Should I Feel Guilty??

[Sijos1]

No this isnt a confessional but just getting it out there!

Should I feel guilty that the quality of my guitars far outstrips the quality of my playing? Dont get me wrong - I have worked hard and paid for them fair and square but I know I am not putting any of them through their paces to an adequate standard.

I often see far better players getting wonderful sounds from cheaper and less well made guitars and it makes me wonder! I know I should practice more to improve my playing but I feel I have reached a comfort zone in playing well enough to accompany my singing and need a spur to learn. I have recently started to play with a partner and hopefully a band so I am hoping that wil give me the incentive to improve.

I also wonder whether because I play a quality guitar when I go to open mics and local folk clubs that folks expect me to be better and get a bit sniffy when they hear how rubbish I am. Because of this I often leave my nicer and easier to play guitars at home.

Your comments and thoughts would be appreciated as always.

Thanks

Simon

[LeftArm]

Should I feel guilty that the quality of my guitars far outstrips the quality of my playing?

No
There seem to be some on here who would disagree but my opinion is that there are two reasons to own a guitar.
One is to play it as well as you can and one is because a guitar is a thing of beauty displaying the craftsmanship of the luthier.
There is no reason why you shouldn't collect quality guitars and not play them at all if you want.
I have a fair number of average to low end guitars. My playing ability probably matches the quality but may not justify the quantity. But I like collecting guitars. They're all a bit different.

[Sijos1]

Thank you Leftarm,

I note you are also East Sussex based. Where do you play?

[LeftArm]

In my conservatory mostly
I'm in Uckfield, I don't play in public.

[Sijos1]

I am in Framfield!

Strange to communicate via a predominately USA based forum!

[LeftArm]

Blimey, just up the road.
Do you play in public locally?

[RustNeverSleeps]

Get the guitar that pleases you the most and play it however you want!

I think you're maybe over-analysing things anyway; 9/10 people at open mic nights can't tell one guitar from another. You'd have to be a very bigoted gear snob to tell someone they don't deserve to play their own guitar.

[Silly Moustache]

and I'm in West Sussex - Chichester ! I feel the same way - if you have the facility to own thing s that you love - then do so without guilt and enjoy them. It is probably people like yourself who will care and cherish such instruments and are caring for them for future generations.

I do believe that for such things as fine instruments we don't so much "own" then as care for them as they will (certainly should) outlast us.

East Sussex guys - why not come along to the Chichester Pickers ? Nice little pub in Oving just outside Chichester. Music starts at 8.p.m. (with my and my pals) everyone who wants to has a ten or fifteen minute spot - ability variable but we have fun.

We meet 2nd & 4th Thursday - like .... tomorrow night
PM me for details !

[Sijos1]

Originally Posted by LeftArm

Blimey, just up the road.
Do you play in public locally?

Mostly the White Horse Folk Club in Bodle St Green but sometimes Green Man at Ringmer and The Blackboys Inn have started an open mic

[Sijos1]

Originally Posted by RustNeverSleeps

I think you're maybe over-analysing things anyway; 9/10 people at open mic nights can't tell one guitar from another. You'd have to be a very bigoted gear snob to tell someone they don't deserve to play their own guitar.

You are right - I probably am over analysing but I spend a lot of time on my own working at home so all sorts runs through my tiny mind

[DAVE 57]

Originally Posted by Sijos1

No this isnt a confessional but just getting it out there!

Should I feel guilty that the quality of my guitars far outstrips the quality of my playing? Dont get me wrong - I have worked hard and paid for them fair and square but I know I am not putting any of them through their paces to an adequate standard.

I often see far better players getting wonderful sounds from cheaper and less well made guitars and it makes me wonder! I know I should practice more to improve my playing but I feel I have reached a comfort zone in playing well enough to accompany my singing and need a spur to learn. I have recently started to play with a partner and hopefully a band so I am hoping that wil give me the incentive to improve.

I also wonder whether because I play a quality guitar when I go to open mics and local folk clubs that folks expect me to be better and get a bit sniffy when they hear how rubbish I am. Because of this I often leave my nicer and easier to play guitars at home.

Your comments and thoughts would be appreciated as always.

Thanks

Simon

Hi, you couldnt have my own thoughts down more clearly.I have just started to play out myself with my best guitars.I don't worry about it anymore,I just enjoy myself.cheers Dave.

[MJRB]

I have three very nice hand made guitars, and I wouldn't describe myself as a particularly competent musician.
One of the reasons that I play as well as I do is because of my guitars. If you have great guitar that you love you are going to play them more, and you will get better at it. (QED)
I never play anything but one of my three best guitars. Why accept less than the best that you have available. Why deprive yourself of those minutes or hours of pleasure.
When you play out you will sound better if you are playing one of your better and easier to play guitars.
Go on, be a devil.
MJRB

[GibbyPrague]

Not at all.

Im in the same boat as you. But having these great guitars motivates me to play them every day and enjoy my development as I hear it through these wonderful guitars.

[JohnEBGood]

Originally Posted by Sijos1

Strange to communicate via a predominately USA based forum!

Heh Heh! Welcome to the dark side.

Love yer homeland. Of course my souvenir from our trip to the UK was a new Michelin tire after I ripped a sidewall in Bath. I had a little trouble adjusting to your traffic patterns.

[mikealpine]

If you can afford it and enjoy it, play the best guitar you can...the one that make YOU feel good. And they were made to play,so take it with you to open mics. No need to justify anything to anyone.