Contentment is the key to curbing GAS

Lowner · #1 06-10-2006, 09:23 AM

I am content with the gear I have. I don't need to have a fancy bas with a quilted maple top or gold hardware or some huge amp that could shatter glass when it rumbles. If you like how your instuments feel and you like how they sound then I see no need to have GAS. the only thing I have bought for my bass in the last 6 months has been strings. I am that content with the basses and gear I have. I even sold a few basses that I no longer played and kept the ones I like the most. So im my opinion, GAS can be curbed by being satisfied and content with what you already have.

These are just my musings. What do you think?

BurningSkies · #2 06-10-2006, 09:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lowner

I am content with the gear I have. I don't need to have a fancy bas with a quilted maple top or gold hardware or some huge amp that could shatter glass when it rumbles. If you like how your instuments feel and you like how they sound then I see no need to have GAS. the only thing I have bought for my bass in the last 6 months has been strings. I am that content with the basses and gear I have. I even sold a few basses that I no longer played and kept the ones I like the most. So im my opinion, GAS can be curbed by being satisfied and content with what you already have.

These are just my musings. What do you think?

I love my basses. I know them all pretty well...you can't spend 3+ hours a day with an instrument and not get to treat it like family. But that didn't stop me from ordering a new one. I'm content with my current number one, but I also like shiny and new every once in a while.

Maybe its a guy thing.

morf · #3 06-10-2006, 10:18 AM

I also think its a guy thing

WalterBush · #4 06-10-2006, 10:28 AM

Gee, I love my main bass to death, and could happily use it and only it for the rest of my life.

That doesn't stop me from GASsing for the 5 string version of my XM-2.

Maybe it is a guy thing. If I had the 5 string version, I'd want the wide-spaced 5er, or the 6 string

Snarf · #5 06-10-2006, 10:55 AM

The only things that I really want right now are a jazz bass and a custom 6 string to take care of any extended range situations. And maybe an extra speaker cabinet for really loud or outdoor gigs. Other than that, I'm set for now.

Dr. Cheese · #6 06-10-2006, 10:56 AM

Some folks GAS some don't. It depends pretty much on your personality. As the old saying goes, "different strokes for different folks." My GAS has been pretty calm because I know have some obligations that will take precedence over GAS for a pretty extended period. By the way Lowner, fill out your profile so fellow TB'ers can see what gear has made you so content. I'm not judging, I would just like to know.

WalterBush · #7 06-10-2006, 10:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Snarf

The only things that I really want right now are a jazz bass and a custom 6 string to take care of any extended range situations. And maybe an extra speaker cabinet for really loud or outdoor gigs. Other than that, I'm set for now.

So, no GAS except for two basses and a cabinet?

Snarf · #8 06-10-2006, 10:58 AM

Yup. The stuff I have now I really love, but as a working professional, those three things are the three things that will make my stable of gear really complete.

keb · #9 06-10-2006, 11:28 PM

I was browsing through the latest issue of Keyboard magazine the other day (I'm a closet synth geek), and they actually had a little article of sorts on how to curb your GAS. Some of the scenarios included:

1) Pretend you're working with a well-known artist who has, for whatever reason, specifically requested that you use certain gear that happens to be the very gear you own at the moment.
2) For every 15 minutes you spend drooling over gear catalogs (or online, or wherever), spend an equal amount of time playing or writing.
3) Buy new gear as a reward for finishing a new song.

There were others, but I can't remember them right now.

IanStephenson · #10 06-11-2006, 05:22 AM

I had bad GAS years ago. It went away the day I got my Kubicki. It was more than I could really justify spending at the time, but I never wanted to play anything else scince. OK - I have added a fretless, (and a second pre-fender Kubicki fretted), but thats not bad for 15 years.

I think part of the solution is not to waste cash on mediocre equipment - the "it's only $200" stuff. The sort of price you can justify as an impulse buy, but really once the novelty wears off, you're never going to use again, or you're going to want to replace within a few months.

Work out what your dream bass is, and start saving for it. Don't settle anything that isn't EXACTLY what you want. Don't buy stuff to "get you by".

Another tactic I'm trying out is to put £20 away every time I get paid for a gig. Thats my equipment fund, and if I want to buy something it has to come out of the earned money - it's not working so good so far, but I have saved a bit of money...

Ian

SteveC · #11 06-11-2006, 05:32 AM

I am a G.A.S.aholic. I have been better lately. I think some poele G.A.S. more than others. You can also look at and talk about gear without buying. If what you have works, than let it be. We'd all probably be surprised by what was used on some of our favorite recordings.

Chunk-O-Funk · #12 06-11-2006, 09:57 AM

Quote:

Contentment is the key to curbing GAS

I believe this to be true.

I went something like eleven years before buying a new bass. Even when I found myself detuning my E string more often I didn't run out and get a 5 string right away. I bought a Hipshot detuner.

The only thing I did upgrade was my rig and that was because my GK800RB was dying on me and my speaker cab was over 120Lbs.

One thing about the lack of GAS I had was for two reasons though.
1. I'm a practical guy, even though I've always wanted to have a collection of different basses around to fiddle with, I find it hard to cave into an impulse buy.
2. The biggest reason, this was all pre-Internet. The Internet is like a pimp pushing some fine piece of GAS.

It was also pre-Guitar Center. What I mean by that is the availability simply wasn't there back then.

I'm still that practical guy though. I don't have a couple of basses that I would like to have like a P-bass strung with flat wounds, or a nice J-bass. I kind of have it covered with my Lakland, although I know I'll eventually cave in when the timing it right.

ebe9 · #13 06-11-2006, 12:16 PM

I am currently in the process of curbing my gas for basses and amps at the moment, but am getting some equipment for recording purposes, after that I shal have subdued the beast of GAS for a while I hope.

The trick I think is to keep some things new as this aleviates boredom with ones current gear and thus helps to prevent the onset of GAS.

SuperDuck · #14 06-11-2006, 12:46 PM

Another way is to stop idly browsing Talkbass as much, and start practicing more!

You'd be surprised how well it works.