I often get sucked into the capitalist mindset, one that the ad agencies work hard to cultivate.
“The tools make the artist”.
Especially with certain tools; I’m thinking cameras, computers, software, and instruments primarily, but others do it to a lesser extent I think.
Give Gordon Ramsay a butter knife and he’s still a better chef than I am. Why do I need his signature knife set?
(I feel the need to mention here that the above is not a personal example)
It’s like thinking that getting King’s word processor, or using his settings, and thinking that suddenly you’ll be able to crank out 4000 words a day. It’s baloney (not the meat kind, the kind that doesn’t really exist, hence the spelling).
Or thinking that using the specific brushes that Picasso used will somehow help you understand shapes and color.
The kit is made by the artist’s needs, the artist isn’t made by the kit’s abilities.
I’m sure it is nice for Tim Henson to have custom designed his guitar for his specific needs. But he had to play on the crappy Washburn with decade old strings to get there, and me getting his won’t make me any better.
I’m gonna have to go boot up a computer with Windows XP on it after writing this. Can’t have nice things.
-H.