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Topic: Why is it that getting a new guitar... ? |
Joe Drivdahl
From:
Montana, USA
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Posted 6 Mar 2008 9:03 am |
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Why is it that getting a new guitar seems to bring about a new wave of learning? It has been suggested that because we have a new toy, we play more and thus we learn something new, but I'm not sure that is the entire story. And maybe it doesn't happen to everyone, but if I had money, tell you what I'd do. I go down to Bobbe's and buy a new guitar or two every 2 weeks or so. I think my mastery would progress much faster.
Reckon you folks got an opinion on this?
Joe
_________________
GFI Ultra, Gibson, and Fender. |
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Johan Jansen
From:
Europe
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Posted 6 Mar 2008 9:19 am
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same issue with a new partner? 
JJ |
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Joe Drivdahl
From:
Montana, USA
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Posted 6 Mar 2008 9:23 am
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Johan Jansen,
Couldn't say. 25 years same old, same. But your suggestion is intriguing.
Thanks for asking.
Joe
_________________
GFI Ultra, Gibson, and Fender. |
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Scott Hiestand
From:
MA, U.S.A
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Posted 6 Mar 2008 9:30 am
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Just a theory: Since each guitar is different, switching forces us to "re-interact" with the guitar (in a physical way). We'll sit at the guitar slightly differently, our hand angle may change slightly, we experience different pedal and knee throws, etc. So by breaking old (and possibly bad) "physical" habits, or at least changing them, we learn and advance a little quicker...for a while anyway....until THAT guitar becomes like an old pair of sneakers and then the staleness can set in again. Plus, if a steel sounds slightly different, I think that tells our brain to try different things musically.
But I do think just the simple "new toy" aspect still acounts for 75% of it. 
And if I had the money, I'd still buy a new guitar every two weeks even if I didn't learn any faster! |
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Scott Hiestand
From:
MA, U.S.A
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Posted 6 Mar 2008 9:31 am
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| Johan Jansen wrote: |
same issue with a new partner?
JJ |
Didn't they already prove this with rats?  |
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Johan Jansen
From:
Europe
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Posted 6 Mar 2008 9:38 am
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Joe,
I mean this: every new circumstance (sp?) in life makes you look different to things. Seeing things with another approach. A partner, new band, other guitar, other effect, other producer. Didn't mean to insinuate
regards, Johan |
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Joe Drivdahl
From:
Montana, USA
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Posted 6 Mar 2008 10:38 am
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Johan,
I thought you were just joking.
But as they say, you can't miss what you never had, so sticking with the same old, same works as long as one never strays I suppose.
Honestly, Johan, you've inspired me. New idea: If I had money, tell you what I'd do, move to Las Vegas and build a Playboy Mansion or two... 
Joe
_________________
GFI Ultra, Gibson, and Fender. |
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Joe Drivdahl
From:
Montana, USA
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Posted 6 Mar 2008 11:26 am
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Scott Hiestand,
You may be on to something there. Just the "newness" alone, the feel and sound, might make one play differently. I don't know, but I remember when I got my GFI it seemed like the guitar was pulling the licks out of me.
On the other hand, I bought a new Tele not long ago, and it didn't ispire me at all. Of course, I've only got probably a total of one hour on that guitar since I bought it in Nov. Six strings just don't hold much interest for me anymore. Too bad. 33 years down the drain. 
Oh well, easy come, easy go. I might not be a very good one, but I'm a steelman now. 
Joe
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GFI Ultra, Gibson, and Fender. |
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Corky Anderson
From:
Alberta, Canada
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Posted 11 Mar 2008 8:24 pm
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Well heck!, I'll take another new steel over a new partner!!!
Carter D-10 Nv 1000/400 Lexicon Mx 200
Tele...........twin............boss pedals |
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William Fraser
From:
New York, USA
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Posted 12 Mar 2008 2:21 am new git every 2 wks
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I don't think the aquisition of a new guitar itself will provide the inspiration/improvement we all seek.I build/restore/invent a new instrument 2 or 3 times a month, mostly out of vintage parts.I play them all for a period of time ,& have visitors who try each one on thier weekly visits. Occasionally I hit a combination that really works. A good instrument should be diffucult to put down & inspire you to play, & if the guys in the band gush when they hear it, I know it is a winner.The big test is do I end up in a dream like state? forget where I am ? Grin a lot? can I get around comfortably? I rarely try other steels ,as mine does all the above, & altho not too pretty , I don't really see the instrument when I'm lost in play , I invite members to visit & try a few , I like company & love the look on the face of a person playing somthing entirely foriegn to them .Most folks don't have a clue as to what scale length , nut width , or setup truly suits them.I cannot play a 1&5/8 nut width, a new inst. with the wrong specs will cause more problems & slow down progress. Sign me still learning. Bill 
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Billy Lee ,Pro-II,, Session 400,Session 500 , Supro , National, SpeedDemons,& too many Archtops & Stratotones.Lots of vintage parts for Kay ! etc. |
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Joe Drivdahl
From:
Montana, USA
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Posted 12 Mar 2008 9:34 am
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Bill F.,
I know what you are saying. While getting a new guitar can inspire one to play more, there is something to be said for the comfort of the old one. You know by feel how far to move your feet to get to the B & C pedals from the A & B, for example. You have ("finally" in my case) got the sound dialed in the way you want it. New PGSs take some time to get used to.
Joe |
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Roger Crawford
From:
Griffin, GA USA
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Posted 12 Mar 2008 10:35 am
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| A new steel is less expensive than a new partner! |
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Jim Walker
From:
Headland, AL
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Posted 12 Mar 2008 11:05 am
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Roger has a good point.
As for me, money is hard to come by and every time I buy a new piece to my steel guitar puzzle it inspires me to play more because I want to use the item, at home and on stage. The more I play, the better I get, plain and simple.
JW
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Show Pro D10, Session 400 |
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John Jeffries
From:
New Brunswick, Canada
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Posted 12 Mar 2008 11:38 am
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| I think that when you sit down behind (or pick up) a new instrument, and right away you can find licks and get sounds that you couldn't find on the old axe, then that's when the magic happens! Perhaps it's a combination of expectation, inspiration, and enchantment, I don't know, but it's happened to me more than once..... most recently when I bought my new Jackson Blackjack, and a bit ago, when I put new Kinman pickups in the ole Tele. And when that new "sparkle of sound" and "good vibrations" just keeps carrying on as time goes by - doesn't seem to wear out or fade with time, then you've really lucked in! I find myself "checking out" some of the new gear at the music stores and thinking "oh my! what a sweet guitar (or whatever), but when I get home & play my own, I realize that I've already got something that is better, and I wouldn't want to trade. Guess I should consider myself blessed! |
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Ulf Edlund
From:
Umeå, Sweden
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Posted 12 Mar 2008 11:49 am
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This is an interesting question.
The only thing i can think of is inspiration.
I might not have put more time into playing my "new" guitars, but i think it was done with more inspiration.
I have experienced this after servicing and adjusting a guitar too or just switching pickup, just making it more enjoyable to play, and making me more inspired.
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1983 Emmons D10 SKH, Carter SD10, Nashville 112, Session 500, ProfexII, Lapsteels, GT-Beard reso, guitars of all kinds...
http://www.myspace.com/ulfedlund |
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James Morehead
From:
Prague, Oklahoma, USA - R.I.P.
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Posted 12 Mar 2008 7:00 pm
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Works opposite for me. I tried other guitars while my '70 blonde Professional was being rebuilt. When I got it back and I sat down to play it, it felt like I was finally "home". It's been that way ever since.
I build upon what feels familiar. That's what works for me. |
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