Here ya go…
- A catalog of rants on the gear I use and make, including the studio are here.
- Specific Instruments Used On Albums
- Studio Details
But can we talk? Can we talk?
Jeez man, not another rant?
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: it really doesn’t make that much difference for what I do. Yeah, maybe it makes a difference for the true ‘virtuosi’, but frankly, I’ve always had to be a ‘ham and egger’ switching between so many instruments on so many gigs that I guess I just learned to make do with whatever was about. The funny thing is that, I have gone through periods ‘where only the best will do’. And the interesting thing is that I always ended up gravitating back to the el-cheapo-s. They’re just more comfy. And, at the end of the day, I realized that I sound pretty much the same no matter what I play. What does seem to matter to me, with my wee tiny little hands, is that comfy factor. Some of those pricey instruments look great; sound great; but make me feel like I’m trying to reel in that giant tarpon down in the Florida Keys.
But then in the 90’s, I noticed another funny thing: all the Ford/Chevy/Dodge models of guitars and basses, (aka. Fender, Gibson, Rickenbacker) one day became freakin’ off the hook in value. In other words, the standard models that we all know and love, that used to go for $400, suddenly became ‘vintage’. I’ve had guys offer me $3,000 for my crappy Stratocaster that I got for $175 from some junkie off the street.
Here’s my point: if you’re starting to play; or if your kid is starting to play and is bugging you about a ‘good guitar’, let me tell ya this: The build quality of just about every model of electric or acoustic guitar and bass out there, starting from $200 and up, is better than the build quality of most older Fender and Gibson guitars than now go for $25,000 at auction. You can’t go wrong with any guitar from any reputable shop. This fantastic value for money ratio is possible through the magic of automated manufacturing, which now ensures consistent quality. And of course, having Chinese slave putting ’em together doesn’t hurt either. 
Long story short: Never stress about gear. It’s all good these days.
