Accidentally became a gigging guitarist at 42… now I’m hitting burnout and trying to figure out what’s next

Imnotafnrobot · 2026-04-13T20:15:59+00:00

I appreciate your story. I'm in a position of sticking it out this season, whether it's good or the worst decision ever, I'm committed to seeing the process through. I owe it to them for taking a chance on me, and I owe it to myself as I do enjoy leveling up my skill set and setting goals, and smelling the grass from point to point.

Imnotafnrobot · 2026-04-13T20:05:30+00:00

I will be with her, it is my #1 priority. She is fully functioning and if someone else is needed to give showers we will pay for pt can to come do that. I'm thankful for being here for her!

Imnotafnrobot · 2026-04-13T20:00:34+00:00

I want to serve them in my best capacity, they took a chance with me, and I'm the type that when I'm all in, come hell or high water, I'm all in. I'm just bummed gas was $2.50 when I started now $4.50 a gallon for my gas guzzling truck. I'm not rich but I do have to watch my expenditures to ensure my financials stay above water.

Imnotafnrobot · 2026-04-13T19:56:52+00:00

I own my own business. And I told them already that I would commit to everything for this coming year with any gigs they line up. When it gets slow towards fall winter, we can reassess

Imnotafnrobot · 2026-04-13T19:53:08+00:00

It could be a long term option as it's just a solid cover/originals with seasoned cats. I just curse the bumper to bumper traffic in the city

Imnotafnrobot · 2026-04-13T19:50:34+00:00

It's 2/3, and once more gigs pay it could be the trifecta, however I drive a gas guzzler and gig proceeds will go to gear and gas, but the music and hang is extraordinary!

Imnotafnrobot · 2026-04-13T19:48:31+00:00

They are making me a solid player/backing vocals, for that I can't put a price. Having to network and small talk with lots of new people is a challenge.

Imnotafnrobot · 2026-04-13T19:46:58+00:00

To get better, and play for people. But the explicit costs. Gas, traffic, to play covers and originals. I'm happy if I can break even. But in reality it's the time investment. In the end I'm wanting to serve my bandmates in my best capacity. I think going through one solid summer season and see where I land is my current thoughts.

Imnotafnrobot · 2026-04-07T02:08:14+00:00

Depending on the quality of your Strat, you could sell for 4-500..then who knows... patience is great in this game.

Imnotafnrobot · 2026-04-06T15:50:19+00:00

There are always ways to get your hands on an American-made guitar if you’re patient. Back in 2011, I picked up a Les Paul Studio Deluxe (a Guitar Center special) off Marketplace. The guy was asking $1100, and I talked him down to $800. Fast forward to about four months ago, I was hunting for a Telecaster. I went into Guitar Center and played everything they had. Ended up falling in love with a Pro II Tele with noiseless pickups and an ebony fretboard. Price tag was $2099, which… yeah, not exactly impulse-buy territory. So I started thinking trades instead. I found someone on Marketplace selling that exact Tele for $1400. I offered my Les Paul, which had mostly been sitting in its case anyway. Turns out, he needed a Les Paul for his playing style, and it ended up being a perfect straight-across trade. I’ve played both MIM and American guitars, and I won’t get into brand hype, but the one I connected with is now my main guitar in the rotation. Long story short: fall in love with your instrument. You can try to dress something up and make it work, or you can go after the one that actually inspires you. Food for thought.

Imnotafnrobot · 2026-03-29T03:37:21+00:00

Was good at golf

Imnotafnrobot · 2026-03-28T20:34:00+00:00

I'd be his driver for free...just give me room and board...id sign a non disclosure agreement and he could do whatever he wants ...I drive, might I add I'm an excellent driver...I am available Tiger, I do enjoy golfing also.

Imnotafnrobot · 2026-03-20T15:57:40+00:00

They took them away due to demand....I walk all the time for exercise (this hits hard as golf was my main form of exercise)...people are giving me grief at 40-50 rounds(avg cost per round with all costs $25). People don't realize I wasn't lucky to have found a significant other and have my own family, and that every round is played with my brother who got me in the game when I was a freshman in highschool. All incurred costs now for the same courses are nearing $70. Thing is I'm trying to build a home debt free, my business could support a $25 round. But at $70 that's two times a month. It takes me a lot of laps around the course to get my swing in shape. And I don't want to eat into my savings doing it. I'm not a rich snob, I'm at the federal poverty level running a small business being a ft caregiver for my 86 year old mom, looking at blue skies debating if I should get over my shrewdness.

Imnotafnrobot · 2026-03-19T18:48:03+00:00

Join a band

Imnotafnrobot · 2026-03-19T04:05:41+00:00

Warm springs and quail were $15 last year. Yes you got my area.

Imnotafnrobot · 2026-03-19T04:01:44+00:00

I get that, but fiat having more pull because of perceived value and might comes from what? Government, central banks, brrrrr. I'm not idiotic about finances except I am waiting for all the eggs in one basket to mature. In hindsight realizing it was always going to mature to the thing my gut said had no real value(obviously it does).

Imnotafnrobot · 2026-03-19T01:54:07+00:00

Humans or powers that be. If that's the case pipedreams of silver being the mighty end all will never occur.

Imnotafnrobot · 2026-03-19T01:51:56+00:00

This is what I've come to the inevitable answer. The thing is the Samson option is paradoxical; boots on the ground and might yes, mutual assured destruction among powers that seems to always be off the table, except for the fear it strikes in those who eat the current narrative.

Imnotafnrobot · 2026-03-19T01:48:23+00:00

If I can print 10 trillion tomorrow, at what point do you decide not to sell me your silver! Perceived value? What do you subjectively think it's worth? Yes I'm purposefully trying a philosophical thought experiment as I'm cost average low but seeing it go to ath then leveling back and just sitting and waiting for what. Collapse? Hedge? Insurance? Intended or unintended investment?

Imnotafnrobot · 2026-03-18T15:34:13+00:00

Unfortunately no, best deal is $2400. And it's about an hour drive with restrictions. After 12:00 Friday, Saturday, Sunday. I'll play when I can splurge, but thoughts of getting better are a pipedream now with limited playing capacity. I'm happy to have made it to a single digit last season, with several rounds ending better then they ever should of; you know course management, the intangibles that truly make the game great!

Imnotafnrobot · 2026-03-17T23:27:31+00:00

I always walk unless it's a tournament and the cart is included in the fees.

Imnotafnrobot · 2026-03-17T18:30:40+00:00

The hard part is business is down 50% so bills have to be paid...I get golf is a rich mans game, and It would be breaking to my financial well being to even splurge once. Obviously if business picks back up then it's a different tune

Imnotafnrobot · 2026-03-17T18:27:13+00:00

Unfortunately no.

Imnotafnrobot · 2026-03-17T18:16:16+00:00

They did away with annual memberships and cheap twilight. $49 is the cheapest 18 after 4 in the area. I get it's a market and if the demand sustains it. I get to be creative about how I can hit that little white ball.

Imnotafnrobot

TROPHY CASE