I was really into collecting budget guitars. I’m not sure I still am, or if my current lack of interest is a phase, but currently I feel no desire to buy any more guitars. Part of it is money – if I bought a guitar, it’d need to be better than what I already own, meaning it’d need to be around a grand, and I don’t want to drop that kind of money. And part of it is that I already have all of the different types of guitars I want/need. Does that mean it’s time to close down this website?
Hardly. I’m taking a break from guitars, but it’s in my blood. I’ll always play, I’ll always write, and I’ll always record. But it’s not bad to take a break for a while. Hell, most of the stuff written about guitars and guitar gear is rehash at this point. Guitarists pretend that it’s a big deal when someone releases a new pedal or tube amp, but it isn’t. Here’s my prediction – the guitar pedal market is headed for a major crash. We DO need great pedals – I have a pedal board myself. But the market is beyond oversaturated.
So one of my new hobbies has been to build my own bartop arcade cabinet. I bought a kit, I bought the parts, I put the thing together, I got ROMs for it, and I play it a bit every day. It’s a blast. My two favorite games are Galaga and Burgertime. My wife likes Ms. Pac-Man. It was a lot of fun to build and it’s fun to play. I’ve been watching YouTube channels about guys who have their own arcades in their basements. I’ve been listening to podcasts about it, too.
And guess what? There are elitist assholes in the area of home arcade gaming, just like in the area of guitars. People who look down on the emulation guys – it’s just like people who look down on Epiphone owners. Or Gibson owners. People sure do like to put other people down. I guess I’m doing that right now. But it can’t be turtles all the way down. We have to draw the line somewhere.
I give anyone credit if they’re out there making their own music. I might not like it, but I give them credit. It takes guts to put your music out there for the world to make fun of and hate on. I don’t think the guitar you play matters anywhere near as much as the notes you play. I hate the concept of competition in music. Music is about self expression.
So when I hear a podcast where some asshole is talking about the “losers” who build MAME cabinets, it reminds me of the assholes talking trash about Epiphones. Here’s the thing: a real Galaga game is going to play better than a MAME version, and a real Gibson Les Paul is going to play better than an Epiphone. And it doesn’t MATTER that much. The differences are fairly small, unless you WANT them to be bigger so you can validate yourself.
The biggest lie in the world of guitars is that buying more expensive gear will make you sound and play a WHOLE LOT better. No, it won’t. Skill makes you sound and play better. You should buy the best guitar you can afford, because they play a bit better and sound a bit better, but the margin is pretty damn small. Within reason. Don’t play a gig with a 5 watt solid state amp.
I have some respect for guys who can repair an old arcade game. Especially if they’re cool. I emailed Gregg from Arcade Impossible and told him that his channel had inspired me to build my own MAME cabinet. You know what he said? He said that was awesome, and I should send him pictures when it’s done. He’s got a basement full of real, restored arcade games, and it makes my little MAME cabinet look silly, but he was still positive and happy that he’d inspired someone. Why? Because the point isn’t the cabinet – it’s the GAMES, and keeping the games alive.
And when it comes to guitars, it’s the MUSIC, and keeping the MUSIC alive.
Play your Epiphones and your MAME cabinets. Have fun! Don’t worry about the assholes who feel the need to tell you that your equipment isn’t expensive enough.
