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Am I worthy?

Musicman

Well-known member
Joined
Feb 27, 2002
Messages
1,909
I have what might seem to be a stupid question. I've been playing guitar for over 25 years now and can afford to buy a real nice guitar. The problem is I'm not really that good of a player and only play for my own enjoyment. I don't plan on playing in a band, on stage or anywhere else other than my home. My conundrum if you will is I feel unworthy of a better guitar than my Studio model. Is it right for a guy like me to purchase an extraordinary guitar when there are others who make a living at this and can't attain the so called holy grail and deserve it more?

I have a few great low end guitars that keep me happy for the most part but I long for the "ONE". What do you guys think, am I right to feel this way?
 

Mark Kane

All Access/Backstage Pass
Joined
Jul 18, 2001
Messages
5,742
Only you can answer for yourself but as far as being "worthy" based on playing guitar for a living go read the "Vintage Guitar" section of the LPF and see how some of those guys feel about it.
 

WineRedCustom

Banned
Joined
Nov 8, 2004
Messages
329
hi there,

first of all my respect to the way you think, top-man!
secondly, all musicians no matter what their level DESERVE the best instruments, because you are in your own way serving music and to do that fully you need the best of equipment...even if you cant afford it or your level isnt up there with the legendary ones, it is your musical right!...and noone can touch that.
i would say go and pick out a les paul your intuition says is the best for you and enjoy music while you can...

cheerz
 

anotherera

New member
Joined
Aug 5, 2004
Messages
53
I, too, only play in the comforts of my own home. My wife and dogs seem to enjoy the noise and I own a number of Gibson historics and treat them as my prides and joys. Treat yourself!
 

moonpie

In the Zone
Joined
May 24, 2003
Messages
9,781
Not everyone who drives a Vette is a top driver.

Buy the guitar. :rrrr
 

Matt

All Access/Backstage Pass
Joined
Jul 15, 2001
Messages
571
If you can afford it and it brings you enjoyment, buy the guitar.
 

PearlyGates59

New member
Joined
Apr 26, 2004
Messages
1,281
I am a noodler. I've been playing 27 years and I know I'm not nearly as good as I should be. I do play in a band but I'm just a support guy, I don't carry the show.

I buy the best that I can afford. I've got better gear than a lot of guys who are trying to make a living at it. It's my choice and my money, my family has not gone without due to my purchases of gear.

:dude

You won't regret having gear that you really love instead of stuff that's just good enough. :2cents
 

BigsbyTracks

Active member
Joined
Aug 4, 2001
Messages
5,793
I can understand your feeling, but it's not just about ability or where you play. To echo other posts here, if nothing else, maybe you deserve the opportunity to find the guitar of your dreams simply because anyone should have that chance at least once in their life. So yeah, if you have the money and that's where you'd rather put it, enjoy the experience of finding that extraordinary guitar. :)
 

Hackubus

Les Paul Forum Member
Joined
Dec 20, 2001
Messages
1,591
It's your money, spend it as you see fit. I'm of the mindset you buy the best instruments you can afford. If there was a qualifying round for music purchases, I'm afraid I'd have failed most of them.
 

LPClassic

New member
Joined
Sep 28, 2001
Messages
238
The way I see it is some dreams may come true, as you said you may play for your own enjoyment (as me at this moment of my life) is not a matter of being the best player is matter of self enjoyment and how much you love the tone and feel of the instrument, I buy hi, middle and low end guitars as long as they play great and have the tone that I look for. As I said, some dreams may come true.
 

Sebastien

New member
Joined
Feb 10, 2004
Messages
525
I personnally justify my gear buys with the fact that I play in a band our gig/record regularly. I would personnaly have trouble justifiying such buys if I stopped playing. regardless of my ability.

But someone once said "life's to short to play crappy gear". Or was it "shitty"? Anyway, most poeple will agree that with a new purchase comes an inhanced interest in the instrument and you will end up a better player after all.

Any purchase that will motivate you to play more is a good investment IMO.
 

keto

New member
Joined
Aug 29, 2004
Messages
301
I have been blessed with the ability to buy some great gear tho I have NOT been blessed with much musical ability =( Nonetheless, I look at it a couple of different ways - a) all 3 of my kids are interested and have started to learn to play, so the gear will go to good homes and b) together we jam and do home recording, so it's nice to be able to choose from a pallette of tones.

I don't own any vintage guitars but do own 3 vintage amps (the REAL investment opportunity in musical gear, imho). 2 of 3 get used very regularly, the other one (minty minty minty 67 Deluxe Reverb) comes out occasionally but hasn't had cord or speaker changed yet so I'm a little cautious with it.

Hell ya, buy what you like, no qualifiers.
 

electricwood

New member
Joined
Mar 10, 2004
Messages
594
If You feel guilty,you will never really enjoy a great guitar.
that's like saying I'm not that good looking, so I don't deserve a beautiful wife. I don"t get it!
 

Slim Taper

Member
Joined
Jul 19, 2001
Messages
815
Copper Top - you absolutely should buy the guitar of your dreams. I'm an older guy who's band days are long behind him, so I just play for myself now and maybe the occaisional jam. On the surface, I could not justify spending large dollars on an Historic - I had acceptable equipment already - but when I looked into my heart and got over this "not worthy" crap, life told me I deserve to go for the dream. And I couldn't be happier. And, yes, it will bring your playing up a notch for many, many reasons!
 

Autococker07

New member
Joined
Feb 1, 2004
Messages
557
Will you enjoy a -better- guitar? I enjoy mine every moment i play them, and I am, and will never be a pro player.
 

lockingnut

New member
Joined
Dec 12, 2003
Messages
129
I went through the same thing. Upgraded from a 94 Studio to a 96 Jimmy Page LP, felt unworthy for awhile but not anymore. The nicer stuff motivated me to keep going. I now have more than one "nice" axe and I use them all on stage, somewhere I never thought I'd be. Don't deny yourself something nice, no one knows where it may lead.
 

Adwex

New member
Joined
Oct 29, 2002
Messages
3,494
I'm in your same boat...picked up a guitar almost 20 years ago, no lessons, no real practice. I suck, but I have thousands of dollars of equipment, including an R7 I bought last year. I don't play in a band, and more importantly, I don't get paid to play. Therefore, since I live in a free country, if I want good guitar equipment, I can spend my money any way I want to. I agree with the comment that if you have good gear, you'll be motivated to play more/better, and if I got paid to play, I would definitely practice more...but I don't, so I don't have to.

Get whatever guitar you want. If you have the $ for it, then you are worthy.
 
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