I'm a bedroom player (I have a whole bedroom devoted to my dozen guitars). I can afford them because i have a job that isn't being a musician. But I also don't have enough time to play.
same boat .. I have a good job and can afford to buy nice guitars (or as my wife calls them ART) I played bass for a number of years just jamming with friends and finally decided to switch to guitar at the ripe old age of 37 .. Never too late right ...
I got rid of most of my amps because my wife was hoping to use part of that room as an office. I sold all but one, and she set up and office downstairs instead. 🙄
Since when is that too many guitars...? Do they all do different things? It is like tools when they all do different things or do them differently there is still need for them... :-)
I own 17 guitars. I spend usually $400 and under for some kickass guitars. One being my Ibanez EX Korean, I paid $75 for on flea bay. Just needed a nut and intonation. Sick playing guitar, if I may say.
Gotta disagree with this.......just like bicycles (to which the same rule is often applied), you are better off owning one really nice instrument (or bike) than a bunch of poorly maintained crap. Guys that own ten bikes rarely have one that is ready to ride every day. Own one really nice bike/guitar, afford it's up-keep, be happy !!
No, not really. Sure, guitars require less maintenance than bikes, bu the principle still holds. Better to have fewer and better, well maintained, than a pile of dross in poor condition. Now, I have 4 bikes currently, but only one of each important type (roadie/MTB/cruiser/fat bike) and currently about 10 guitars, but I'm an ageing yuppie too, with a good income and not exactly a paragon of moderation. I still hold quality over quantity.@@elephantsonthestreet
I am proud to say I have graduated from being a bedroom player to a living room player. It helps that I have an understanding spouse that appreciates my playing guitar. :-)
Love that I’m not the only collector with more money than skill. I realized a few years back that guitars are cheaper and more beautiful (to me) than any other wall art. Now I have a room that looks like I know what I’m doing (I don’t) but it makes me happy!
I have been playing guitar as a love and sometimes for money for 30 years. I am not rich by any stretch of the imagination and never have been but I always have chosen higher end guitars which most would consider expensive, but I always buy my guitars with the intention of having a lifelong bond and a dependable tool to express myself with. I would rather save the money and buy a high end set of tools then keep a drawer full of disposable Walmart tools. My guitars are never case queens, but I take care of them as any artist should take care of his tools he uses. I see these relict guitars that are sold so someone can own a guitar that makes it look like they have played it for 30 years, but my guitars are relict by my actual own hands as they should be. To each his own, and everyone is justified in their own eyes, so this is just my approach and isn’t meant to diminish anyone else’s choices.
I agree. I recently got rid of 5 guitars, they were all nice and I liked them, but I didn't love them. I went to my local shop and trade the 5 in for a Gibson Les Paul studio HP; replaced the robotuners with Grovers, total out of pocket $150. Now I have a guitar I really love rather than a few ok guitars. Also, I play it, I don't keep it locked away in it's case. If it gets scratched then that's just what happens. Why have a guitar and not play it? why not play the nicest one you can afford? If you stick with it you'll find yourself learning more about what you like and you'll be trading up in no time. Love the channel, always a good time here. Thanks
Totally accurate about musicians who are gear heads versus that they just play. I would say most musicians are not that into gear, but really good musicians don’t play stock instruments. Guitar, it’s pretty straightforward, you understand that every piece matters more than it’s famous or not make and model because it’s very mechanical, but I’m originally a sax player and so acoustics matter to me a lot. Yeah, wood matters, nut material matters, and so on. I want to hear the tone of the whole instrument, not just the pickups and amp. I play heavier strings for example because I like the sound better than standard wimpy 9s, but if I were a Metal player, I would probably go with very light strings both for speed and a brighter tone. I don’t know the gear so much, but I know my instrument.
I'm a bedroom player and jam once in a while at a bar, I own 17 guitars. Its a disease. I also have a used from Reverb, a Squier Vintage Modified 70s bass which I absolutely love and play as well. I have a disease known as GAS - Gear Acquisition Syndrome.
I'm 48 now so yeah I was in my teens in the 80s buying up Metal Edge and Circus I got a guitar in college and just played riffs from hair band songs. In the late 2000's I got back into it and now own 26 guitars spanning acoustic, electric and bass ranging in price from $300 to $1500. They're both toys and art to me.
The reason why gigging guitarists buy lesser gear, it is because they know what they want. They travel and lug the gear specifically because they know what they want to use. Bedroom guitarists and gearheads typically are in it for being nerds. Most don't practice that much either, mostly are repeating licks they have been doing for years. They chase multiple sounds, because they don't know what they want, and end up buying gear upon gear.
I am a home player and I play ten hours a day seven days a week. I have eight guitars and half a dozen amps and the only reason I don't own more is that I don't want to be wasting valuable playing / practice time on having to maintain / tune anymore guitars. Most gigging musicians don't own the more upmarket gear because they don't have enough income to buy it. If I ever do play out I use my Squier Classic Vibe 50's Strat because if it get's damaged or stolen it's easily replaced. It's not about what I want to use it's more about what I don't want to lose.
tdunster2011 yes. Expensive gear is risky too. And a lot of gigging guitarist don't need the fancy doo-dads or risks involved with high-end gear. I have met a lot of them that use equipment that gear snobs would cringe to, but hey. If it takes you from point A to point B, for them, that's all that matters.
I sing in working bands, I play guitar in my basement because I love it. I have 20+ guitars, PRS, Fender, Gibson, G&L, etc... I have several amps from Fender, Mesa, Bugera, Peavey and Boss. I love guitar!!! I make money singing but I spend tons on guitars.
I'LL never forget a conversation I had with FC Hall of Rickenbacke at the Santa Ana factory. Maybe around 1989, and he pretty much confirmed that "most of our product if purchased by dentists and lawyers who could afford them when they were teenagers". "They never get out of the bedroom. He also said something like, "less than one percent of all the musical instruments sold ever earn back their purchase price. " That actually sounds right too.
I think I have been following your youtube channel since you first launched it. You sure have come a long way since that day. Great wishes for you in the future and we will see where it takes you.
For me, 3 electric guitars (a strat, a les paul and a metal type guitar), 1 acoustic and 1 classical is fine. I'm definately interested in buying some for decoration when I buy my own house though...
Haha I thought 7 guitars was getting to be a bit much to deal with (space/ constant maintenance) but some of you really put that number into perspective.
Most guitar buyers/players are in the bedroom. The advent of DJ's, beat boxes, Garage Band, etc. has reduced the need to learn an instrument and have reduced the places that players can earn even a supplemental income by playing a guitar or anything else.
On the subject of not wanting a sports car (me too, BTW) there was an unintendedly hilarious TV show here in the UK about a lottery winner. These wise guys took her out to go shopping for some cool stuff, trying to impress her. She hated all the sports cars. "Where does my shopping go?", "This car is REALLY hard to park!", "I can't see behind me", "These are not good cars, take me somewhere else." She ended up with a modest saloon car with a bunch of options.
No shame in being a bedroom guitarist. I’m done with being in bands and want to enjoy my guitars and record on my own with an interface and software DAWs. So much nicer not having to rely on others. 2 Strats, 1 PRS, 1 bass, 1 acoustic here
I'm starting to get into those old sale barn 1950's guitars they are not made well, have no truss rod, smell like mold, but I clean and polish then I hang them on the wall. A lot of times I they are coming part but I glue them back together and fix what I can, with my limited skill set, they look so cool nearly impossible to play. Just a lot of fun.
Im a bedroom player but i just buy cheap beat up guitars, i have six. Im about to get my 7th, but i play them almost everyday when i get home from work.
Yup. That's what I do. Own multiple guitars, basses and amps and they all decorate my apartment and I use amp cabs as tables. Just love gear and collecting and learning all I can... but ironically haven't learned how to play... just seems very daunting.
I've got 6 basses, 2 guitars, 4 amps and small P.A. I only gig once or twice a year. But it's fun to split the signal and have everything and have sound from every angle
I had a Pedal Genie account for a while and it was pretty cool. For me, it was cool to gain access to pedals you don't see everyday such as Amp Tweaker, Pro Tone, Horizon Devices, KHDK pedals. The only problem is that they limited quantities of certain pedals so you may have to wait. But definitely cool.
Last count I was at 110 guitars and climbing. I don't have time to play a lot any more and with the rates of pay don't want to, so I taught my son Daniel to play so he can have them all. LOL If anyone would like to hear him catch him on Facebook under Danny V Music. He also does facebook concerts once in a while. He's been playing now about 7 years. Just FYI.
Phil, does your shirt say Bowling For Dollars? Oh, Bowling For Soup. I rarely have time to play. But when buying gear I have a wish list that goes back many years. Nostalgia drives me towards older gear. But when it comes to guitars it would seem only new will do. I'm currently interested in an ESP Fujioka Custom. Recording is a hobby, having tried thousands of times to upload sounds to YT, mostly to show old friends who ask 'You still play?', I've sought advice from many sources. This open community at YT invites participation, and there are so many creative people who express themselves through music. A riff, a synth, strange progressions. You don't have to be a professional like Pete Thorn or R.J. Ronquillio to put out music. Good show today! Have a great weekend!
I am a hobbyist player and I have too many guitars, but that's what hobbyists do, collect stuff, whether it's guitars, bicycles or whatever. I know a professional guitar player and he has just three electric guitars, plus an acoustic. His gear is the same stuff he's had for years and it does the job, and he's not likely ever to change it.
The Tube Screamer convo - Though equipment matters, it's what the player does with it that matters. First and foremost. I had absolute junk 'back in the day'; a Peavey 70's era (4 input) Classic Tube Combo amp in to a generic 4x12 and I ran a Boss Turbo Overdrive in to that. It sounded huge and chunky! HUGE! But was built from junk. The guitar store guru (awesome player/tone) would always joke; 'Why do I even bother buying stuff for my rack-mount refrigerator, I can just buy cheap crap!'. Moral is; make what you have work...first.
Revstar guitars look cool, but they are kind of going after the Reverend look. Not to mention the name... They want to cut into Reverend's market. If you are interested, check out Reverend also. I own 3 and they are all superb quality. So are the Railhammer pickups mentioned earlier that they use. I put some in an epiphone SG and they ROCK! I bought a 2nd pair that I haven't decided where to use yet because I'm giving that SG to my nephew.
I had 2 identical tube screamers in the 90s and sold one to a buddy so I A/Bd them before hand and there was a very definite difference in the tone without a doubt to anybody listening.
A good clean headroom amp that has some crunch if you want is the Traynor amps. Edit: if you’re into metal get a Peavey Bandit, upgrade the speaker, and get either an Airis Effects Merciless or a TC Electronic Eyemaster (if you want a cheaper option since the airis is 169).
Absolutely would go with stainless steel frets. I own 40 or more guitars and there is definitely a difference. They feel like glass and I definitely respect Phil's response but they will wear 5 times as slow as other frets. If you're playing one guitar definitely go with stainless or you will do a fret job within 2 years. Phil trades guitars in and out and doesn't have to experience it. Even though I own a lot I still only play about 4 guitars continuously.
Lol, I'm gonna have to chime in as a "bedroom player" too. Still learning to play guitar, bass AND baritine ukulele (chose that way since they're all part of the same basic tuning, EADGBE, EADG and DGBE, respectively). I enjoy collecting different instruments because each has different sound and bring different tones and feel to the table. Plus some I've bought specifically to mod in different ways, usually the cheaper brands and models. Initially I was just buying the cheapest instruments that catches my fancy for whatever reason, it varies. Usually under 100$US. Lately I've become more picky about what I buy and the average price range has gone up. Usually in the 250-350$US range. Nevertheless, I'm currently at 43 and in the process of acquiring 2 more this week. G.A.S. ;) I've noticed that my tastes tend to run more towards the 80s vintages, which usually is guaranteed to be modded with modern hardwares and electronics. I've also have a noticable preference towards S-Types, LP-Types, and more extreme Types like Vs, Warlocks, Futuras, etc. All those that can be used in the hard rock and metal genres.
I just bought a Squier after owning many US made Fenders and Gibsons. I don't currently have any Fenders or Gibson. The Squier I have (Deluxe Jazzmaster) was made in China and most people think they are better than the Jazzmasters made in Indonesia. I bought it new for $382 (on sale). I don't even have any interest in Fender Jazzmasters now. So, I guess I"m one of those people you mentioned. I can afford more expensive guitars, used to have a lot of much more expensive guitars, sold them all and now the ones I have and really like are less expensive guitars in general. This really is the golden age for guitar buyers. Being able to pay more for guitars isn't a great reason for doing so. :)
Hey phill been watching since the begaining and ive told you many times but ill tell you again love the channel look forward to every friday and your looking great got to have another show with ralph soon
I'm a gigging guitar player. I have the essentials: Strat, Les Paul, Ibanez, Martin acoustic... but I play my 1992 Heartfield RR58 the most, that is my main guitar and for my band I could get by with just it. I feel no need for collecting for the sake of collecting. If they don't bring something unique to the mix I don't need them. For me guitars are tools, not wall art. But they do look nice on walls :) so I can understand why people fall in love visually with the guitar while perhaps lacking the ability to proficiently use it as a tool. I have a few friends with more guitars than me that don't actually play much at all. In the end if you love guitar and owning them makes you happy, that is cool, do your thing and buy however many you want... or the bank account will allow!
Im down to 7 high end guitars and sold my wall of different amps and bought a Fractal AX8 and Jbl studio monitors. Fractal has everything you will ever need all in one unit.
I'm a hobbyist with minimalist goals. I dont like to refer to my amassment of gear as a "collection", but maybe I could just be in denial. I've always seen my gear obsession as "experimenting" or "exploring". Maybe I can admit I've invested a lot of effort in "tone chasing." The end goal has always been to find the sound that fits me best and reflects where I'm coming from. It's also been way easier to acquire gear then to sell it. I'm not talking about letting go of emotional attachment to gear. Rather, its always been a painful process to get a fair price for whatever I sold. Therefore I would go out and buy a piece of gear before selling off something I no longer wanted. This eventually creates clutter and leads to more problems than benefits.
Just catching up with this. I'm a hobbyist, and I've got five electric guitars. I just sold a sixth one, but another one is coming in, a Shijie Strat! Man, there's so many guitars I'd like to try and/or have. ONE IS NOT ENOUGH! 😄
Hey Phil you were talking about the futone springs, I had a customer that had some the other day and it killed the ground from the claw to the bridge, pretty weird. Of course I had already wasted half an hour checking the wiring and adding grounds and stuff haha! Just thought I would tell you about it just in case you had a weird buzz anytime
I'm a bedroom Guitar player....I gigged for 15 years, now I just buy guitars and amps....I'm sure I'll gig again as the little ones get older...10 guitars and happy as hell.....range from a squire to American strats, And a Les paul
I'm relatively new to guitar as a hobbyist and I went in for a Gibson Les Paul 50's tribute. Not hugely expensive but dropping that kind of money from a standing start.....
You can never go wrong with buying American imho, there is a definite difference. instead i travelled the Epiphone (korea, china) and Fender (MIM) route, when instead those chunks at a few hundred each would've been better invested in higher end Gibson or USA Fender (or PRS) that hold their value much better.
@@TiberiusWallace Surprising isn't it, esp since you're getting a set neck on a larger body, dual humbuckers, 4 pots, and easier string bending due to shorter scale length. LP is my go-to but there are applications where Fender cleans are required which Gibson just can't do imho. I tend to reach for my '97 G&L American Legacy before my '99 Fender Elite US with Lace Sensors.
@@wolverine3344 yes indeed! Generally when you point that out to someone they'll go and find a link for the most expensive Gibson Custom and a midpriced Fender Standard to illustrate you being wrong.
Are Bedroom Players buying all the guitars? Yes, absolutely. Players aren't taking 3 to $5000.00 guitars to Bar Gigs. I'm a mancave guy. My friend plays several gigs every week. He's not taking his 66 Fender Strat to a bar gig, he uses a $500.00 Ibanez for that. I think Joe Bonnamasa is proud that he's a hobbyist. So Phil I gotta hear your thoughts on the Friedman Cali and Vintage S and Vintage T. Robert Baker, Guitar Pit, Cheddar Kung Pao Ryan Bruce?, Henning, and a shit ton of others I follow have purchased 1 or multiple Friedmans which are in the $3000.00 range. They all are indicating they bought them. I think it's too wide spread and I think they are repeating too many of the same phrases when describing the guitars... Keep in mind I just bought a used one so it's not like I'm immune to the dronage.
Yes. But what’s wrong with playing for the love of playing? If you loved guitar as a kid and you still love it as an adult and you’re pretty good, the quality of your purchases goes up. So if you’re a famous performer and you lose your fame do you quit playing? No, not if you truly love it. The majority of us are home guitarists. And I think that means we buy the most gear.
I once bought a Burns potentiometer and I can't believe how people can like them, they are so fast to turn its really hard to control. Alpha Pots (the newer 24mm ones) and CTS Pots feel similar in turning, the CTS just seem to have the right balance. I just hate their audio taper, it's atrocious, and they're 3 times the cost of an Alpha pot in some places...
@@russellesimonetta3835 I see no reason to pay more for CTS unless you specifically like the exact CTS feel, but even so, the Alpha ones are so similar, one can't tell, especially if the knob material is different. In my view, I prefer Alpha for tone pots because they feel more secure. I use both because I bought several brands to try, but If i needed new pots, i'd get Alphas.
Would love to see you do a review of the Interblock 45. Want to put one on my board to utilize the effects loop for my wet effects and drive in front of the amp. That would let me run the quilter to a cab and then the stereo out of my wet to another amp.
Just bought my 8th, a USA Jackson Adrian Smith. May need one more guitar. On the topic of Indonesian guitars. After buying my first USA Jackson, the 2018 Indo Pro Series RR3 I bought last year is very close in fit and finish. Little more time has been spent on the USA neck and frets, but it's pretty close.
Regarding scale length and down tuning, you assumed he used the same gage of strings. He may just had a .009 set on his strat and a .010 one on his PRS, which are the gages these manufacturer put on their guitars.
Hey Phillip I love your videos man amazing content love your sense of humour too!! quick question for you... I recently bought a 2019 American professional strat from my local shop via Fender .. I love it but I have a couple of issues I am hoping you can help me out with. (keep in mind im new to guitar .. like you i played bass "for fun" im not a serious gigging musician or anything .. just a guy in his mid thirties who wants to learn to play guitar, so my knowledge is kinda limited) 1. I have been experiencing considerable fret buzz on my Low E and A strings up between frets 1-3, I tried to adjust the allen key height adjustment on the saddle and it seemed to help a bit . Is there anything else i should do ? (the action is nice not high but maybe a bit on the lower side.. again set up by fender ) 2. The new Pop in tremolo arm ... do you find that it is hard to lock and and equally if not harder to remove? i find mine is super hard to pull out .. have you ever experienced this issue? Again thanks for making awesome videos and providing us new guys with insight and inspiration ! Kind regards from chilly Northern Ontario Canada! Cheers Haus
I'm a bedroom player with a little extra cash to spend and I own an American professional Strat, a Baja tele, and a 5420 Gretsch. I am planing on buying a Epiphone Casino (because of the Beatles) a Danelectro (because of the cool history) and a Tim Armstrong Wild Cat (because I like Playing East Bay Night). I will also add a classic player Jaguar and an Gibson SG at some stage and a Les Paul Standard. Plus I'd like the Vox AC 15. I'm also a beginner player learning with the help of Justin Guitar.com. Am I buying all the guitars? - no, just the ones I want. Oh and a Gibson ES335 is also on that list.
I'm learning with Justin Guitar too, he's really taught me a lot. I bought the Boss Katana 50 when he recommended it and it's my go to amp. I just received my 41st guitar; I have them all on stands so I can just pick any one of them up and play at any time. It looks like a forest of guitar necks in my rooms. Fender Strats, Teles, Jaguars, and a Jazzmaster, Squire Mustang and Jagmaster were my first buys, then, more brands. I think I have enough but then Eastwood Guitars or Danelectro will come out with something new and I know I NEED it. G.A.S. is a real mental condition; I prefer to think it keeps me from acts of violence or political office: dangerous stuff.
Man I miss my Dr Z z28! It was the only amp I've owned that sounded good even with no reverb.Z28 + Mesa Recto 2x12 using an EJ strat = tonal bliss and I sold all of them. Yes I'm a dumb ass!
for me the minimum for eletric guitarist is maybe 3 or 4 2 very good guitar and 1 a bit different then 1 acoustic This would be the minimal This way you can leave one that you love at your studio and one in your house Ps : How ever I find it very hard when they are all at my home. I tend to play one at a time for a few month and feel bad for the other I'm not playing xD
I used to bend down everything and now all the big bends go up. The key was the good anchoring with the thumb and first finger and multiple fingers on the string to support the bend while muting other strings. Play the note you want to bend to first, than do the bend and repeat. You can do that also with a looper and headphones. You can hear the tone you want to bend to, you do the bending and the next overdub is for checking. Try to play a slow melody by pre-bending every tone.
My friend hates my Epiphone LP special II. My friend is a pro, but most me friends like the guitar. What if I put Billy Gibson pick ups, new wireing new pots and change tuners ans graftech nut and bridge. Ans I have the money to do something that crazy. It's a solid guitar. Should I do that and gift it to him>
I'm a bedroom player (I have a whole bedroom devoted to my dozen guitars). I can afford them because i have a job that isn't being a musician. But I also don't have enough time to play.
same boat .. I have a good job and can afford to buy nice guitars (or as my wife calls them ART) I played bass for a number of years just jamming with friends and finally decided to switch to guitar at the ripe old age of 37 .. Never too late right ...
I got rid of most of my amps because my wife was hoping to use part of that room as an office. I sold all but one, and she set up and office downstairs instead. 🙄
@@wonderwomanguy so its not just my wife who can never make up her mind...lol
Me too. When you retire you'll have time.
6 in a living room. 335 is my next, but i ain't moving outta living room.
Are bedroom player's buying all the guitars? Yes we are currently up to 45 guitars and yes I have a problem.
@Steve agreed I have 3 maybe 4 high end guitars and I don't pay no more than 4 5 hundred anymore and the differences are barely noticeable.
old metalhead outdoors id rather have just one really GOOD guitar instead of a couple mediocre ones
@Steve havent found it but i will
i think something like a music man petrucci
Since when is that too many guitars...?
Do they all do different things? It is like tools when they all do different things or do them differently there is still need for them... :-)
I own 17 guitars. I spend usually $400 and under for some kickass guitars. One being my Ibanez EX Korean, I paid $75 for on flea bay. Just needed a nut and intonation. Sick playing guitar, if I may say.
Favourite saying "The correct number of guitars to have is n+1 where n is the current number of guitars you own."
Gotta disagree with this.......just like bicycles (to which the same rule is often applied), you are better off owning one really nice instrument (or bike) than a bunch of poorly maintained crap. Guys that own ten bikes rarely have one that is ready to ride every day. Own one really nice bike/guitar, afford it's up-keep, be happy !!
N = S - 1 Where S is the number when your significant other will leave you.
@@MrScrofulous Those are 2 very different things you're trying to compare..
No, not really. Sure, guitars require less maintenance than bikes, bu the principle still holds. Better to have fewer and better, well maintained, than a pile of dross in poor condition. Now, I have 4 bikes currently, but only one of each important type (roadie/MTB/cruiser/fat bike) and currently about 10 guitars, but I'm an ageing yuppie too, with a good income and not exactly a paragon of moderation. I still hold quality over quantity.@@elephantsonthestreet
You’re forgetting time in your equation - n+1(t +1)= G
I am proud to say I have graduated from being a bedroom player to a living room player. It helps that I have an understanding spouse that appreciates my playing guitar. :-)
Love that I’m not the only collector with more money than skill. I realized a few years back that guitars are cheaper and more beautiful (to me) than any other wall art. Now I have a room that looks like I know what I’m doing (I don’t) but it makes me happy!
A good pro -setup makes all of the difference in the world. It even fixes problems you may have overlooked or didn't even realize you were having.
I have been playing guitar as a love and sometimes for money for 30 years. I am not rich by any stretch of the imagination and never have been but I always have chosen higher end guitars which most would consider expensive, but I always buy my guitars with the intention of having a lifelong bond and a dependable tool to express myself with.
I would rather save the money and buy a high end set of tools then keep a drawer full of disposable Walmart tools.
My guitars are never case queens, but I take care of them as any artist should take care of his tools he uses.
I see these relict guitars that are sold so someone can own a guitar that makes it look like they have played it for 30 years, but my guitars are relict by my actual own hands as they should be.
To each his own, and everyone is justified in their own eyes, so this is just my approach and isn’t meant to diminish anyone else’s choices.
I agree. I recently got rid of 5 guitars, they were all nice and I liked them, but I didn't love them. I went to my local shop and trade the 5 in for a Gibson Les Paul studio HP; replaced the robotuners with Grovers, total out of pocket $150. Now I have a guitar I really love rather than a few ok guitars. Also, I play it, I don't keep it locked away in it's case. If it gets scratched then that's just what happens. Why have a guitar and not play it? why not play the nicest one you can afford? If you stick with it you'll find yourself learning more about what you like and you'll be trading up in no time. Love the channel, always a good time here. Thanks
Totally accurate about musicians who are gear heads versus that they just play. I would say most musicians are not that into gear, but really good musicians don’t play stock instruments. Guitar, it’s pretty straightforward, you understand that every piece matters more than it’s famous or not make and model because it’s very mechanical, but I’m originally a sax player and so acoustics matter to me a lot. Yeah, wood matters, nut material matters, and so on. I want to hear the tone of the whole instrument, not just the pickups and amp. I play heavier strings for example because I like the sound better than standard wimpy 9s, but if I were a Metal player, I would probably go with very light strings both for speed and a brighter tone.
I don’t know the gear so much, but I know my instrument.
I'm a bedroom player and jam once in a while at a bar, I own 17 guitars. Its a disease. I also have a used from Reverb, a Squier Vintage Modified 70s bass which I absolutely love and play as well. I have a disease known as GAS - Gear Acquisition Syndrome.
Glad you break down the Stream with time stamps for quick interest points
I'm 48 now so yeah I was in my teens in the 80s buying up Metal Edge and Circus I got a guitar in college and just played riffs from hair band songs. In the late 2000's I got back into it and now own 26 guitars spanning acoustic, electric and bass ranging in price from $300 to $1500. They're both toys and art to me.
The reason why gigging guitarists buy lesser gear, it is because they know what they want. They travel and lug the gear specifically because they know what they want to use.
Bedroom guitarists and gearheads typically are in it for being nerds. Most don't practice that much either, mostly are repeating licks they have been doing for years. They chase multiple sounds, because they don't know what they want, and end up buying gear upon gear.
Origin Music Joe Bonamassa, Eric Clapton, David Gilmour for ex..... have huge Guitar collections
I am a home player and I play ten hours a day seven days a week. I have eight guitars and half a dozen amps and the only reason I don't own more is that I don't want to be wasting valuable playing / practice time on having to maintain / tune anymore guitars.
Most gigging musicians don't own the more upmarket gear because they don't have enough income to buy it.
If I ever do play out I use my Squier Classic Vibe 50's Strat because if it get's damaged or stolen it's easily replaced. It's not about what I want to use it's more about what I don't want to lose.
Heidi Duverger *Middle of the line, regular gigging guitarists.
tdunster2011 yes. Expensive gear is risky too. And a lot of gigging guitarist don't need the fancy doo-dads or risks involved with high-end gear. I have met a lot of them that use equipment that gear snobs would cringe to, but hey. If it takes you from point A to point B, for them, that's all that matters.
well said, agree strongly
I sing in working bands, I play guitar in my basement because I love it. I have 20+ guitars, PRS, Fender, Gibson, G&L, etc... I have several amps from Fender, Mesa, Bugera, Peavey and Boss. I love guitar!!! I make money singing but I spend tons on guitars.
I'LL never forget a conversation I had with FC Hall of Rickenbacke at the Santa Ana factory. Maybe around 1989, and he pretty much confirmed that "most of our product if purchased by dentists and lawyers who could afford them when they were teenagers". "They never get out of the bedroom. He also said something like, "less than one percent of all the musical instruments sold ever earn back their purchase price. " That actually sounds right too.
I think I have been following your youtube channel since you first launched it. You sure have come a long way since that day. Great wishes for you in the future and we will see where it takes you.
For seating locations at concerts, I Always sit close to the house board since its tuned to that spot
For me, 3 electric guitars (a strat, a les paul and a metal type guitar), 1 acoustic and 1 classical is fine. I'm definately interested in buying some for decoration when I buy my own house though...
Haha I thought 7 guitars was getting to be a bit much to deal with (space/ constant maintenance) but some of you really put that number into perspective.
Most guitar buyers/players are in the bedroom. The advent of DJ's, beat boxes, Garage Band, etc. has reduced the need to learn an instrument and have reduced the places that players can earn even a supplemental income by playing a guitar or anything else.
On the subject of not wanting a sports car (me too, BTW) there was an unintendedly hilarious TV show here in the UK about a lottery winner. These wise guys took her out to go shopping for some cool stuff, trying to impress her. She hated all the sports cars. "Where does my shopping go?", "This car is REALLY hard to park!", "I can't see behind me", "These are not good cars, take me somewhere else." She ended up with a modest saloon car with a bunch of options.
No shame in being a bedroom guitarist. I’m done with being in bands and want to enjoy my guitars and record on my own with an interface and software DAWs. So much nicer not having to rely on others. 2 Strats, 1 PRS, 1 bass, 1 acoustic here
i was born in 1980 my reason for getting into guitar was the 90s for sure.
I'm starting to get into those old sale barn 1950's guitars they are not made well, have no truss rod, smell like mold, but I clean and polish then I hang them on the wall. A lot of times I they are coming part but I glue them back together and fix what I can, with my limited skill set, they look so cool nearly impossible to play. Just a lot of fun.
I have 15 bass guitars and will not stop until I die...each one has a different tone, character and voice...I have a sickness for sure...lol
Wally A thats nice
Im a bedroom player but i just buy cheap beat up guitars, i have six. Im about to get my 7th, but i play them almost everyday when i get home from work.
Yup. That's what I do. Own multiple guitars, basses and amps and they all decorate my apartment and I use amp cabs as tables. Just love gear and collecting and learning all I can... but ironically haven't learned how to play... just seems very daunting.
....but some day. I have the rest of my life to learn to use what I have :)
@@hulkslayer626 Just don't let the rest of it slip away before you do! :P
I've got 6 basses, 2 guitars, 4 amps and small P.A. I only gig once or twice a year. But it's fun to split the signal and have everything and have sound from every angle
I had a Pedal Genie account for a while and it was pretty cool. For me, it was cool to gain access to pedals you don't see everyday such as Amp Tweaker, Pro Tone, Horizon Devices, KHDK pedals. The only problem is that they limited quantities of certain pedals so you may have to wait. But definitely cool.
Last count I was at 110 guitars and climbing. I don't have time to play a lot any more and with the rates of pay don't want to, so I taught my son Daniel to play so he can have them all. LOL If anyone would like to hear him catch him on Facebook under Danny V Music. He also does facebook concerts once in a while. He's been playing now about 7 years. Just FYI.
Phil, does your shirt say Bowling For Dollars? Oh, Bowling For Soup.
I rarely have time to play. But when buying gear I have a wish list that goes back many years. Nostalgia drives me towards older gear. But when it comes to guitars it would seem only new will do. I'm currently interested in an ESP Fujioka Custom.
Recording is a hobby, having tried thousands of times to upload sounds to YT, mostly to show old friends who ask 'You still play?', I've sought advice from many sources. This open community at YT invites participation, and there are so many creative people who express themselves through music. A riff, a synth, strange progressions. You don't have to be a professional like Pete Thorn or R.J. Ronquillio to put out music.
Good show today! Have a great weekend!
Bowling for soup
I am a hobbyist player and I have too many guitars, but that's what hobbyists do, collect stuff, whether it's guitars, bicycles or whatever. I know a professional guitar player and he has just three electric guitars, plus an acoustic. His gear is the same stuff he's had for years and it does the job, and he's not likely ever to change it.
The Tube Screamer convo - Though equipment matters, it's what the player does with it that matters. First and foremost. I had absolute junk 'back in the day'; a Peavey 70's era (4 input) Classic Tube Combo amp in to a generic 4x12 and I ran a Boss Turbo Overdrive in to that. It sounded huge and chunky! HUGE! But was built from junk. The guitar store guru (awesome player/tone) would always joke; 'Why do I even bother buying stuff for my rack-mount refrigerator, I can just buy cheap crap!'. Moral is; make what you have work...first.
Revstar guitars look cool, but they are kind of going after the Reverend look. Not to mention the name... They want to cut into Reverend's market. If you are interested, check out Reverend also. I own 3 and they are all superb quality. So are the Railhammer pickups mentioned earlier that they use. I put some in an epiphone SG and they ROCK! I bought a 2nd pair that I haven't decided where to use yet because I'm giving that SG to my nephew.
I had 2 identical tube screamers in the 90s and sold one to a buddy so I A/Bd them before hand and there was a very definite difference in the tone without a doubt to anybody listening.
A good clean headroom amp that has some crunch if you want is the Traynor amps.
Edit: if you’re into metal get a Peavey Bandit, upgrade the speaker, and get either an Airis Effects Merciless or a TC Electronic Eyemaster (if you want a cheaper option since the airis is 169).
Interesting. Enjoyed this Philip.
Absolutely would go with stainless steel frets. I own 40 or more guitars and there is definitely a difference. They feel like glass and I definitely respect Phil's response but they will wear 5 times as slow as other frets. If you're playing one guitar definitely go with stainless or you will do a fret job within 2 years. Phil trades guitars in and out and doesn't have to experience it. Even though I own a lot I still only play about 4 guitars continuously.
AS a guitarist, i buy them becuase i just love to play and every guitar is something new and different for me.
Lol, I'm gonna have to chime in as a "bedroom player" too. Still learning to play guitar, bass AND baritine ukulele (chose that way since they're all part of the same basic tuning, EADGBE, EADG and DGBE, respectively).
I enjoy collecting different instruments because each has different sound and bring different tones and feel to the table. Plus some I've bought specifically to mod in different ways, usually the cheaper brands and models.
Initially I was just buying the cheapest instruments that catches my fancy for whatever reason, it varies. Usually under 100$US. Lately I've become more picky about what I buy and the average price range has gone up. Usually in the 250-350$US range.
Nevertheless, I'm currently at 43 and in the process of acquiring 2 more this week.
G.A.S. ;)
I've noticed that my tastes tend to run more towards the 80s vintages, which usually is guaranteed to be modded with modern hardwares and electronics. I've also have a noticable preference towards S-Types, LP-Types, and more extreme Types like Vs, Warlocks, Futuras, etc. All those that can be used in the hard rock and metal genres.
I just bought a Squier after owning many US made Fenders and Gibsons. I don't currently have any Fenders or Gibson. The Squier I have (Deluxe Jazzmaster) was made in China and most people think they are better than the Jazzmasters made in Indonesia.
I bought it new for $382 (on sale). I don't even have any interest in Fender Jazzmasters now.
So, I guess I"m one of those people you mentioned. I can afford more expensive guitars, used to have a lot of much more expensive guitars, sold them all and now the ones I have and really like are less expensive guitars in general.
This really is the golden age for guitar buyers. Being able to pay more for guitars isn't a great reason for doing so. :)
Hey phill been watching since the begaining and ive told you many times but ill tell you again love the channel look forward to every friday and your looking great got to have another show with ralph soon
I'm a gigging guitar player. I have the essentials: Strat, Les Paul, Ibanez, Martin acoustic... but I play my 1992 Heartfield RR58 the most, that is my main guitar and for my band I could get by with just it. I feel no need for collecting for the sake of collecting. If they don't bring something unique to the mix I don't need them. For me guitars are tools, not wall art. But they do look nice on walls :) so I can understand why people fall in love visually with the guitar while perhaps lacking the ability to proficiently use it as a tool. I have a few friends with more guitars than me that don't actually play much at all. In the end if you love guitar and owning them makes you happy, that is cool, do your thing and buy however many you want... or the bank account will allow!
Im down to 7 high end guitars and sold my wall of different amps and bought a Fractal AX8 and Jbl studio monitors. Fractal has everything you will ever need all in one unit.
I'm a hobbyist with minimalist goals. I dont like to refer to my amassment of gear as a "collection", but maybe I could just be in denial. I've always seen my gear obsession as "experimenting" or "exploring". Maybe I can admit I've invested a lot of effort in "tone chasing." The end goal has always been to find the sound that fits me best and reflects where I'm coming from.
It's also been way easier to acquire gear then to sell it. I'm not talking about letting go of emotional attachment to gear. Rather, its always been a painful process to get a fair price for whatever I sold. Therefore I would go out and buy a piece of gear before selling off something I no longer wanted. This eventually creates clutter and leads to more problems than benefits.
That you’re talking about of a guitar, the rosewood fretboard feels better than the maple to me, call me crazy 😜
I don't have a wooden pick guard per say but I have a bass where I carved the shape of a pick guard into the top.
per se
Just catching up with this. I'm a hobbyist, and I've got five electric guitars. I just sold a sixth one, but another one is coming in, a Shijie Strat! Man, there's so many guitars I'd like to try and/or have. ONE IS NOT ENOUGH! 😄
When are you going to sweetwater to help them improve the 55 point check? Update please...
regarding squires: I recently read that Ray Davies has made the switch to Squire Telecasters a few years ago
Hey Phil you were talking about the futone springs, I had a customer that had some the other day and it killed the ground from the claw to the bridge, pretty weird. Of course I had already wasted half an hour checking the wiring and adding grounds and stuff haha! Just thought I would tell you about it just in case you had a weird buzz anytime
Cool, with your tshirt thing, that's really cool! Others might take advantage of a situation like that.
I'm a bedroom Guitar player....I gigged for 15 years, now I just buy guitars and amps....I'm sure I'll gig again as the little ones get older...10 guitars and happy as hell.....range from a squire to American strats, And a Les paul
I'm relatively new to guitar as a hobbyist and I went in for a Gibson Les Paul 50's tribute.
Not hugely expensive but dropping that kind of money from a standing start.....
You can never go wrong with buying American imho, there is a definite difference. instead i travelled the Epiphone (korea, china) and Fender (MIM) route, when instead those chunks at a few hundred each would've been better invested in higher end Gibson or USA Fender (or PRS) that hold their value much better.
@@wolverine3344 interesting that Gibson like for like are significantly cheaper than Fender.
@@TiberiusWallace Surprising isn't it, esp since you're getting a set neck on a larger body, dual humbuckers, 4 pots, and easier string bending due to shorter scale length. LP is my go-to but there are applications where Fender cleans are required which Gibson just can't do imho. I tend to reach for my '97 G&L American Legacy before my '99 Fender Elite US with Lace Sensors.
@@wolverine3344 yes indeed!
Generally when you point that out to someone they'll go and find a link for the most expensive Gibson Custom and a midpriced Fender Standard to illustrate you being wrong.
Are Bedroom Players buying all the guitars? Yes, absolutely. Players aren't taking 3 to $5000.00 guitars to Bar Gigs. I'm a mancave guy. My friend plays several gigs every week. He's not taking his 66 Fender Strat to a bar gig, he uses a $500.00 Ibanez for that.
I think Joe Bonnamasa is proud that he's a hobbyist.
So Phil I gotta hear your thoughts on the Friedman Cali and Vintage S and Vintage T. Robert Baker, Guitar Pit, Cheddar Kung Pao Ryan Bruce?, Henning, and a shit ton of others I follow have purchased 1 or multiple Friedmans which are in the $3000.00 range. They all are indicating they bought them. I think it's too wide spread and I think they are repeating too many of the same phrases when describing the guitars... Keep in mind I just bought a used one so it's not like I'm immune to the dronage.
Yes. But what’s wrong with playing for the love of playing? If you loved guitar as a kid and you still love it as an adult and you’re pretty good, the quality of your purchases goes up. So if you’re a famous performer and you lose your fame do you quit playing? No, not if you truly love it. The majority of us are home guitarists. And I think that means we buy the most gear.
guitars are tools and art, idk why but hearing phillip say it made me feel awesome.
alpha pots drop off abruptly when turning them down to about 8 or 7 sucks when using a non master tube amp!
sick hemi same experience here
I once bought a Burns potentiometer and I can't believe how people can like them, they are so fast to turn its really hard to control.
Alpha Pots (the newer 24mm ones) and CTS Pots feel similar in turning, the CTS just seem to have the right balance. I just hate their audio taper, it's atrocious, and they're 3 times the cost of an Alpha pot in some places...
@@russellesimonetta3835 I see no reason to pay more for CTS unless you specifically like the exact CTS feel, but even so, the Alpha ones are so similar, one can't tell, especially if the knob material is different.
In my view, I prefer Alpha for tone pots because they feel more secure.
I use both because I bought several brands to try, but If i needed new pots, i'd get Alphas.
Next time I make a Reverb purchase I'll add a set of stickers and picks.
Bedroom player here. I got to 2015 with one guitar, now I own 32 and yes, I have a problem.
I'll have no use for a Synergy. But, look up Steve Vai's Synergy video; as, he's their spokesperson, now.
Dylan talks tone has the squire upgrade pickgaurd assembly with some great pickups !
Would love to see you do a review of the Interblock 45. Want to put one on my board to utilize the effects loop for my wet effects and drive in front of the amp. That would let me run the quilter to a cab and then the stereo out of my wet to another amp.
Just bought my 8th, a USA Jackson Adrian Smith. May need one more guitar. On the topic of Indonesian guitars. After buying my first USA Jackson, the 2018 Indo Pro Series RR3 I bought last year is very close in fit and finish. Little more time has been spent on the USA neck and frets, but it's pretty close.
Regarding scale length and down tuning, you assumed he used the same gage of strings. He may just had a .009 set on his strat and a .010 one on his PRS, which are the gages these manufacturer put on their guitars.
One thing regarding musician vs hobbyist and collecting, much like @Phillip I play out as a bassist, but I own too many guitars and just two basses
Hey Phillip I love your videos man amazing content love your sense of humour too!! quick question for you... I recently bought a 2019 American professional strat from my local shop via Fender .. I love it but I have a couple of issues I am hoping you can help me out with. (keep in mind im new to guitar .. like you i played bass "for fun" im not a serious gigging musician or anything .. just a guy in his mid thirties who wants to learn to play guitar, so my knowledge is kinda limited)
1. I have been experiencing considerable fret buzz on my Low E and A strings up between frets 1-3, I tried to adjust the allen key height adjustment on the saddle and it seemed to help a bit . Is there anything else i should do ? (the action is nice not high but maybe a bit on the lower side.. again set up by fender )
2. The new Pop in tremolo arm ... do you find that it is hard to lock and and equally if not harder to remove? i find mine is super hard to pull out .. have you ever experienced this issue?
Again thanks for making awesome videos and providing us new guys with insight and inspiration !
Kind regards from chilly Northern Ontario Canada!
Cheers
Haus
I love #6 on the Super Champ X2 too!
Yes bedroom players buy all the guitars. I suck at the guitar and never been in a band but I own 11 guitars 🤣🤪
Brandon Huisman GOOD JOB BROTHER 🎸🎸KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK
I've made a use for my whammy pedal. My number 5 just arrived.
Yes. I’m a bedroom player. I’m at 14 guitars + 1 bass and counting.
Absolutely understand that they may be exactly the same but they are never exactly the same.
Guitars ARE Art !
Yep, I'm up to seven and I still suck. But maybe my next guitar will help.
I'm a bedroom player with a little extra cash to spend and I own an American professional Strat, a Baja tele, and a 5420 Gretsch. I am planing on buying a Epiphone Casino (because of the Beatles) a Danelectro (because of the cool history) and a Tim Armstrong Wild Cat (because I like Playing East Bay Night). I will also add a classic player Jaguar and an Gibson SG at some stage and a Les Paul Standard. Plus I'd like the Vox AC 15. I'm also a beginner player learning with the help of Justin Guitar.com. Am I buying all the guitars? - no, just the ones I want. Oh and a Gibson ES335 is also on that list.
I love my Casino Gold Top. P90s rock!! (and so do AC15's and Sg's :-)
I'm learning with Justin Guitar too, he's really taught me a lot. I bought the Boss Katana 50 when he recommended it and it's my go to amp. I just received my 41st guitar; I have them all on stands so I can just pick any one of them up and play at any time. It looks like a forest of guitar necks in my rooms. Fender Strats, Teles, Jaguars, and a Jazzmaster, Squire Mustang and Jagmaster were my first buys, then, more brands. I think I have enough but then Eastwood Guitars or Danelectro will come out with something new and I know I NEED it. G.A.S. is a real mental condition; I prefer to think it keeps me from acts of violence or political office: dangerous stuff.
Man I miss my Dr Z z28! It was the only amp I've owned that sounded good even with no reverb.Z28 + Mesa Recto 2x12 using an EJ strat = tonal bliss and I sold all of them. Yes I'm a dumb ass!
Me a looper and trio pedal👍🏻 plus 28 guitars
Hey phil so you have a good sugestion for sharpen my 2017 les paul traditional bridge pickup? Do you have any pickup recomendations?
Heh... just popped to 1k likes. I am a bedroom player now... I have a bedroom just for this... trying to fill it with guitars.
for me the minimum for eletric guitarist is maybe 3 or 4
2 very good guitar and 1 a bit different
then 1 acoustic
This would be the minimal
This way you can leave one that you love at your studio and one in your house
Ps : How ever I find it very hard when they are all at my home. I tend to play one at a time for a few month and feel bad for the other I'm not playing xD
Guitars are playable art.
“How many guitars does a guy need?” “Just one more honey”
lol I pull down on the high strings because for some reason I can't bend to pitch when bending up if my life depended on it....
I used to bend down everything and now all the big bends go up. The key was the good anchoring with the thumb and first finger and multiple fingers on the string to support the bend while muting other strings.
Play the note you want to bend to first, than do the bend and repeat. You can do that also with a looper and headphones. You can hear the tone you want to bend to, you do the bending and the next overdub is for checking.
Try to play a slow melody by pre-bending every tone.
My friend hates my Epiphone LP special II. My friend is a pro, but most me friends like the guitar. What if I put Billy Gibson pick ups, new wireing new pots and change tuners ans graftech nut and bridge. Ans I have the money to do something that crazy. It's a solid guitar. Should I do that and gift it to him>
I have purchased 13 guitars this year. Stress buying.
I'd love it if you'd want to do a sharpen my axe on my Premium Ibanez AZ. Not sure what you could sharpen but you always seem to find something
Comments are not running on my phone.
HOW DO I GET YOUR Ts Phillip I GOTZ TO HAVE THREE
Hey Phil what do u think of the Marshall valve state 8004 v40
can we please see more videos of you playing your gear?
Know your gear!
Hey my question was right at the end and you answered it, now its gone? Am i crazy?
When is the Dr Z demo? Or did I miss it
Am I missing something whats wrong with nickelback?
Go premium and you won’t have to deal with excessive commercials
Isn't the bedroom where we are bring the ladies to watch us shred?
Phil obviously did not grow up in the seventies if he thinks guitar was still "ramping up" in the seventies.
I can't believe he's still saying pie-zo.
Ampeg portaflex series? Your opinion, please.
Not this bedroom player 😢