Can't stop buying stuff..

[Indiana Mike]

Originally Posted by baileyboy

Poverty is the cure.

+1

[Nev375]

Originally Posted by Art Araya

warning - i'm gonna get all philosophical/spiritual on you!

the desire for more stuff is not just a bassist phenomenon. the lust for more stuff is a common condition of mankind.

women with too many shoes or handbags (insert women and shopping generalization here)
men with too many toys
geeks having to always buy the latest/greatest technology
leaders amassing huge wealth while their people go hungry

bigger house, newer cars, nicer clothes, etc....

hence our massive debt problems.

Recognition is the first step in getting off this carousel.

You realize this is the metaphorical equivalent of having an AA meeting at the local bar.

[Nashrakh]

Plus it's quite an empty essentialist statement that the lust for more is a "common condition of mankind". The need to surround yourself with material belongings to fill the void in your soul is not exactly new but not a phenomenon that has haunted human history through all its epochs and different cultures. It's a pretty western phenomenon that is unbeknownst to most indigenious peoples and if you check Marcel Mauss's "The Gift" (an anthropological study) you will also find reverse cases where your status was measured by your generosity.

So much for the common condition.

Now on with the GAS, I feel a mighty need myself.

[SolarMan]

My GAS from here on out will only consist of (relatively) cheap iPad apps.

I am heading to more recording and the cost of hardware is outrageous. When I realized everything I need to do can be done with the iPad and the right apps, I was freed from spending crazy money. (Except for on the iPad and an interface!)

Then I discovered JamUp XT, so even my rig is in my iPad.

The future of cheap virtual gear is here, and cheap only in price.


Ahhhhhhhhh, that feels better!


(Wife likes it too!)

[worxforme]

When something is missing, we buy things to fill that void.

When we figure out what's missing (it has to do with one or more of the trifecta; mind, body and/or spirit) then we don't have the urge to buy...anything more than the necessities.

Things beyond necessities we buy because of how they make us feel or the end results, not really for the item itself. If we buy a cool new car, we buy transportation to where ever we go and how cool/smart/successful we will feel when we drive it.

If your mentally have some issues or you stopped learning long ago, talk to a professional and/or learn a new hobby or take a class on something new. You could even work on your music theory (Mind) If your out of shape, get in shape. (Body) If you feel a sense that there must be more to all this than just the egocentric you, find a religion, spiritual path or at the very least, an organization to belong to that you are part of and contribute to...even like TalkBass (Spirit)

I know this because I lived this and I decided I needed to change. It worxforme but ymmv!

[powmetalbassist]

Its an enevitability. I thought I was done. Had 2 basses that I thught were Ideal, my newer light weight rig with pedal board (see signature) I was good.....for about 6 months. Just bought a 1990 Ibanez SR1000. It comes and goes.

Also he's right. Someone said there is a natural need for more stuff. Read some hobbes and Locke and you will see how true this is. Hobbes says the right to self presevation is all that is natural. Buying bass gear is a way of preserving your youth and past self (who really wants to grow up and get a real job, wife, kids). If thats what you really wanted there would be no elderly musicians, or middle aged men buying sports cars. People are after their escapist dreams be it Money, Power, Younger women/men, something to make them feel better about where they are in their life currently.

Thats my take on it.

[CPplaysBASS]

Not sure how others feel, but my insatiable desire to buy gear I don't really need started only after reading the TB forums I realized I had hit rock bottom as I sat in my living room trying to use my newly purchased Ebow. Considering I only started playing bass in 2006, the combined "currently owned gear" and "previously owned gear" lists in my profile makes my free-wheeling ways clear to all.

My survival tips to limit the amount of wasted money (since you will end up with purchases that you regret):

- buy from retailers with generous "no questions asked" 30-day return policies.

- sell gear you're no longer using before you buy new gear.

- buy used when possible so you can resell at pretty much the same price you purchased at.

- take care of your gear and don't go nuts customizing unless it's somthing you want to keep for the rest of your life. Customizing generally hurts resale value.

I really force myself to stick to rule #2 ... at this point, I really like all the gear I have. I will force myself to sell something before buying something else though. That means I REALLY want it. I don't get too philosophical about it ... I love learning about new gear and have fun with it. It's a hobby of sorts. A few rules keeps me from going too far over the edge.

[BassSurfer]

This may sound funny to you, but something I have been doing as of late is throwing away or discarding all of my shipping supplies and or boxes so I am FORCED to keep whatever I have. I have discovered that I am much LESS likely to sell or buy something if I don't have the proper materials for shipping the item out.

You can easily make an argument and say "well, you can go outside and look for a box or order some from U Line or some other source," but that is less likely to happen for me atleast because it may mean I have to pay to get those materials (or drive to find a box)

I also agree with joebar, when you actually sit down, with your instrument, settings on flat, nothing fancy, no effects, pedals, other "tone enhancements" etc... you are more likely to respect and admire what you have already as opposed to trying new things out every week or two.