As I hit a point in my life where I have a wife, child, and probably am not going to tour in some Rigs-of-Doom style band anymore, I realize I have a few decades of gear accumulation that's become more of a burden than anything. For example, I have a second drum kit that was my "practice space kit" and I haven't even had a practice space in 3 years. I have like 5 guitar amps and only use 2. A bunch of little bits like recording stuff, too many guitars.

I'm not going to use the H-word, but I really would like to pare down things before it gets more unwieldy. It's very hard mentally to part with things, especially as a kid I didn't have much, and am probably compensating for that in adulthood. Anyone else dealing with this, and if so, how?

Also if anyone passing through Boston needs an 80's Tama Superstar in cherry wine, hit me up.

For things you have multiples of, aren't using, and may be worth a bit: definitely do it!

For things you have that will be difficult to sell or not very valuable (which I have a lot of), maybe consider donating to a local school or not horrible church.

I did this a few years ago and it was a very positive experience. I, like you, grew up without much and when I was able to start buying guitars and amps as a teen it gave me an amazing feeling and I never really stopped. I didn't really want to part with any of it, but I'd occasionally sell something off. I had a lot of cool vintage shit but some of those cool vintage things just never quite work right even when serviced, or aren't exactly reliable when you need them. Or are things that you look at but hardly ever use. Anyway, I did my biggest ever one-time sell-off of maybe 4 amps and 4 or 5 guitars and it felt great. I kept the stuff that I really wanted to keep for either practical or sentimental reasons, but there was a lot of other shit that I picked up because it was a "good deal" or whatever. I've still got too much equipment, but rather than a bunch of old junk with potential, I have old junk that is fully functional and ready to rock. And things that I made, or stuff that gets used all the time, or that has a tight connection to my heart. Letting go wasn't as hard as I thought it would be. It actually felt great and I would totally recommend it. You know deep down what you can get rid of and what you need to keep.

Also, I took everything to my favorite local shop. The owner, a friend, cut me a check for things he knew would move quick and I consigned the rest. It's good to know what you've got (of course) but it also feels good to not try and juice every dollar out of it just because you "know what it's worth". I made some money, he made some money, everything was cool. I knew I didn't want to do CL or ebay or take it to a shitty place and be super depressed at their lowball offer.

I just went through the same shit! I sold a bass I really love, but never played anymore. A guitar I liked, but never played. A drum kit that was awesome, but I never had the opportunity to play. An amp I've been carrying around for 20 years. Two other amps I had as backups, but no longer really need. Tons of pedals I no longer use. More shit I can't even remember now.

I don't think I'm going to miss any of it, and I don't expect to be playing out like I used to. I've shifted my music playing to just making music, so I took all that sweet gear and repurposed it to things that I actually use now. I ended up with enough money to build out a home recording studio for myself. I think that helped, knowing that I was using my gear to refocus my efforts on music rather than just using it to buy groceries.

I first had to come to terms with life changes. I'm older now and I just don't like playing out like I used to. I got a kid on the way and I want to be around for her as much as possible. I kept holding onto my gear as if I was gonna use it again. But that just isn't the case. It's hard to come to that conclusion. I still want to make music though, and I definitely want that to be around my kid as she grows up. Maybe it'll rub off on her, or at the very least, she will learn to get into her own passions by my example.

It feels good to get rid of material objects you no longer use. And, it's OK to feel sentimental about them! But if it feels like time to move on, you should and consider how you can repurpose the sale of your old gear for things that make more sense to you now. Or save it or give it away. Whatever makes you feel good in the end.

I do still play music, and would like to keep on playing, and not have to re-purchase something I sold, so there's that. There's also the question of do I want to screw around and try to get top dollar for stuff, or just get it out of my life?

I think Tom Wanderer had a great point where it's like (I paraphrase) "look in your soul and you'll see what you need" and yeah that's probably a good psychological exercise. Kind of Marie Kondo for GAS.

nobody needs two drum sets. (looking at you Patrick)

Haha. EVERYONE should have two drum sets.

twelvepoint wrote: Mon Oct 25, 2021 2:37 pm There's also the question of do I want to screw around and try to get top dollar for stuff, or just get it out of my life?

It's a good question. A few months ago I did the laziest thing possible and traded a bunch of junk I never used to Guitar Center, knowing full well they'd only give me maybe 50% what I could get if I sold the stuff myself. I just didn't want to deal.

Walked out with this and 48 bucks:



I play it all the time and it's great fun. If you asked me now what I traded in, I'd really have to think about it for a minute, that's how little I miss all of it.

I think if you have things that are actually worth some decent money, then def try and get some decent money. Stuff that you've just accumulated and you don't really care about, just get rid of it.

MoreSpaceEcho wrote: Mon Oct 25, 2021 3:00 pm Walked out with this and 48 bucks:

That and $48, with the Mastery installed?
I love my Player Jaguar.

now I want to buy a jaguar