My Name is Mickey, and I Have GAS
Gear Acquisition Syndrome
With
the 2016 NAMM Show in full effect
– that’s the North American Music Merchants
showcase, if you didn’t know
– I would like to broach a topic that countless millions
of musicians struggle with. It is known as GAS, or Gear Acquisition Syndrome. This happens when the latest, greatest, how-did-I-ever-live-without-it, irresistible new products
are unleashed on the world, tantalizing GASsers the world over.
Maybe I don’t have GAS. Or maybe I am in denial. It’s hard to self-diagnose.
Every time I get a new, or new-to-me, piece of gear, it never feels frivolous, but absolutely
necessary. Perhaps
that is a warning sign. Guitars always seem to be the hardest to justify – after the first 10 or so. But there is
always a reason. Some rationalizations may be:
•
I love my Taylor, but I need a Martin to cover the all the bases.
• For
electrics, substitute Strat and Les Paul.
• This
was a smoking deal; I can sell this and make hundreds. (Of
course, I never will.)
• Well
I need a travel size guitar, of course.
• This
one goes up to eleven.
• How can I NOT have a 12-string? For electrics, substitute 7 strings; for bass 5 and 6.
Guitars, however, are just the tip of the iceberg. They are the gateway drug. Guitars lead to
amps. Amps lead to stomp boxes, loopers, pedal boards, microphones, PA equipment, more amps, mixers... It never ends.
I am not going to even get into recording. I try to keep this blog PG, and there is no room for that kind of horror here.
OK, perhaps I suffer
from
a mild case of GAS.
But I’m hoping I can keep it under reasonable control.
A friend
of mine was telling me about his latest dream rig. It consisted of a high quality
modeling guitar, amp, and a ridiculous effects processor. He was exited,
as was I. This rig could emulate just about every guitar, amp, and effect that has ever been created. It could effectively
cure his GAS. It would be the last rig he would ever need. I thought
to myself, “What’s the fun in that?”
To your success!
MICKEY
Visit Mickey's website to see his performance tracks - call TODAY to schedule him for your next event!
