Big decision...

Evil Undead · #1 08-19-2010, 07:58 AM

I've been having some problems with finances lately, and as much as I hate to say it, I've been eyeballing my gear to see if there's anything I can do without.

First things first, the Warwick isn't going anywhere! It's my most prized possession, and it's the thing that's really made me enjoy playing bass.

Now, I have a couple of options, but they're tough choices.

Firstly, my amp doesn't get much use - I don't plug it in at all at home (I use POD Farm mainly) and since the band started rehearsing at a new practice space I use whatever amp is there so I don't have to cart mine up and down two flights of stairs. Do I sell it off and just get something smaller and cheaper, or do I hang on to it in the knowledge that I will need it again (and I know I will at some point, but when)?

Secondly, I have two guitars, one electric and one acoustic. I don't play them much as I don't enjoy playing guitar as much as I enjoy bass. But there are two reasons why I'm not sure I want to sell them - I use them for recording, just to stick a simple guitar riff or solo over something (I don't think metal would sound quite the same without guitars!) and also, my Mrs likes the sound of me playing guitar more. I guess it's an instrument that just sounds nicer to other people when played solo. She likes the bass better when it's in
the mix. Haha, she doesn't like it when I slap the bass at all!!! So if I sell my guitars, I feel like I might regret it and need to lay down a guitar track or something.

Third option is that I keep everything and just carry on struggling to pay off my ridiculous debts and get by month to month (and not be able to buy the wah pedal I’ve been longing for or get my next tattoo for ages!)

So would you guys be able to give me some opinions? I'm so stuck.

MalcolmAmos · #2 08-19-2010, 09:27 AM

Most you can expect is half what you paid. I don't have all that much stuff, but, I did trade in a banjo I no longer played and got half - on a trade in. Out right cash will be less.

I'd say hang on to what you've got and forgo more pedals and tattoos.

dwm74 · #3 08-19-2010, 12:35 PM

Yeah, I have a roomful of guitars and stompboxes, but knowing I'd get pennies on the dollar for them makes it wiser for me to keep them than practically give them away.

Although I have sold a few items on craigslist and got what I asked, most of the time people have the mindset that offering less than half will seal the deal. I'm not that desperate...yet.

I'd hang on to what you have...you just might need it someday, and couldn't replace it for what you'd sell it for.

BigOldHarry · #4 08-19-2010, 12:37 PM

I do this all the time. I don't know ANY musician who doesn't. I look at it as recycling - someone will get good use out of the gear, and then when you have more $$, you buy someone elses gear and enjoy something new! Of course, I by 99% used gear, so don't take much of a hit, overall (hence my always badgering folks to buy used gear!)

cbrophy · #5 08-19-2010, 12:49 PM

Is your gear paid off? If so, selling it ain't gonna change your debt any!!! Pay a bill or two this week with the cash....how does that help in the log run....Keep what you got...do not incur any new debts until current ones are paid off. No new Tatoos...No new pedals. Of course, if your gear is currently part of your montly bills...It might be time to rid yourself of it!

Evil Undead · #6 08-19-2010, 01:10 PM

True true. It's pretty rare for a musician to not do it I guess.

No, my gear isn't part of my monthly bills, fortunately. It's all mine.
My monthly bills consist of rent and the usual boring bill stuff, and a hefty loan that I got a long time ago when I was younger and even more stupid lol

I was thinking about this when I was driving home in the car. I don't think I really wanna sell any of my gear... I've been pretty stressed about finances lately which is why I've been eyeing up my gear.

One of the other reasons I was thinking about selling the guitars is that I wonder sometimes if I don't progress or improve enough because I'm trying to work on two instruments. But I don't play the guitars often at all, literally just for recording. When I get up, or get home or whatever, I always pick up and play the bass first.

I think I will hang on to my stuff, and just work on paying the debts with my income - it will be tough for quite a long time, but will be better in the long run. I won't be buying any more instruments, I have all that I need in that department.

I guess I could always open a savings account and put a small amount in there every month to save for my Wah....

JMac4strngr · #7 08-19-2010, 01:42 PM

I think everyone goes through the "I wonder if I really need that and I sure could use the cash" gear audit from time to time. For me it allways comes down to my LesPaul or my Tama drum kit, of which I hardly ever play either of them and probably won't ever sell them. If you aren't on the verge of starvation I wouldn't worry too much about selling any of Your stuff. Think of it this way, could you replace any of it for what You'd have to sell it for?

Now, selling gear for GAS money is a whole different matter....... If I picked up a piece of gear I was gasing over, and I turned out not liking it. I would sell it in a hot minute.

Evil Undead · #8 08-19-2010, 01:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JMac4strngr

I think everyone goes through the "I wonder if I really need that and I sure could use the cash" gear audit from time to time. For me it allways comes down to my LesPaul or my Tama drum kit, of which I hardly ever play either of them and probably won't ever sell them. If you aren't on the verge of starvation I wouldn't worry too much about selling any of Your stuff. Think of it this way, could you replace any of it for what You'd have to sell it for?

Now, selling gear for GAS money is a whole different matter....... If I picked up a piece of gear I was gasing over, and I turned out not liking it. I would sell it in a hot minute.

I'm not on the verge of starvation, no. I don't have any food left in the house lol, but pay day is coming tomorrow, so that will help.

For the first time in, I think, ever, I have no gas for instruments. I've been pretty selective about my instruments, and all of them are perfect for me. Especially my bass, which is my absolute prized possession.

I also realised that I haven't played my drum kit much since my neighbour downstairs moved in. But I'll hang on to that as well. It was only about $50 on ebay, and looks awesome sitting with my guitars

and if I eventually get a house instead of an apartment, I'll play it as much as I want then. And be able to plug my bass into the amp haha

The joy of living in an apartment

Mr wiggl3s · #9 08-19-2010, 01:58 PM

Don't pawn your possessions. It's not worth it.

Reevaluate needs and wants. There's always the possibility of a part time job as well.

JMac4strngr · #10 08-19-2010, 02:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Evil Undead

I'm not on the verge of starvation, no. I don't have any food left in the house lol, but pay day is coming tomorrow, so that will help.

For the first time in, I think, ever, I have no gas for instruments. I've been pretty selective about my instruments, and all of them are perfect for me. Especially my bass, which is my absolute prized possession.

I also realised that I haven't played my drum kit much since my neighbour downstairs moved in. But I'll hang on to that as well. It was only about $50 on ebay, and looks awesome sitting with my guitars

and if I eventually get a house instead of an apartment, I'll play it as much as I want then. And be able to plug my bass into the amp haha

The joy of living in an apartment

Ahhh Yes, A house (not apartment) with a dedicated jam room is really what you need with that much gear. As not to bother the neighbors. I don't miss apartments at all!

Evil Undead · #11 08-19-2010, 03:10 PM

as soon as my situation improves and my debts are paid I'll start the hunt for a house!

3 bedrooms - one for sleeping, one for a jam room for me, and one for an art studio for Mrs Evil Undead

BurningSkies · #12 08-19-2010, 03:16 PM

If you get a gig where you need an amp and you've sold yours...you're screwed.

If you sell your amp, buy a small one, then have a show where you need an amp...your still screwed.

...oh, and your band would be screwed too.

JMac4strngr · #13 08-19-2010, 03:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Evil Undead

as soon as my situation improves and my debts are paid I'll start the hunt for a house!

3 bedrooms - one for sleeping, one for a jam room for me, and one for an art studio for Mrs Evil Undead

Yes, thats a great Idea. The house I rented before my wife and I lived together was a three bedroom. I lived there by myself, so I had a Bedroom, a Jam Room, and a guest/ Junk storage bedroom.
When we bought our house we have now, we spent the extra dough and bought a five bedroom. So I have a Jam room and she has an art studio, as well as a guest bedroom, and office.

Floor space is clearly the best investment You'll ever make.

hrodbert696 · #14 08-19-2010, 03:42 PM

The only thing about selling stuff when in a budget crunch is that you can only do it once. If the problem is that you don't have enough money on a month-to-month basis to pay the bills, then selling an amp or whatever will only help you catch up THIS month -- then the money's gone, the amp's gone, and you still have to pay that bill next month all over again. If stuff is cluttering up your home that you never use, then sure, sell it. But if this is a bigger cash flow problem, you need to either cut running expenses or increase your regular income.

Chowowbus · #15 08-19-2010, 04:40 PM

If you are a gigging bassist, you need your bass and amp.
Keep that amp. Thats what I would do.
Good luck with all that.

Jim Campbell · #16 08-19-2010, 06:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Evil Undead

I've been having some problems with finances lately, and as much as I hate to say it, I've been eyeballing my gear to see if there's anything I can do without.

First things first, the Warwick isn't going anywhere! It's my most prized possession, and it's the thing that's really made me enjoy playing bass.

Now, I have a couple of options, but they're tough choices.

Firstly, my amp doesn't get much use - I don't plug it in at all at home (I use POD Farm mainly) and since the band started rehearsing at a new practice space I use whatever amp is there so I don't have to cart mine up and down two flights of stairs. Do I sell it off and just get something smaller and cheaper, or do I hang on to it in the knowledge that I will need it again (and I know I will at some point, but when)?

Secondly, I have two guitars, one electric and one acoustic. I don't play them much as I don't enjoy playing guitar as much as I enjoy bass. But there are two reasons why I'm not sure I want to sell them - I use them for recording, just to stick a simple guitar riff or solo over something (I don't think metal would sound quite the same without guitars!) and also, my Mrs likes the sound of me playing guitar more. I guess it's an instrument that just sounds nicer to other people when played solo. She likes the bass better when it's in
the mix. Haha, she doesn't like it when I slap the bass at all!!! So if I sell my guitars, I feel like I might regret it and need to lay down a guitar track or something.

Third option is that I keep everything and just carry on struggling to pay off my ridiculous debts and get by month to month (and not be able to buy the wah pedal I’ve been longing for or get my next tattoo for ages!)

So would you guys be able to give me some opinions? I'm so stuck.

keep your gear,----can the tattoo,at least for now.....and maybe look into consolidating some loans in to a lower interest rate....lots of ways to economize,car pooling,brown bag lunches,starbucks withdrawal,cigarettes.....etc.....