Re: When does it end?

[burnett@pobox.com]

On Mon, 21 Feb 2005, Jeff Evans wrote:

> I'm curious to hear if anyone else has the same bittersweet dilemma: 
> Revolving Gear Syndrome.
> 
> On one hand, it would be really nice to just have a set-up, and stick 
> with it. I think of all the additional time and energy I could be 
> spending on playing, if I could just leave my rig alone.
> 
> On the other hand, I find a lot of inspiration in the gear itself. New 
> sounds have an affect on my playing, and generate new ideas.
>       It's also pretty fun to troubleshoot the inevitable issues that 
>arise 
> from adding a new device. Where will it work best in the signal path? 
> Series or Parallel? Does this device require another device in order to 
> get the most out of it? Can I figure out a way to get the same sound 
> with the stuff I've already got? Will it be the straw that breaks my 
> back?  etc. These questions require a lot of thought, sometimes. I 
> happen to like thinking, so it's all good ? but I'd also like to read a 
> good book, you know?

Yes. I dealt with my addiction in a couple of ways. 

First, I bought nothing (besides replacement cables) for about six months. 
I spent time revisiting every pedal I use, starting in isolation and 
exploring the tones and sounds and shapes it is capable of alone, with a 
few different instruments. After I refreshed myself with an appreciation 
of a given pedal's range by itself, I tried it with other pedals in my 
performance rig, looking for the ones I didn't have a good mental image of 
how the two of them combined to affect a sound. I was looking for new 
sounds that were outside of my usual performance and practice and behavior 
patterns. 

Second, when I come home from a show, I set up my performance rig in the 
studio the way I use it live. That way, it's always there at home for me 
to move one looper from the end of the signal chain to the beginning of 
the signal chain, or try a new stompbox where I think it'll do best. 
Or move it. 

This may not work for everyone, but I found doing these things beneficial 
for me to try. 

best,
Steve B
Phasmatodea    http://www.phasmatodea.net/
Subscape Annex http://www.subscapeannex.com/