The REAL Reason Behind Gear Acquisition Syndrome (the root cause of GAS)

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The Gear Acquisition Syndrome (G.A.S.) hides other deeper issues within it. We all know that the problem isn't the gear itself - it's us.
Internet, KZbin and social media are full of hype for all the newest and greatest gear, and it's a good thing to stop and reflect from time to time to understand what's happening.
In this video, I'm going to reflect on the 4 biggest root causes of the G.A.S. It's going to get uncomfortable. We'll have to get vulnerable to face our insecurities as musicians, but it is an important subject matter, and going to the root of the problem is actually the way forward.
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This is the Ambient Guitar youtube channel of Canadian multi-instrumentist Antoine Michaud. Through original ambient music, chordal guitar lessons and tips on guitar pedals, Antoine is looking to educate and inspire aspiring ambient musicians to learn everything about the world of ambient guitar and chordal voicings on guitar.

[@dontassumemyfender9866]

I think alot of guitarists go through this. But remember, if you can not draw it doesn't matter what pencils you own. But if you can draw, you will make art with any pencil.

[@MelodiousIllumination]

This.

[@AmericanVetMusic]

Excellent point.

[@garybobst9107]

All the goodies take you from a pencil to a color pallete, nothing much changes.

[@pvgaming8243]

Can't have GAS when you have all the gear.

[@AntoineMichaudGuitar]

I don't think so! Because there will always be newer and shinier things. Always.

[@nedim_guitar]

I like that! 🤣

[@sparkyguitar0058]

I got enough to satisfy my G A S. My problem is I'm a dumping ground for everyone's extra stuff. Not that that's a bad thing. Someone gave me a Digitech pedal but no pwr cord. Someone gave me a H B 15 watt amp without the amp part. Celesion speaker still in it. So I bought a Hotone Mojo Diamond head and getting use out of it now.

[@AmericanVetMusic]

“You focus on what you possess instead of what you are.” Priceless words of wisdom.

[@bluesman6873]

I think one of the most important aspects of GAS has been overlooked by almost everyone. And that is: When did we start to believe that we can decide what an instrument or a piece of gear is like by watching videos? I mean I am guilty of this behaviour even though I remember my brother telling me when I was young: "Never ever buy a guitar or a car without trying it first." And it's just common sense. Anyone can agree to it. Still during the pandemic it just seemed easier to get information online and then just order. But let's be honest. We all know that's not the way you'll find the gear you want to keep for good. Just one example: Everyone online sings odes to the Squier Classic Vibe guitars. So I went out to buy a strat (by this time I actually took the time to find a used one and go to the guy and try it etc.... I bought the guitar and I truly love it, but no one online mentioned that the neck is ridiculously thin. And I mean it's literally like a Fender neck sawed in half. If I bought it online, it would have been a big big disappointment. Like this I know it was my decision to buy it and I got used to it. But if I ordered it online I think I would never have gotten used to it and it would already be up on al the used gear sites.

[@sublyme2157]

In high school I didn't have money, but I had time. So I used that time to play guitar for hours on end on with what little gear I had. As an adult I have money, but I do not have time. So I spend what little time I have on looking for new ways to spend money. Weird!

[@AntoineMichaudGuitar]

Absolutely! I think it explains why I was practicing so much as a 14 years old, but so little as I got older. Great point!

[@mrthingamabob8117]

Wow this video is a real eye opener ! I suffer from a serious case of GAS, I keep buying, selling and trading gear. I subscribed to countless youtube channel, facebook groups and newsletter. I can't even begin to count the hours wasted because of all this instead of practicing and focusing on my goals. I used to believe that pedals are like colors on a painter's palette but I realize now that there are only 3 primary colors from which all the others are created. I was faintly aware that I was wasting my time but this video helps me pinpoint the root of this procrastination, which are my own insecurities towards my actual guitar level and the things I want to express through my music. So, thanks again for the video, I'm going to bookmark it and watch it everytime a GAS crisis creeps up on me !

[@AntoineMichaudGuitar]

Thanks for being honest and open! You might also want to watch my other video called ''7 Steps To Cure GAS''. It might help you even further: kzbin.info/www/bejne/m6ukhYp9qJdqqtU

[@ZeginMakesMusic]

Just don't get in to watch making. Turns out, it's a lot harder then you'd think.

[@rontaylor9736]

For me it’s it’s about trying to get the sound I hear in my head and on records which is extremely difficult for me. I have always played by ear, so when it sounds good I enjoy playing more. When it doesn’t sound good, I am not as motivated to play. I have always played for my own enjoyment but I certainly have way too much gear.

[@AntoineMichaudGuitar]

There's a way to sound good without wanting more! It's the ''wanting more'' portion that we want to avoid as much as possible. I do have lots of nice pedals, and I think they sound great, but my board has stayed the same for the last 6-7 years. I stopped chasing more!

[@rontaylor9736]

@@AntoineMichaudGuitar Of course you are right! More practice equals better sounds and that has been said by many before me about our guitar heroes who sound good no matter what equipment they use. I think a big part of the difference is that the pros play for a living and devote thousands of hours to get where they are and amateurs like me with limited time on their hands are trying to shortcut the process. Thank you so much for your videos and keep up the good work. I always enjoy your helpful tips and tricks and reminders that time is better spent on practicing then constantly searching for tone nirvana, which I am totally guilty as charged!

[@bucketofnoises7810]

excellent video. I saw myself in may of those aspects. after years I realized that if I had put half of the time I played with gear (buying, selling, searching, etc.) in guitar practice or just playing I would have been much further now. I knew that gear is not important but I wanted to have it. Anyway, my GAS stopped all of a sudden, I didn't do anything, it just happened one day. There is indeed a great feeling having all these guitars around, but there is also a lot of distraction. Moreover, the more I focus on one guitar, the more I get to know that instrument and this helps me in my playing. About comparing oneself with those youtube "wonder-kids": yes, you cannot imagine how many people stopped making music because of that.

[@littleblue995]

The point you made about procrastination and self sabotage really hit the nail on the head. Excellent video Antonie, very insightful!

[@jrwardle1]

You are so right, and so honest. As a result of watching this video , instead of buying a new pedal I bought your album "Sanctuary" on bandcamp ... something to listen to when I go for my daily walk (its fantastic). It really gives me hope and inspiration that I can make music too. I listen to the phrases and think "i could play that", just need to pick up the guitar and PRACTISE. Thank you for all that you do !

[@AntoineMichaudGuitar]

I'm honored, Richard! Thank you so much for the support :-)

[@thejontao]

The secret ingredient is time… I think that means I need to buy even more reverbs and delays! ;-) Je blague. I think it was your third point… the author Kurt Vonnegut made a similar observation in the 70s. For the majority of human existence, we travelled in packs of 20 to 40 humans. If you weren’t the best hunter you were the best singer. If you weren’t the best singer you were the best axe maker. If you were the best axe maker, you were the best story teller. Everyone was the best at something. It’s not like that anymore. (This won’t even be the best KZbin comment - sad emoji.) I don’t know where he wrote that, though. I assume it was the book of short essays he published just before he died… but he liked to include unverified yet intuitive “facts” in all his stories, so it could have been almost anywhere.

[@Boomsterblak]

Well done,there is not much information available on music psychology ,this very true,I have 40 plus years experience and I can tell you that everything you say here is valid,time is time,I sometimes wish when I write something I could see what my self 10 years later thinks..or even better 10 years earlier..what would 16 year old me think of 60 year old me???Thanks Antoine you are a great teacher.

[@al6377]

Amazing video, thanks for saying the truth!! “We focus on what we possess rather on who we are” - hit the nail on the head!!

[@andyhinds542]

Absolutely 100% on everything you say!! I am guilty of all this buying gadgets instead of practising and focussing on what I already have which is a lot more than many willing musicians can afford. The amount of gear you have is not proportional to the amount of creativity you think you have.

[@BluegumCounterpoint]

Outstanding video. It always amuses me when i look at online music forums and see the portion of people talking about gear instead of talking about music. If the time spent on gear was spent on playing and learning, we would have a lot more good musicians in the world.

[@alienlovesecrets9379]

There is no problem in that. I know outstanding musicians who just don't stop talking about gear. I also claim to be, well, really not bad and I also can't stop searching gear. Look at Thomas Blug. Outstanding musician and the sickest gear nerd in the world.

[@BluegumCounterpoint]

I agree; most good musicians that i know have a strong interest in gear. However, I believe that gear is a modest portion of their overall time dedicated to music (they are mostly learning, playing and practicing, not reading about gear). My point in the above comment was the portion (ratio) of discussions online are disproportionately weighted towards gear. For example, at the jazz guitar forum, there are 5x as many posts about gear than about improvisation.

[@mr.d.572]

I'm honestly trying to balance practicing and discovering gear. The reason why the latter can get unbalanced is because I've been away from playing the guitar for 14 years. So all the new pedals, cab sims, modeling apps and the like are overwhelming to me and a big learning curve. Even just the number of amazing reverb pedals is overwhelming! We never had all this gear when I first started playing. I'm also trying out new guitars and amps for the first time. Until now I've only had one guitar and one amp. But now I'm trying to achieve certain tones so I'm experimenting. On the good side I'm finally able to let go of gear that isn't serving me. So I've been selling or trading off some gear as I go along. That gives me a new sense of freedom that I didn't have before. I might be spreading myself thin as I am pursuing being a blues guitar player as well as rock and ambient. So far that hasn't been a huge issue but I'll proceed with caution. I'm not aiming to be pro so it might work out. We'll see.

[@ggrunau]

I've always had to teach myself everything … going from Acoustic Guitar, to Banjo, and Mandolin. At 68 I wanted to start playing Ambient Guitar to mix with these other influences for original digital recordings (A whole other learning curve.) Yea KZbin! Your site and Chords of Orion have been so helpful to introduce me to the Ambient world … chord voicings … and pedals. My Pedalboard needed to be workable for all these instruments … so time and money were involved. I've never had any electric instruments or pedals so this has been a journey. I buy used and have some nice instruments and pedals. Over the last 50 years I have accumulated (3) Mandolins, (5) Banjos, (2) Acoustic Guitars, (2) Fiddles, and now (3) Electrics; (Reverend Baritone, Fender HSS, and an Epiphone 335 Dot). The Pedalboard is almost complete and then who knows how G.A.S. will set in. Thanks again for your perspective and helpful information!

[@needlenose_]

I’m very similar. I grew up with a band background playing alto saxophone in middle/high school, and started teaching myself drums in high school in 1997. A few years ago my wife got me a guitar for Christmas (I have one from about 20 years ago but I never took it seriously) and since then I’ve been obsessed with the idea of sonic manipulation. I play for roughly 1+ hour minimum each day, so the practice thing isn’t really my problem. I’m with the guy who says he is constantly chasing what’s in his head.

[@AntoineMichaudGuitar]

It's great guys! Like I said to others: if you are playing, you don't have GAS! Don't worry about it. It becomes a problem only when the tools to make music become way more important than the music itself.

[@suntzu6122]

For me, its trying to fill a hole that has no bottom. Depression sucks the life out of me. All of my motivation. Youre honestly hitting the nail on the head with every one of these. With your 'small goals', I forget who it was, maybe Goggins said something like 'the goal doesnt have to be go for a run/walk in the morning, the goal only really has to be put on your shoes and get your ass out the door'.

[@ZeginMakesMusic]

This video is amazing advise and can work across all disciplines. As a musician who can play 5 songs on every interment, a skater who can barely kick flip, a lock smith that can only open master locks, a sailor who got stuck in mud than called out a mayday on the radio, a chef that sticks eggs to stainless steel, a watch maker who buys and breaks expensive watches from eBay, a realtor who hasn't sold a single house, a pest control commercial applicator who cannot identify more than 3 insects, a gamer with 10k hrs stuck in bronze, a polyglot that can say "Do you speak English" in over 8 languages, I can confirm that following this advice can save someone thousands of hours, and that's the only resource we can never get back.

[@michaelmattson3515]

Standing ovation 👏. I have had similar thoughts. Thanks again for your input.

[@Erlingha]

Excellent analysis. As an additional tip for taking control of the GAS, acquisition can be used as a reinforcer, say 100 hours practice=100 points worth of gear, which can be faded as discipline and skill is improving. This is known as the Premack’s Principle. Involving a partner or friend may be necessary in some cases. I’m getting a Boonar Echo for 3 months daily practice.

[@AntoineMichaudGuitar]

Not all people are as disciplined and honest with themselves, but I love the idea! It's awesome that it is working for you, thanks for sharing!

[@BeamMonsterZeus]

Man, I feel sympathetic towards those dealing with real GAS. Right now, I'm just expanding my gear from barely functional to quite diverse, so the sounds I can produce have increased in quality dramatically. I can see the plateau, where buying more will net me less and less. We all must be cautious of crossing that line.

[@AntoineMichaudGuitar]

Well said!

[@66numero]

One of the best advice bundle on youtube for years!

[@Gallanitte]

This wins the internet for this week or even this month! Excellente analyse Antoine. There are some deep psychological issues discussed here that probably affect more than just the music field and gear acquisition syndrome, but you are one of the few who actually talks about them instead of making jokes. Thank you!

[@hermask815]

In economy there is something called diminishing returns. The first gear brings you to a level. The second gear brings you to a higher level but at a lesser amount than the first did. So with every acquisition you get less and less in that category. Justifying the buy with more bizarre reasons each time. Theoretically you could buy the optimal gear in the first place and then stop.

[@theoversouls]

I don't know how old you are but as a lifelong musician in my 60's, I'm amazed at the solid wisdom you have, from music theory to a lot of other topics like this one. I'm really glad I found your channel. Some of us (ahem) could probably benefit from a GAS Anonymous group!

[@taurektaurek6213]

Great video.about an important topic! Thanks for making it!

[@mr.d.572]

Now that have a multi effects pedal and I'm happy with the tones I'm getting, I no longer spend hours each day checking out gear to see what to buy next. It has freed up my time! ❤👍

[@5882300rickroll]

Another Great Video Antoine. I can definitely agree with this to some degree. I for me a big thing is seeing what is available out there on social media. There are so many interesting effects out there these days. Especially for an ambient musician. That being said, sometimes just something as simple as rearranging pedal order or trying to use an expression pedal in a different way can provide a totally unique sound.

[@AntoineMichaudGuitar]

Great points!

[@CC3GROUNDZERO]

Coming at this from the photography side, I'd say Gear Acquisition Syndrome is a serious issue for many photographers. And in its more extreme forms, it's clearly addictive behavior no different from any other form of shopping addiction. The sad thing about it is that it turns something potentially self-therapeutic (be it creating music or pictures) into yet another form of running away from our feelings.

[@garethowen6701]

Hi antione. You are so right with so many KZbin videos that’s out there with all different reasons as to why they use so many pedals and guitars. Well done on this video mate. And well explained. Take care my friend.

[@rastabananaman206]

Very important video! I definitely needed this.

[@joshshannon]

THANK YOU SO MUCH!!! I'm starting to get help for my g.a.s. right now. By practicing for 15 minutes solid. Thank you so much

[@jonmaclennan]

Love this! Great content as always friend!

[@AntoineMichaudGuitar]

Thanks for stopping by, Jon!

[@thomascoolberth2648]

I don't have #1, but have the #2 Procrastination issue. Then again, I've never hit a wall as far as practice and improvement, NEVER. When I practice I get better at an increasing rate. Just need to interject guitar into my life every day and push out work, family and friends.

[@ElJuloProduction]

I enjoy so much playing with my gear, I loved buying them, I loved researching them, and I loved discovered so much talented musicians like you Antoine ! Peace

[@lorenzo-agnes]

Excellent! Thank you for this.

[@brian91145]

I beat GAS but getting one of the best pedals in each class. Stop letting marketing sell you on something you don’t need

[@Ripprock1]

This showed up right on time. Thank You.

[@TheBrightSide101]

Thank you. I needed to hear this.

[@alainkempa2139]

Excellent video. During the pandemic I think i was distracted by gears acquisition but I have learnt a lot as well about recording technics, physics, music history etc....Nowdays it is very easy to access infornation (not only about music) and very difficult to be focus on essential things.In order to get focus I mix in my learning journey easy songs and more challenging ones.What helps me as well is to play with people you get energy from it to go further with your playing.Gears yes it nice but it is not music it is a tool.

[@eric.paquet]

I started playing ambient guitar 6 months ago with just a looper, a volume pedal and the Keeley Caverns (for reverb & delay). I've created some wonderful things with just a small set up. But I felt limited by the delay on the Caverns because the longest repeat time is way too short for my needs. So I had been considering a Strymon Timeline for months and I finally fell for it 2 weeks ago. While the Timeline is a wonderful tool, the last 2 weeks have been the most counterproductive! The Timeline opened up so many new possibilities that I feel overwhelmed and disoriented. I'm actually spending more time twisting knobs than practicing. I'm aware there's a learning curve and it takes some time, but right now this new acquisition is not serving me well. I already know that my next purchase will be a Micro POG, in a month or two. I have a pretty good idea of the sound that I'd like to achieve as a musician and the Micro POG has to be part of my pedalboard, full-time. Is that considered GAS? As for procrastination, I think it can be a good thing. In my case, I use ambient guitar as a way to procrastinate on other things in my life. :P

[@lushkordz6643]

you have only 3/4 gears in yal setup !!! where R you seeing any sort of GAS dude ??? of course you need a couple of stomps or racks to achieve something good !!!! chill out 🎃

[@AntoineMichaudGuitar]

Eric, you certainly don't have GAS! When you make a list and stick to the list, you are being disciplined. Your wants and desires are based on true needs, and you know why you want the pedals you do. GAS is only when the tools to make music become more important to you than the music itself. And of course there's a learning curve with pedals like the Timeline. Let me know in the coaching community if you need more help with it!

[@mantashaft]

I have a totally different reason. I love recreating tones I love at home. It makes me want to have what I feel are some essential tools such as different types of guitars, amps, and pedals. I’m also fairly old school and don’t want a modeler. Put that together and it adds up to a fair amount of GAS. I’m not changing for anybody! 🤘

[@ZAYAZOfficial]

Excellent points made !

[@stubbulon5]

I really like your video format. Extremely informative.

[@AntoineMichaudGuitar]

I appreciate that, thanks :-)

[@stevew585]

I'm sure I have this. I get a certain item in my head that I've decided I want, I then research it to death, I also read forums about it. I then wait in anticipation for the Amazon delivery, about a month later, I realized it was an impulse buy, get bored with it or usually never using it, then I start all over again.

[@kevinh4042]

Awesome video. /r/guitar in particular really needs this cold dose of truth. Spot on about the procrastination, I even play about 60-90min a day as means of avoiding true practice.

[@AntoineMichaudGuitar]

Thanks for being honest, Kevin! Self-awareness is very important in life.

[@kentscherm2213]

Best music lesson I've seen. Thank you.

[@archieaustin3702]

brilliant video ! a lot of truth to what you are saying here.

[@lightnintrucker]

I had a bunch of different stomp boxes by Boss and TC Electronic. But as I acquired my Strymon pedals, I found myself usin' my Strymon gear more than anything else. So I sold most of my Boss and TC Electronic gear and other non-Strymon products and decided to just stick with Strymon. Strymon made all that other stuff just too conventional for me. I also recently sold both my acoustic and electric baritone guitars and my Spanish guitar. Now I only ha e one acoustic guitar in my arsenal and three electric guitars and I'm happy with 'em

[@sasshiro]

I don’t know about everyone else, maybe it’s just instant gratification for me, but I think it’s more that I have a collectors’ obsession for anything really (and I’ve been lucky to have the expendable income to do so over the years). There are other collectibles or hobbies that I have, not related to music, where I do the same thing. And I don’t care to show them to anyone for boasting purposes. It can be tools, books, video games, swords, etc. I’m not into guns, but I do have friends that are, and they don’t hunt or need for self defense, they don’t even go shoot them at a gun range. They just like the shiny thing for their collection. I prefer guitars, and it’s therapeutic noodling around for a couple hours after a long day of work. I have no desire to start a band or perform in front of people.

[@yonedelcastillo4491]

The more gear i have the more i practice. It gives me inspiration and makes me play in differents ways. It's pure motivation for me... But i can see where you're going.

[@AntoineMichaudGuitar]

It means you don't have GAS, congratulations! This video is for people who fantasize about gear to the point where they barely make music anymore and gear becomes the central point. That is the real Syndrome!

[@cS-yr5el]

This was important and very helpful.

[@guitarz]

Very insightful video thanks 🙏

[@dreamcity7514]

I feel like the other thing is that when I am learning sings I convince myself I need to match the exact tone the other guitarists used, and if i don't have the right gear I won't practice right

[@hball6695]

It can be a bit disturbing to really take a hard look at yourself but you can certainly learn many valuable lessons. There is some excellent advice here, Antoine...merci beaucoup! Oh, and I couldn't help notice that there's room for a couple more pedals on that board ;-)

[@AntoineMichaudGuitar]

Thanks :-) and yes, there is still room... to breathe!

[@Juliosguitarstuffs]

What cured my G.A.S. was a line 6 helix. I sold all my analog gear and haven’t looked back since!

[@AntoineMichaudGuitar]

Love it!

[@bubuAudio]

After spending *so much* money on gears, the pressure to become more productive musicians gets even higher and higher. I gets worse and worse by itself, in a loop

[@jptovee]

Interesting vid.. .three cheers to all you fellow GAS'ers out there 🍻

[@monarakudumbiya957]

I had about 15 pedals on my board. Now I’ve downsized to 1 fuzz, 1 amp pedal, 1 drive and HX stomp. Now it does 99% of what all those NASA level pedalboards

[@AntoineMichaudGuitar]

NASA level pedalboards... I love it, haha!

[@mikebauer6917]

It’s impatience; we want to be good as our equipment upon purchase.

[@sirfunkydylan]

When you constantly think about time while learning you better can stop. Espescially in music. When you forget time you are getting somewhere.

[@nedim_guitar]

I don't have GAS, but I did buy 8 guitars since early 2021, having also sold about 6. I sold an amp and bought two other amps, and I'm planning to buy another. I also built my first pedalboard ever, which grew from the planned 6-8 pedals to 16 pedals (5 dirt pedals and 3 utility pedals) and a switcher, and also a secondary, smaller pedalboard with 8 pedals on (3 dirt pedals). I had a good idea about what I was looking for, but I never really had great sound and tone references. I've learned how different amps sound and how I can get the best out of gear. Now, I know that I will never be an amazing musician, I'll be far from a virtuoso, I just don't play the widdly-widdly stuff. I also don't have that much time for practicing and playing because of family and work. But the gear I have, I'm using it for playing, for creating music. Just different dirt pedals make me play differently, and add to that Uni-Vibe or a pitch shifter, and we've got much more creative options. Gear videos are very much inspirational too, often informative. Yes, they sometimes make me want stuff, but I know how to limit myself. Having acquired that many guitars and pedals in the last two years, I'm actually not buying much these last few months, other than exchanging an EQ pedal that is noisy, or exchanging the more affordable reverb for the MXR Reverb (M300), which sounds amazing! Just getting gear is a problem, but if you're using it and making music or even gigging, you'll be fine.

[@guitawrizt]

*_It's bad when We have gear we've never unboxed._*

[@billyscrapper]

great video.... left out those of us who just love exploring , playing around and and just the joy and fun of playing with a new pedal... .. and you can usually get all or most of your money back should you decide to sell.. ive been playing over 50 years, exploring out side the box techniques lately so to speak. 3 years into ambient... im no slouch and have confidence in what i play. most would be hard pressed to imitate it. (check out "ice storm" or "get out of my head" videos) but i am a pedal junkie, love buying, and selling , and exploring pedals and loopers. i found it difficult to identify with most of your points.. i do love your videos however and have learned a lot from you, though i must say......... peace !!!!

[@AntoineMichaudGuitar]

It's really great news if you don't relate to my points: that means you don't and never had the G.A.S, and that's very good for you!

[@stevesmith3990]

I understand all your points but new pedals & sounds inspire new music and creativity so I will continue to explore.

[@AntoineMichaudGuitar]

If you're playing and exploring, you don't have GAS, so don't worry about it :-)

[@mistamovegas]

The harsh truth is what I came here to hear. These are all thoughts I've had, but I need to listen to someone else right now. Thanks. When I want like 20 different basses and guitars and spend all my time looking them up and not playing.. things are bad, and that's where I'm at rn. I need to close some doors, and get some focus and discipline for sure.

[@Mr_A_Mia]

Great vid great topic great points

[@philipatoz]

It boils down to this: Do you want to spend all your time tweaking knobs and chasing some elusive (and mostly, non-existent) perfect tone and effects, or would you rather compose and play interesting music? And the "gear jones" will only keep your bank account drained. You really only need one quality guitar (and maybe an acoustic), just a few versatile effects that can be deployed in a variety of useful ways - using more so your imagination, experimentation and technique Many guitar effects sound gimmicky and far too sonically overpowering. Subtle is much better - as then you will be forced to be more creative in your physical playing and technique as opposed to constantly fiddling with knobs. Chasing sound effect options can truly turn into a never-ending quest into a bottomless black hole!

[@AntoineMichaudGuitar]

Love this!

[@dav3nator]

This is fantastic.

[@blakejames9952]

Best video I’ve seen in awhile. Truth hurts sometimes.

[@Peter-em7wl]

I’m not a great guitar player but I take weekly lessons and practice. I work hard at my job and I like gear but it’s not overboard. I just happen to like really nice gear.

[@Fab98]

I don’t know if it happens to anyone else, but I buy gear in a very illogical way. I spend money in guitars, but when I need the accessories I think that they are so expensive. I own 5 electric guitars, but I only have two cables, a clip on tuner and a gig bag (that came with one of the guitars as a beginner kit). And don’t get me started on strings. Why is it so much easier to spend 300$ on a guitar than 10$ on a set of strings?

[@brunnoteixeira9400]

Number #2 is an uncomfortable and sad truth!

[@tball5677]

I have all the gear I'll ever need short of a pedal or cables here and there. I really dont suffer from this, but I understand it. I sell off anything I'm not using. I'm a player not a collector.

[@DadRockAndGuitars]

The best investment I made was taking 1 on 1 lessons last winter. Found someone who is a session player and plays what and how I want to play. I learned a lot and I got so much better pretty quickly. Being able to ask specific questions and have things tailored to what I needed was great. Was not cheap though. Could have bought some nice gear 😅 But I play to write and record my music and I've taken that to a much higher level. Money and time well spent.

[@AntoineMichaudGuitar]

Excellent! Nothing beats a great mentor and teacher when you want to grow.

[@micahwatz1148]

I just like collecting and trying out new gear. But I’ll definitely sell something if its not vibing.

[@rastabananaman206]

I completely agree with everything in this video except for the point on only picking one musical direction. Well, to an extent. I think it’s perfectly fine and I would argue actually better for you as a musician to learn all sorts of different types of music. I think the issue is trying to learn vastly different styles all at once. I would disagree that you need to pick one style, but I would agree that you need to pick one style to focus on AT A TIME. But exploring the different kinds of music inside us is one of the most beautiful parts of being a musician and I think it should be encouraged within reason.

[@AntoineMichaudGuitar]

I also agree, my friend! I definitely meant one style at a time, not choose just one for your entire life! Thanks :-)

[@g-man7687]

Guilty as charged the only plus side to having all the gear is it seems to inspire me to play more

[@AntoineMichaudGuitar]

If you play more, you just don't have GAS! It's that simple. Good for you!

[@alejulul2379]

"If you believe you can't be good enough, you are looking for proofs that you aren't..." This seems wrong; for it to be correct we'd have to be quite broken. I think it's the opposite; we believe we are good but can't face the fact that we are not, so we avoid confrontation with our selves by procrastinating. The starting point to getting good is by admitting where your playing is wrong or could be better but that takes self-reflection. Self-reflection can hurt.

[@michael_caz_nyc]

II assembled a 2 tier (10) pedal . . . pro-level-Pedalboard in April 2019. I carefully chose each pedal. I am still on cloud 9 with my sounds and honestly envy No-one. I still enjoy watching gear demos and hearing newness . . . but " No More G.A.S. " I have learned that You Can't Chase Technology !!! oNe LoVe from NYC

[@anthonyalexander7246]

Thanks

[@tj10777]

Wow, I've had ever pedal on that board before and sold them to acquire more pedals

[@ckambient872]

Nice sharing 👍

[@indiedavecomix3882]

It's not a problem. I can stop whenever I want.

[@lukeward4619]

TRUTH! Like it.

[@alex1982maple]

We have to stop looking at this endless gear acquisition portrayed online as a virtue. When we see someone with an excessive collection, we ought to see an illness, not something praiseworthy. Anyone can buy the perfect guitar tone with money, but it won't really change you as a player.

[@SandauxBeats]

And these pedals talk. Hahaha! Am just kidding. One of the few things I did know is to (like what you said before), sticking to the list. I'm done with guitars. I currently have 5 guitars and 1 bass (which is not mine). As for pedals, I'm down to 3 pedals. (Strymon Mobius, MXR Phase 90 and EQD Rainbow Machine). And after this, I'm all good. I also started to unfollow gear stores on my Facebook. In Instagram, I still follow them because I tagged them whenever I use their products. And there's another one last gear (not a pedal) that I'm targeting. It's the Focusrite Clarett+ 2 Pre. And then, seriously, I'm done! Just a few maintenance things every year (strings) and gear check ups (if necessary). I also put out a white board that lists the things I need to do everyday. Like 1 hour guitar practice, 1 hour watching videos of music theory/scales/riffs/methods etc. Another hour for bass practice. Another hour for guitar pedal mastery. Here I should master the knobs and its different approach I should use a certain pedal to a certain guitar that I have. Another hour for learning the Akai MPK Mini. Another hour in learning mixing/recording. An hour again for my two Korg Volcas. And two hours on working my 7th home studio album. (Please do check my other releases on Spotify. Link on my YT profile). Twenty minutes of exercise and lastly, an hour or two dedicated in cleaning one part of our humble home. These are all scheduled to within the week. Considering I also have a part-time job. Hence, I shall defeat this dreaded G.A.S. once and for all.

[@AntoineMichaudGuitar]

Wow, that's a big list for practicing! Make sure you don't get overwhelmed with it :-)

[@SandauxBeats]

@@AntoineMichaudGuitar Thanks, Antoine! Yeah I won't. It's spread across the week. And in my case, it's better for me to be overwhelmed by this schedule than be overwhelmed again with G.A.S.

[@TC_Conner]

I’m very curious about the average age of your viewership. I’ll be 66 on May 12 and my gear acquisition syndrome isn’t really defined as you suggest. I’m at an age where the gear I purchase is necessary for me to have now because my time on this Little Blue Dot is winding down. I got a late start in ambient guitar composing and the gear I purchase now will, hopefully, be all that I need. I think I’m at the end of needing anything else. 😎🎸😎

[@AntoineMichaudGuitar]

For your curiosity, it's pretty much accross the board. Here are my stats for the last 365 days: 13-17 years: 1.0% 18-24 years: 12.1% 25-34 years: 21.7% 35-44 years: 18.5% 45-54 years: 17.1% 55-64 years: 17.1% 65+ years: 12.5%

[@TC_Conner]

@@AntoineMichaudGuitar Interesting, thanks for sharing that stat. I see that my age group is the third lowest on the list. 😎🎸😎

[@2000jpangburn]

I buy gear because I like it and it’s fun. Same reason I play guitar.

[@organjoe]

Naaah, they're just fun. Plus always looking for that golden tone of course.

[@darkpoem9]

“Ask not what your pedal can do for you - ask what you can do with your pedal."

[@commodoor6549]

This thinking is somewhat limited. There are extremes here we should consider, such that there is some level of technical quality that must be available. It's not necessarily always the case that a person may want additional equipment because they doubt their ability. They may seek to produce a sound that is not attainable without the proper equipment. Would the Beatles have been able to produce their music as well as they did without Abbey Roads, and the techniques used by George Martin? The reasons that Antoine gives may be true at some point in the process. But it's not always true.

[@oansun]

truly it's because you can't try everything in a store. B&M stores eliminate a lot of decision making problems

[@AntoineMichaudGuitar]

People who truly have GAS would have this problem even by going to the store, because the IDEA of owning the gear is even stronger than actually owning it. Even if they try the pedals in the store and don't like them, they will come back home and search for that sweet dose of anticipation again.

[@ccjmusic]

Two words "Shiny Things"

[@sennstrato7281]

Yep

[@stemajor7]

Advertising is a major cause- if you don’t know something exists, then you can’t desire it. KZbin is great at pushing products into your subconscious, as is Instagram and Facebook.

[@thedonrizzguitar]

Truth!

[@SteveRockstein2]

Nailed it with your words. Much truth here. But visually, we're watch the blinking lights of some of the most expensive pedals on the planet. Just saying.

[@AntoineMichaudGuitar]

Thanks, Steve! And concerning my pedalboard as the visual... That's exactly my point: it's not how expensive your gear is that defines if you have GAS or not. It's when you can't stop wanting more, or one or more of these root causes affect you to a point where you barely progress or play music anymore. My pedalboard is expensive, but it has remained the same in the last 5-6 years and I released a TON of music with it! I know people will judge me for the pedals I have, but I want to go deeper in that conversation, because some people associate GAS with having expensive pedals, and they miss the point entirely, in my opinion.

[@SteveRockstein2]

@@AntoineMichaudGuitar I am sorry. I didn’t mean to make you feel the need to defend yourself. I was deeply effected by your post. I have been feeling the same thing and have been selling gear and giving some away. I’m getting back to the basics. But I am a filmmaker by trade. And I exploit the power words & visuals everyday. I was trying to point out that (in my opinion) your words & visuals are in conflict with each other. How could you not get GAS looking at that pedalboard ? That’s all, man.

[@winstonsmith8236]

Damn, I gotta watch this video everyday for a month and maybe it'll seep in .....

[@Mike-rw2nh]

Excellent content dropped by a Christopher Walken sound alike. This is my nirvana. Bravo, good sir.

[@michaeltaylors2456]

Not the exact CW vocal tone,to my ears but the CW timing of delivery is there, maybe a different pedal or equalizer to get that CW tone ? just kidding