What is your favorite guitar that you own? Why do you love it so much, and how did it come to be yours? How has your instrument shaped your playing? Was it a perfect fit from the start, or did you have to grow into it? Do you own many guitars, and what are the different functions they serve?
Besides your instrument, do you regularly use a lot of other gear such as pedals and amps? How did you choose those specific tools? Are there any ‘dream’ pieces of gear that you hope to add to your collection one day?
In a recent Lessonface Presents, guitarist Flavio Silva and Flavio Lira (bassist and Lessonface teacher) talk about favorite guitars and gear (around 20 minutes). Flavio Silva talks about his favorite guitar, why he likes it so much, and why having a quality instrument is important to your musicianship. He plays his favorite guitar in the interview, and mentions how he’d first acquired the guitar, sold it, and later missed having it. Later on, he was able to buy the same kind of guitar again. If you find a guitar that works perfectly for you, don’t ever part with it.
I completely agreed with Flavio’s insights on a quality guitar. Your instrument is your voice, and the medium through which you express yourself. You need your instrument to respond well to your body’s instructions and to be able to produce the sounds you hear in your mind. Even the most expert players can’t make music on an instrument that doesn’t intonate well or respond to their touch. On the flip side, having a guitar that costs ten grand will not automatically make you a good guitarist. There’s nothing wrong with having expensive gear as a beginner if you can afford it! Just don’t expect it to help you bypass the hard work that goes into learning how to play it.
Another point Flavio Silva mentions is that not all good gear has to be expensive. Finding the right pedals and amps for your needs has more to do with personal taste and experimentation than than cost. To get a feel for what you like, try out everything you can, every opportunity you get. Let sound, not cost, be the determining factor.
Have you achieved some amazing sounds through very basic, cheap gear? Have you improvised a part you needed? What’s the backstory behind that need and creation? Have you ever built your own sound equipment?
