How much do you listen to someone who tells you how you should be playing something differently on the guitar, or how you should change your amp settings or brands, etc? If the guy is someone I know, or have heard of and I respect thier playing, I'll listen and maybe even try it. If it's a drunk, I usually say thanks and walk away. Maybe if it's someone who has come out and heard the band or me play for a while, I tend to consider what they have to say too.
Once, I had a some young kid, who looked like a rock and roller, ask me how do you get such a good sound out of such crappy gear? At the time I had a MIM Strat and I think a 212 Peavey Ranger running thru a compressor and a delay. I just smiled and said "it's not the gear, it's the player". The biggest complaint I get from everyone is too much volume, or that I'm running to much delay or high end.

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Life is like a sh*t sandwich. The more bread you have, the less sh*t you have to eat.

I don't take criticism well at all,especially from a drunk or a wannabee.
Now if it was Dickey Betts or Warren Haynes or Billy Gibbons or somebody like that,I'd listen...not that I can play as well as they do but it's that THEY can play really well,and I might learn something to help me.
But most of the really good players I've been around seem to show some respect,it seems like the people who are the most vocal critics are the ones not so talented.
ymmv....

sounds to me like you got a pretty good attitude about this already. i've played thru my $4000 dollar rig and my current 212 peavey. i sounded like crap thru both in my opinion.
gear don't make a player.

The biggest criticism I get from people is to much gain

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riley

I take it very well. Be a man and take it on the chin. Most people want to help a players growth yet some people take it really personally like you just walked into their house on Christmas day and pissed on their kids.

I love criticism. It helps me grow as a professional and first and foremost as player for my own enjoyment.

If you can't take it criticism then you have little right to give it in my book.

Just my 2 cents.

CC

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Fender Stratocaster (parts build)
Fender Telecaster 72 Custom RI
Fender Telecoustic Deluxe
Gretsch Electromatic Pro-Jet
Gibson Les Paul Standard Plus
Gibson ES-135
Zenith Type-17
Marshall 70's JMP Superbass 100w
Blackstar HT-5

You have to make YOU happy. Don't worry about it. Use what you like and don't worry about the criticism. It's only equipment, never take it personally and you'll be fine.

I should have paid more attention to the posts. Didn't realise it was equipment based. Like you said, it's the player, not the equipment! I've been making a comfortable living using MIM stuff for years now.

CC

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Fender Stratocaster (parts build)
Fender Telecaster 72 Custom RI
Fender Telecoustic Deluxe
Gretsch Electromatic Pro-Jet
Gibson Les Paul Standard Plus
Gibson ES-135
Zenith Type-17
Marshall 70's JMP Superbass 100w
Blackstar HT-5

As I have stated 20 times there are a ton of guys out there with the most expensive gear who really cant play more than three chords and swear they are something special or even act snooty because of the gear they have, and then there are those who can just play. I will take talent over gear any day of the week. I am always open to hear what someone has to say, and will know in a minute if they know what they are talking about.

I love it when I get suggestions or tips for playing better... Its the "you suck" without any feedback comments I don't like...

I don't mind if you say I suck.. Just tell me how I can get better along with that.. or what I can do differently... But sometimes after 25 years of playing I think this is it... This is the best I will ever be... Kind of depressing...

But y'all need to learn to take rejection... I used to know a guy who was kind of fat and ugly.. and he used to get the hottest women... like george on Seingfeld.. He told me he just played the law of averages... and would get one phone number out of every 10 trys...

And yes, listen to even the drunk guy... some of the best players to live had a substance abuse problem.. so you never know...

My first jazz band leader would tear into me once in a while and would always criticize me (and others) in front of everyone else... I didn't mind it at all... He was almost always correct and I thank him so much for doing it...

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In Reference to Blues Legend RL Burnside:
After a heart attack in 2001, Burnside's doctor advised him to stop drinking; Burnside did, but he reported that change left him unable to play.

sometimes you have to NOT make YOU happy if you want to get paid...

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In Reference to Blues Legend RL Burnside:
After a heart attack in 2001, Burnside's doctor advised him to stop drinking; Burnside did, but he reported that change left him unable to play.

seems like you have a handle on it, play on Bro.

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you can save the world with your guitar one love song at a time it's just better, more fun, easier with a fender solid body electric guitar or electric bass guitar.

I've had people nearly roll their eyes at me when they see my gear. Ten year old Squier Affinity Strat, off brand overdrive. I even overheard a conversation at Guitar Center where a guy was just railing on MIM Fender amps, like mine.

Sometimes I wish I could have an American Strat and a vintage Super Reverb, but I actually like it when people assume that my gear is crappy. It's less likely to get stolen and it really surprises people that it doesn't sound like crap. Although I think the Texas Specials in the Squier definitely help.

As for advise and constructive criticism, coming from most people I like it. There are a lot of great players who've helped me a lot of things. I even listen to what the people in audience have to say. But there are some things that I take with a grain of salt. Am I going to switch to a Telecaster because some dude said to? Well no, not really.

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Website: http://www.rebeccalaird.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rebeccalairdmusic
Twitter: https://twitter.com/beckslaird
Instagram: http://instagram.com/beckslaird

I'm right there with you Texasguitarslinger. I actually do have a couple of higher end Strats, but I mainly play my Squiers through SS Fender 85, Roland JC-50,and now a newly acquired Ampeg SS70. I just rotate them. I once played in front of about 3,000 people with a Squier and Marshall MG-50 (mic'd). Nobody was the wiser, or even cared.

I usually get the same cynicism from other guitar players at first. Then after our set, it's a different reaction.

I'll let you know when our CD is done. You might be surprised to know which tracks are done with Squier guitars.

I'm usually pretty cool with advice given to me. But once it starts getting out there, like "you should get a $3,000 guitar, $3,000 amp, and 2,000 in boutique pedals". Then I tend to smile, agree, and walk away. Knowing full well it's not going to happen. All my gear together that I typically use live, I don't even think adds up to $600 in gear.

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HaleAmano- House Of Sharks (Now On iTunes)
http://www.reverbnation.com/haleamano
http://www.haleamano.com

and another thing. i have a $1000 LP and and a $800 charvel that i worked my butt off for. which guitars do i play 90% of the time? the rebuilt explorer that you guys helped me with that has a thumbprint visible in the finish and 3 holes where the tone and pu selector were. the other is my MIM strat that was a gift. some might say that both are crappy, why not play the other 2? my answer would be " I like this one better".
mr. celtic, you have a way with words.