Demonic Machines

The Curious Obsession of Guitarists with New Old-Stock Parts

Greetings, fellow music enthusiasts and gear junkies! Today, we embark on a journey into the peculiar world of guitarists and their love affair with what some might call “old bullshit.” Yes, y’all, we’re talking about the unabated infatuation with new old-stock parts that seems to consume guitarists of all walks of life.

For the uninitiated, new old-stock (NOS) parts refer to components manufactured ages ago, often gathering dust in some forgotten corner of a warehouse. These relics of a bygone era somehow find their way into the hands of guitarists who believe that these vintage ingredients possess a sonic secret sauce that modern counterparts simply cannot replicate.

Now, I must confess that as a fellow guitarist, I too have fallen under the spell of NOS parts. There’s something undeniably captivating about the thought that a few capacitors or a set of potentiometers could transform your six-stringed companion into an otherworldly tone machine. It’s as if the mere presence of these archaic treasures adds an intangible aura of musical mojo to our humble instruments.

But let’s take a moment to reflect on this phenomenon rationally, shall we? We’re talking about components that have been sitting untouched for decades, gathering dust and potentially experiencing various environmental changes. And yet, guitarists line up to acquire these artifacts, trading their hard-earned cash for what essentially boils down to “old bullshit.”

In defense of these NOS enthusiasts, they argue that the vintage components were crafted during a time when quality reigned supreme. There’s some truth to this claim, as many guitarists fondly reminisce about the golden age of guitar manufacturing. However, it’s crucial to remember that advancements in technology have improved the quality of modern guitar parts too.

But who needs logic and reason when there’s an opportunity to chase the mythical dragon of vintage tone, right? We embrace this quest with the fervor of Don Quixote charging at windmills, armed with our credit cards and a misplaced sense of purpose.

And so, the guitarists hunt down rare tubes, meticulously test vintage capacitors, and scour the darkest corners of the internet to locate that elusive set of pre-CBS potentiometers. The pursuit becomes an obsession, a holy grail quest that overshadows the joy of playing music itself.

Meanwhile, the rest of the world looks on, bewildered and perhaps slightly amused. Non-guitarists scratch their heads, wondering why anyone would willingly spend exorbitant amounts of money on components that essentially serve as glorified switches and knobs. The fascination with NOS parts becomes a peculiar idiosyncrasy, a collective hallucination shared by guitarists across the globe.

But who am I to judge? If the quest for the perfect vintage tone brings joy to your heart and a smile to your face, then let it be. After all, music is a personal journey, and if a few dusty relics help you connect with your instrument on a deeper level, then more power to you.

So, my fellow guitarists, as we embark on our eternal quest for the ultimate tone, let’s celebrate the quirks and idiosyncrasies that make us who we are. Whether it’s NOS parts, boutique pedals, or any other strange obsession we hold dear, let’s revel in our collective madness and make some beautiful music with our cherished instruments, old bullshit and all.