I have spent a fortune on electric guitars

AllthegearNoidea · June 2017

And never really got anywhere with my playing. I've owned guitars for about 20 years and enjoyed buying and selling more than playing. I took classical lessons for about 6 months when I started playing. and what I can play now is what I learnt then.

I then got hooked on wanting an electric guitar and I just stalled in my progression as a player as I gave up my classical lessons. I learnt little bits of solos and can play with some feeling but cannot play a song from start to finish, cannot improvise as I would like, hate playing with backing tracks etc. Took loads of electric lessons and never got where I wanted as I looked for new gear to buy and noodled with the pentatonic scale. All my fault not the numerous teachers.

So so I find myself with a £3800 Les Paul R8 historic, £2000 1969 vintage Silverface princeton in mint condition, £2700 Fender CS limited edition tele and a £600 Marshall SL5 all of which I have little or no interest in playing and a £250 Simon and Patrick SP6 that has sat in a case for 20 years which after digging it out recently I have more fun on that all the electric gear although the neck is a little narrow for me

So.

Do do I sell the electric gear and buy a guitar that I can learn some fingerstyle and strumming tunes on and mothball the rest of my gear or just give up as my frustration with the time and money I've wasted is overwhelming at the moment

jason

Grunfeld · June 2017

Beautifully honest post Jason.
And not abnormal.
I'm going out on a limb here:
The real problem is fear.
Fear of being crap.

You can't get competent at playing guitar while you're fearful.
An expensive guitar won't... CAN'T... deal with the fear.
Only one thing can do that...
Exposure to your fear.

Play a f*cking E chord
Play a f*cking A chord
Play a f*cking B chord

and play them again and again and again and again and again.....
And again.
They won't kill you and they won't hurt anything about you and it doesn't matter if they sound shit today cos one day they won't.
One day they won't.
And in the meantime learn all the other f*cking chords too. (Not the jazz chords, no one needs those, just the majors, minors) you see where this is going... lose the fear, play the guitar.

Play.
Does it sound crap?
So f*cking what?
Play it again.
...
Eventually it will sound better.

Basher · June 2017

You could learn fingerstyle on the S&P, although I guess something with a 1 3/4" nut width might be a bit easier. Why not just sell the Marshall (or that and the S&P) and see how you get on?
If you really enjoy learning some acoustic tunrs you could then flog one of the posh 'leccys and buy something special.

AllthegearNoidea · June 2017

Grunfeld said:

Beautifully honest post Jason.
And not abnormal.
I'm going out on a limb here:
The real problem is fear.
Fear of being crap.

You can't get competent at playing guitar while you're fearful.
An expensive guitar won't... CAN'T... deal with the fear.
Only one thing can do that...
Exposure to your fear.

Play a f*cking E chord
Play a f*cking A chord
Play a f*cking B chord

and play them again and again and again and again and again.....
And again.
They won't kill you and they won't hurt anything about you and it doesn't matter if they sound shit today cos one day they won't.
One day they won't.
And in the meantime learn all the other f*cking chords too. (Not the jazz chords, no one needs those, just the majors, minors) you see where this is going... lose the fear, play the guitar.

Play.
Does it sound crap?
So f*cking what?
Play it again.
...
Eventually it will sound better.

Good advice as my chord playing and rhythm playing is abysmal. Am I better off on acoustic?

antifash · June 2017

It's ultimately up to you, but it sounds like you (and everyone else) could survive with one decent electric and one decent acoustic too. It always comes down to practice and the amount of time you are willing to put in. Ideas don't necessarily come with expensive guitars. Expression can be played on anything. Good luck!

AllthegearNoidea · June 2017

antifash Ideas don't necessarily come with expensive guitars. Expression can be played on anything. Good luck!

Cheers thank you

ICBM · June 2017

Honest answer - whether you should sell your electric gear depends how much of a hit you're willing to take on what you spent on it, since you're unlikely to get anything like those prices back. If you are prepared to, then you should probably sell at least some of it (and probably the Simon and Patrick) and buy a nice acoustic. Make sure it's one you will keep for a long time - ie don't buy something impulsively until you've tried enough to know what you want.

But don't give up.

Grunfeld · June 2017

AllthegearNoidea said:

my....playing... is abysmal. Am I better off on acoustic?

Hear this: it really doesn't matter.
Acoustic or electric -- it doesn't matter.
Really: it doesn't matter.

"Abysmal" matters.

Plan: Get "abysmal" to "meh, a bit crap", to "coming along", to "sounding okay", to "sounding competent"

And that's about YOU. Not your guitar.

Jez6345789 · June 2017

I fully agree with the comments above but reality is if you have not had enough motivation to nail electric its doubtful past the initial enthusiasm of doing acoustic stuff you will find the discipline to master good quality finger picking. Its just a distraction because you are not achieving on the electric.

This is not a criticism just an honest assessment from someone who has more than enough gear and perhaps at best half an idea.

Ultimately you just have to get past the current feeling of lacking worth and remember everyone has something to say musically and you just need to find your voice even if its simpler than some others.

It is probably worth getting out and playing with others helped me a lot and gives you something you have to practice for next week. rather than just noodling about and getting no where fast.

slacker · June 2017

I think there are a number of issues here...I'll try to be brief...

Why?-Why do you buy guitars? If you like trading then do that, if you like looking at them more than playing, get some wall hangers. In this scenario you are short of a Strat, Rickenbacker and a Gretsch. Buy, sell, speculate, enjoy.

What?-What do you want to do with your playing? I've been listening to Radio 6 Music and IMHO a lot of bands can barely play and have no idea of any music theory. Respect because they've got a record deal and making their music. So if the guitar is a tool to make music, make it. If its to play along to youtube etc then just look up the lessons, tabs, demos, start with something simple. If it's to be a worldwide megastar and after 20 yrs you aint then give up that idea and enjoy wht you do (I've been playing since 1976 and done about 4 paid gigs and that was on bass).

How? Along with the advice of playing the Fing thing which is great actually but in addition to that learn some basic theory. Play all the white notes on a piano C to C. So thats A string 3rd fret and all the whole notes CDEFGABC. That there is your basic major scale. So theres two notes on the A string three on the D and three on the G. That pattern is a maj scale and will go anywhere to make a major scale. It's only one octave and the B strings a bitch but it's a start.

If you take the 1st 4th and 5th notes of a major scale you have your three chord trick. So playing any of these songs is only three chords. Look up the relative minor on web and introduce that to your three chords. Finds loads of songs and play along. Avoid the Beatles at this point, they used loads of random chords.

Hope this helps. And if you know all the theory stuff apologies for being too basic.

JezWynd · June 2017

octatonic · June 2017

AllthegearNoidea said:

And never really got anywhere with my playing. I've owned guitars for about 20 years and enjoyed buying and selling more than playing. I took classical lessons for about 6 months when I started playing. and what I can play now is what I learnt then.

I then got hooked on wanting an electric guitar and I just stalled in my progression as a player as I gave up my classical lessons. I learnt little bits of solos and can play with some feeling but cannot play a song from start to finish, cannot improvise as I would like, hate playing with backing tracks etc. Took loads of electric lessons and never got where I wanted as I looked for new gear to buy and noodled with the pentatonic scale. All my fault not the numerous teachers.

So so I find myself with a £3800 Les Paul R8 historic, £2000 1969 vintage Silverface princeton in mint condition, £2700 Fender CS limited edition tele and a £600 Marshall SL5 all of which I have little or no interest in playing and a £250 Simon and Patrick SP6 that has sat in a case for 20 years which after digging it out recently I have more fun on that all the electric gear although the neck is a little narrow for me

So.

Do do I sell the electric gear and buy a guitar that I can learn some fingerstyle and strumming tunes on and mothball the rest of my gear or just give up as my frustration with the time and money I've wasted is overwhelming at the moment

jason

Stop focussing on gear.
I could go an buy myself an F1 car but that wouldn't make me a Formula One driver.
One of the best guitarists I know owns a Mexican telecaster with upgraded pickups and no other guitars.

The problem is you are practicing in an ineffective way.
If you want to change your approach then it will be by practicing in an effective way- it actually doesn't matter what guitar you do that on.
Acoustic, electric- it doesn't matter.
It is also simpler than you think it is, but it is very repetitive.

AllthegearNoidea · June 2017

Thank you very much to all that have replied and offered advice. I am grateful you have taken the time to offer advice. I will find a few tunes I like and forget about what I am playing the tunes on and just play
Cheers

Sassafras · June 2017

Sounds like a lot of nice, expensive gear for someone who claims he can't play.
Stop obsessing over gear and get down to some serious playing.
Playing with others is IMO more valuable than solo practice.

AllthegearNoidea · June 2017

Sassafras said:

Sounds like a lot of nice, expensive gear for someone who claims he can't play.

I did say at the start I've enjoyed buying and selling. Playing with others is difficult. I work all over the country and find teachers and bands get annoyed when you constantly cancel as you are hundreds of miles from where you're meant to be due to work commitments

BigLicks67 · June 2017

Set yourself personal targets on the acoustic. Stick with the S&P and say to yourself when I can play X song/piece, I'll think about buying something better. Depending on your skill level, the piece you set yourself should be a challenge.

octatonic · June 2017

Sassafras said:

Sounds like a lot of nice, expensive gear for someone who claims he can't play.
Stop obsessing over gear and get down to some serious playing.
Playing with others is IMO more valuable than solo practice.

Nope.
You need to do both- they are equally important.

TheBigDipper · June 2017

Don't feel guilty because you own some nice gear but aren't the player you think you need to be to justify owning it. There's nothing wrong with the joy of ownership. If you don't need the money or space, keep them.

If you're enjoying the acoustic, just pick a song and learn it. For example, Fishermans Blues has four simple chords. The desire to play electric will return when you're ready. Don't push it so it becomes a chore.

TimmyO · June 2017

Nice thread

Lewy · June 2017

My only advice is to put music at the heart of your thinking, which sounds incredibly obvious but the number of times I've encountered people trying to learn guitar and they don't even really know what music they really like, let alone what music they want to make. If you can envision yourself playing the music you want to, then you can work out how to get there without endless distractions and diversions (into stuff like gear).

guycp · June 2017

Get a nice acoustic that you can grab whenever the urge to play comes. Choose something that really inspires you too play, - something with a great sound that you don't want to put down. Then develop your own sound. Make it fun and a pleasure to do. Keep an amp & electric for when the right occasion presents itself.

Gassage · June 2017

@AllthegearNoidea

One thing I am aware of- if you buy my J40 and TC2290 in the emporium, many judges say you'll become Paca du Lucia overnight. Not pushing in anyway but...

AllthegearNoidea · June 2017

Ngd. I went to electromusic in Doncaster and bought a tanglewood michael sanden tsm-3 at a ridiculously low price for a new guitar. A definite step up from my Simon and Patrick and i am very happy so far. May not be a flash name but it suits my ability and budget

BigLicks67 · June 2017

Is it one of these?

AllthegearNoidea · June 2017

BigLicks67 said:

Is it one of these?

Hi. Yes it is.

earwighoney · June 2017

AllthegearNoidea said:

Do do I sell the electric gear and buy a guitar that I can learn some fingerstyle and strumming tunes on and mothball the rest of my gear or just give up as my frustration with the time and money I've wasted is overwhelming at the moment

jason

Whatever you do should reflect what makes you happy, be it buying a lot of gear or selling it to buy a acoustic.

FWIW, I'd recommend trying to stick to playing one guitar exclusively for a fixed duration of time (be it a week or a month) before 'moving on' to another instrument. I've found it can be enjoyable to reduce one's options from time to time as having too many options sometimes can be overwhelming.

If you do decide to sell some things I'd advocate parting the things which you take little pleasure in owning or playing or are irreplaceable if you can afford to keep them.

earwighoney · June 2017

octatonic said:

Stop focussing on gear.
I could go an buy myself an F1 car but that wouldn't make me a Formula One driver.
One of the best guitarists I know owns a Mexican telecaster with upgraded pickups and no other guitars.

The problem is you are practicing in an ineffective way.
If you want to change your approach then it will be by practicing in an effective way- it actually doesn't matter what guitar you do that on.
Acoustic, electric- it doesn't matter.
It is also simpler than you think it is, but it is very repetitive.

Yes, to that, gear isn't really that important in the grand scheme of things, there are other things which are more important such as practise.

Kuroblack · June 2017

I can identify with a lot of your post

I've been playing on and off for 20 years as well (weirdly I also bought my first Acoustic from Electro, back when it was smaller and towards the end of Copley Road) I've never learned a whole song and my playing is, how can I put this, haphazard!

I wouldn't sell up if you don't need to, my Les Paul probably gets a hour or so each month, if that, but I wouldn't part with it. If I listen to GNR on the way home from work, it stands a good chance of making it out of the case!

If you're currently into the acoustics sounds, then just embrace that for a while - there are loads of online sources to suit all tastes and styles. I quite like Marty Swartz for stuff, tends to be nice and simple with a 'straight to the point' style. The 'guitar365' guy is ok as well. I do find it harder to get neater sounds from my acoustics though so don't beat yourself up. On the plus side, when you move back into Electrics again, your skills will be better

boogieman · June 2017

You sound similar to me. I spent a lot of money on high end gear at one time, hoping it would make me a better player. Then I realised my crap playing was down to sheer lack of talent that no amount of gear would solve

I traded down to stuff that works for me: still decent but definitely not top end.

What made the biggest difference then was I started playing regularly. You need to develop the finger strength, callouses and muscle memory to play competently. Doesn't matter what you play, just try and get the playing time in. Once you get that going, try learning different riffs and/or songs all the way through. The Justin Sandercoe site is great help for this, but there are plenty of others: you're bound to find something you like. Or check out tab sites or buy some play along CDs or tab books.

I'm still not a great player but I've got myself to a better standard. Practice is everything.

Majorscale · June 2017

I often heard this "I can't play any songs all the way through" comment when I was teaching and those saying it were largely disheartened. In my experience it was because those students were aiming too high too soon. There are hundreds of simple but still musically interesting songs that with a bit of effort will reward you with a decent repertoire and a level of accomplishment & enjoyment. One kid came to me wanting to be Satriani but was miserable as he wasn't achieving anything, one lesson later he was playing "should I stay or should I go". Not his first choice of artist but he found it more fun than anything he'd been focussing on before as he could now play a whole song competently...

Start simple, be realistic and stick at it. These days there are so many more routes to learning such as YouTube. And to echo others here, playing with others is a great motivation and would transform your playing.

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I have spent a fortune on electric guitars

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