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Any regrets to downsizing/trading up?


Joby1knobi

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For a few months I've been looking at my gear and thinking I've got way too much of it (and I'm sure the Mrs. agrees).

 

So I've been thinking about selling some gear and trading up if you will (i.e. sell a few and get one custom shop model); but I'm hung up on letting go... but at the end of the day I don't need 12+ guitars. I'm just afraid of that one day that I'll say "hey, I wish I had that Guild S-100 right now"

 

Who's done it, and what regrets, if any, do you have? I've already taken the plunge on my amps and ordered a Savage, while selling two Marshalls and a Mesa.

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While I haven't gone too far upscale, I am doing just that. I'd much rather have a few nice pieces than a bunch of ho hum jobbies laying around. A truly nice guitar is a joy to play. I'm currently saving to get a really nice acoustic and those aren't cheap. :eek:
And, yes, you will miss some guitars, however, that's the case whether you are trading up or just trading around. If you have something in your collection, regardless of price, that you really like, keep that one and get rid of the others.

EG

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I started a blog a while ago to capture the memories of 20+ years worth of gear.

 

That said, I've got a list of, not necessarily "regrets" but what I call, "Gone, but not forgotten".

  • 1986 Ibanez Musician Bass

  • 1971 Gibson EB-3

  • 1970's Epiphone FT-135

  • 1985 Rickenbacker 4003

  • 1969 Gibson Les Paul (aka Les Parts)

  • Epiphone Sheraton II

  • Epiphone Joe Pass (sentimental reasons)

  • Reverend Rocco

  • Fender Cyclone

 

Likewise, I have a longer list for the "Gone and forgotten" :D

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Only caveat I can put out there is that it isn't the best time to be getting top dollar for used gear.


That said, I have been doing this, too, and don't regret it at all.

 

 

True. On the other hand, if you're turning around and buying a nice piece of used gear with the cash, then there's no net loss.

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Only gear I regret selling, is my sweet as 83 USA strat, 2003 Gibson SG, Peavey Bravo, Peavey Classic 30, and 80s Ibanez ad9, Fl9, cs9, and ge9, sold all that cool gear , to pay for a honeymoon that never happened since the Bitch was a Mega Bitch, and she got a job offer, had to move, and she didnt want me to slow her down.

 

Other than that, ive been very happy when I downsize to upgrade

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In the past 2 years I sold:

Modded 5150II

Laney GH100L

Laney 4x12

Gflex 2x12

Marshall head case

Rack case

Ibanez s540

DD-5

DD-6

Megavibe

Danelectro Daddy O

Cool Cat Chorus

Chicken Salad

Tuna Melt

Barge Concepts BBJR

two G12T-75's

 

and probably a few more things. Before this I sold ONE guitar related thing in 8 years. I just got sick of hoarding and wanted to free up some money so I started small with some effects and then on to bigger things. Now it's like I'm always looking to flip something for some extra cash.

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No. I have two electrics and one electro-acoustic. It's all I need. In fact, I probably only really need one electric. Once you have found your sound, you don't need multiple (and slight) variations on it... unless you are a multi-millionaire rock star, and even then you are not going to change your guitar more than a couple of times at the most in one set.

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A few years ago I sold basically my entire home recording studio, all my mics, computer, preamps, interfaces, monitors, effects, rack, EVERYTHING. Also sold all my guitars, amps, pedals, effects, etc. I needed the money to pay bills and I wasn't using it. I was much more obsessed with collecting and upgrading them than actually writing music and recording. Instead I took up different hobbies and lost a lot of interest. No regrets because I spent my time/money doing interesting things.

 

Recently I picked up a cheap LP copy and a Mustang amp, first guitar/amp I've owned in nearly five years. And now when I play guitar it's just PLAYING rather than criticizing a specific deficit in my quest for the perfect tone.

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I think most of us probably have 'too much' gear. I like it mostly to have a variety of pickups. I have a strat with CS54s, one with Duncan Antiquites, one with Duncan SSL2s and a couple others. And I have HB guitars with 57 Classics, Seth Lovers, GFS Alnico IIs and a couple others. And a guitar with BG Pure 90s.

I've been giving it a lot of though... Well, not really a 'lot' of though but I have a short attention span so I guess 5 minutes might qualify. I think I'm going to work towards getting down to two strats, an LP, an LP DC and a tele... and a jazz bass... and an acoustic. That would have me moving about half of guitars I have.

And I have too many amps. I have 8 amps at the moment and am actively salivating over two more.

:facepalm:

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My equipment changes with the demands and direction of our band. Anything that doesn't cut it at our shows-goes. I've sold two amps and about a dozen guitars this last year, but I'm really happy where I'm at now---tomorrow, well, that's a different story.

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I have one electric, and one practice amp. My acoustic interests are greater, but it wouldn't really hurt me to have a couple less.

 

I'm saving up for a ridiculously expensive (to me) acoustic that I will probably not get for a year or more. I may well be done buying guitars at that point.

 

My wife just laughed. "Yeah, right", she says. :D

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