Preach brother! I suck as a player, but I have badass shit!!

These people are easy to find in public, too. Next time you’re at a show, you’ll see them in the back of the room with their arms crossed being miserable.

Man, the forums crack me up sometimes. The dudes always with the most input are never the ones who post clips of their stuff or anything, but always the first to critique the absolute hell out of everyone else’s. Kyle keep doing what you’re doing. Always enjoy your content, cheers.

I remember when I was starting out on guitar as a teenager, learning thrash metal riffs and solos. I got told by an angry American on mIRC (if anyone remembers that 30 year old software?) that I was absolutely not a guitar player, based on that I mentioned I was struggling with the solo in Cowboys from Hell. "If you can't play that solo, you can't say you're a guitar player" is what he wrote. That felt really disheartening, and even if I today know that he wasn't right about that, I still remember it every once in a while and feel a bit upset, even if it's been close to 30 years. With that being said, I am now a certified guitar teacher with a master's degree in music education from Malmö academy of music in Sweden and I wholeheartedly agree with you on this, Kyle!

Thanks for the words of encouragement. Sometimes I get down on myself for being a hobby/bedroom guitarist. Who’s worked on finding his sound and traded and bought gear. Now has mostly boutique analog pedals and two high end guitars over 1000 and 100w orange crush head with a 112. that I use as a clean platform for a mt2w as my main tone. And sometimes I feel like I don’t deserve that good of gear because my playing isn’t up to par or I don’t record or play live. But I like my niche nu/groove metal, hardcore/death metal minimalistic style with ambient cleans

1000%! If you enjoy playing and creating, you’re a guitar player. Love it and enjoy it!

I personally have had a good friend gatekeep with me. His argument was if I didn't have a gig Every week then I could not be called a professional guitarist? And he plays a trumpet? Wow.

I'll never forget when my cousin who is a guitar player telling me when I got my first guitar and I learned 2 riffs. Smells like teen spirit and some foo fighters or RATM riff. He told me, 'you're a guitar player'. I didn't believe that then but he was right. 1 note or a million notes, you're a player.

Needed this man.. I get down on myself a lot. I've played for 25 years and have never been able to figure out soloing.. it's like a massive issue for me sometimes but moments like this just make me feel validated. I can play simple lead lines.. but have never figured out tapping or sweeps or whatever the fuck.. I just don't get it lol.

I play caveman chug riffs for a deathmetal band. There are some snobs even in Deathmetal that look down on anyone who isn't a technical shredding wizard.

i have been struggeling with my playing for years.. mostly of having low confiends, feeling like sh!t about things in my personal life and people who didnt really encourage but acted toxic instead. today im thriving, bought good gear, pratice more frequent and trying to record as much as i can and getting better at it (i think) moral of the story is i learnd that people can go f*ck them selfs if they dont come with constructive criticism but chose act like assholes instead

Kyle out here dropping absolute facts, you fuckin rock brother 🤙🎸🍻

I used to be a good guitarist when I was younger until I got married. 49yrs old, and spent 40k on gear last year. Why because I work 84 hrs a week and got divorced. Now I can do whatever I want . Except play guitar all the time. Because , well I work 84hrs a week. I am happy though! Love your work Kyle!

Toxic opinions exist in all passions and hobbies. Just avoid all the negativity. Focusing on the positives in your passions always helps keep things in perspective. To quote an old adage: "People's opinions are like A**Holes, Everybody has one and they all stink" Keep at it, Kyle. You're doing great 👍

I.m 58 got back into guitar about 5-6 years ago, after about a 25 year layoff. I consider myself serviceable at this point. I have been told I don’t deserve my high priced guitars for my level. Have been asked many times you’re not very good why did you buy this expensive gear? My answer is always “because I can” ! I have a job and work hard and deserve nice things.

Personally, I think your personal criteria is objectively true, regardless of how others feel about it.

Thanks for the boost sir...much needed on this media...keep on keeping on...

Haters gonna hate. Especially the ones in the basement who have never produced any content.🤘🤘🎸🎸. You rock Kyle, keep up what your doing.⏳🏄👽 approved

I think society, in general, is just plain negative now. There's nothing worse than getting sucked in by these people. To me, they are miserable and the ones with serious issues. I try my best to ignore them, sometimes its hard, but it's always the wise choice. I like your take on being a real guitar player. I can relate to what you said. I'm far from being a great player. Especially when I compare myself to better players, but I tell myself I'm better than others to. My friends who dont play think I'm amazing, lol. My gear is for sure better than what my skill level is, but like you said, the important part is to be passionate and have fun. Turns out I have fun playing good gear. I can chug an open string for hours and have a huge smile the entire time just because it sounds good. I can play the same riff over and over and feel like a little kid on Christmas. I just feel bad for my wife, who has to endure my playing haha. All that to say, if you can make some notes sounds good and have fun while doing it, you're definitely a guitar player. Great video, btw. I'm gonna go play my new Epiphone AJ now 🤟

Hey Kyle, Love you and love your channel bro. I think to be a real guitarist requires your love for the instrument first and then a life long quest to become a better musician. Also have awareness of how it’s a tool we use for our creativity and the means to improvise and collaborate with other players and musicians alike. There’s no secret hand shake to get in this “club”, just a bit of dedication and will. Personally I love everything about guitars and playing, also I’m a huge gear head who loves pedals, amps and speaker cabinets. I’m on this life long ride and don’t want to ever stop. There’s so much to do and discover, you’re a real guitar player Kyle, I don’t care what anyone else says or thinks. Keep doing you homie 🤘 Cheers!

Please don't change the way that you play or run your channel. The way you have your channel and whatever you're doing encourages more people to want to play, boost the music economy and bring happiness to people's lives end of story.

100% True! I've been guilty of making some negative comments in the past but now I just focus on myself. Your channel has great information on gear that's for sure!

🤘Just keep on rocking. 🤘And be happy! 🤘

Bro I'm glad I found your channel. You are real and don't let toxic people get to you. As the new generation would say YOU THE REAL ONE!! 😂

If I learned anything in the food industry, it’s this: where there is passion, there is pretension.

I haven't been a real guitar player for 40 years now, Kyle😂

An example concerning equipment prices and tone: Eddie van Halens early equipment has been the most affordable in the mid 1970´s. Result: Massive, revolutionary tone and playing on VH-1.

Thanks Kyle. It's words of encouragement that bring people together. Nice 2 c others that like 2 help...not tear people down. Keep doing what u love and don't let others get u down.

Kyle I have much respect for you man. Keep doing what you’re doing I’ve learned lots of good information from you and your videos and I thank you for it brother.

P R E A C H! I never understood why some people have a huge need to put other people down. I would never use ability as a metric for the quality level of gear other people can own. It's stupid. I only use that metric for myself, which is why I haven't bought a really expensive Les Paul or a custom Dunable. One day though...

lol this reminds me of when some people back in high school who judged my guitar playing because I was mostly playing nu metal riffs and not 70's rock and classic

Kyle my man! You are so genuine ! Love your channel and your content 👍

Very good message. Most of us appreciate what you do.

I couldn’t agree more. I gave up caring what others thought about me when I was in my 20’s. I am now 40 and couldn’t care less if anyone likes my playing. That’s on them to deal with, it’s not my problem. 4:32

I have had so many people bash me for my playing. It makes me laugh because if I sucked so horribly bad then I couldn't have played with some of the A-list musicians I played with. When it comes down to it those people can go fuck themselves. I really don't care. I love seeing people do their thing and get their chops down. It doesn't matter what styles they're into because it's real & makes them happy doing it. I think that what you do is awesome. You crack me up & I get your jokes. I also agree with you a lot because it's not just thrown out there to have content. You're giving advice based on your experience. Keep doing what you do brotha man! 🤘🤘

Hey, Kyle. Thanks for such a good video. I'm 50, and have been playing guitar since I was 17. I never got into the shreddie McShred shreds. I enjoy EVH and Poison-style rhythm riffs. The 80s sound, I suppose. Even though I lived above one of the most popular bars in Jamestown NY, and could have played any Sunday night I wanted in open jam, but I never did. Musicians can be that toxic. It only takes one well placed burn for me to not want anyone to even hear me play. To be honest, I wasn't even good enough for myself, which just complicated the whole thing. Just because of a couple of haters. It's too bad. I've also been involved with the motorcycle and car communities. They can also be just as toxic. You have the wrong brand, you chose the wrong color, the engine is too small, your custom touches aren't what they like, therefore you are a bad person, etc. What I've learned (and it took me DECADES to learn), is to simply be myself, and stop caring what other people think about it. Don't like my Ibanez or my Marshall MG? Cool. I do, and it doesn't matter if anyone else likes it. You are absolutely right, and I am witness to it. Do what makes you happy, and screw the haters. They are never going to approve of you anyway. You may, however, find that regular people everywhere may actually like what you do. Don't do what I did. Just put it out there, and let the chips fall where they may. Or be a "bedroom guitarist", and enjoy the hell outta it. Do what you want.

How dare you be helpful, Kyle! I am outraged! But please make that one dude cry more

You are a very good person! Nice video!

If I've learned anything from the internet, it is that guitar players make me embarrassed to be a guitar player. People get so wound up and butthurt about the dumbest crap. Just play what you like and shut the hell up guys. Keep doing what you do, Kyle!

Love the message on this one

Good to hear there are good people with rational thoughts on social media. Most of us have imposter syndrome & don't need someone bashing us. There's 12 notes in music, however you want to use them is up to you. If I or someone else doesn't enjoy it, there's no need to spread negativity. LET IT GO! I can make some of the sounds I like & I'm always looking to learn something new. This isn't a race, it's meant to be fun.

Gear gatekeeping due to skill level irks me. It's usually the guys that can't afford the better gear that try and dictate who should be playing what.

I never understood how people rate what a real guitar player is, even in these days. I myself rate a real guitar player in different types. There is no one size fits all. First off just because you don't play out at gigs it does not make you any less of a player. Not everyone has the time or especially the patience for that. There are a lot of players that have a ton of experience with playing and chasing the tone who knows what works and what doesnt. There are some guys that are like this who are actually good players and actually have a fantastic grasp of theory. There are guys like myself who gigged like crazy when they were younger and found a great 9 to 5 job and did not choose the getting signed route. I taught in a local store in my youth and loved all things theory and enjoyed learning as much as I can. Am I lesser player because I didnt tour the world with albums? I have shared my honest opinion of musicians just to have a fan boy who probably never played a note to say something like, "and how many albums do you have"? What these people dont know about the music business is that most musicians who they see who arent headlining dont have much in the bank after their tour is over. Sharing opinions of tone chasing of what works and what doesnt should be appreciated and not ridiculed, because that means you did the experiments to see what works for you and what doesnt. But again its an opinion and not a one size fits all solution. Music is not a contest. Music is a passion for many. Sharing your passion should be commended and appreciated. We are all on the same path. We just take different routes getting there.

That’s definitely my favorite hat you have

I think you're good at what you do. I wish that coheed riff would get retired but who am I to say? You're successful at this, keep playing what you want to play.

Honesty & Truth 2 1's Self = A Happy Life Regardless Of Career. Some Ppl Will Never Find That, Keep Up The Good Work 👍🏿

Get whatever gear you want, it's great to see that there's affordable gear now that works and sounds good compared to when i was growing up it was terrible and great haha. If you play something that speaks to you and you can afford it, go for it!!

You are exactly right. Good to hear it from someone who i consider a pretty damn great great player.

You are 100% right Kyle. Those insecure whiners are pathetic!

In many cases buying new speakers for an expensive cab is not smart. Unless the speakers you want aren't very popular and you cannot find them already in a cab. You can usually buy a loaded used cab cheaper than you can buy a quad of speakers new and often cheaper than used speakers.

Great video. I would like your opinion on the difference between a guitar player and a musician. I think a musician is someone who teaches or plays music as a profession. There are exceptions, but that gets into the part-time/amateur musician and a professional musician.

"true guitar players don't care about how much something costs" imagine how privileged you have to be to actually think this

Naw dude, I think real guitar players are already watching your channel. I'm a broke artist so how much things cost really does matter. Just getting better at playing certainly is more important! And there's kind of a fun adventure getting amazing impressive tones out of budget gear. I'll go as far as to say you're probably even a better player if you can get good tones out of anything! This is my #1 guitar content channel period! Thank you!

PREACH 🙏

I agree 100%

Well said, Kyle!!

Yeah i saw this subject come up on Frickers video. I think you are both right. Old cheap ass cab. Yes, just buy a better cab. On the otherhand a Marshall 1960 or Mesa etc I'd definitely keep it and just replace the speakers. And on the gate keeping bs. If you are a beginner, don't let it get to you. Most people who play love guitars and would be happy to help out with any questions.

People are idiots. I really don't even post comments that much anymore because of the negativity. I've had people leave comments calling me an idiot for thanking a creator for a video they put up. It'll never stop unfortunately.

Hey Kyle thanks for lowering the bar. Officially a guitar player now 😢😮‍💨 lol. Love the vids bruh!

Amen Kyle god bless bud unfortunately you put your self out there and people suck . I enjoy ya man

Only thing I’ve ever been heavily criticized for is my love and collection of epiphone Les Pauls. Then I got my first gibson LP in 2021 and was criticized for funding Gibson and told that the new epiphones were just as good as my Gibson and I shouldn’t have wasted my money. Thank goodness I don’t have social media anymore. People will hate on literally anything you do no matter what you do. So just get away from the little FB groups and enjoy your hobby

Amen Brother! 👍🎶👌🎸

Music is art. It's not a sport. The big question I want to ask so often is "what gate are you actually trying to keep here?" Is it really that important to people's sense of identity that they must shut "inferior" others out? What does that accomplish outside of creating a false sense of accomplishment or security? If you consider yourself to be a guitar player, you're a guitar player. The toxic hostility that comes out makes it so much harder for people to get into the hobby. It can be hard to tell when people are trolling, but even with the trolls and edgelords goofing around in the comments section (which can be fun to watch sometimes), so, so many people need to check their egos at the door.

💩 one may be a guitar player, but they’re still not allowed to wear a band shirt without knowing at least 3 of their songs 😂😂

All of us guitar players are better and worse than someone else. My dad is learning guitar and he watches what I do with fascination but I listen back and It just seems average. Just play what you want to play!

It’s stupid anyways that people get upset, fact is if your not buying the top brands in amps and cabs they don’t really hold much resale value at all , so the cheap stuff is a bad investment unless you plan on never parting with that cheap gear

I have never considered myself a musician, and I don't particularly aspire to be one. Guitar is fun, and I like to make something like music just for the fun. I am pretty comfortable with folks who are not actually nattering nabobs of negativity but who just can't help criticizing my rig, simply because I am not qualified to own or operate it. That is true, but it is fun to play. If I got the rig that I deserve, and that is the rig that I tried and tried to run for about four decades, I hate it and the sound sucks. That was actually four decades of misery. Not surprisingly, folks see my rig, even if they have not yet heard me play, they ALWAYS tell me that it is excessive and that all I need is [the exact rig I used to hate] but I know better 😸

I'm turning 50 this year, I catch all sorts of crap just because I like reverse headstock shredder guitars lol. All seriousness though, I have nerve damage from breaking my neck and my messed up lower back, my playing actually deteriorated because of the nerve damage and pain, I don't care, I love playing and hearing the metal tones etc. All my suff is pretty much 80's and 90s shred stuff, regardless that I can't do it like I use to unfortunately.💩

I totally agree with your accessment on saving money on cabs and speakers. I got deal on a Peavey VTM 120 With matching cab equipped with Celestion GT 75's years ago for $400.00 . Just last week i found the same cab with the same speakers for $200.00 and I perfer the GT 75's. Also anyone thats says you have to play a certain to song be a guitar player can kiss my ass.

The people you're referring to are probably the same "guitar players" that sit around in GC for hours making untalented noise looking for validation from everyone in the store. Rock on Kyle, thank you for the video, because I'm sure most people have experienced this topic. BTW I think you need more amps 🤘🏻

It is a social media problem, and the fact that socially dysfunctional people can be ignorant, judgemental, and flat out toxic has become a human epidemic. 99% of these cowards wouldn't say shit in person. No accountability for running their yap.

Fuck em. Rock and roll has always been about sticking it to the ones that try to keep you down anyway.

You make a living at this. Those fools talk shit.

You should see the hate one gets in our bass players group for playing something other than a FSO (Fender Shaped Object) with dead ass flats through an Ampeg B-15.

I thought it was a smart take on cabs. Literally 4 new speakers cost as much or more than a decent used cab

I’m pretty sure being a knucklehead is a medical condition cause that’s what my pediatrician told my mom

Mr.Bull rite on man well put...ENCOURAGE...have a great day and may the Schwartz b with you...

ROCK ON🎸🎸🎸🎸🎸🎸

👍 you say it🙂

You can change speakers in cabs? 😂

Great attitude love to find someone who has the same kinds of views on guitar playing if you enjoy playing and you like what you play who gives a damn what someone else thinks. Keep up the awesome content \../,

You tell them Kyle, keep up your great content, even though you can’t play guitar or dial in a tone, lol😂

I really like your videos dude. Keep up the great work and f*ck the trolls...

That's funny. The police of guitar players !! Do you even have the guitar player license? So funny. You're cool bro. Keep what you're doing.

Ego is pretty funny when you think about it

I’m not a real guitar player either Kyle . Cheers !

I agree 100%! Keep bringing the PMA, man! 💩

But but but, better tone equals better playing!1!!1ii! 😂 Those commenters don't realise that from a certain age you just don't give a crap about their opinions

Yay, I qualify as a guitar player. Lol haha

I despise having to go into a store to try something out. Especially if I have to go to my local guitar center 🤮🤮🤮🤮🤮. Not only are the employees so disgruntled and well beyond underpaid. But they will talk crap about you if you listen close enough. So I stopped playing any well known riff and just play my own music. And since they didn’t know what in the hell they were hearing. No crap talking. Go figure.

Guitarist argue like democrats and republicans, who would have thunk it? Keep doing what you do bro.

1. Obtain a guitar 2. Learn how to play some songs on the guitar 3. Play and enjoy the guitar. Repeat as needed. There. Now you’re a real guitar player. 😁

I can play the **** out of twinkle twinkle little star

It is called "playing" guitar after all

Oh yeah I forgot 💩

It's cause you don't have enough amps

💯💯💯💯💯💯💯💯💯💯💯💯💯💯💯💯 I'll be honest I used to be subscribed to your channel. I unsubscribed a while back because your voice kind of bugs me. It's not your personality or your channel It's just a pitch of your voice! Sorry to say!!!✌️ But I do have to say this I 100% WHOLEHEARTEDLY AGREE WITH EVERYTHING YOU SAID! I think you totally hit the nail on the head there and I guess I'm a pretty badass player because I can play two notes on the guitar and I know we're all 8 notes are on the front board. But I just resubscribe to your channel Going to give it another go. I really like your channel and basically I do the same thing as you Kyle I collect gear I sell what I don't like I've got way too much shit, not as much as you but I've gone down the same rabbit hole! I feel like we are totally on the same page!!!💪🤘 Thanks bro..

You are doing a grand job Kyle 💩💩💩💩💩💩💩 😅

Usually have these issues on Reddit, lots of GK s on that platform....lots of haters....also ive stopped making any comments on ultimate guitar ... mainly due to the fact that I'm tired of trying to help someone about a gear related topic and they go full frontal karen ....I've all but lost hope in humanity.

Eddie Van Halen could rise from the grave and start a KZfaq channel and there will be some group of self hating plebs saying he sucks, don’t waste your breath with people who tear others down because they hate themselves