I need to watch this video every day for a while.

He's trying to talk us out of buying amps guitars etc so he can have them all to himself. Don't fall for it.

Pure wisdom. When I had lots of gear - I created almost nothing but troubleshooting, learning, comparing was endless. All that "audiophile" crap, all those electronic gadgets - I sold it all. I have now just a piano and I never was happier...

As a photography enthusiast, when I was young, I couldn't buy what I wanted. When I can buy any camera I like, I frantically made retaliatory purchases. When I realized that I had trappped into something, a lot of time and money have been wasted. This video is helpful and is very profound.

This man speaks so much TRUTH.

Damn this guy is 100% correct. I need to remember this when I'm watching gear reviews instead of practicing.

Very cleansing and helpful. Thanks.

what a truthful, heartfelt, wonderful video from someone who could only benefit from people that have this issue. Thank you for making this video. I am over my GAS but now this video makes me want to buy an Auburn amplifier ....

Thank you so much 🙏🏼 True words.

Probably the only good video about gear addiction on KZfaq. Concise and correct. Trying to get over it by watching videos about people’s gear buying histories - it’s sort of like getting sober by listening to someone talk about their whiskey connoisseurship. It’s a problem. The problem comes from you, not your gear. You have enough. Just stop buying and go practice. And if you’re tempted to watch a gear video, watch this again and practice some more until the urge goes away.

Every musician should watch this.

Truly an incredible video. You are wise and eloquent. Thank you :)

Excellent, honest look at things. Thank you for your candor. I have gotten so much better about this but still fall into that line of thinking sometimes. Life is perpetual, the more you play, the more you enjoy playing and want to play more just as the more you buy, the more you want to buy more. Let’s place ourselves into a cycle of growth rather than a cycle of spending.

Amen, as a young man I would just get what I could get and make it work, then 25 years later I had the means to buy anything I wanted and I went crazy, full circle now and back down to earth.

This is an important and timely video. Thanks!

The sound of sanity. I think the most valuable indicator of the difference between just being an enthusiast on the one hand, and having a bona fide addiction on the other, comes down to what the presenter said about the impact on those around you, and on your relationships with them. Any activity that leads you to neglect your legitimate obligations towards others (or even yourself) has become unhealthy.

Better had the value in touchable stuff than $ or a Dig coin, they turn breaker off, you can still have fun with it, enjoy the ride dude.

this vid motivated me to practice

Guilty 😂 Synths are my bag. I finally stopped due to space thank God... Now to sell ...

Thanks for the video.. it's brutally honest! Straight to the point on an important issue!

I really REALLY know what you are talking about. GAS is in my mind burning too. and I do not like it ... currently it is "reduced" to Software-components (like plugins or samples) but it COST still a Lot too. I really want to reduce it. the hardware-"side" of invests are currently low for reason of my space condition (running out of space for an longer while) - I am full in the studio and storage. GAS is an very serious issue for an musican!! and yes I have an familiy and need to be fluent in money. I think GAs is an force that mostly every musican get in in him/her musically life-period. avoid GAS think twice before you buy and before buying check you current bank- and creditcard-account(s) - that can help you to came down (cool down) to the ground of reality before you buy more gear.

Damn.. thanks for this wake up call.. ❤

there comes a time when you mature and realize you need more time on the fret board rather than have a device with endless tweaking ability where you're never happy. i practice evry day with just an acoustic or an unplugged electric guitar to learn all the songs i play in a cover band. when i get to band rehearsal, then i plug in and step on pedals or switch guitar pick ups, or channel on amp instinctively to suit the tone in my head.

just bought my new 7 string guitar then I saw this.

Is it just me??? I keep hearing Christopher Walken..."...Needs more cowbell!!"

This is very good

awesome video man!

People forget the entire purpose of playing music - to create. When you're jumping on the latest bandwagon and constantly lusting after gear you aren't making music. I've gone back and forth with that myself - and I realize I was more excited and inspired when I had less. It really does suck the joy out of it because you end up pretty much like a junkie - just as he said; the excitement and newness fades pretty quick.

In the end you're just fuelling the gas as well with your product right? How are you exempt?

As most of this is electronic equipment unless people purchase these products there would be no excuse to innovate and produce newer better products. And anyway its my money I buy what I want. Look what people pay for a cup of coffee.

I love this video! Thank God I don't have this problem. I recently bought a bunch of equipment and glad I have everything I need now. It's over and I'm happy. The real problem in our society right now is the people who get busted and have 30 guns and 10,000 rounds of ammo.

"Unless you're super-wealthy...." Wow. Sure, it's a problem for some. But come on... this video is labeling "EVERYONE" who's ever bought a pedal (or 2 or 3 or more) into the same problematic category is a bunch of "hooey." It's like saying everyone who has a beer or two (or three or four) on a Friday night is an alcoholic. If it makes you happy and (very important) is within your means (and the means of your family).... enjoy yourself.... life is too short, you work too hard, enjoy what makes you happy. I'd argue that a pedal or two has made me a better player as it increased my desire to want to play/practice more. You could literally attach a "wasteful or irresponsible spending" moniker to just about anything you buy these days, as everything costly seems to have a less expensive option available.... or you could do what this guy suggests; "just do without." I'd be curious to see how this guy has spent his hard-earned money.... iPhone or Motorola? BMW or Corolla? Steak or burger shack? Starbucks or drip coffee? Premium spirits... or well-brand? Designer hairstyle or SuperCuts? Don't listen to this guy... when you work hard and earn money, you can decide for yourself. Remember these 2 things..... at the end of the day, you can't take it with you.... and secondly, there's a great market for reselling guitar gear at very fair prices. Now if you'll excuse me.... I'm gonna go buy 2 pedals.

Don't buy - play. Sounds simple but every guitar player I know is a gear junkie. Spend the money on (online) lessons instead.

I feel like you're speaking a particularly dark end of the spectrum. I agree that you shouldn't have to lie to your partner, and you certainly shouldn't be throwing money away on things you can't afford. If you save money diligently and work with a budget/allowance, then I think it's fine to indulge if this is your hobby. I suspect you're talking about people buying very expensive equipment - several thousands of dollars each. I am in a very fortuitous position to afford, say, a pedal each month. And if I forgo that for several months, I can get an amp or guitar. I enjoy collecting, and I don't let it affect my livelihood - it's a fun hobby. And I get to play all sorts of fun things, which inspires me to practice and write all the time (well, all the time I have to play with guitar! ;)).

I am observing a Social Engineer exploit a individual who's vastly talented.....lead the vulnerable individual down the path like leading a Jackass with a carrot on a stick.....to RUIN !...I'm on the other end trying to get the individuals existing base gear as in AMPLIFIERS...up and running as with MAINTENANCE....because these guys believe that something 50 years old with original parts.....can't GRASP SERVICE LIFE of components. WET chemical items...EVAPORATE. My aspect, I know what it takes to be up 100% and functional...JUST TO BASE LINE START......put the cart behind the horse....not the cart in front of the horse !!! But as you mention FAMILY and spouse......And this is the INSIDIOUS PART because its funneling in VIA the girlfriend as the girlfriend was a band member of the Social Engineer ....BUT the Social Engineer was also a Figure of Authority over the Girlfriend...BECAUSE HE WAS A SCHOOL TEACHER and fixated on this girl and groomed her in the Teacher /Student relationship as they were exposed to each other and the TIME element. The Social Engineer had his band collapse as the Vulnerable individual and the girlfriend got together in their relationship and it became like a love triangle soap opera with the Band Leader/Teacher/Social Engineer (who's married and has a kid)....vowing to get the GIRL BACK....so the premise is to crash the vulnerable individual as Social Engineer wants to break up the relationship by causing the vulnerable guy to fail......Economic collapse buy gear instead of concentration of getting the existing base line of operations up 100%.........SO its gone from CASH to going to credit cards....and a band credit card too. So the end run game is a Music Show in a California Model PAY TO PLAY venue....as a MAKE IT OR BREAK IT scenario with the Social Engineer guiding and pressurizing everything.....and discrediting ME for speaking up.....as he has been manipulating this Girl for years prior to the "couple" aspect in her life. The aspect of a Male Teacher and a Female Student is also in play as it seems there is an exploitive pattern with this Teacher/Social Engineer......as if he gets press...it seems to always involve a female student getting his attention......and he is not employed as a Music Teacher. The ego of this Social Engineer has him listing an online resume where he makes claim to be a Music /Recording Industry executive/Professional and engineer......when he is a full time Public SCHOOL TEACHER. Its one thing to embellish something but then its another to Materially Mis-Represent something.......and nobody fact checks. The girlfriend works on the Vulnerable guy because of the influence of the Social Engineer as a puppet master manipulator......and for what it is...A Narcissistic Sociopath. The Social Engineer went really over the top with sending in his Band Camp guy to proxy manipulate the Vulnerable individual....and to the extent to really get into the guys head......DOSED HIM WITH MUSHROOMS fully knowing that the Vulnerable guy has a previous episode in the past where he had issues that required medical attention....and My Morals & Ethics......my compass is spinning haywire. I am of retirement age, the vulnerable Guy is just over 30 and his GF too, and Mr. Social Engineer & his Band Camp are in their mid 40's pushing 50. But considering being trained to motivate students as a profession, and then using that as a sinister convention to direct a fixation on GEAR in a malevolent application in these circumstances. Its being set up, and the trap is ready to be sprung