Arkay
Lunatic Member
I've shifted over the past year from being more of a collector'/hoarder type to whittling down to a "quality over quantity" connoisseur. I was saying that ("quality over quantity") for a while before I actually started practicing it, but the change has occurred.
I pass up on good stuff much more often than I used to, although I also find less good stuff than I used to (the market supply of really good stuff is way, way, way off what it was a couple years back). I am divesting and de-cluttering.
What changed for me was a psychological shift. Before, I envisioned a nice collection, with racks of great gear. Now, I envision a simpler, cleaner environment with fewer pieces, but each piece a "masterpiece" that is functionally, visually and cosmetically excellent.
These days, I'd rather 'collect' vinyl than gear, although upgrading gear is still always on the agenda. But even with the vinyl, I want quality over quantity. I'm getting much pickier about the quality and condition of what records I want to keep.
Yes, the wife is a factor in this; she will be happier in a house with less gear, and making her happy ultimately means more to me than my selfish collecting obsession (although I won't give it up entirely, either. Fortunately, I don't have to).
What ultimately limits me, and has mostly changed me, is simply that I live in an apartment with finite space. I reached the point where the amount of gear I had was more than I could comfortably store in the home. When something exceeds a reasonable space for it, it becomes CLUTTER, even if by itself it is a fine thing. Clutter is BAD. So I'm gradually getting rid of even some pretty good stuff. The stuff that remains will be all the better for being accessible and usable and able to be fully appreciated. Along the way, I'm having fun, learning, and helping take tired old gear and turn it into fixed-up stuff that is bringing pleasure to new owners. When I make a profit on a resale, it allows me to upgrade and to experience more/different gear. Not a bad thing, at all.
I pass up on good stuff much more often than I used to, although I also find less good stuff than I used to (the market supply of really good stuff is way, way, way off what it was a couple years back). I am divesting and de-cluttering.
What changed for me was a psychological shift. Before, I envisioned a nice collection, with racks of great gear. Now, I envision a simpler, cleaner environment with fewer pieces, but each piece a "masterpiece" that is functionally, visually and cosmetically excellent.
These days, I'd rather 'collect' vinyl than gear, although upgrading gear is still always on the agenda. But even with the vinyl, I want quality over quantity. I'm getting much pickier about the quality and condition of what records I want to keep.
Yes, the wife is a factor in this; she will be happier in a house with less gear, and making her happy ultimately means more to me than my selfish collecting obsession (although I won't give it up entirely, either. Fortunately, I don't have to).
What ultimately limits me, and has mostly changed me, is simply that I live in an apartment with finite space. I reached the point where the amount of gear I had was more than I could comfortably store in the home. When something exceeds a reasonable space for it, it becomes CLUTTER, even if by itself it is a fine thing. Clutter is BAD. So I'm gradually getting rid of even some pretty good stuff. The stuff that remains will be all the better for being accessible and usable and able to be fully appreciated. Along the way, I'm having fun, learning, and helping take tired old gear and turn it into fixed-up stuff that is bringing pleasure to new owners. When I make a profit on a resale, it allows me to upgrade and to experience more/different gear. Not a bad thing, at all.
Good luck with that honey!
