I'M SELLING MY GEAR... HERE'S WHY!

Summary

In this engaging video, Tom shares his decision to sell his extensive collection of music gear, accumulated since he was a teenager. Initially motivated by a passion for hands-on music production, Tom reveals that he has felt overwhelmed by the burden of owning so many instruments. He discusses how this burden has impacted his creativity and his choice to downsize to a more compact studio setup while keeping a few cherished pieces. Tom hopes his instruments will find new owners who will appreciate and use them, and he looks forward to showcasing his new studio environment.

Takeaways

• 🎸 Tom has been collecting music gear since he was a teenager, starting his journey with limited funds from odd jobs.
• 💼 His experience working in a music store allowed him to acquire vintage instruments at low prices when they were undervalued.
• 🎹 Tom's collection includes a wide range of equipment, such as synthesizers, drum kits, guitars, amplifiers, and more.
• 🤔 He describes himself as a 'full contact composer,' emphasizing his desire to be hands-on with every aspect of music creation.
• 😩 Over time, the responsibility of maintaining such a vast collection began to feel like a creative burden for Tom.
• 😔 He often felt guilty for not using many of his instruments, leading to his decision to sell most of his gear.
• 💔 Tom hopes that his beloved instruments will find new homes where they will be appreciated and used more often.
• 🏗️ He is planning to build a more compact studio setup that still allows for a hands-on creative process.
• 🔧 While selling most of his gear, Tom will retain a few favorite instruments to continue his musical journey.
• ✨ Tom expresses excitement for future projects and sharing new studio sessions with a simplified setup.

Q & A

What prompted Tom to start collecting music gear?

Tom began collecting music gear at a young age, starting around 12 to 14 years old, initially motivated by a newspaper job and cleaning a parking lot, where he earned little money to buy gear.

What types of gear does Tom collect?

Tom collects a wide range of music equipment, including synthesizers, drum kits, guitars, basses, pedals, amplifiers, mixers, and outboard gear like reverbs and compressors.

How did Tom acquire most of his gear?

Tom acquired his gear mainly through trading at the music store where he worked, often buying instruments at their lowest prices when newer models were released.

What does Tom mean by 'full contact composer'?

Being a 'full contact composer' means Tom prefers to be physically involved in every aspect of the music-making process, from recording to mixing, using hardware rather than relying solely on software.

What led Tom to feel a burden from his gear collection?

Tom felt a creative burden from owning so much gear because he often felt guilty for not using many instruments, which made him question the necessity of keeping all of them.

What decision did Tom make regarding his gear, and why?

Tom decided to sell most of his gear to relieve the burden of ownership, hoping that the instruments would find new homes where they would be appreciated and used more actively.

Which pieces of gear does Tom plan to keep?

Tom plans to keep his favorite drum kit, bass guitar, three favorite guitars, and a few essential synthesizers that he cannot do without.

How does Tom feel about the instruments he is selling?

Tom has a deep emotional attachment to the instruments he is selling, as many have provided him with joy and pleasure over the years, and he hopes they will be well cared for by their new owners.

What future plans does Tom have for his music studio?

Tom is planning to build a more compact music studio setup that maintains his identity as a full contact composer while working with a limited selection of instruments.

Does Tom foresee collecting gear again in the future?

While Tom is selling a significant portion of his gear now, he leaves open the possibility of collecting gear again in the future, but for now, he needs to focus on a more manageable setup.