March 4, 2017 editorial: comments

The Heartbreak of Gear Lust

I am in the throes of a major gear-lust attack. I'm looking for a smaller amp to replace my Fender Twin Reverb, which is too darn big to lug around to gigs anymore. In the meantime, I've been using a solid-state amp that just isn't cutting it, tone-wise. So now I'm lusting after a sweet-sounding 1x12 tube amp.

When I get gear lust, it takes over my brain and I become obsessed. I spend endless time looking at eBay, Craigslist, music store websites, and manufacturer info pages; reading specs and reviews until my eyes glaze over.

But the funny thing about gear lust, at least for me, is that the wanting is frequently better than the owning. In many cases, the most exciting moment is when the package arrives from UPS or Fed Ex, or I pick it up from the store.

That's not to say I'm usually disappointed with the stuff I buy. I'm not. But it never quite lives up to that giddy feeling of anticipation I get during the lusting stage. Like a lot of things in life, expectations don't always equate to reality.

There is one exception to this pattern for me when it comes to gear. It usually happens when I decide to go with a high-quality product, rather than buying a bargain that's "almost as good." From a satisfaction standpoint, I've never regretted those purchases.

So, my point for today is, when you're in gear-lust mode, go for the quality if you can afford it. If you don’t have the funds, it’s sometimes better to wait and then get the better product. A quality instrument or piece of gear tends to maintain its value over time, so if you ever need to sell it, you’re likely to get a better return on your investment.

Since you're reading the Audiofanzine newsletter, I'm guessing gear lust has afflicted you, too. What’s been your experience?

I’ll be back with another column on April 1st. I’ve never been a big fan of April Fools’ Day, but you never know…