I'm not a great player--mediocre at beest, but I can sing. My right hand is really messed up from a nasty disease that 8 docs and $5,000 out of pocket in treatments hasn't been able to fix. So, in my case good equipment saves my bacon--especially when my right hand's index and long finger look like they've been through a meat grinder. The bottom line, IMO, is a good player can get by with top of the line eqipment, an excellent player can get by even he they're using junk gear, but we all sound better when using the best equipment, even if our talent is limited.

Good post Mo,

Gary

BTW: I typed this with just my left hand. Talk about a handicap!