OK, OK, Let's Hear From The Wives

I want to hear from some of the wives - their experiences of living with a GASaholic? What about additional guitars in the home? How do you cope with a partner who has GAS? How have you worked out / managed under these conditions? Come on, share.

What'chu talkin' about?

The most interesting facet of the GAS experience is the length some folks will go to avoid telling another [especially their spouse] what's going on or that they are getting another guitar. The lies, the deceit, the evasion tactics!! I devoted a whole chapter to it in the book & it could have been a book by itself as it turns out. And it's not just a man thing, either. I have heard from several female guitarists who simply do NOT tell their husbands the truth about what their guitar cost or even that they have acquired one. A woman who plays for church, weddings, special events, & teaches guitar recently told me that she has ordered a Limited Edition Gibson acoustic but will not tell her husband of 25 years because he would leave her if he knew what it cost. It will be her 20th guitar which she must now "hide" amongst the others.

I must admit that I frequently rearrange my music room just to make it less obvious how the mix has changed.

Tell it now - the most weird or outrageous thing that you or someone you know has done to hide or disguise the truth. It's gotta be true.

G.A.S. Early Warning Signs

The more I dig into it, the more I believe some of the early warning signs are possibly associated with a life reference of "scarcity vs.abundance" or "deficit vs. surplus". As a long-suffering GASaholic, I must say that my attacks are associated with [real or imagined] thoughts of how I CAN have this thing more so than how I CAN'T AFFORD IT or why I SHOULDN'T have it. And judging from the hundreds of responses of other GASaholics, we tend to hold this in common. Our resources available somehow always seem to be possible and adequate for us to proceed with the acquisition. Like, it will all work out; the end justify the means, blinders on, etc. GASaholics somehow find a way. It has little to do with rational thinking.

QUESTION: What is your theory on the early warning signs of GAS problems?

5 Years Experience

Looking for more responses to this one from last year. Post awayyyyyy.......... !!

If I had known 5 years ago what I know now, how would my G.A.S. attacks & collection be different today?

New "G.A.S." owner

Ok, so you bought my book "G.A.S. - Living With Guitar Acquisition Syndrome." Tell us about yourself.

Moment of TRUTH

You saw it online, got all excited about it, maybe even dreamed about it, pulled the trigger and bought [or won] it, and somehow survived the next few days awaiting its arrival. Now it's here, and you go through this cursory inspection process. The moment of truth is finally here as you strap 'er on, plug in, tune up, and hit your usual "tester riff" to begin the drive. Having a great first experience after all that anticipation and waiting is a wonderful - often memorable - thing.

Tell us about one you've had.

ResidualGAS

I've always kinda admired the guy who married his high school or college sweetheart. He knew what he wanted and hung onto her. Same with the guy who has a fave axe that he has had since waaaaaay back, and he'll never give it up. I could write a book about the Strat I bought in the 60s and should have kept. I do have an Ovation that I bought new 35 years ago, but it doesn't count because it isn't a fave. I never touch it. I'm talking about a long-term keeper that is one you still play and show a lotta luv regularly. I do NOT have one like that, and I wish I did. If ya got ResidualGAS, tell it!