|
|
Joined:
January 2006
Posts: 2120
Location: Chicago | I've heard many stories about how the global blues are affecting us, musicians. From getting gigs to equipment, buying music, recording, family budget, too much free time, not enough, etc.
Has your music been affected? How? |
|
| |
|
Joined:
September 2003
Posts: 9301
Location: south east Michigan | I don't gig for money so there is no change there.
On the other side, I don't plan on buying anything more than strings and picks for the forseeable future. But that's okay. I'm very satisfied with what I currently have. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
March 2002
Posts: 14842
Location: NJ | Gig-wise, not so much of an effect(thusfar) . . .
Being that I predominantly play "bars', it hasn't had a huge impact(yet). When times are good, people go to bars to celebrate. When times are bad, people(sometimes) tend to t'bars to escape their problems.
When Temp was here, we had a deal of difficulty picking up some gear that he wanted (not in stock). Now, it COULDA' been that stock was depleted after the Holidays, and they might not be re-stocking till after NAMM, I dunno . . .
(d'you find the stuff in CA, Paul?? . . .)
Where I've NOTICED it is that Brick&Mortar CD/DVD stores're REALLY taking it in the shorts. I would assume that the economy & the Itunes/Internet business is really killing 'em off.
Shame too, I really enjoy foraging thru bins & walking out with something tangiable in my hand as opposed to Clicking&Waiting . . .
For the LIFE of me, I don't know HOW the Bang&Olufsen Store in my town stays in business.
I suspect it's part of some Scandinavian money-laundering scheme . . . |
|
| |
|
Joined:
January 2002
Posts: 14127
Location: 6 String Ranch | not affecting it at all. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
February 2002
Posts: 5750
Location: Scotland | Originally posted by cliff:
When Temp was here, we had a deal of difficulty picking up some gear that he wanted (not in stock). Now, it COULDA' been that stock was depleted after the Holidays, and they might not be re-stocking till after NAMM, I dunno . . .
(d'you find the stuff in CA, Paul?? . . .)
Nope. Same story everywhere I went. Lots of high-ticket items on the walls, but the mid-price stuff and accessory lines were decimated.
As for the economy. My business sources a significant proportion of it's product from the USA. The pound has taken a hammering. As of yesterday it was down to $1.38, compared to $2.02 not long ago. That's gonna hurt us. I've had to email a few companies I set up dealerships with at NAMM to say I'm going to hold off until the pound picks up again. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
March 2005
Posts: 12750
Location: Boise, Idaho | Thanks for calling me a musician. Things are about the same down in the basement where I perform. I still have the same number of people show up to listen--zero.
I sold a guitar for the first time in years and made a nice profit.
The only real effect is on the retirement account, which means I'll have to keep my day job a little longer, and some tough times for a couple of family members, which means the dollars go there instead of toward guitars. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
February 2005
Posts: 11840
Location: closely held secret | Mark, I thought the cat was a pretty steady visitor, and was always appreciative of the nap time.
btw, hasn't affected me either, other than the fear of possibly having more time to play my guitars... |
|
| |
|
Joined:
August 2004
Posts: 709
Location: Germany | Paul,
you islanders should adopt the Euro.
Karl |
|
| |
|
Joined:
March 2008
Posts: 2683
Location: Hot Springs, S.D. | The music has gotten better here. People are looking for cheaper entertainment, and a night out at an inexpensive restaurant with live entertainment is just what the doctor ordered. The jam sessions on Saturdays here at the shop have gotten bigger and better too. A lot of "escapees" from California and the east coast are moving here where housing is ridiculously affordable, so there's lots of new blood. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
June 2006
Posts: 7307
Location: South of most, North of few | I still play as crappy as I ever did. Doesn't appear the economics have affected that. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
August 2003
Posts: 2246
Location: Yucaipa, California | ...I seem to be playing far more Blues than ever before......haven't played the banjo in months! |
|
| |
|
Joined:
January 2002
Posts: 14127
Location: 6 String Ranch | Keep it up!! |
|
| |
|
Joined:
August 2003
Posts: 2246
Location: Yucaipa, California | playin da bluse? or tacit banjoing? |
|
| |
|
Joined:
October 2007
Posts: 2711
Location: Vernon CT | Hopefully, because all I do right now for fun is play my Guitar I'm getting better! :) Of course I could double my ability and I'd still suck compared to some of the members here! |
|
| |
|
Joined:
January 2006
Posts: 5881
Location: Colorado Rocky Mountains | There seems that there is more equipment available likely because there are more sellers than buyers. Sellers may be doing so as a means of generating revenue or income. For much of the buying public, guitars and related gear purchases are based on "wants" using discretionary funds, not "needs". As discretionary funds dry up, so will some of the market. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
September 2006
Posts: 10777
Location: Keepin' It Weird in Portland, OR | This is what Josh thinks about it... |
|
| |
|
Joined:
January 2006
Posts: 2120
Location: Chicago | For one, I have to endure a moratorium on buying equipment (to say nothing of a new axe). No GAS. GAS not allowed. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
June 2005
Posts: 1320
Location: Round Rock, TX | I'm having to channel my GAS. Instead of new axes I'm having a couple of 'em customized. It's like when your wife gets a new do, you kinda get a new girlfriend without all the breaking up headaches. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
October 2006
Posts: 5575
Location: big island | last 5 months, no gigs. hotel occupancy below 50%. corporations are not conducting conventions here much. sucks big time but also gives me motivation for some higher education. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
December 2001
Posts: 10581
Location: NJ | I have a large inventory of guitars amps and other gear for sale
e mail me with your wants and needs. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
March 2005
Posts: 12750
Location: Boise, Idaho | Want: several
Need: money
Oh, now I see that you said to email you. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
December 2004
Posts: 4394
Location: East Tennessee | No $$$$.
No New Guitars.
Still havin' fun.
I've seen some deals on guitars on ebay but I have more guitars than I really need.
Still fun to look. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
September 2006
Posts: 10777
Location: Keepin' It Weird in Portland, OR | Yeah.... I really need to close my evilBay account so that I can't just impulse buy stuff! |
|
| |
|
Joined:
July 2003
Posts: 3111
Location: Nashville TN. | I had no effect |
|
| |
|
Joined:
March 2007
Posts: 840
Location: CA | I'm happy. When I'm out on the street playing for change in the rain, my Ovations will hold up much better than other beggars. |
|
| |
How's the Economy Affecting (your) Music?
