Do you judge a book by its cover (or guitar)?

Jayhell · 2014-05-28T10:53:08+00:00

So we all find ourselves chatting to people on these forums and making new friends and we hardly know what one another looks like in person (except when we buy, sell and barter). But what we know and see is each others gear. My question is; Do you judge others by their gear? Do you make assumptions about peoples personalities based on what they have? I do. Not in a bad way, I hope. If I see a guy/girl showing of his Jackson Kelly, I think, ah one of those. Probably also owns a motorcycle, shreds like a daemon and listens to 90's Metallica all the time. Wears black leather and wrap around sun glasses. If I see someone with an ES, I already think he/she is laid back, probably more mature, drives a sedan and talks about the good old days of rock 'n roll. Is it just me or are you guilty of this too? Not to mention what your avatar says about you...

Iamweasel

Well said Alan,

I mean i love gear! And j am an engineer so i strip everything and seeehat makes them tik...sometimes not everything goes back...hehe anyways i put on the mesa push those tubes and relax... I think its more a issue of what makes you tik... Sometimes its cheaper gear sometimes it expensive gear... But i love to check out what everyone has and the more pictures the better!!!

DaFiz

I jammed with a dude that had more expensive guitars, amplifiers, mixing desks and speakers in his toy collection than I've seen most professionals use... All the while I payed rhythm guitar on a cheap strat copy that was brought from London... The thing looked like it had been used as a cricket bat...

Twas embarrassing but I did not get egg on my face...
Point is.... Never judge a book by it's cover ?

Kalcium

There are certain assumptions which are often very reasonable, for instance someone with just a bullet strat or a sanchez etc has most likely only started playing recently whilst someone playing a guitar like an american standard or gibson most likely has been playing at least long enough just justify spending that much money on a guitar. Although that doesnt necessarily mean the player will be good it may just indicate they have decided they enjoy guitar and will play for a long time even if only once a month, they aren't going to give it up in the near future. Though theres always exceptions where someone has so much spare cash that they start off with a Custom Shop strat.

Arno-West

IMO the gear you own has very little reflection on your personality or what your prefered taste or style in music is. However, it says a hell of a lot about your financial situation. I mean really, if I win the next R40million Lotto, I would also have about 10 Fender Custom Shops, 20 Les Pauls, 3 Martin D28's, 15 Twins, a variety of about 20 other "classic" amps, maybe a Neve and SSL console, 12 Nuemann U87's,16 pairs of NS10's, all the FX in the world not to mention a lifetime's supply of strings and plectrums stashed in my lounge.

.......dream on.....dream on.

ajf

Alan Ratcliffe wrote
ajf wrote I am probably opening a can of worms here ? . As I am new here and nobody knows me what does my gear say about me ? ???

http://www.guitarforum.co.za/your-gear/here-are-my-toys/msg253288/#new
I'll play...

Only the best will do for you. Meticulous and believe in doing it right the first time (budget permitting). You throw yourself fully into whatever you are doing at the time. You lack (or have ceded) control in at least one area of your life. You're still finding your own feet musically, but probably have a few people you admire who you aspire to and follow faithfully. Sometime you want to upgrade the Epi to an AFD Les Paul, the Fretlight to a Custom Shop Strat (or a Suhr Classic) and the Martin to a D35 or D28.

How'd I do?

Hahaha your good ?

Stoffeltoo

Never ever judge a book by its cover! I have learnt the lesson the hard way and keep on making the same mistake. Most of these so called "books" accept comment with an almost amused look and when they take up the beat up guitar they rip your assumptions to bits. My daughter's friend proved to be such a lesson.

He has been visiting at my home for the past two months, never indicating or commenting on my playing ability. Last night he rocks up with a no name guitar and little no name amp. I offer the Class five for a jam and he plays me out of the practice room with skill, finesse and style. I felt very insecure and like the proverbial p@&pol afterward. Yet he remained humble and gently said, "ek kan Oom ook hierdie riffs leer"

Explorerlover

Stoffeltoo wrote "ek kan Oom ook hierdie riffs leer"

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