Want Versus Need

As I was idly playing the Jimmy Page ‘Mirror’ Tele reviewed on p74, I felt that familiar sinking feeling yet again. “Oh, no…” I thought. “Not another guitar I’d really quite like to own..” Yes, we’ve all felt those first heady effects of GAS kick in. First, you feel a flush of euphoria, then your judgment starts to become impaired as you find yourself thinking things like, “Well, I guess I can probably afford it. If I squint a bit at my bank statement and sell a few things first, then why not? The family will understand– what do they want with going on holiday anyway?” You get the idea, I’m sure.

At such moments, it’s wise to put the guitar down and walk away for a period of mature reflection about one’s life priorities. This usually doesn’t help, of course, but at least makes you feel like a responsible adult.

I’m joking a bit, but not all that much. One thing the whole GAS dilemma got me thinking about, though, that really is a serious question for guitarists, is the tension between what you want and what you actually need, musically. For example, based on the music I write and record most at the moment, I know I have a gap in my collection for a good 12-string acoustic. I’ll play it, get plenty of songs out of it and it’ll be a tool I’ll use an awful lot. By contrast, another electric would be just a bit of an indulgence because I have enough nice electric guitars to meet my musical needs already. But… there’s always room for another one, right? Maybe the answer lies in a fantastic all-rounder of an electric guitar like the PRS ‘Paul’s Guitar’, which is not only supremely versatile but beautifully executed. With a sub-£1,000 SE version now available (see review, p84), it could be just the guitar to help you focus on not buying another guitar you really want but only slightly need. That’s what I keep telling myself, anyway. As usual, my proposed solution to GAS involves buying more gear… Enjoy the issue and see you next month.