingly followed all discover something seemingly better than what's sitting in front of me on a regular basis, often within days of one another. The growing influence of TH-cam and the content creators that populate it can create a deafening static that makes it nearly impossible to focus on what's important, and more importantly - what's in front of you. I wonder if more of the big creators out there were to consider what they put out there and weigh it's benefit against it's detriment, how much of a shift a person might see in the content. As I once debated joining the fray of content creators on TH-cam, I've come to the realization that perhaps, the best thing I can put out there is silence - right after I dump this novel of a post out there. :) Thank you for producing content that is not only attenuating the static, but helping to clear it for me. - Joe
Wow, thanks for taking the time to do that Joe. I too really limited the number of channels I watch/subscribe to.
Thank you again Keith. Such a great video, I really love how you present your information. Please keep putting out all this great content. You are extremely inspiring person.
Another great segment on simplifying...thanks Keith. I really took to light weigh backpacking/thru-hiking a few years ago, and the process of only taking what you truly need, and evaluating every item in your pack, has transcended hiking into all aspects of what I do...including music. While I don;t cut off all the tags on my music gear, or drill holes in my pedal board to save weight, I do look at everything in a more holistic manner,
Thanks again, and best wishes through this journey.
This is such a great video. Walking through the methodical process of finding what *works* for you in the gear realm I think can be so freeing and inspiring.
Great to hear the shoutout for amps. I started with learning about guitars, then learned how to build/design/mod amps and found more good tone with amps amps rather than more guitars. All my guitars are stock but few amps are.😎 Great channel; thanks for all you do for us Keith!
I've been where you are Keith, and I'll probably be there again. Thanks for sharing so many positive thoughts and tips.
You do great videos Keith. This one was particularly interesting. I got involved in guitar playing in around 1969. I didn't get what you could call semi serious until a bit later. At one time I had one of the original hot pink paisley Telecaster. This was 1970, before Brad was born(maybe). For a long time I mostly went with my Takamine acoustic that I have had with me since 1975. She's awesome. Now, here at the age of 71 I'm getting a little more serious. I'm getting back into the electric world and I want to gain more real understanding of what playing can be.
I really appreciate your efforts and the efforts of your like minded army of TH-camrs. You all are a great help I'm guiding people like me towards our goals. Thanks again.
Eloquence and elegance in your videos and gear reviews! Always great and so informative.
I always enjoy your thoughtful videos. Thanks.
Thanks for sharing this, Keith. Your honesty struck a chord with me.
“…my marriage delaminated.”
I’ve had some experience in that arena myself. 🤦♂️
But, possibly never before has there been a better description of it. Bravo, good sir. Bravo. 🤣
As painful and potentially embarrassing it may be to publicly share private information, I found the context of the how/why Keith came to find himself poised to make this video helped frame and focus the discussion, for me. Thanks for sharing.
It was important to the theme or if never have mentioned it. It’s a journey…
Thank you for sharing your story.
In a similar way, my own soul searching in an emotional transitional period forced me to decide what kind of a player I was as well.
I went with an mx5 in a similar setup to your hx stomp. Couldn't be happier. Now the cherished blackfaces stay at home, and I can bring that sound with me anywhere in just about any scenario I need to.
Playing > Shopping
Sometimes a downsize is a huge upgrade for the soul.
Your candor in this is both helpful and moving. Thanks are not enough.
Thanks Rob
You're right about so much of this. I have two guitar amps, one to gig and one to bring to rehearsals. Same with my bass rig. And my two Gibson guitars are all I want and my bass does everything I need. It flies in the face of what we always talked about as young guys but live and learn.
Thanks Keith. You're still ahead of me. Running a Fender Accustisonic 30 and a Vox AC15C1. Playing a church and before COVID in a pit band for local HS musicals over the past 6 years. A pedal board and I'm off. I'm new to the channel. Love the short histories. I too love making music with others and teaching guitar.
Used one guitar and one head for 20 years of gigging, practicing, recording and jamming. Only recently have I started to add from the abundance that is available. My favorite vintage amps are out of reach so my tech is building amps to vintage spec for me. I'm really just trying these for the first time. I chose them because they are the amps of my favorite players during my favorite period of their careers.
Keith...as I lay here post surgery healing up...this video could not have come at a better time...I struggle with these thoughts...daily...I have come to the conclusion...a '68 Custom Fender Deluxe Reverb, a Wampler Tumnus, and my Gibson Les Paul '58 Reissue with Wizz PAF's....are really all I will ever need...desert island, coffee house gigs, jams...all of it...the realization of this...has lifted a giant gorilla off of my back...thank you...from the bottom of my heart sir.
Man I love your videos. You’re like the most transparent bloke on the internet.
A thoughtful and well-reasoned video. You've acted on something we've all thought about. I commend you for getting that far. I don't want my widow to have to muck out this guitar cave, but so far I haven't made a move. Maybe this vid will be an inspiration. Thanks.
As always, excellent show, Keith. Thank you!
This was truly inspiring. The best part of putting "My Ideal Musical Life" on paper is it reminded me to stop trying to sound like others and instead find my real voice on my instrument. By turning the direction of this journey inward instead of outward, I can immediately see how much of my gear was selected for imitation, not innovation. A very clarifying moment. Thanks again, Keith. Now I need to go sell some of this gear I have stacked behind me ... :-)
This vid contained the precise thoughts and words I needed to hear at my personal point in my journey. Very grateful. Thanks, Keith.
Welcome Bobby
Keith, you have inspired me again. I love you and this channel for that. Recently I stumbled onto my own solution: one 10” bass cab, one 12” guitar cab, one tube amp head, one Quilter 50 watt solid state, and one bass head. I get all of the effects I need from a Boss EQ and Blues Driver pedals. Everything else is too heavy or unnecessary.
Next, the instrument collection.
Keith - nice, thanks for posting and sharing where you are at. I too am trying to always own only what is essential, with both gear and in life, so I always have a keen interest in your thoughts.
Reminds me of that great saying that sprung up in the 60's "Simplify man". Insightful episode Keith!!!
Thanks for the ❤️ on my first comment, KW. I had to leave to go to work after I posted it, but wanted to add more to it. The part I wanted to also say was that when you mentioned your world turning upside down re: the pandemic and then your marriage, I know whereof you speak. My world turned upside down when my now ex came home from work one day and said that dreaded “we have to talk… “ where she told me she didn’t want to be married any longer. Two weeks later the raging Thomas Fire blazed thru town (I live in Ventura CA) and caused a lot of additional stress and panic. Then, after the D (divorce, dust) was settled, I moved into a rental with one of our dogs… and that forced me to pair down my acquisition of “stuff”… but not nearly as completely as I really needed to. At the beginning of 2020 I suddenly had to put my little dog down, and shortly after that… well… C19 reared it’s ugly head to the whole world. I have been hoping to move to another location (another state) with the dread to having to move… AGAIN. But I take a good look at the remains of “ stuff” I have in my home office (way too many books and trinkets) as well as in my garage. I recently began donating some clothes that no longer fit (losing 10-12 lbs was a good thing). I must now tackle the bookshelves and boxes and containers in my garage and really go thru it all and say “keep”, “toss” or “donate” to finish the pairing down so that if/when I do move it’ll be easier on myself. And it’ll be better for my well being, as well. The purge is necessary. Concentrate on building up a photography business… start up a sea glass jewelry making business… cut in half the number of books I have to only the essentials… give away at least half of the trinkets I’ve collected over the years… go thru boxes of old (possibly ancient) paperwork and toss or shred most of it… and dust off the three guitars and one amp that I have and try yet again to restart taking lessons at my old fart age. It’s a process that’s necessary, weight lifting (literally and figuratively), and certainly cathartic. Thanx for the great videos! 😎🎸📷
Doing the same. A I get older, divorced, I just moved. When it took 3 truck loads to move my gear, I decided to thin my gear. Now I play more music. I actually have found my voice, now. Gone are the 1/2 stacks except for a vintage Marshall. But still have a good truck load left. Working on it still.
Mate,you are truly a thinking musician,love listening to you ,thanks
I agree with your concept. A logical approach to gear makes sense, even though many of us search for that “golden tone” . Thanks for sharing this content!
EDIT: I need sparkle but the JM was too bright/thin and the SG was still too warm. I discovered the Firebird. Game over. Sold the JM, picked up a Nash T63 and a 2014 Firebird V in white that already had Lollar Firebird pickups in it. Most balanced, comfortable guitar I've ever had.
I sold all my electric guitar gear 15+ years ago and did solo acoustic gigs for years. Last year I set about putting together an electric rig. I play a 2020 SG Standard Maestro through a Morgan MVP23 combo with a Strymon Flint for reverb and tremolo. Pulled the hot, nasal humbuckers out and replaced them with HB sized underwound p90s for more articulate cleans. I came of age playing Teles and missed that Fender sound but wanted something different so I picked up a Jazzmaster. I have a wah pedal if the song calls for it. That's it. That's the whole rig. Several months after I got all of that stuff I discovered your channel. I'm a minimalist by nature and your overall message spoke directly to me. If I can't play it with either of those guitars through that rig, then it won't get played. Best tone I've ever had and I'm very happy. Just as important, it's all paid for and I'm not broke. Love your channel!
Just completed this somewhat grueling process myself, although it was just downsizing from 7 to 3 amps. Kept my favorite, a Swart 5 watt Atomic Jr head played thru Celestion Blue cab, a PRS Sweet 16, and an Ampeg Bass PF20-T. Six-string played thru the Ampeg sounds great ... except for the amp hum which has defied all my efforts to eradicate it, but still a great sound so I kept it.
I’ve had my eye on a sweet 16! Not the Sweetwater edition. I can’t seem to find much about it. Any feedback?
Thanks for this Keith - as I've shared in the past, Five Watt World has inspired me to work on the "least gear" concept, hoping to get to "more music" in the process. My amp history has really just focused on Fender and Vox - but I feel I really need to check out the Victory VC35 Copper. Looking forward to the next 2 videos.
Inspirational guitar players Johnny Winter, James Taylor, John Fahey, Angus Young, Jimi, Stephen Stills, Jack Johnson. Your content resonated with me immediately. Thanks! 🙂
You're spot on about Dan Lurie and his builds. Keeping with the theme, I have a 5F1 he built for me and it's glorious.
I've spent the pandemic tweaking, evaluating, and exploring what gear I didn't need and what was essential. I wound up with 3 amps behind an ABY switch. I run a custom 20 watt head and a cel v30 cab on one side with 3 simple pedals, a an HX effects on the other side where I have patches for stereo, wet/dry, and single amp with either 2 or 4cm and know the sound I need to dial in on my amps; a pair of marshal origin and fender deluxe combos. Chasing tone is a rabbit hole, and I'm glad that I found something to anchor to so I can start climbing back out. Now, the more I notice, the more I sound like myself and really got into P90 equipped guitars thanks to finally not being afraid to play the PRS custom 22 soapbar 10'top, and boy do I kick myself for leaving that in the case for so long, and now I use the vol tone knobs on it and it's changed my life. Thanks for making these vids.
Read and was influenced by a peer reviewed psych journal long ago (haven't found it since) regarding a Japanese concert
pianist spent a sabbatical year off instrument immersed in performance visualization and returned with exceptional improvement.
My first big stage was 10 steps from backline to footlights. Stretched 2 cables between a Boss pedal; looking over shoulder
played whole show terrified was gonna pull amp wall down. A room full of gear was my emotional response to the pros and
cons of minimalism. Heedless of all my therapeutic advice my wish lists and shopping carts, though unpurchased, remain full.
Great show, thanks.
I enjoy every video you post for us Keith. Thanks again👍🏻
How’s the e Drahthaar doing man? I’m looking for a house w a good “dog yard.”
@@fivewattworld I was involved with the German wire hair (AKA as Drahthaar) breed for almost 40 years. I say was because my last dog is still with me but is super old, blind, and deaf. He hauls toys around the house bumping into things and does lots of tail wagging but his days are numbered. I became ill a few years ago and my dog and I were both getting old so those days hunting became just fond memories. I won’t bore you with the gory details but I have survived pancreatic cancer at least for now. That old dog moved in from an orchard grass pasture and never left my side. He was an important part of my support system. Upland bird hunting was my passion for a long time. I owned several of them over the years and was involved with one of the largest Drahthaar kennels in the world in their breeding program. The owner of that outfit gave me lots of tutelage on training and hunting. There were a few different periods in those decades when I had two dogs very nicely trained to point and retrieve cooperatively. Meaning if one dog went on point the other dog would notice and honor the point. Two beautiful dogs on point that would stay on point as long as you want to stand there and admire them. The dogs would hunt the worst of conditions. For instance snowing and blowing retreiving birds dropped on the other side of an ice choked river. I’ve got lots of stories Keith and I just had a blast. They are billed as the worlds most versatile hunting dog as they are used for many types of game including dangerous game. Lots of people keep them as pets and don’t make use of the instincts bred into them which I believe must be hard on the dog in a way. I believe I’ll try a standard poodle thanking the hunting instinct aren’t real strong in that breed anymore so maybe they won’t wonder what they are missing. I’ve been subbed for a long time but I’ve had three or four different names due to issues with the Google government. Love your channel man 👍🏻
I traded my way into 3 good guitars and 3 good amps, and I think I’m finally happy. They all do something different within the styles I enjoy most. They’re all inspiring to me, which I suppose is what matters most. In the back of my mind always is “the most music from the least gear”, where did I hear that?🤔😏 Thanks, Keith!
This is very good news. Looking forward to hearing more about your collaboration/voyage with Victory.
Sorry to hear of upheaval in your life. You seem to be adapting well. I too have run the gauntlet of gear, only to pare it down later in life. It is a journey! Thanks for sharing. ☀️
Keith, thanks for sharing that. Lots to think about in there. Best wishes.
Simple is beautiful. Loss is painful. Honoring both enables growth. Good video sir.
Hi Keith! As always what a pleasure...made my Day..thanks...told wifey this was a new one and she said..." U don't need any more amps"...and she's right... just ironic cuz the point of this is n- 1 not n+;1..lol
This is what I’m recently doing. Hard time, but worth it.
Great video. ✌🏼😊
Congratulations. You've had a long hard journey. But that's what life is like. Be thankful you are such a thoughtful guy.
Missed this content! Thanks for another video!
Stellar as always, Keith! Now you have me thinking...
thanks 5 watt, you've helped inspire me to figure things out guitar wise and music wise, and the direction for me to take. I have a reverse situation (explained below), so when getting next set of gear, I'll be set . Also truefire is great and lot of great players on there teaching their skillz.
It's funny I had dozens of guitars and 2 dozen amps, and had about 15 pedals or so . . . because I was more a dabbler and collector than a player, as I got into guitars during college and after graduating, I had real adult money with low rent and paid off car. When I got into video games a few years ago, I sold anything guitar related off. But strange how things work I forgot about my 90's peavy amp, a tweed champ, and a fender twin reissue, two teles, the PRS mira, heritage lp, p and j bass, the classical @ the parent's. I'd left it behind during moves and essentially forgot about it. Video games I'm into, but not hardcore . . . so I had extra time and (building championship esport pc rigs every 3 years does cost serious $$).
I ran into my old college buddy (old money so he's like Joe Bonamassa style, collector), and he was going on his usual shopping spree (LA, so you know has lot of great g fiddle stores that we'd be hitting up). While he was closing the deal on some, I saw a shiny metal guitar on the acoustic side where MIM tele / Epiphone section is. I didn't know what it was but it was recognizable (later going through my blues collection and saw Bukka White and other blues guys with resonators), and when I played it, it was a weird sound, but it touched me. It was under 1K so I got it. Later I wound find out all about resonators. So that's my main so far, and will save for the american built reso, as the nationals and mules my buddy has are way more tonal than what I got (though mine does get close). But only a few, and maybe an ES type guitar and 1 strat. . . and that's about it . . . So far been just starting out slow, learning scales and more chords, and on truefire taking some lessons with the resonator.
I started thinking about your "message" last spring. I made a rule after listing what I had played over the previous year and inventorying what I hadn't touched.: One comes into the house, one goes out of the house. Was I sad parting with anything? No. In fact, it felt liberating. In addition to what I sold, I donated a few instruments to a local school music program.
I am down to:
One 30 watt tube Combo.
One 5 watt tube amp head.
One 1x12 cabinet.
One Les Paul.
One Stratocaster.
One acoustic guitar,
One bass amp head.
One 2x12 cabinet.
One Pedalboard.
11 pedals.
One Wah Wah pedal.
One volume pedal.
I was getting the last music from the most gear. That's starting to change already.
"least music"...not "last music". I'm still alive. ;-)
I was rude earlier today and I apologize. im sorry about your marriage you seem like a sweet guy, im just struggling tbh, anyways wish you the best and im glad you seem to have found peace etc! sending good vibes :)
Bill Frisell is known for utilizing loops and delay effects, but he always gets great sound and tone no matter the toys he employs. I like doing the same and have scaled down to 3 or 4 effects boxes and using 2 out of 7 amps both for playing by myself and with others: an old Fender Blues Deluxe (that I put casters on years ago for easier transport) paired with either an old Acoustic Bass 20 watt or a newer Line6 Amplifi 75 watt. I also have other smaller amps. Only the Blues Deluxe was bought new. Another great video. I always appreciate your insights. Down to earth. Much appreciated.
All I want is a LesPaul jr., a tweed champ, 10 fingers, and a beer. That’s all that any man really needs. Rock and roll ain’t that complicated.
Keith, You are a real inspiration. I had a similar collection of gear. Kept buying and buying to fill voids that I had/have. Ever since I started watching your videos I began selling my gear. I still haven't reached the point to where I'm making the most music but I'm getting there. I'm down to 3 amps (fender 66 bassman, matchless HC30 and a suhr PT15) If pressed I could do everything with just the PT15. I have 5, mostly cheap, guitars possibly keeping only 3 but I'm still working on that
Great thoughts behind all this Keith. New to your channel and really enjoying it. Thanks for all you do.
Thank you for the inspiration and bravery to commit to paring down!
Absolutely incorrigible that there are 26 thumbs down on this video.
Love your show Keith!
Great episode. I too have downsized my amp collection to six amps now owning the Tonemaster Deluxe and Twin amp, Hot Rod Deluxe and 68 Custom Deluxe , a Katana 100 and Mustang III V2. To be honest I could be happy with the Tonemaster Deluxe and the Hot Rod Deluxe so I’m sure the collection will shrink more with time. And I own just too many guitars so that collection will be reduced as well.
I’m going to be down to 1 amp Marshall Origin 20 with 3 power options .5 Watts, 3 and 20 Watts. Rarely use the 20 watt unless I’m home alone feeling a little sassy. Does everything I need to it’s simple and takes pedals great. I also have the matching 2/12 cab it can get loud in here. Love the video as always.
Love it. Thank you Keith.
I offloaded all of my amps and ended up with a Handwired Tyler pt14 65 style Princeton with a 1x12, and it’s been absolutely perfect at home and at shows, I use an Eminence Maverick attenuating speaker so I can push the volumes more at home, and it really does everything. I have tried many other amps since then and literally cannot find one that can stand up next to the Princeton.
Keith I LOVE your vids..... the history ones are great keep doing what you do man
Thanks Charlie