One amazing guitar or a few mid-range? Where do you allocate your spending?

**50Hz** · 11-16-2013, 08:20 PM

As it stands I have a few modestly priced [=/<$350 US] guitars. I don't consider myself a world class player by any means and I'm not too hung up on pampering them but I appreciate the ones I have and enjoy them immensely. In the future I'd love to have a slightly more up-market guitar of course but my current financial situation simply won't allow it, and that's fine with me. I could certainly sell some of my gear and try to scrape funds together but in the back of my mind I know I'd be sad to let them go so when it's the right time they'll find new homes I suppose.

**peterbright** · 11-18-2013, 12:20 AM

All my guitars are better than I am.

**lpdeluxe** · 11-20-2013, 05:23 PM

Peter, I am greatly enjoying the SH550. I took it out of the case yesterday and was once again amazed at its light weight and comfort. And, yes, it's better than I am -- but now necessarily better than the friend who is now playing it at our practices.

John

**djelley** · 11-20-2013, 05:55 PM

I have suffered from GAS more than anyone I know. A few years ago I hit one of those rough spots in life and I really didn't care what happened to me. At the time I was heavily into Teles and spent myself into a hole that I am still climbing out of. I wound-up with over thirty Teles. None of them cheap. Then I got into jazz and sold all of them. I know you can play jazz on a Tele, but that's a different discussion.

So at that point I didn't have much money but still had GAS, this time for archtops. I went on to buy a bunch of Artcores, a bunch of Godin 5th Aves, a cheap Gretsch, etc. etc. I think I've finally really turned the corner. I now have what I consider to be a killer Gibson ES-175 that is my baby, and my every day guitar is an Eastman AR371. I have a few other sub $1k guitars that I might sell or not, but the major GAS is gone.

I find that, the more that I play and practice, the less I obsess about gear. My goal is to become financially sound and to become good enough to "deserve" a Benedetto. That's really the only guitar that I'm gassing for now, and it will take years to get there. I'm much happier.

**peterbright** · 11-20-2013, 08:13 PM

Originally Posted by lpdeluxe

Peter, I am greatly enjoying the SH550. I took it out of the case yesterday and was once again amazed at its light weight and comfort. And, yes, it's better than I am -- but now necessarily better than the friend who is now playing it at our practices.

John

That's great! I'm greatly enjoying my Heritage H575 at the moment. Have a custom order Martin 000-18 GE arriving Friday and it will demand attention as well.

**coolvinny** · 11-20-2013, 09:11 PM

Originally Posted by djelley

I have suffered from GAS more than anyone I know. ......

..... but the major GAS is gone.

I find that, the more that I play and practice, the less I obsess about gear. My goal is to become financially sound and to become good enough to "deserve" a Benedetto. That's really the only guitar that I'm gassing for now, and it will take years to get there. I'm much happier.

Not to rain on what appears to be real progress in your GAS, but are you sure you need a Benedetto? They are fine guitars but remember that Bob's not making it unless you're spending mega-bucks. You can find good deals on luthier-built archtops on the 2nd hand market if you are patient, and then you don't take a bath if you decide (or are forced...) to sell.