How Musicians Choose and Collect Instruments: Exploring Gear Acquisition Syndrome through Interviews

What is it about?

This chapter shares insights from interviews and surveys with musicians about their habits and motivations for acquiring gear like guitars, pedals, and amplifiers. It explores how musicians decide what to buy, what inspires their choices, and how owning gear impacts their creativity and identity. The study also investigates the phenomenon of Gear Acquisition Syndrome (G.A.S.), where musicians feel compelled to keep purchasing equipment. By gathering perspectives directly from musicians, this chapter provides a deeper understanding of the emotional and practical reasons behind their gear-buying decisions.

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Photo by Austin Prock on Unsplash

Photo by Austin Prock on Unsplash

Why is it important?

This chapter is unique in its direct engagement with musicians through interviews and surveys to explore their motivations and behaviours around acquiring musical equipment. While much of the existing literature focuses on the technical or economic aspects of gear acquisition, this work highlights the personal, emotional, and cultural dimensions of these decisions. The research is timely as digital marketplaces and social media have expanded access to gear, intensifying trends like Gear Acquisition Syndrome (G.A.S.). By providing first-hand insights into how musicians connect with their instruments and tools, this chapter offers valuable perspectives for musicians, industry professionals, and scholars interested in the intersection of creativity, identity, and consumer behaviour.