How can you afford all of your guitars?

[Holy Katana]

Okay, so the members here all seem to have nice collections of guitars. I don't. It may be because I'm a minor, but it may not be, as I also frequent Ultimate-Guitar's forums, which are filled with teenagers, and they all seem to have at least 3 guitars, or at least 1 nice one. I was a bit irked by that, but seeing y'all's (damn, I had to use that word. It screams southern. Why can't English have a pronoun that is an equivalent to the German "ihr"?) collecions, full of Prestiges, and J-Customs, and USA Customs, and JEMs, and limited editions just made me wonder how you can afford that. I have an Epiphone G-310, which goes for $250, but when I purchased it, it was $200, and that's it. I have an acoustic that's in the basement, as it's practically unplayable, so I don't count it. I'd love an RGT220H, but there's not a chance in hell I can get one. I can't even afford an RG1570. My parents don't give me an allowance, and they won't let me get a job. However, they expect me to buy all my gear for myself. I wouldn't be bitching about it if my parents would give me some cash. But they don't. The only time I ever have ANY money is during the spring and summer, when I get $10 a week to mow my very large and hilly lawn. My dad used to pay me $20, but then he cut the price for no apparent reason. And don't think I'm poor. I'm not. My dad just hogs all of our money to himself, and buys new gadgets almost weekly. If I had 1 nice guitar, just 1, I wouldn't be writing this rant. But here I am, an intermediate-advanced guitarist, stuck with beginner gear. I can't join bands at my school because my parents won't give me a big enough amp to gig with, and even if I had a big enough amp, I'd be embarassed to go up on stage with a student model guitar. I mean, are you guys all just yuppies who can afford all of that?

EDIT: I know I came off as a whiny little bitch, but I had a really bad day, and I'm never in a good mood to begin with, so, yeah.

[Kii]

I sell myself on the street.

[supermau]

I didn't get a decent guitar until I was well into my 20's. I wasn't able to afford my Jem until last year and I'm almost 40 now. Don't feel too bad. I guess some people just have the money to blow. Hopefully you'll get at least one really nice guitar one day. Having huge collections is great but having just one great guitar is also very cool. Appreciate what you DO have and save, save, save.

[toneboy]

Someone's going to say it so I'll save them the trouble - why don't you get a j-o-b? BTW, your father isn't hogging his money. He earned it and deserves to spend it as he sees fit.

[Holy Katana]

Originally Posted by toneboy

Someone's going to say it so I'll save them the trouble - why don't you get a j-o-b?

I already said that my parents won't let me. Yet they refuse to give me an allowance.

I take offense to how you didn't take the time to read my post.

[elcid]

I didnt have too much nice gear until I was in my 20s, but I always had a usable amp and guitar that I paid for myself. Convince your parents to let you get a job, but you shouldnt expect them to "give you a bigger amp" just because.

[Holy Katana]

^ Well, I asked for a new amp for Christmas, but they ended up giving me like $500 of stuff I didn't even want.

[elcid]

Then just deal with it, being a kid means you get shafted sometimes. I started to read your post but it seemed too whiney.

[supermau]

Yeah, you might want to have a chat with the folks. I don't know your whole situation but a job is the place to start.

[Holy Katana]

Originally Posted by elcid

Then just deal with it, being a kid means you get shafted sometimes. I started to read your post but it seemed too whiney.

That is a callous response that I honestly expected from you. You had it as hard as I'm having it, so you're trying to make yourself feel better by telling me to shut up and deal with it.

[TimS]

Why won't they let you get a job?

[Kii]

How old are you?

[toneboy]

Originally Posted by Holy Katana

I already said that my parents won't let me. Yet they refuse to give me an allowance.

I take offense to how you didn't take the time to read my post.

For some reason I don't care that you are offended by that.

Life's not fair. We don't always get what we want. From the attitude in your post, your parents aren't willing to just "give you the money" because you don't deserve it. You come off like you fell you're entitled to their money. Why is that?

The Epiphone G-310, went set-up correctly and with decent pickups, is a good guitar. You should be darn happy you have that. Many people start out on a lot worse.

Now be quiet and go to bed before I have to call the "waaaaa-mbulance".

[toneboy]

Originally Posted by Holy Katana

That is a callous response that I honestly expected from you. You had it as hard as I'm having it, so you're trying to make yourself feel better by telling me to shut up and deal with it.

You actually expect us to feel sorry for you? Why oh why would we? Do you have a roof over your head, clothes on your back, food in your belly and warm bed at night? If you answer yes to all of these then be thankful for what you have because millions of people in this world have far less than that.

Maybe we should get a fund going to buy this kid a Crybaby wah pedal? It just seems so fitting.

[Holy Katana]

Originally Posted by TimS

Why won't they let you get a job?

I've asked them about it, and they keep on giving me bulls*** responses about it. I've talked about my gear with them many times before, and they honestly couldn't give a flying f*** about it. They won't even buy strings for me. I keep strings on for 3 or 4 months at a time, once going over 6 months, and if one breaks, I look around on the floor and in packages for replacements. If I can't find it, then I just have to adapt my playing style.