Extreme GAS Story

[J185-4Me]

Hopefully this is not something that affects folks here:

http://vancouversun.com/news/local-n...c-buying-spree

My initial thought was twofold -- "now HERE'S a good excuse!"; and second, "I should go to this auction" -- but a complete read indicates that this is a sad story of GAS way out of control.

[Jim Owen]

Wow, Fred--that's scary.

[ChrisE]

I'm no expert at anything, but I follow Joe Bonamassa on Instagram and he's always buying something for his "collection." The guy (JB) has serious issues.

[mot]

Rough story. Makes my story seem almost passé.

Even with lack of time to play with my toys, lack of funds and gentle reminders from spouse I still have more instruments from ocarinas and harmonicas to pianos and cellos than I will ever have time to play much less master. Still, if I could just get that one 12 string I have been thinking about...

[mot]

Originally Posted by ChrisE

The guy (JB) has serious issues.

Not necessarily. You should walk a few miles in his shoes with a couple of his instruments before you stop and realize that you now have a pair of his shoes and some cool guitars and are a few miles from him finding you.

[dannyg1]

If I were this guy, I'd do some horse trading. I'd have that down to 10 guitars within a month. Then again, the initial repair and setup bill on 300 guitars might make it so I could only have 7 or 8 $10k guitars. And I'd keep the Artist Award too.

[ChrisE]

Originally Posted by dannyg1

If I were this guy, I'd do some horse trading. I'd have that down to 10 guitars within a month. Then again, the initial repair and setup bill on 300 guitars might make it so I could only have 7 or 8 $10k guitars. And I'd keep the Artist Award too.

With this guy's illness it seems like it's all or nothing--he bought them all now he's selling them all; there is no in between.

[Muddslide]

Well, they say you spend the first half of your life acquiring things and the last half divesting yourself of possessions. I know which side I'm on.

Dang. Some people have too much money and don't know what to do with it, apparently.

On edit: I don't mean to be glib about this gentleman's mental disorder. I have worked extensively in that field. Bipolar disorder is not really something to poke fun at. It can be very debilitating.

[RP]

It's an interesting article but it reads like he had a two-year manic phase without a break in the action. The other thing that makes little sense is that the average cost per guitar was $400 despite the much higher cost of the ones mentioned in the article...

...Manic episodes last for at least one week, and depressive episodes for at least two weeks, but both may continue for many months.

[Muddslide]

Originally Posted by RP

...The other thing that makes little sense is that the average cost per guitar was $400 despite the much higher cost of the ones mentioned in the article...

No, the interviewer made the comment that if he'd spent an average of $400 per guitar the spree would have totaled $120K.

The subject of the piece said he spent a good deal more.

[Wade Hampton]

No, the "$400 per guitar" estimate is considerably less than what he would have paid, at least if the guitars were all or mostly professional quality. I think we can safely TRIPLE that sum.


whm

[yairimann]

Sad to say that being a Doctor didn't help him control the problem sooner, perhaps it even helped him convince those trying to help him that he had it under control. Most of the acoustics are actually pretty cheap guitars.

[Sanban]

Here is a link to the auction if anyone is interested.

https://www.ableauctions.ca/auction?...f-c237765b0c52

[rogthefrog]

Originally Posted by mot

Not necessarily. You should walk a few miles in his shoes with a couple of his instruments before you stop and realize that you now have a pair of his shoes and some cool guitars and are a few miles from him finding you.

And it'll take him a while to catch up since he has no shoes now.

[rogthefrog]

Originally Posted by dannyg1

If I were this guy, I'd do some horse trading. I'd have that down to 10 guitars within a month. Then again, the initial repair and setup bill on 300 guitars might make it so I could only have 7 or 8 $10k guitars. And I'd keep the Artist Award too.

It's likely you misunderstand the cause of his buying spree. It's not normal or healthy collecting or even hoarding that's under control and can be addressed the same way healthy people normally do this. I doubt he even wants 10 guitars. It's not about that.