It's Sunday. November had barely made its presence felt, the paycheck isn't in yet but my mind was feeding the anxiety of knowing what would be in store come 2011. The final weeks of 2010 would have sure details to delight my curiosity but until then, I had my most celebrated guitar out- my PRS McCarty & paired it up with my most uncelebrated amplifier (but certainly NOT the most undeserving)- my Sound Drive SG612R head. It's necessary distraction, really.
We are often pacified by having an acclaimed brand name within our midst; I speak for consumer products in general, not just the electric guitar. I was wondering, how many of us would settle for a lesser brand name? Especially so after hearing the equipment out in action; it really sounds more enticing than our buddy's boutique amp- how about that? That's the problem with brand names isn't it? The true performance might not appeal to you personally- the name itself is much hype.
What makes us happy (tone-wise)? Whatever it is, that's the call for our embrace. Many of us simply feel doomed being seen with an obscure brand name. Well, the other argument for not treading this path is the consideration for durability- these brand names won't last as long as your daily-washed undergarments, you say. Might as well put money to where the returns are sound (no puns intended), yes?
In the gear realm, it's difficult to be left alone when it comes to the affirmation of one's product preference; there's bound to be dichotomy & militant opinion. We are different- this quite bluntly sums up the friction which entails when we talk gear. What works for others might not be so for us, vice versa.
