Gear Snobbery | A Virus in the Guitar Community

This past week, I was thinking about a story of a musician I once played with that thought he was good because he had an expensive guitar. It got me thinking about the negative effects of gear snobbery on a musician. In this video I share a few stories about gear snobbery.
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[@jrmakawoody]

This really translates into every other hobby/interest.

[@kennisrussell]

Yes it does. My other hobby is home theater. It’s there too.

[@kittatro]

Chess doesn't really have this problem. There are tournament sets, if everyone needs to use the same gear nobody is a snob (or everyone is it's up to you)

[@Lordofmrak]

@@kennisrussell Home theater and HiFi definitely.

[@yaboidustin2447]

​@kennisrussell home theatre, guitar, automotive, everyone has snobs. It sucks. It's really odd when someone with a non running minitruck rips on your classic fullsize, or someone with a broken parlor guitar making fun of your all black strat. No hobby is safe from the snobs, especially not the hypocritical ones.

[@KozumaHeiji]

Great discussion. Another important point is having the guitar properly setup. Budget instruments usually suffer more when not mantained properly, and we tend to blame the quality of the guitar and not the setup.

[@kennisrussell]

Great Point.

[@fordhammie]

Dude I purchased a Charvel DK24 and it sounded like a Squier Affinity until I got it set up! 😂

[@bldallas]

Squire is crushing it out of the park right now with their “Classic Vibe” series. I’ve bought a gorgeous 60s Classic Vibe Tele with a double bound body, tobacco burst body and a thin 60s profile neck finished in vintage amber and I bought it new, open box on Reverb for $225 and it’s amazing.

[@ivanmedina6071]

My apple red 60s vibe is being delivered tomorrow, cant wait

[@sahamal_savu]

This snobbery actually turned me off of playing guitar for many years when I was younger. Every guitarist I talked to came off as really judgmental and close-minded. That thumbnail was perfect haha "I have a Gibson" hahahah :D

[@kennisrussell]

Thanks Michael.

[@jeanpatton708]

I was resistant to play because I would see all the gear other guitarists would show off and I was always poor but I started buying higher end squier and upgrading to my taste. At this point unless someone were to give me a fender, I will always buy squier so I don't feel bad for rewiring and putting a custom pick combo. I played bass and that helped me be a percussive player and I use a bass amp for my guitars. It all was a happy accident

[@jacebeleren1703]

Same here... don't get me wrong, i used to be a gear-head as well, reading about and lusting after different guitars, pedals, etc, but when i stopped guitar and switched to irish flute (for various reasons) , i got such a change in mindset that it was freeing, in a way. Coming back to guitar now is much more pleasant because i can see through the gear facade and how much time is wasted arguing about "tone" vs actually learning to play.

[@jacebeleren1703]

@@jeanpatton708 I did exactly the same, tried a very nice Squier CV 60s in my local guitar shop, bought it, then threw in a set of Fender Pure Vintage 65's that i got for 150€ from a local shop (the outer box had been damaged in transit). And i'm willing to put it up against any Fender, sound-wise!

[@DMSProduktions]

Yeah, they WERE!

[@fishypaw]

I've never been a conformist, and I've always been a bit anti-snobbery, in all walks of life. I've learned from quite a few years of experience that when it comes to guitars ... ability matters WAY more than gear. Gear does help, but even the worst guitar (and amp) can be made to sound good by somebody that knows how to play and can dial in a tone, even on the cheapest equipment. Example, my first electric that I bought (new) was a MIM strat. I wondered at the time, if my guitar was inferior compared to a made in USA one ... until one day I went to a friend's house to jam. He was gushing because he had just bought a custom shop US made Stevie Ray Vaughn replica strat. Both of us were about the same beginner to intermediate level players and didn't really know enough to argue which guitar was better, but then another friend arrived, who was a wonderful guitarist. He picked up my guitar, twiddled the knobs on my Zoom multi-effects, and then suddenly started playing some sublime Hendrix covers. I was blown away by how good he made my gear sound, and it made me realise it was my lack of ability that was stopping my guitar from sounding great, not the gear. Also, when pushed for an opinion, he said that he preferred my guitar to my friends custom shop one, which pissed my friend off no end. 😏

[@DMSProduktions]

Sometimes, revenge IS good! ;o)

[@billymcguiremusic]

I've been playing guitar since 2008, and seeing the gear snobbery is hilarious within the community. My main guitar from 2008 to 2015 was my Epiphone Les Paul Standard that I bought new in '08 and heavily modded (as seen on my channel). I've used it countless time in recordings the past few years alongside the Fender MIA strat I bought in 2015 that became my new main. I still love my Epi LP, and I still have it. I just recently purchased my first Gibson 2 or 3 weeks ago, and it's solid, but didn't have the "mojo" my Epi has. However, I did love the way the Gibson played, so I bought. I also agree 200% with practice. So many people I've met, especially on guitar, go hard on NOT putting in as much practice as they should. Look at the guys who have a room PACKED with gear, but can hardly play. So many people think "you are born with talent," but talent is from the result of ALWAYS doing it. I have no problem with people having nice gear and treating themselves (which is what I do, since I always practice), but I WILL shame musicians who by gear JUST for it to sit there without ever using it. So many people will "just play by feel," but they have no sense of the instrument.

[@ricmel8008]

One of the greatest guitar player I know sold his $20,000 dollar Gibson and now is playing $50 guitars. I have many guitars and have a tube amp. But my sweetest rig is a Squire Strat and Peavey Backstage amp. I don't understand why this combo blows the rest of my rig away.

[@TheCaptainsCog]

Id rather have a epiphone I can do what I want to, than a Gibson that if I touch someone says "you ruined it".

[@rb343]

Lol, it's your guitar to ruin if you want!

[@DMSProduktions]

@@rb343 Their attitude is, they are only the 'custodian'!

[@jamessievert9813]

I was a gear snob until I needed to liquidate my guitar collection to keep my household afloat. I am now a minimalist and am content with the gear that I was able to hang on to. No more collecting for me.

[@std882]

Same thing happening to me now. I learnt about minimalism in 2022 and though I'm not going so extreme, it taught me so much about clutter. Since 2019 I had unload 13 guitars. I still have 20 in collection. I want to bring it down to perhaps 6 or 7. Guitars that I only need.

[@PooNinja]

The name on the headstock is only a suggestion of quality. Their all just wood and metal it all depends on what your hands and ears think. Eyes are for paintings and sculptures n stuff . Nobody ever bad mouths a painters work for not using expensive brushes... do they?

[@kennisrussell]

Great point. I have not heard that one.

[@bazkeen]

Still rocking my $72 pawn shop Strat 10 years later. OK a few up grades but it still plays great and brings a smile to my face, which is the most important thing

[@Theweeze100]

“Hi, I’m Frank, and I used be a gear snob too...” Hi Frank!

[@bazkeen]

🤣🤣🤣Love it. I too am a member of GA

[@kennisrussell]

Hi frank.

[@coreyrenstrom]

LOL

[@kentuckyfriedchildren5385]

Squiers are actually very good instruments, the entry level affinity's are decent and can be upgraded and the classic vibes are on par with a fender

[@martynreed835]

My 1983 JV squier is an awesome guitar. Just as good as any pre cbs. Don't believe the hype.

[@101Volts]

I just bought a *pink* Squier Bullet Strat for $40 in a yard sale with an amp and case last week... Sure I want to mod it and re-paint it, but I'd be kidding myself if I don't think all 3 pickups actually work out pretty well. Bridge Pup's a bit tinny, but it's still usable. I just gotta put the Amp's Treble lower for it.

[@bldlightpainting]

Gear snobbery, like other forms of elitist behavior is everywhere. It's born out of the failed notion that the products you own are superior to that of others. When in actuality, your choices are just different, not necessarily better or worse.

[@Olegstuff21986]

Indeed, people get the gear to get the sound they want to hear, more or less. Not everyone is looking for the same sound or look, for that matter.

[@toddplager8676]

Same In off road vehicles you built that wrong LOL!!! I get what I can afford.. I love My Epipies and my Squire MIM's! The amount of awesome guitars I have ... would only amount to one maybe 2 US Fenders or Gibbies!! I started at 48 during covid I love it, It's hard. I Could care less, if you had a stick with a string or a 20k guitar, if you can play you can make it sound good....... don't care what ya play on.... just how!!! I suck still learning the basics and I haven't quit yet lol!! I LOVE ALL GUITARS JUST PLAYEM!!

[@ThePaddedPedalroom]

I completely agree with You Kennis! I think we all go through that at some point. Practice is really the key, no amount of gear can make you play better. The only thing the gear can do is motivate you maybe to play it more, but the real key is practice. Thanks for sharing this! and your new camera lens looks great! ;)

[@AtlanteanGuitarist]

❤

[@strayzilla]

I'm a ton happier that I got past being 'brandwashed'. Way back when I thought having a righteous Les Paul was the key somehow. Then I had a bunch of Les Pauls. And high end amps. Didn't really make me happier or play better. I realized it was all BS when I was playing a show and didn't want to bring an amp because it was a charity event with a bunch of bands and they had a backline of amps. Instead, I just plugged into one of those Line 6 bean effects units straight into the board. Later, I had multiple players come up and tell me I had the best tone of the show. People thought I had a Marshall mic'd up under the stage to cut the volume because it was so ballsy. Kinda just realized it was all BS and to just play what sounds cool and to stop worrying about trying to get respect from shallow people by having drool inducing gear. Now, the vast majority of guitars I buy and play are around the 600-1000 dollar mark. And now that I'm old enough to buy any guitars I want, I'll play a low end Dean or Fender if it sounds and feels good and has that mojo. The mojo is more important to me than brand names now. It inspires me way more than having something pretty. Just me though.

[@kennisrussell]

Great story. Thanks for sharing. So true.

[@Phoenix_cataclysm_in_2040]

Big names make most of their sales exactly out of that - big name. People buy their gear as they want to be like their preferred guitar hero, and I think it doesn't hurt to have a Fender or Gibson in your collection. You still want to enjoy your guitar and amp. I think problem starts when you spend thousands on two joined pieces of wood, some plastic bits, basic hardware and primitive electronics. This is not where true magic happens, like man said himself: 8:44 Btw, your battery is about to run out. 🤔

[@eightyseveneightyfive6280]

I owned a squire tele that sounded on par with my American strat. Kind of blew my mind how good a $200 instrument can sound.

[@lc44906]

I got one as well and it sounds terrific.

[@ivansindicic5960]

No no , this is actually true , my first squier feels better than usa fender

[@justinrayguitars6024]

I either had are have owned some top name guitars. That being said right now my favorite axe is a Squier strat that came out of the trash. I have highly modified it but I wear the Affinity badge with pride! Great video sir.

[@kennisrussell]

Awesome. Wear the badge with honor.

[@CJ-rf9jm]

A good side effect is it develops the skills to do your own setups n all that yourself. Bit envious that I've never seen anything that good in the garbage around here.

[@Axess-sv8nq]

Jack Pearson played Squiers during his time with The Allman Brothers. He impressed Dickey Betts so much that he called up Gregg Allman and said: "Either we hire this guy for the band or I'm gonna hire him to give me guitar lessons!!"

[@rustyshackleford9557]

Great video. I've sold guitars for decades and I believe many folks buy pricey stuff not so much out of snobbery but rather insecurity. So many players were the non athletic, unpopular guy in school and they are still haunted with a need for other's approval. What points me to this is that not only are they afraid to buy a less known brand, they are afraid to buy a unique finish. Brown, black and sunburst are easy to sell. But unique finishes eventually wind up going on clearance because most buyers buy status quo brown, black and sunburst. They buy boring shoes too btw 🤔

[@ojaisherpa]

I am grateful to have acquired some gear that is probably much nicer than my level of proficiency. I feel like quality gear inspires creativity and enhances the experience. That being said making music can be done w almost anything. Great video

[@JonDeth]

*I have reverse gear snobbery, but I also have a formal education in the science of electrical/electronics engineering and several decades in technical trades like carpentry and metal crafting.* I just got my 2nd IYV neck-thru and it's phenomenal. $230 delivered and literally matches what people spend 10x that on for American made. *Between being built primarily by CNC mills and using foreign cousin species of wood from Africa and Asia, they're impossible to beat.* I shred at the most fantastical level, so nothing anyone would say would matter in public. I also have $65 junkers that with my own custom made active pickup circuit, and floating tremolo for $20, perform as well as my thousand dollar Agile. *Realistically speaking though, the $65 junkers(SGlarry) are a huge gamble, and some are literally unplayable without extensive mods like mine.* I have approximately 30 guitars ATM and only a half dozen are major or known name brands. *I can spend a thousand bucks on a guitar I'm still going to perform major modifications to, or I can buy 4-5 guitars that will get all the exact same mods, I'm buying reputable "junk brand" guitars instead.* By the end of this year, my custom and all solid state amp will be perfected, and the prototype already sounded dead on to a 5150 and Mesa Triple rect. *I really like tubes, but also know semiconductors can do it better if enough work is put into the design, and there's no money in producing a head for $300 that matches or exceeds a $3,000 all tube head.* Everything priced strategically and designed for imperfection to guarantee eventually, people mortgage their house for one.

[@Axess-sv8nq]

The thing with Gear Snobbery is that it stems, a lot, from narcissism. We all have egos. But, with Gear Snobs - TRUE, lifetime, Gear Snobs/Cork Sniffers - they're full-on narcissists. One of the primary traits of narcissists is that they're NEVER wrong. All the years I was gigging, we would see the Gear Snobs come and go quickly. The audiences could sniff them out. We called them 'Posers' back then. It was all about appearance with no substance. That's why a lot of them are either mediocre or terrible at playing guitar. A lot of them ONLY stick to ONE genre as well and you rarely see them in successful bands - and even then, it's not for long.

[@caseylee12]

I agree 100%. But I think it also stems from marketing. If a Squier bullet is good enough for Phil McKnight to play everyday, it's good enough for me!

[@Axess-sv8nq]

@@caseylee12 There's an old quote I go by that I've learned, over time, is about as true and clear as can be. I'm not sure who said it, though. The quote is: "Marketing and Brands cause people to spend more money than they should." Endorsements, product placement, secret sponsorships, advertising, 'influencers' - it's basically everywhere. People have been conditioned since birth to believe that something more expensive - or name brand - is the only good thing. Like Kennis said, there's also the embarrassment factor due to peer pressure. It's basically the herd mentality and the status quo.

[@CJ-rf9jm]

When I was not long outta high school I spent some time working in the families music store. We sold a lot more of the lower priced gear of all kinds including some of those aria pro 2 guitars. Had tons of corksniffers coming in wanting to know when the fenders n gibsons were coming in. So I pulled out the catalogs n showed them the prices. I sold a bunch of Arias, Squiers n Vesters that way. Flash forward to the past few years I've got back into guitars n most my stuff is the less expensive stuff. I concentrate on having fun fixing up my gear n trying to play it more than bragging about it. All those who came into the store all those years ago wanting the high end stuff, I can't say that any of them are still playing.

[@slicksnewonenow]

I completely agree on all of your points! I've personally LOVED "junk" guitars for the last 30 years... After the Gretsches, the 'spensive Gibsons, etc... The one thing that I can say to anyone wanting to learn to play BETTER, is that the setup on a guitar is of the utmost importance! So many parents buy their kid a cheese grater to learn on and after about 6 months of fighting it, the kid usually loses interest. I've known guys that have casually played for 20 years... And I mean played 'so-so'... Then I'll convince them to let me do a full setup on their guitar... Next thing you know, they're playing all the time, because the instrument is magically so much easier to play than it was before. I guess the main thing about any guitar would be a nice, stable neck... All the rest can be worked out pretty easily. Once the thing PLAYS nicely, it's almost a joy to practice.

[@guitarprepnplus1]

Love my strat squire standard. Have a Gibson sg play the squire more. Still suck. 🎸😨

[@gregaltenhofel7326]

In the 70's I bought an Aria over Gibson's I went in to buy. You've probably talked about what was happening to American musical instruments manufacturers. While Japan took advantage of that and started sending over some really very high quality instruments. Gibson started law suits. There is a history about it. The guitar I bought back then was stolen and I recently replaced it with something just like it. Built in 72. Man I love it. BTW they changed from Aria to Aria Pro II in 75

[@codyscott8687]

Man I started playing when I was 15, my dad got me an acoustic Ibanez for $180. I played that thing for several hours a day until I got to the last two years of my college program. Then, life hit me, got put on Night Shift, got married, started traveling for work, etc. Then next thing you know it’s been 5 years since I’d played more often than once every six months or so. I just started back playing a couple months ago, and since I finally have enough money, I got a Taylor that I’d always wanted. I almost didn’t get it because of how rusty I am since not playing a lot over the last several years and didn’t think I deserved an instrument that nice because I always thought your instrument was supposed to match your level at the instrument. But it’s been so awesome getting back into playing, that I don’t even care that I’m having to go through a learning curve again. That being said, that Ibanez is a good guitar that I’ll never get rid of

[@sublyme2157]

There are hobby players, collectors, working musicians, and music creators. While snobbery can and does exist in all these types of players, it seems to be more so with the first three. People who write/create music are a different breed, and are much more open to ideas rather than brands. My experience, anyway.

[@Phoenix_cataclysm_in_2040]

Add to it flat caps that guitar playing dudes wear for absolutely no reason, especially inside the room whilst shaking at you their big name axe, surrounded by a gear that costs that much that it would help you to pay a deposit for your new house. Those flat caps bemuse me to no end, what's the deal with them? Probably wearing one makes you a great player. Got to be. I must try. Obviously has to be a flat cap made by a great, expensive brand, like Barbour or something, because cheap cap simply wouldn't cut it. 🤔

[@caseylee12]

I've got a few nice guitars, but one of my favorites is my Squier Bullet Tele, seafoam green. LOVE IT! If you play what you like, you'll play it more, so just play what you like! More important than an expensive guitar is a good playing guitar. A good set up can make almost any guitar nicer to play ( with the exceptions of a twisted neck, or the infamous "backbowed" neck, with a hump at about the 12th fret). PLUS... The most dangerous result of gear snobbery if that you might miss out on a good guitar, like at a yardsale or a pawn shop, etc.

[@kiddcomet3563]

As long that the guitar is setup nice it’s all good ! I like all guitars

[@neandrewthal]

I don't think Squiers or Epiphones are beneath my level of playing (they definitely aren't), I just don't like them. I was spoiled growing up because my dad collected guitars and I got to try lots of expensive ones. I don't trash on anyone who plays cheap guitars, in fact I envy them a little. But I make no apologies for personally liking more expensive ones either.

[@Axess-sv8nq]

Well, that sets you apart from the snobs. There's nothing wrong with liking or preferring expensive instruments for yourself. When Gear Snobs and Cork Sniffers cross the line is when they look down their noses at people who play budget instruments. And it's even MORE disturbing to them when people actually ENJOY budget instruments. So, that attack them. They try to gaslight them, humiliate them, and publicly shame them into thinking like THEY do about their expensive stuff. That's despicable, in my opinion.

[@srh361]

I hate to admit it but I was the same way not too long ago, like months ago. I'm a Gibson player and I always thought that if it wasn't Gibson then it wasn't worth owning/ wasting money on. Then I decided to but an American Fender strat and it was a great guitar so then I started thinking that it didn't have to be a Gibson but it had to be at least $1500 and made in America. Well then for some reason I started liking the Charvel pro mod DK 24 guitars but I wouldn't buy one cause I thought it was beneath me, then one day a shop on reverb had and mint condition charvel dk 24 pro mod in primer grey for $650 and I decided to buy it and my God have I been missing out on some great guitars because of my snobbery! Now I own two Charvels. Plus when Eddie Van Halen died I bought an EVH in his honor that was made in Mexico and damn if it isn't a great guitar also. Now I own four Mexican guitars and one Korean LTD and I'm happy as hell!

[@MrSpunkletrumpet]

I’ve experienced it within my own bands in the past, it was during the “axefx is life” era and the entire band had crazy expensive rigs, (vba400 rig myself so wasn’t part of the cool modelling crowd) we arranged just a quick bedroom ideas session so no amazing gear required, just something that makes noise. Guitarist A needs an amp, I offer to bring my little vox practice amp which never pretended to be something it’s not, and guitarist A does nothing but whine about the tone and scoff at it with other band mates, and even started being a bit rough like it was worthless (putting feet up on it and resting a beer on it) not going to lie I was quite annoyed as I was doing them a favour.

[@Studio_940]

I bought a new Aria Pro 2 in 1984, my only guitar for 25 years. Endorsed by George Lynch in the day. I still have it, in fact I have 2 of them. Absolutely great guitars

[@calebproductions5970]

Hell yes

[@Phoenix_cataclysm_in_2040]

Bro, respect for not getting bored with just one guitar (which technically is two of them). 🤔

[@0000song0000]

Actually, the beautiful snobs from StratTalk forum were the ones that turned me into a Squier girl :) Basically everyone kept saying how the Classic Vibe strats were WAY more consistent in quality than Chinese Fenders (Modern Player series from 2011),MIM, and better buck than MIA. So when I finally went to USA i tried guitars... fender had a promo in Summer 2012, $50 bucks off Fender... Which made the Modern player $350 brand new, and the Squier $375... I went for the Squier and do not regret it ... If I had cared about the name on Headstock more I would have gotten the MP... But I honestly just wanted a guitar to play Buddy Holly and SRV without regretting it. :) And that is sufficient for me. For a while I cover the headstock on black electric tape and took it to the studio ... Everyone loved it! No one saw it as an "inferior" instrument. :D it ended up in a couple albums :D

[@JC-11111]

Snobs at strat talk? Okkaayyyyy. Never seen it in the last 13 months I've been there. Maybe you mean, the Fender Facebook groups? They're the snobby ones that have a cow any time you mention Squier. They literally have daily arguments about whether Squiers can be as good as Fenders. It's so tiring. And embarrassing. You might try coming back to Strat Talk. I go by Wound_Up there and literally never see snobs in the conversation. And I'm there daily. We talk about Squiers, Fenders, Gibsons, Gretsch, Indio, Silvertone, and everything in between.

[@0000song0000]

@@JC-11111 I guess you are right, Strat and Tele people are way more efficient-seeking. I think that's the funny part, on a LP forum they will bash you for saying that it is heavy, uncomfortable, and the tune-o-matic slids your wrists... On the Strat forum they will tell you how to get the best for your budget , style and taste. 😃

[@JC-11111]

@@0000song0000 somehow I missed "beautiful" snobs last time I read this, also. I would have taken it differently had I not. I really like Strat Talk. Out of the 8 or 10 places I registered when I started playing in Dec 2019, that's the place I go to daily. I have 2 Silvertone "Strats", also. One black with maple fretboard and one dark blue with beautiful rosewood fretboard and a somewhat figured neck. On a guitar I paid $25 USD for plus $15 USD shipping. It's a great guitar but it desperately needs the frets addressed. Over half are high by some amount. It buzzes like crazy now. It played fairly well when I got it, though. I bought the black one new as my first guitar for about $140 USD with included amplifier and it's great, too. No issues at all from it. I've replaced the bridge pickup with a humbucker and replaced all the pots with quality stuff from CTS and a new jack, also. It's a little noisy because I need to fix the solder job I did but overall it's great.

[@HooksBill]

Agreed. Funny thing is I've been playing for 35 years and only in the last 18 months have I purchased a guitar over a grand. I bought a D-16gt and a PRS CE-24. The PRS has spoiled me in that the quality is so much better than what I'm used to. The $250 Fender acoustic I had is still one of the best acoustic guitars I've ever owned. That and a Yamaha acoustic I had back in the 80's. I'm not a gear snob. If it feels and sounds good and looks ok, I'm fine.

[@davilaqc]

The one dislike was from someone who paid $10,000 for a guitar and can't play well :)

[@bldlightpainting]

Or who spent 200k on a vintage Les Paul that only collects dust.

[@DavidHBurkart]

😂😂

[@0000song0000]

Those who put their expensive guitar aside,felt 3 inches and broke.

[@Phoenix_cataclysm_in_2040]

Old good days when we still could see those dislikes... 😔

[@DMSProduktions]

YT is FULL of those type!

[@JammyGit]

I used to see the same attitude about 25 years ago when I used to fish in competitions and matches up and down the country. I used to call them 'all the gear and no idea.' They'd have all the expensive poles, tackle, and matching clothing, and at the end of the 5 hour match (if they lasted that long without packing up and going home after 2 hours) they barely troubled the guy with the scales. My fishing hero back then was a bloke we called 'Ted the bread', who used to turn up to matches on my local canal with old battered rods & reels, an old wicker basket to sit on, and promptly began to catch loads of fish using bread as bait, and 9 times out of 10 he would take home an envelope with some money in it. I would also wind up the all the gear guys by telling them how little his fishing tackle cost in comparison to their thousands of pounds......Ted probably had £100-£200 and his bait for the match - a loaf of bread for about 50p at the time 😆 I also used to come across the same 'all the gear and no idea' types when I played golf. Quite a few of them had top of the range clubs where just 1 of their clubs cost more than all of my second hand set cost all together, they had all the clothing and electric bag trolley......and they couldn't even hit a golf ball straight. All those people want to do is look the part. I imagine this attitude to be common in most hobbies and lifestyles, and I would say that it's predominately men who behave this way. There's probably some guys who own guitars costing tens of thousands, and can't play more than a couple of chords. So I think that this gear snobbery is a male 'problem' if I'm honest 🙄👍

[@levkamenev3904]

Great video. Honestly a lot of it just comes down to personal preference too. I have an older MIM Telecaster that I just love. I’ve tried more expensive ones but my MIM one is just what does it for me.

[@GarrettRatliff96]

How to save 1000 dollars on a Strat: 1. Buy a Squier Affinity Strat for $200 2. Buy a set of Dark Moon single coil pickups of your choosing and flavor for $205 and replace the current ones (I discovered them through Darrel Braun and bought the Bad Voodoo pickup set with vintage stagger) Sounds better than even a stock Statocaster which costs about $1500 for an American Standard. To take the Squier to the next level, you can dress the frets yourself, replace the switch with a switch-craft switch, replace the pots for higher quality ones, replace the tuners with fender locking tuners, and replace the bridge with a fender bridge and you'll still have saved about $800. If you want to get really fancy, you can even replace the nut with a bone or tusq nut. I'll put that against any strat made EVER (even the $20,000 50's strats, ask me how I know). Tone is all in the electronics and the strings you use. Playability can be fixed with a little elbow grease and a steady hand, and a quick setup. Moral is save your money for a nice amp.

[@JamesWarden-h6f]

I've had Gibson, Godin, Ibanez, Washburn, Taylor, Tiesco, Harmony, Sears, Hamer, Fender, and Musicraft Messenger in my 60 years of playing. Decent player, but no Guitar hero. Different guitar now and then gave me incentive. All different price ranges. Learned thru those years set up more important than cost or brand when it comes to playability and sound.

[@std882]

I fell in love with collecting guitars 20 years ago but eventually they took up so much space that I have started getting rid of them - which included a '71 LP Deluxe Goldtop, '70/'71 SG Std., '74 Strat HT, '78 Yamaha SA2000, '79 Gretsch Superaxe. Eventually the ones I will keep are the ones I needed the most and are not worth much money. They are the Godin xtsa and my workhorse - an '87 Strat. and an '04 Yamaha Apx9-NA. They don't worth thousands and thousands but are the most comfortable guitars for me.

[@aliensporebomb]

I thought this video was making a commentary on a post I saw at the gear page where some user had posted he did not like Epiphone creating their own affordable ‘59 Les Paul reissue as he felt it might potentially devalue his R9. Interesting topic.

[@TheBoss0Time131]

I was originally after a Gibson Flying V as I wanted it to match my Gibson Explorer. However, I looked over that and got myself an Epiphone Goth Flying V. I'm glad I did because it plays and sounds great, and it shows you don't need to always buy an expensive guitar.

[@GuitarsandDrones]

I have always had money issues all my life and now I am ok in my older years. I play a PRS SE and have a Chapman ML3, mostly had budget gear and have never bought a new guitar. My fav amp at the mo is a Monoprice-5w. Nobody cares what it says on the headstock it’s what they hear that people care about.

[@dw7704]

Aria Pro Ii guitars covered a range of quality Gear snobbery would rule them all out, while. An honest comparison realizes some are better than others, but what is important is whether it fills your need,

[@RBdeBell]

New gear can definitly inspire you to play more on your instrument - but one of the most important things at guitars is, how does the neck feel to you. If you don`t feel comfortable while playing the guitar, then it doesn`t help having a "big" brand on the headstock. I stopped visiting and writing in an "musicians discussion board" - cause they went like crazy if someone shared a negative expirience with "the good brands" of guitars. After all, i got banned there cause i stood my ground and wont let them put other people down for their opinion. So... if young new guitar player comes to such toxic communities, they start to believe expensive gear is needed to become a good player! Further they get probably excluded for having a different opinion. I appreciate your courage to talk about problems like this - its important to show young players of any instrument, that there are many musicians outside this toxic elitist community!

[@fordhammie]

That Aria Pro 2 is by the #1 guitar maker and that's Samick! I also have a Samick Strat that's incredible!

[@MikeGgeetar]

Ive played and owned the very expensive, the very cheap, the vintage and the customised. There is no common denominator I think. The quality is in the music. The most consistent quality in brand names that I have found is in PRS and Yamaha, and Fender and Gibson's can go from a great build to, er, something else..... My favourite electric these days is a Washburn Idol, and I have that because I wanted a half decent backup at the time, and after a while I realised it was a superb guitar and it became my gigging staple. Brian May had a phenomenal career playing a homemade job that that used to be a fireplace made of blockwood. Was he wrong to do so? Somehow I don't think so.

[@ferox965]

I'm mostly a bassist. I go solely by how it sounds and feels in my hands. So I have two Gibson Les Pauls...a standard and a special (got them both used for great deals- the special has a neck repair). Both feel right in my hands and sound great. Done. My basses are a Rickenbacker 4003 and a 1980 BC Rich Eagle-both used also. Because I play mostly blues (though I veer into metal, my fave being doom) you wouldn't believe the crap I got because I don't play Fender P or Js. And then I played and shut them up. I have all my single coil and humbucker needs done. These 4 guitars feel great in my hands and sound great.

[@gregarioussolitudinist5695]

There are a lot of famous musicians that cannot read music. As a non guitar player all I can do is laugh when somebody pulls out any guitar and starts talking about how it sounds amazing. If you can play guitar, yes, it might. If it is on a record, the person knows how to play it. One has nothing to do with the other.

[@billybeers7806]

Dude I gave this video a like and subscribed because this made me realize that I need more practice and use the pedals that I haven't use. Thank you!🤘😑

[@ryebread117_]

My guitar absolutely makes me a better player. I love it so much, it motivates me to keep playing and practicing. Seriously though, I can't fathom ever feeling above a guitar. If it feels and sounds great, that's all I could care for.

[@robertclarkguitar]

I notice many 60s players are respected most as iconic and all of them played shelf stock. Hahah. Today? Fancy names and woods which do SHITE for tone are plastered all over ...On thing I do like is the theory of gigging only using squier or etc so theft isn't a worry. My take from that is, if your music and talent at its best is good enough for your performing live then enough said! Squier. The Chris Buck dude. I actually had to tell him thank you for being logical. Hhahahaha

[@Phoenix_cataclysm_in_2040]

Yes, I have an absolutely identical 1994 Squier Silver Series Strat as Chris Buck. Why don't I sound like him? I demand my answers! \0/

[@mickeyjohnson1137]

I owned an Aria Pro II Les Paul. I wish I still had it. I liked it better than my Gibson L.P. standard.

[@kennisrussell]

I still have mine and LOVE it. Everytime I think about buying a Gibson, I always eventually think Why?

[@jasonpeck9100]

I had one of this back in the 80s. Wish I still had mine too. It had a maple or oak looking top with mahogany neck back and side. Sounded awesome. all stock I never changed anything on it but the strings.

[@christiandeworde2756]

I had an Aria LP in the 80s and loved it. After awhile I got the idea that I had to have a Gibson. I found one used in excellent condition for a reasonable price and bought it. But as soon as I started using it at loud volumes for gigs, I discovered I had more feedback control with the Aria. I sold the Gibson a few weeks after buying it. I used the Aria and a Japanese strat for years in a relatively successful local band in San Antonio. I was playing those guitars when Nirvana opened for us at our regular club, before they got famous. We never did!

[@sparkyguitar0058]

I started out on a Fender Strat back in the 70's. So if wanting the best. Or what I feel is the best is wrong then I'll be wrong forever. Only own 2 electric guitars ,a 93 deluxe plus Strat and a 97 L P studio. Both bought used and owned for many yrs. But I also have a lot of non- fancy brand equipment like Behringer ,Donner, Crate, Prosonic. When shopping, I buy whatever meets my needs- price, reliable, quality.

[@DavidHBurkart]

"I used to be a gear snob" 😂😂 Loved that intro Kennis 👍👍 And Amen to all of this!! And the lens is incredible!

[@stur34gt]

Totally agree Walt . Gear snobbery is not important you can buy a 30 £ € or $ guitar and create sounds through pure talent with a crap amp, just because you have a brand doesn't make you a guitarist .But I will say the most dangerous thing about guitars is not the brand it is sound ,,,,, young first time musicians chasing sound can be expensive and disheartening. I am a huge pink floyd , metallica and slipknot fan but trying to get that tone is hard without a million dollar studio ,even with a helix or kemper it is close but never right

[@frankmayer7960]

I own 4 electric guitars: an Austin LP cheap copy (paid 75$ used) extensively modified by myself, an Epiphone SG (paid 400$ new), a Hohner (paid around 150$ used 25 years ago), and a G&L Legacy special (paid 1500$ new back in 2003) Guess what guitar is my goto instrument all the time? The cheapest of the bunch, The Austin. I did change the pickups for EMG's but besides the tone, I can't explain why but that guitar has something I don't find in the others, is it some voodoo that was put in it at the factory? a magic spell? I dunno, but that guitar seems to talk to me when it's on its stand more than the others. I really love playing that one. many gear snobs would most likely use it as firewood in favor of the G&L but I don't care, I'm the one playing that guitar and I really love it.

[@elvyfoster7455]

I have owned 4 Gibsons and I don't own them anymore. Don't miss them at all. I have owned 1 Fender tele from the 70s but it the pickups didn't work for me so I never bonded with it. I just bought a Fender Standard Strat used. It is the Mexican Midnight Blue model and it is the only Fender Strat that I have ever played that I wanted to own. My other equipment is from all different brands. Just whatever feels alive and accommodating when I play it at the store.

[@domformula1]

I couldn’t agree more, however I’ve experienced almost the reverse recently, a number of times I’ve had more than adequate free funds to purchase a Gibson, twice this year in fact. However I watch and digest a lot of guitar videos and I can honestly say the sheer number of broken headstock incidents - sometimes spontaneous without impact - have simply put me off putting my eggs in that basket. I know I would be shattered if that happened to me and I’m not going there. Practicing - completely with you on that.

[@zenberryflood]

The 12 or more people who disliked the video are guitar snobs.

[@Newbomb_Turks_Punch]

Simply put, I buy and play wtf I want. I love guitars!

[@real_fjcalabrese]

My two main guitars are 2 FGN Iliads. I like them more than my expensive ones.

[@jimmyjames2022]

Years ago I had a Gibson Les Paul Custom and that ebony fretboard played nice but it weighed far too much for practical use. Now I like my PRS SE 2008 SC (MiK) with a neck P-Rail, it feels great, sounds great, plays great. Snobbery is far worse these days. Guitars now are like the housing market where residential properties are used to park cash and are beyond the price most families can afford. Brand guitar value is driven by investors not players. For reference to the market mania, see the $95,000 recent theft of the Adam Jones 1979 Les Paul Custom silver burst reissue. The mid tier market are half decent quality guitars and don't require insurance riders and security measures.

[@richszmal1653]

Absolutely a great video. I'm glad i never was a guitar snab.

[@kennisrussell]

Thanks rich.

[@mikecooper8465]

Correcto mundo.absalutely..

[@kennisrussell]

Yep1

[@visionop8]

If you just let yourself fall in love with an instrument without prejudice it would surprise you. I acquired all the prerequisite "must own" guitars including Fender Elite Teles and Strats and a Gibson Les Paul Standard and an insanely expensive boutique guitar which actually turned out to be the worst of the bunch. The guitar I fell in love with is an ESP LTD M1000 Deluxe that I bought new in 2009 for $599 and I play this and another LTD most of the time and I rarely touch my other "must own" guitars because though they are pretty, they really don't sound or play any better than the Fender Mexicans and Epiphones I used to have. I actually preferred my 1999 Epiphone Quilt Top Standard Special Edition to my current Gibson Les Paul Standard and that is a regrettable sale because I was thinking that the Gibson would be an upgrade, and it wasn't. I wish there were more loud voices telling people that if the guitar plays and sounds great and it is made reasonably well, there is a chance of it becoming your holy grail without spending $3k on other people's unfounded opinions.

[@oatnoid]

"He was just a singer more than a musician" . That's a classic line. Too funny.

[@stan5513]

As a beginner, I have a $70 in a Glarry electric. My son in law approves, even though he plays a $4000 Deering banjo. No snobbery here.

[@kennisrussell]

Nice

[@jamesbrotherton3577]

I think also that people that had their guitar relicked is going to make others think you wore that thing out will find out the truth when you start playing. It's like putting on a front as far as I'm concerned.

[@justinrayguitars6024]

It could be said that condemning someone for the finish or the style of their guitar is in itself a form of snobbery?

[@jacksonmarshallkramer5087]

JOE SATRIANI PLAYS IN KIDS KITCHEN. Watch that vid. It's one of his son's classmates and he plays Surfing With The Alien on the kids very inexpensive guitar and eats it up. If that kid didn't get a new Ibanez within 24hours, I'd be shocked. Gear doesn't make the player. It's a great vid. The title pops up Surfing W T A. It's the 1st vid.

[@JC-11111]

Yo Kennis. Where'd you go? Hope you didn't come down with Covid or something serious.

[@slimk3836]

Another perspective though is just the amount of sales that are driven by gear snobs and how that could potentially help a local music shop if there's more of them... some people just get it into their head that they'll be better with better gear, even if you tell them to just focus on the playing, and then they'll put down lesser brands or show off their shiny new thing because it's just validating their flawed decision making but as long as that sort of cycle of thinking leads to less manufacturers going broke then I'm okay with people like that, I'll just ignore them

[@memesincorporated3799]

I started out with a squier but after a while it broke, so i decided to buy a new guitar. I dropped $1000 dollars on an ibanez under the principle that you bhuy the best you can so you dont have to buy anything else for a while. What i've noticed though is that i do not feel as though the guitar is making me a better player, but rather that my lack of experience is holding the guitar back.

[@robertclarkguitar]

Killer lens man! Love the bokah!

[@kennisrussell]

Thanks man.

[@ill76er11]

I just snagged a 80’ Aria pro II standard… love it! She’s a monster! Not gonna lie though.. my 04’ Classic is my most favorite guitar ever…

[@ryedylantm]

The Doo plays a Squier but his skill level is way above than most guitarists playing highend guitars.

[@T4llJak3]

Singers are musicians

[@alainbrisebois8334]

My first guitar is a late 70's Ibanenez Cimar strat model. Paid a none playing guy 80 $ Baseball neck. All blonde maple. I played in several different gendre of style with that only guitar. All the gear snob couldn't understand how long my guitar could stayed in tune and really sound great. Like a 2000$ big marketing one. Every time I took my guitar out of the case, players always checkout what your playin' with . I could see their smob looks, but I also saw my freinds given them the .. Wait till you hear it ... look. Pouahahaha !! Never had any complain.I have been playing that guitar for 40 years now. Yest it's worn, and yes it is road worthy.

[@pablorages1241]

Dis agree ... my tutor said Buy the best guitar you can afford ... I bought a 2nd hand Gibson 335 ... it was a great decision ... got an Lp after that ... owned a few Fenders ... but always end up back on the Gibson

[@Kopojken]

Great video! I get your point but I disagree on your comment about not being able to read music or ability to jam in certain keys on the spot meant ‘he can’t play bass’. I know little to no theory but I’m still able to play pretty complex and advanced pieces. And it doesn’t matter how much theory you know if you have no muscle memory or technique to utilise it with.

[@mattfleming2287]

A good player is 90% practice, 5% gear and 5% balls. The gear makes a tiny difference, which is a big deal if you are practiced and ready for it. But that applies to guitars, pedals, amps, picks and strings. A change in string gauge or picks can make that 5% difference. My least favorite aspect of KZbin is all these guys with really expensive gear doing reviews. I can’t afford that stuff not would I want to. All the classic rock greats played regular gear. You really don’t need anything other than a well setup guitar and a decent amp, both of which are cheaper and easier to get than ever before. But none of that matters if you suck. Practice IS paramount.

[@Phoenix_cataclysm_in_2040]

Indeed. KZbin charismatic dudes with axes never cheaper than a grand, reviewing expensive freebies sent to them by guitar companies interested in perpetuating the hype and perceived mojo of their stuff. It sends a wrong message to susceptible young kids that just starting off, getting disheartened about not having an expensive gear. Check Dave Simpson channel, dude plays like a rock god on his cheap axes. He's an ambassador for practicing rather than getting expensive guitars.

[@kaivrock]

Gibson's getting a lot crap thrown at them lately Especially from younger players. I'm guessing it's their outrageous prices and what is clearly a Boomer connection.. But watch the KZbin video tour of the Gibson plant in Nashville. They still make fantastic guitars and their construction is a beautiful thing to see.

[@Phoenix_cataclysm_in_2040]

As awesome it is to have a truly vintage guitar - so wouldn't like to have one, being paranoid of something happening to it or losing it altogether. I have a 1968-ish black lawsuit Les Paul, made in Japan, so it covers the vintage part quite handsomely, but I'm not losing my sleep over safety of it, as replacing it would be fairly easy. Slap Gibson name on it - and game changes there and then. Aren't we deceived to think that different letter combination on two almost identical guitars made in the same year is worth that much? 🎸💰🎸🤔

[@stringstorm]

Snobbery is prevalent in many things. Reason why I don't use Linux is not the OS, but the people. Because the moment you ask the community a question, they're just going to crap on what Distro you're using, complain about why you're still using a mouse, etc, etc. Reason why I opt for virtual guitar plugins for music production is not the equipment, but the people. Because the moment you ask the community about guitar related things, be it equipment, virtual amplifiers, or about methods or techniques, it becomes a "I have a better equipment than you" competition. Reason why I distance myself from the acting community is not because of anything, but the people. Because the moment you interact with them, it becomes a cesspool of audiomyths perpetuated as gospel and if you disagree, you shouldn't voice act in the first place. I have a funny story with this one: A voice actor who had a more expensive equipment was flabbergasted as to why I was cast for a role he auditioned for. He got so mad that he DEMANDED I send him my equipment and that I quit voice acting, that I don't belong in the community. Snobbery is a cancer to anything.

[@calebproductions5970]

Aria pro 2 is in yngwie malmsteen guitar collection.

[@romeou4965]

Why do we seek premium gear to make up for underdeveloped skills? Research time and dollars spent on wood instead of practice and lessons. Lord save us from ourselves.

[@michaelcosta7235]

Oh boy, here comes the "my Epiphone smokes a Gibson" squad. I can just feel it. And yes those people are just as annoying as Gibson snobs. My collection is nearing 100 guitars now and its of all sorts of brands from budget to ultra premium. Yes the Fenders are better than Squiers, yes the Gibsons are better than the Epiphones, yes the PRS core is better than the SE line, etc. But they are also all great guitars on their own. Buy and play what you like, don't worry about what guitar I play, Kennis plays or the kid down the street plays. Its not your money, guitar and hands.

[@kennisrussell]

Very true.

[@levkamenev3904]

Well said sir.

[@auntjenifer7774]

Well, considering I played all the Gibson les Paul jr., special, and standards in the guitar stores and as I was leaving I seen an epiphone les Paul cardinal red and it really did smoke any the Gibson les Paul guitars in the store, that's why I got the epiphone les Paul standard . Also just got a TV yellow les Paul special with ² p90's and it's better again than the Gibson les Paul's in the guitar center so I got the epiphone and im happy with it very much so abs I doubt I would be happy with the Gibson showing $1,700 receipt at that price I wouldn't be happy with the Gibson so....

[@michaelcosta7235]

@@auntjenifer7774 uh huh.

[@shearerguitar]

@@auntjenifer7774 whatever.

[@billymcguiremusic]

And to go with my other comment, I also have some cheap acoustic that I take outside. I also regularly play a mandolin that I paid $250 new for.

[@solotx8798]

Freelance guitar sommeliers are people who like the idea of being a "guitar expert", but don't like the idea of actually learning how to play, Because learning how to play is diffiicult and stuff.

[@brunito531]

Hi, it's like buying the best food, but you can't cook...

[@terrybluewoods7524]

Hello buddy. I find myself in the same space. I recently did a video unboxing, demonstrating and rating the Indio classic/$99.00 (strat-style guitar) from Monoprice. It is in my opinion a better instrument than some of the more popular low end models(Squire, Epiphone, Ibanez etc.) and is definitely less expensive and perhaps a better value. I get alot from your videos. Thanks!

[@randyfrieberg1706]

Awesome video ... Thnk u so much for those words I could not agree more ... I don't think I will ever have a les paul or a Martin ... But yet I still try to play with the ones that r for sure les costly ..... I play for me .. My amusement .. And yes at times my sanity ..... Thnk u once again for sharing this video ... Stay safe ... .. .

[@Phoenix_cataclysm_in_2040]

Check Japan made Yamaha FG-300 (red label) as in great substitute for Gibson Hummingbird, or Daion/Yamaki YD-35 guitars that are as good as Martin D-35 and immeasurably cheaper, yet great sounding guitars.

[@manuelhe46]

the most valuable commodity is the time to practice

[@uberbeast113]

Re the idea that having a good quality guitar makes you play better. Imo I think this may apply a little more to acoustic guitars. I've been playing since 1982 and have only ever owned cheap (£200 and less) electric and acoustic guitars. A few years ago I tried my first Martin. This guitar swept me along a river of inspiration that kept me playing and playing idea after idea... What I noticed is that the energy I put in, the guitar gave back. It responded MUSICALLY to every nuance of feeling. It didn't sound like tinny brittle crap when I strummed it hard. See, I always thought it was my bad technique, that I simply didn't have a good feel for strumming, that I was being clumsy or cack handed or something. So, I believe that, especially with acoustic guitars, the time eventually comes when a player needs the best instrument he/she can afford. These days I suppose there's less justification for gear snobbery as budget instruments skyrocket in quality. I guess you must intend this video for the novice. Anyone with a couple of decades experience must be somewhat in the know already. A good guitar is a good guitar. And any guitar can be improved/upgraded. Personally I am on the lookout for my first real good quality acoustic and electric. I do feel that after 40 years of playing I should get the best I can. I feel its about time I got something with Fender on the headstock, and can't help but feel I've settled for second best if I got a Squier Classic Vibe for example. I've been led to believe that a more expensive Fender does have improved pickups and tremolo. Honestly, for a player of over 40 years, do you think that I am on the right track here? Am I correct when earlier I suggested your video was for less experienced players? I am genuinely interested in hearing your thoughts. Blessings from the UK

[@rogerstill71]

Gee, I'd have been over the moon if I'd been given even a Silvertone when I was a teenager.

[@coreyrenstrom]

Squier Classic vibe tele and strat, epi les Paul goldtop and a mexi jazzmaster. 20 year novice player over here fun hobby. My only gripe is they are made in China and China isn’t very good to their people or to us here in USA. The guitars are great tho quality wise just wish China was more ethical.

[@melodkeyelash]

Gear snobs try to cover up their lack of actual rhythm and soul by surrounding themselves with expensive gear. That's why I get so much hate at open mics when I play my Squier and cut the heads off guys with Fenders 😁