New Guitar or new Amp?

ROOG

A friend of mine is feeling really very down right now, he tells me that he has saved a very reasonable GAS fund, but can only splash out on one item.

If you were similarly afflicted (god forbid) what would lift your sprits the most, a new guitar or a new amp?

btw: he says he doesn't need any more pedals right now.

JAYJO

always a guitar for me. I only really buy an amp when i need to, I buy guitars when i dont need to.

richardhomer

This is going to sound really miserable - but neither. It's highly unlikely that the lack of a new guitar or amp is causing his unhappiness, so neither is going to do anything but give him a temporary lift.

If the guy is actually depressed help him with that by all means - but spending his way to happiness is unlikely to work....

ROOG

JAYJO said:

always a guitar for me. I only really buy an amp when i need to, I buy guitars when i dont need to.

Cheers Jayjo, on the other hand spending money at all usually makes my friend feel unwell for a while, but I believe that 'pain' passes!

not_the_dj

What guitar(s) and amp(s) does he currently have?

ROOG

richardhomer said:

This is going to sound really miserable - but neither. It's highly unlikely that the lack of a new guitar or amp is causing his unhappiness, so neither is going to do anything but give him a temporary lift.

If the guy is actually depressed help him with that by a means - but spending his way to happiness is unlikely to work....

Bugger, that probably  means he will have to quit his job and shoot all his enemies, surely a guitar or amp would be less damaging, even if it only gives him time to re assess his position?

ROOG

not_the_dj said:

What guitar(s) and amp(s) does he currently have?

 

I now that he's been tinkering with the idea of a PRS custom or a Kemper with all the flashy lights

richardhomer

^ If he hates his job, the last thing he should be doing is spending money. There's a fair chance he'll end up telling them to shove it and will have a guitar he didn't really need...

ROOG

richardhomer said:

^ If he hates his job, the last thing he should be doing is spending money. There's a fair chance he'll end up telling them to shove it and will have a guitar he didn't really need...

He says that might not matter if he jumps in front of a train in the next week of so. 

richardhomer

ROOG;402613" said:

He says that might not matter if he jumps in front of a train in the next week of so. 

If he's seriously in such a bad way you should not encourage him to use retail therapy - he should probably be off work and will probably need money.

A trip to the doctors would be better if you mean what you've just said.

ROOG

richardhomer said:

ROOG;402613" said:

He says that might not matter if he jumps in front of a train in the next week of so. 

If he's seriously in such a bad way you should not encourage him to use retail therapy - he should probably be off work and will probably need money.

A trip to the doctors would be better if you mean what you mean what you've just said.

You know, he tells me that this convo has helped a little, I'll tell him to go and see his doctor, he might even have a PRS to sell him, failing that therapy or Prozac.

chillidoggy

Don't forget to ask him if you can have his new guitar if he doesn't make it.

RaymondLin

I'd use the money are go on holiday, blow some steam.

Sambostar

Really, all you need is an EJ wired Mexican strat with standard pickups and a dry valve amp with a little gain and no reverb.  You can do anything from EVH to 80's hairmetal to Andy Timmons to Hendrix to SRV just about.  OH you'll need some decent speakers too.  I keep meaning to sell my MIM standard strat, but it's so versatile and so good and sooo comfy, I can't bring myself to do it.  I know I shouldn't say this, but I actually think I prefer the neck on that to my Charvel Pro Mods.

Obviously you can take the valve sound further by getting equipped with some SSL1s or Texas Specials or 57/62's or develop the brown sound with a weak humbucker or a better alnico 5 and a Floyd for 80's hairmetal, but a MIM standard just about covers all the bases.  Has he got one?

ROOG

Sambostar said:

Really, all you need is an EJ wired Mexican strat with standard pickups and a dry valve amp with a little gain and no reverb.  You can do anything from EVH to 80's hairmetal to Andy Timmons to Hendrix to SRV just about.  OH you'll need some decent speakers too.  I keep meaning to sell my MIM standard strat, but it's so versatile and so good and sooo comfy, I can't bring myself to do it.  I know I shouldn't say this, but I actually think I prefer the neck on that to my Charvel Pro Mods.

Obviously you can take the valve sound further by getting equipped with some SSL1s or Texas Specials or 57/62's or develop the brown sound with a weak humbucker or a better alnico 5 and a Floyd for 80's hairmetal, but a MIM standard just about covers all the bases.  Has he got one?

Hang on I'll ask.

joeyowen

This thread is wierd...

Since when is a Kemper or PRS reasonable? haha

I hope your friend feels better soon, but I agree it might take more than just a new guitar or so.  Saying that, I loooove playing when I'm down it really helps! Why not have a new axe/amp to play with eh!

ROOG

joeyowen said:

This thread is wierd...

 

You're telling me, its not often people are dissuaded from buying a new guitar in this place, but the advice offered is very sensible.

And I suspect his wife at least will be very grateful.

Fretwired

Neither .. booze and prostitutes ....

In all seriousness would buying something cheer him up?

Sambostar

Shouldn't part with money when you head is not the full ticket.  I never part with any, unless I have to.

Phil_aka_Pip

Retail therapy is not the answer. Neither is coke & hookers. But to answer the question I always enjoy guitar GAS much more than amp GAS.

thomasross20

Coke and hookers, life of sin.. Sounds good lol.
Guitar all the way, every day.