Anyone else experience this?

[oldmanriver]

A got my first job a few months ago (suprise, I'm actually not an old man!), and I'm finally bringing in enough money that I can seriously starting thinking about my first major all-out Warmoth build. However it seems that I just can't decide on any one concept for more than a few days.

My plan makes a radical change nearly every week. I've gone from wanting a VIP to a Tele to a Strat to a Soloist to a Musiclander to a Jazzmaster to a Les Paul, from p90's to single coils to humbuckers to mini-hums and to the moon and back again. I'm not suffering so much from the money burning a hole in my pocket as I am from fear of deciding on a certain look or feature that I may hate later. And I don't want to end up owning over half-a-dozen guitars just to make sure I've covered all my bases. I just want one good-sounding, reliable guitar built to my specs, composed of a well-built hardtail body and a neck that feels comfy to play.

But, I keep getting caught up trying to find the balance between function vs. fashion. For instance, I might want a carved top body for the thickness, but also want a DL quilt maple top with no binding. Or, I might want a Goncalo neck, but also would prefer a neck with an angled headstock. I keep getting hung up on these options and am constantly trying to find compromises and it's becoming very frustrating. I usually fall in love with an idea for a guitar at first, but then two days later it changes, and I then realize that if I had pulled the trigger on whichever last guitar I had in mind, I would currently be sitting here full of regret.

Will this ever stop?! I want so badly to be able to settle on one thing and be done with it, but it seems impossible. Do you guys have any advice for me?


P.S. my username is a reference to the Dispatch song 'Bats in the Belfry'. And I assume that either most or all of you don't even know or listen to them.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WXM2C2DvvbM

 

[bbl4ck]

And I don't want to end up owning over half-a-dozen guitars just to make sure I've covered all my bases.

I don't know, that does not seem like much of a tragedy to me  :dontknow:
They are like Lay's chips; nobody can eat just one...

Good luck and I am sure you will love what ever you decide on.  Just be sure to post some pics once ya get her rollin'
:rock-on:

 

[Torment Leaves Scars]

A got my first job a few months ago (suprise, I'm actually not an old man!), and I'm finally bringing in enough money that I can seriously starting thinking about my first major all-out Warmoth build. However it seems that I just can't decide on any one concept for more than a few days.

My plan makes a radical change nearly every week. I've gone from wanting a VIP to a Tele to a Strat to a Soloist to a Musiclander to a Jazzmaster to a Les Paul, from p90's to single coils to humbuckers to mini-hums and to the moon and back again. I'm not suffering so much from the money burning a hole in my pocket as I am from fear of deciding on a certain look or feature that I may hate later. And I don't want to end up owning over half-a-dozen guitars just to make sure I've covered all my bases. I just want one good-sounding, reliable guitar built to my specs, composed of a well-built hardtail body and a neck that feels comfy to play.

But, I keep getting caught up trying to find the balance between function vs. fashion. For instance, I might want a carved top body for the thickness, but also want a DL quilt maple top with no binding. Or, I might want a Goncalo neck, but also would prefer a neck with an angled headstock. I keep getting hung up on these options and am constantly trying to find compromises and it's becoming very frustrating. I usually fall in love with an idea for a guitar at first, but then two days later it changes, and I then realize that if I had pulled the trigger on whichever last guitar I had in mind, I would currently be sitting here full of regret.

Will this ever stop?! I want so badly to be able to settle on one thing and be done with it, but it seems impossible. Do you guys have any advice for me?


P.S. my username is a reference to the Dispatch song 'Bats in the Belfry'. And I assume that either most or all of you don't even know or listen to them.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WXM2C2DvvbM

Okay, here we go.

Rule #1.  You will build more Warmoth guitars.

There is the only rule, and this is the process:

1. You will place your order for X body and X neck, plus hardware.

2. You will second guess your decisions regarding the options you chose and bite your nails until you receive your parts from Warmoth 2 months from now.

3. You will start having "buyer's remorse."  You will second guess your decisions once more, and it will go something like this:  "I shoulda gotten 24 frets, the 720 mod, an ebony fingerboard, and a routing for active pickups."

4. You will finish your build, and then you will say to yourself, "Well, I'll incorporate everything I didn't get on this guitar into the next one!" 

5. You will order from Warmoth again, this time being sure to get all those things you wanted.

6. Rinse and repeat.  See #2 through #6.

It is a never-ending cycle.  When I built my Warmoth, it was my "dream guitar."  It was supposed to be "the last one."  Well, guess what.  Now I want active pickups, 24 frets, a 720 mod, ebony fingerboard, thicker neck radius, Dragon-Burst paintjob, medium jumbo frets, and a cooler looking headstock.  Did I mention I want all this on the SAME body design (Star)?

See anything wrong with this guitar?  Nope, me neither.  While it may not be your favorite style or your cup of tea, there's no denying it's one cool looking axe.  It was supposed to be the perfect guitar, and quite honestly, and I'm not just saying this, this is the finest playing guitar I've ever played...but I wish I got a few more options. 

I have no complaints whatsoever about this guitar.  It looks great, it plays great, the quality is top-notch, etc.  I can't say anything negative about it, but I find myself wishing I got a slightly different headstock, like maybe the "Jackson" headstock.  Quite honestly, when I ordered, I explained to my sales person I wanted the "arrow-shaped" headstock.  I didn't know there was a headstock called the "Arrow," which happened to be this one.  What I really meant was the "Flying V" headstock.  :doh:  Well, whatever the case, it still doesn't look bad, but it's still not my favorite.  :dontknow:

Anyway, I'm starting to ramble.  Just...order something and be happy, and then when you decide there was something else you wanted, build that something else in the future.  :cool01:

 

[DustyCat]

Ahhh...memories...allow me to "link to the past" I began looking at teles when I was in your shoes 2 years ago. BTW That dispatch link is not available on mobile  :dontknow: Wait till you hear where I ended up (Now!)  :cool01:

But I can certainly relate to what you are going through and here's a story that might help : The chick who wrote "The Art of Choice" conducted an experiment in a gourmet shoppe: free samples of gourmet mustard/jam. In the first instance maybe 5-8 samples were displayed and customers were allwed to try them for free.

In the second instance, something like twenty different samples were put on display and available for free sampling.

Customers in the first instance (with fewer choices) were more likely to sample and ultimately buy a mustard or jam and customers in the second instance less likely to buy. In fact, they were more likely to become angry and forego sampling because they were mesmerized by so many available choices! :laughing7:
This is not a bad thing and can be quite fun.
And like the guy before me said, there can be worse things than being stuck with *quality* instrument parts at their respective prices.

My advice to you/anyone is think/meditate on who/what is important to you in your music/instrument and solidify those motives in your mind (or write them down) so that if what arrives is not you cat's "meoww", you'll know where you went wrong and how to fix it/order what you want in the future.
Maybe hang out here and check out what other people have ordered/ask questions.

Trust me, a poplar explorer body is probably the last thing I would order (too big) but I am sure I would nevertheless be impressed by the craftsmanship.

-DC

P.S. I hope I didn't "kill it" for any future posters, ...(halo smiley)

 

[DustyCat]

Hey Torment Leaves Scars posted while I was writing. Quick more people chime in and echo what he said so I don't look like such a loser when I post again!  :icon_jokercolor:

 

[Corey P.]

I guess I'd approach the build as determining when you close your eyes or think Warmoth what the first or clearest idea you have winds up being more often than not - it's tough to accept, but there's very likely no one guitar built to do everything you want it to equally as well as all the models you'd be cherry picking traditional parts and layout ideas from; IMO it's best to start with a guitar that gives you a flavor you don't already have; for me it's either a Telecaster or an LP, and I'm personally leaning towards a Tele right now because I have a clearer idea of what I want my ideal completed Tele to play/sound/look like than an LP.

 

[Torment Leaves Scars]

Ahhh...memories...allow me to "link to the past" I began looking at teles when I was in your shoes 2 years ago. BTW That dispatch link is not available on mobile  :dontknow: Wait till you hear where I ended up (Now!)  :cool01:

But I can certainly relate to what you are going through and here's a story that might help : The chick who wrote "The Art of Choice" conducted an experiment in a gourmet shoppe: free samples of gourmet mustard/jam. In the first instance maybe 5-8 samples were displayed and customers were allwed to try them for free.

In the second instance, something like twenty different samples were put on display and available for free sampling.

Customers in the first instance (with fewer choices) were more likely to sample and ultimately buy a mustard or jam and customers in the second instance less likely to buy. In fact, they were more likely to become angry and forego sampling because they were mesmerized by so many available choices! :laughing7:
This is not a bad thing and can be quite fun.
And like the guy before me said, there can be worse things than being stuck with *quality* instrument parts at their respective prices.

My advice to you/anyone is think/meditate on who/what is important to you in your music/instrument and solidify those motives in your mind (or write them down) so that if what arrives is not your cup of tea, you'll know where you went wrong and how to fix it/order what you want.
Maybe hang out here and check out what other people have ordered/ask questions.

Trust me, a poplar explorer body is probably the last thing I would order (too big) but I am sure I would nevertheless be impressed by the craftsmanship.

-DC

P.S. I hope I didn't "kill it" for any future posters, ...(halo smiley)

Exactly.  It's a Warmoth.  They're damned good guitars.  There are a lot worse things to be stuck with than an American-made custom guitar.

FWIW, I picked up a nearly flawless 2003 Jackson USA KV2 for a song and a prayer back in June with the intentions of "flipping" it for some cash. 

Well, that never came into fruition, and now I'm "stuck" with it.  Since then, I've sort of bonded with it, and don't have a real big interest in selling it. 

Anyway, I'm "stuck" with a USA Jackson.  Booo Hooo Hooooo!  It sucks to be me!

:cool01:

 

[drewfx]

I would always say function should come first - because once you choose the functionality you want, it's still possible to come up with a beautiful design. There isn't only one right answer when it comes to aesthetics, so don't get hung up on it.

And don't kill yourself trying to get everything in a single guitar. It's certainly possible to have a versatile guitar, but you can't have everything in a single guitar because there are just way too many shapes/woods/PU's/bridges/etc. So just pick something you like and don't try to get absolutely everything all at once.

 

[Tipperman]

When in doubt, build a Strat.

 

[SustainerPlayer]

I would like to sum this up for you:

It never stops.

Sorry - can't help you.  :guitarplayer2:

 

[Torment Leaves Scars]

I would like to sum this up for you:

It never stops.

Sorry - can't help you.  :guitarplayer2:

Yep, exactly.  That's what I told him.  :toothy12:

It's just a fact of life that one can never have too many guitars.

 

[Updown]

I would like to sum this up for you:

It never stops.

Sorry - can't help you.  :guitarplayer2:

Yep, exactly.  That's what I told him.  :toothy12:

It's just a fact of life that one can never have too many guitars.

+1  :icon_thumright:  Yep I can't help ya out either  :icon_biggrin:
But ....
If ya want something with everything in it (except a Trem & the Kitchen-Sink)
May-be you need to get a Gibo Fireturd X  :icon_jokercolor:  :laughing7:

 

[Torment Leaves Scars]

I would like to sum this up for you:

It never stops.

Sorry - can't help you.  :guitarplayer2:

Yep, exactly.  That's what I told him.  :toothy12:

It's just a fact of life that one can never have too many guitars.

+1  :icon_thumright:  Yep I can't help ya out either  :icon_biggrin:
But ....
If ya want something with everything in it (except a Trem & the Kitchen-Sink)
May-be you need to get a Gibo Fireturd X  :icon_jokercolor:  :laughing7:

I just saw a Fireturd X a few weeks ago at Guitar Center for the low, low price of around $3500-$4000, I believe it was.  The finish looked nice, and in person it looked kinda cool, but other than that, no thanks.  I think the whole concept just...sucks.

 

[erogenousjones17]

When in doubt, build a Strat.

Then a Tele. Then an LP. Then a JM. Then a...see where I'm going with this?  :laughing7:

 

[mgaut051]

When in doubt, (...)

[size=36pt]
[list type=decimal]
[*]IT NEEDS A FLOYD
[*]MORE COWBELL  :headbang:
[/list]

 

[DustyCat]

+1 to everything everybody said here, especially function and what you don't have...yet.

@UPDOWN the Firebird X's case is designed to survive a fall from a six story building, how many stories can your Cocobolo Emubird's case fall from and still survive?  :icon_scratch:

 

[Cagey]

I also have to echo Tipperman's advice: When in doubt, build a Strat. It's simply the best design ever conceived for an electric guitar as far as comfort and utility. That's why It's the most popular guitar extant. You'd be hard-pressed to find anybody who hasn't owned at least one, if not multiples of the thing. Every other design needs an excuse for its existence. With a Strat, you just say "Of course!"

It's amazing, really. Leo Fender wasn't even a player, and clearly wasn't any kind of mechanical engineer, but that design has withstood the test of time with little or no modification like few other things have outside of Kleenex, Coca-cola and corn flakes. Tone, neck access, balance, appearance... the list is long. It's just the standard by which all others are judged. So, you can't go wrong travelling that road.

I've owned a great many guitars over the last 40 years or so, and early on thought Gibson was the answer to everything, but now? If it's not a Strat or some variation of it, I won't have it. At least, not for long, what with eBay.

Although, I am changing my mind about Teles... <grin>

 

[Patrick from Davis]

I usually start with the idea of what song to I really like.  Then I look for how the guitar and rig were done.  Then I think of all of the goofy things I hopefully wrote down that I also want.  As time has gone on, I have tried a lot of guitars, and I know what I use, and don't use.  So, I have the song or sound, and the features more or less there, then I usually have some crazy idea for which model should tie it together, because I want one of those.  Then I start thinking of what I want this time, and the process starts again.

I do have a bunch of guitars, so I try not to repeat myself.  Whether it be pickup styles or wood choices, or something along those lines.  I don't really give any extra love to one style of body over another, they all have their charm.  It is true that I am usually willing to pay a little more for something different as well.  I splurged on the necks of my strat and my tele.  Bocote and Macassar ebony.  Won't be finding something like that again, so it is easy not to repeat myself.  And I do like the Wenge, quite a bit...  But, that is my process.  The sound, the extra features, the form, the build.
Patrick

 

[Torment Leaves Scars]

I also have to echo Tipperman's advice: When in doubt, build a Strat. It's simply the best design ever conceived for an electric guitar as far as comfort and utility. That's why It's the most popular guitar extant. You'd be hard-pressed to find anybody who hasn't owned at least one, if not multiples of the thing. Every other design needs an excuse for its existence. With a Strat, you just say "Of course!"

It's amazing, really. Leo Fender wasn't even a player, and clearly wasn't any kind of mechanical engineer, but that design has withstood the test of time with little or no modification like few other things have outside of Kleenex, Coca-cola and corn flakes. Tone, neck access, balance, appearance... the list is long. It's just the standard by which all others are judged. So, you can't go wrong travelling that road.

I've owned a great many guitars over the last 40 years or so, and early on thought Gibson was the answer to everything, but now? If it's not a Strat or some variation of it, I won't have it. At least, not for long, what with eBay.

Although, I am changing my mind about Teles... <grin>

I disagree with you (again) Cagey.  "When in doubt, build a Strat."  If in doubt, I'd say, "Save your money until you AREN'T in doubt."  ccasion14:  We're talking about a pretty expensive investment here.  I could agree with you if we were talking about $119 Squier Bullets, but that's not the case.  ccasion14:

+1 on the comfort of a Strat.  I always seem to find them pretty comfortable, but they're still not the most comfortable for me.

 

[Cagey]

Well, he said he wanted to build something nice and wanted some advice. So, I figured I'd pony up for the guy. If he'd have asked how to cheap out, I would have offered different advice.

It's not a contest. I'm just here to learn and grow as well as pass along what I know.