PEDALS - TOOLS OR TOYS? ( part 2 )

When you compare the needs of guitarists playing and touring with international recording artists and guitarist playing in local churches, clubs and pubs there is a vast difference in the quantity and quality of equipment needed to perform the task.

When you compare the wants of those same guitarist you will probably tighten or erase that gap quickly and easily: if the budget is not an issue.

I see 2 problems with this:

The first problem is a western societal problem of having what too much stuff than we need: the majority of people in my neighbourhood no longer park there cars in their garages because the garages are filled with STUFF.

The second problem is that a tool (guitar, pedal or amp) for a professional guitarist, who has already honed their skill to a high level becomes the toy of the recreational guitarist who sometimes avoids improving skill in favour of stomping on little pedals that make beautiful sounds almost all on their own.

This of course is a generalization and not a universal truth or rule, but it's worthy of discussion and serious thought as you walk down the isle of your local music store to buy a pedal that will make you sound like Jimi Hendrix or John Mayer if you buy it.

I am not saying that buying something or trying to improve your sound via lots of gear is wrong but simply said, to merely just "buy and play with toys" is infantile and to "use tools to build" is a sign of creativity and growing up. If this seems like a harsh statement it can at least start a conversation and hopefully get us thinking about the choices we make or whether we are wise or impulsive in those choices.

“It's not having what you want, it's wanting what you have!” ― Sheryl Crow, C'Mon, C'Mon