Downgrading

BulbousMoses · #1 09-12-2011, 07:46 AM

Have you ever had to downgrade your gear due to financial necessity? If so, how did you feel about it? Was it depressing or were you happy that you were still able to have gear to play?

Ubersheist · #2 09-12-2011, 10:11 AM

Yes, and I have. I got rid of my EBS Fafner head, and the SWR cab I was running. Best sounding set up I ever had. I was broke and needed money.... It sucked, but it wasn't the end of my playing. I still have a decent Carvin combo amp and an Aguilar cab that's too punchy for my taste)

I also had been playing a $2000 Warwick Thumb for many years. I haven't sold it, but my main bass is now a $400 Danelectro semihollow bass because it has such a unique and crazy awesome tone unlike any other bass I've ever played. Whenever I need an extended range bass, I always go for a $75 Ibby 305 SGR bass that I painted all crazy. It plays just 'ok,' but it looks great on stage.

While I'm not a virtuoso by any stretch of the word, I am a good enough player to make almost any amp work for me, and almost any bass, so long as it's at least moderately playable. Any bass player worth their weight should be able to do the same.

Phendyr_Loon · #3 09-12-2011, 10:25 AM

Since I don't play out much anymore and the cash can be used elsewhere I've justified selling a majority of my equipment.
It's especially a bummer to part with basses which I've heavily modded in search for "the sound".
I've always been somewhat envious of others huge collection of equipment, and to think of how it all came together. Now, call me a minimalist, but I can't see owning $1000's in equipment that I don't frequently have a use for. I'm actually happier when I think that someone is getting use out of it.
So I'm down to what will be my only bass, my Fender MIM Deluxe jazz, and one medium sized practice/gigging amp.

mpdd · #4 09-12-2011, 10:27 AM

i got rid of my sunn 2000s when i finished school, not knowing that i would play again sporadically, i like my mesa d180 a lot, but it still bothers me sometimes, because i wonder if i could get a better sound out of the sunn, but i can't afford one now so i guess i'll have to live with the uncertainty

tycobb73 · #5 09-12-2011, 03:51 PM

Yes. Sold my Lull and moved onto a Spector Legend that I upgraded with top of the line EMG electronics. I really miss the Lull but I think my band likes the sound of the Spector better than they would've liked the Lull based on some comments they've made.

Pilgrim · #6 09-12-2011, 05:35 PM

Nope. Once it's bought, it's paid for. Never bought any musical gear on credit, and I won't.

For me to be in enough financial trouble that I'd have to sell basses, I'd have to have a MUCH bigger problem than selling all my basses and bass gear could solve.

I suppose it's a matter of net income, financial situation and how close one is to living paycheck to paycheck.

Muddslide · #7 09-12-2011, 11:50 PM

Yeah, I've had to sell pretty much everything I owned more than once in my life.

I've also lost most or all of my music gear to theft as well as natural disaster.

Really though, there are only 3 or 4 gear-related items that I regret not having any more.

Lookit, next to my friends and family, music is THE ruling passion of my life. I've been playing more than 30 years and hope I always will.

But to me the price or even quality of an instrument you own is secondary to the enjoyment you get from playing it.

I've learned I'm just as happy and content with one or two mid-priced basses than I am with a half-dozen super-expensive basses. In fact, I'm happier in many ways.

anonymous122511 · #8 09-13-2011, 12:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pilgrim

Nope. Once it's bought, it's paid for. Never bought any musical gear on credit, and I won't.

Never had everything stolen with a bread and butter gig to make, eh?
I bought a used Tokai Jazz and GK 800RB on credit once after my rack system and '78 Stingray were stolen out of my car on Sunday and I had a six nighter (the first of a several week road trip) starting Monday. That was all I could afford to do. It was very depressing but I kept my gig and eventually bought a new '57 re-issue Pre I still have 30 years later.

The Lemon · #9 09-13-2011, 01:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BulbousMoses

Have you ever had to downgrade your gear due to financial necessity? If so, how did you feel about it? Was it depressing or were you happy that you were still able to have gear to play?

Nope. Then again, you can't downgrade but so much from where I'm at... Then again, I could always end up selling my stuff for rent and playing a washtub.

BulbousMoses · #10 09-13-2011, 08:21 AM

I've had to sell equipment at various points in my life because I needed the money but I'm a little wiser now and I make sure I can truly afford a gear purchase before I make it. I've also adopted a more minimalist approach to gear. That way, it's easier to get to know your equipment and all the nuances of the bass, amp, etc..

dwm74 · #11 09-14-2011, 01:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BulbousMoses

Have you ever had to downgrade your gear due to financial necessity? If so, how did you feel about it? Was it depressing or were you happy that you were still able to have gear to play?

Unfortunately, yeah. We'd been sliding downward for the past two years due to several unforeseen circumstances. In that time I had to let go of a Ray34, a very nice '02 MIM P-bass, and my Genz Benz 410 cab. I had bought most of that gear with the intention of playing out, but due to circumstances, I just couldn't make that kind of commitment with other crap going on, so it was really not a difficult decision to get what I could for that gear.

Now I'm down to just one bass, a '94 MIM P-bass, a G&K Backline 600 amp, and a old used Peavey 210 cab. Depressing? Somewhat, but I felt fortunate that I was able to unload most of that gear at a minimal loss, and my current setup is still plenty good enough for what I need at the moment. Makes me appreciate it even more.