Less Ebay, More Mel Bay

Ron Plichta · #1 01-24-2008, 06:56 AM

That line comes from a moderator on another forum where I hang out, but I think it's time to take it to heart more personally. Thanks to an inheritance, I can afford some nice gear and wind spending a lot of time (and money) searching for my tonal Nirvana and having a pretty decent arsenal. Of course, I never know when to quit and the Sadowsky siren song is starting to call.

I also take lessons with a really good instructor who understands life happens, but I know that I haven't been as diligent as I could be when it comes time to practice. It's starting to show during lessons, too and I feel bad about that. But it seems like I start each week with the best of intentions and then the gear sits for all but 2-3 days. You know the drill - kids, pets, home repairs, domestic chores, general laziness, etc. The end result is that it's 10-11 pm before I know it and I'm to tired to practice.

So here I am late in January and am finally making a New Year's resolution to ignore the GAS for a while and just learn to play what I own. I'll deal with the Sadowsky later. besides, what good is quality gear if the guy playing it isn't any good?

**DeanT** · #2 01-24-2008, 07:00 AM

I hear ya.

It's hard to control the GAS sometimes. But you have the right attitude. Put the GAS aside for a while and spend more time playing. After all, the gear will still be available six months form now, but your skills won't be any better if you don't practice.

I have the same problem -- trying to find time to practice. It's hard to get it done at midnight after a full day of work, kids, chores, etc. I try to slip it in wherever and whenever I can. It's hard, but necessary.

Chebass88 · #3 01-24-2008, 07:04 AM

Ron,

Great idea! I am following a similar course of action. I am on a rotational assignment in Washington DC for 4 months, and I also have the benefit of earning a nice per diem rate in addition to my salary. I initially thought I might want to buy a boutique high-end bass, but I already have one - my Pedulla Thunderbass ET5.

I am using my time while I am here to work out as much as I can (free access to a great gym), practice as much as I can (no less than 1 hour per day), and eat healthy. Sure, new gear would be awesome, and I can certainly afford it, but I would rather develop a better working knowledge of my instrument & how to use it. I still look at TB during breaks at work, though!

imp

Ron Plichta · #4 01-24-2008, 07:08 AM

The frustrating part is that my instructor is REALLY good and is giving me all sorts of ideas, but I rarely get to hone them to perfection. I could be a lot better bassist if I spent time working onthe instruction material instead of GASing for another bass/amp/cab when I have so much stuff already (and I'm even trying to unload stuff).

**DeanT** · #5 01-24-2008, 07:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ron Plichta

The frustrating part is that my instructor is REALLY good and is giving me all sorts of ideas, but I rarely get to hone them to perfection. I could be a lot better bassist if I spent time working onthe instruction material instead of GASing for another bass/amp/cab when I have so much stuff already (and I'm even trying to unload stuff).

This is where the wife/girlfriend/ significant other can come in handy. They seem to have a natural talent for letting you know when they think you're getting out of control. Questions like "Do you really think you need another bass right now?" are code for "Don't even think about it pal, especially with my birthday, Valentines Day, our anniversary coming up."

Eilif · #6 01-24-2008, 07:17 AM

You're running into what perhaps most people in prosperous nations deal with to some degree, the ability to acquire without having to work that hard. It's not your fault it's just that in many places of the world, work pays well, and stuff is, by comparison, cheap.

Consider making reward goals for yourself. Music teachers for kids do it all the time, and there is no reason to assume it can't work for you.

Example: for every week that you practice __ hours, you get a point, after __ points you get to purchase ___ piece of gear that you have been wanting.

Make the goals just about, or a bit beyond what seems "reasonalble" to you. It takes some discipline, but I am sure it will be worth it. You get the gear, and you get better!

As was suggested above, a Wife/girlfriend can really help you to be disciplined, if you are humble enough to use take advantage of their help.

sublime0bass · #7 01-24-2008, 07:18 AM

happy medium? spend some loot on a nice drum machine or recording setup. I'd reccommend the boss micro br, but think of something that will improve your playing

perucci · #8 01-24-2008, 10:03 AM

I agree that GAS is no substitute for practice.

I think it is probably best to have more than one bass (differing in string-types, # strings, or basic "sound"), but it seems easy to become a "bass collector".

Now, if I had more disposable income, I might feel differently...

debassr · #9 01-24-2008, 10:26 AM

This thread just made me want to go practice. Going right now...

RiddimKing · #10 01-24-2008, 10:43 AM

This thread makes me want to go bid on something...

Humblerumble · #11 01-24-2008, 10:54 AM

I am kinda mixing the two. Last week I ordered one of the Tascam MP3 Bass Trainers. Often when I have the time to practice, my wife is watching tv or working on her computer. She never complains but I feel bad anyway. I figured I could get one of the Bass Trainers load it up with stuff I am trying to learn and do it quietly without interrupting her life as well

debassr · #12 01-24-2008, 11:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Humblerumble

I am kinda mixing the two. Last week I ordered one of the Tascam MP3 Bass Trainers. Often when I have the time to practice, my wife is watching tv or working on her computer. She never complains but I feel bad anyway. I figured I could get one of the Bass Trainers load it up with stuff I am trying to learn and do it quietly without interrupting her life as well

Or, you could get her a guitar and spend some quality time together both learning.

whitedk57 · #13 01-25-2008, 04:16 PM

What if you develop GAS for instructional material like DVDs, books, and CDs? I have that GAS too, and then I don't sit down and work through the exercises.

kesslari · #14 01-25-2008, 05:42 PM

More Mel Bay, Less Ebay - that makes a good mantra...

debassr · #15 01-25-2008, 05:44 PM

I get the jist of this thread but what is actually meant by "Mel Bay"? I thought it was just a typo for "Me Bay" until others started referencing it too.

hbarcat · #16 01-25-2008, 07:30 PM

I bought this DVD of Tommy Emmanuel Live at Sheldon Hall from ebay and it's a Mel Bay Productions. Watching this guy play really inspired me to practice a lot more.

http://cgi.ebay.com/Tommy-Emmanuel-L...QQcmdZViewItem

kirkm24 · #17 01-25-2008, 07:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ron Plichta

So here I am late in January and am finally making a New Year's resolution to ignore the GAS for a while and just learn to play what I own. I'll deal with the Sadowsky later. besides, what good is quality gear if the guy playing it isn't any good?

That's a great resolution that all of us should make. Plus, it looks like you already have some really nice gear per your profile. I'd say you're good to go.

kesslari · #18 02-04-2008, 06:08 PM

Found myself idly starting to browse gear that I don't need.
Remembered this thread...
Thanks

Beta · #19 02-06-2008, 01:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by debassr

I get the jist of this thread but what is actually meant by "Mel Bay"? I thought it was just a typo for "Me Bay" until others started referencing it too.

If you haven't figured it out yet, Mel Bay is a publisher of music instruction books, etc.

I suspect that many of the members here had instructors that used these method books. I still have vols. 1 and 2 of the electric bass method (with the hideous pink and blue covers, no less) from when I started taking lessons.

ERIC31 · #20 10-01-2011, 11:57 PM

I was just on Ebay over the last few days lusting over new basses when this very thought came into my head.....More Mel Bay, Less Ebay. It's like.."am I as good as I want to be? Can I play anything that I want and any style? Are my sight reading skills as good as they need to be? To all of those questions the same answer came up....NO!

Time to dig out my Mel Bay Bass Method Vol. 1 & 2 books and get to work!!