Why gear doesn't matter...

[fleetfootmike]

Or, why spending X,000 on a new guitar/camera/whatever won't do a thing to change the person behind it.

http://www.kenrockwell.com/tech/notcamera.htm

Obviously, written for photographers. But can apply just as well to guitarists.

Comments

[bardiclug.livejournal.com]

Indeed - there is a quality gate - below that threshold it's actually counterproductive to try to work with. The 'measurable quality vs. price' curve above the gate flattens out quickly though, from "just playable" to "moderately priced good instrument" ramping up quickly, then a long tail to "exorbitantly expensive instrument". The difference in sound and playability become more subtle and in many cases subjective. (ie: The "Taylor vs. Gibson" debates. :) ) Part of the appeal of expensive instruments is their "visceral" appeal. Owning a Gibson Les Paul, to some people, just FEELS better than an Ephiphone copy - although the actual differences between the axes is difficult to measure.

I also agree that it's important to keep your instrument quality up to date with your level of play. I played the same acoustic guitar for 15 years before I finally bought a "real" instrument, which was still a moderately priced acoustic - but I can't even imagine going back to either of those. There are things I play on my Taylor that I just can't play on other instruments. Or maybe that's just all in my head. :)