GAS or obsessive compulsive disorder Part II

Gear Acquisition Syndrome, or GAS, is a disorder that I first learned about as a guitarist.
Loosely defined, it describes a pattern of behavior where a musician has a compulsive need to acquire the latest and greatest equipment; incessantly fiddle with, modify, and customize their gear; and either end up maintaining an unwieldy collection of instruments, amps, pedals and rack gear, or, endure regular experiences of disappointment and regret over having traded in perfectly good equipment for something that promised to be noticeably better, but wasn't.
In many cases this results in the need to improve and refine one's equipment actually superseding one's own development in becoming a more knowledgeable and skilled player.

GAS or obsessive compulsive disorder

Gear Acquisition Syndrome (sometimes Guitar Acquisition Syndrome, both abbreviated to GAS) is a term used to describe an urge to acquire and accumulate lots of gear.
The term "GAS" was coined by Walter Becker in 1996 in his article G.A.S. in Guitar Player as "Guitar Acquisition Syndrome". The term started to be frequently used by guitarists and spread out to other musicians who were familiar with similar tendencies. As it no longer concerns guitars only, GAS is now commonly backronym

GAS is similar in many ways to obsessive compulsive disorder

GAS hasn't received any major medical attention yet GAS is not a clinical condition, but a psychological .

Further information:

Walter Becker GAS
Brett Ratner Avoiding Gear Acquisition Syndrome