G.A.S problems linked to TB?

klejst · #1 07-20-2011, 08:03 AM

I love this site and have had a very nice experience with people on here for months, however one of the biggest problems I have found at least for myself is my G.A.S levels have been on the rise and higher than ever once I joined this site...anyone else? There is access to a lot of great stuff on this site, however the more I visit TB the more I want more basses, better amps and cabs, etc. I have worked hard to get the setup I have right now which is in my opinion awesome and works great for me and is all I really would need, however then comes that post about a new bass or a cool looking bass in the classifieds which I gotta have, but really don't. Anyone else experience this problem? This is not by any means a knock on TB or any members. I have even thought about deleting my account on here to focus on other things too. Am I crazy?

Kirkowitz · #2 07-20-2011, 08:30 AM

The good thing about sticking around here for a while is that you can see the trends and fads come and go. There's always a new, better, something-or-other about to hit the market and then 6 months to a year later it's on to the next latest and greatest product.
I'm glad to have such a resource for when I do need equipment, because of the depth of the reviews that address actual gig experiences and long term reliability of gear.
My G.A.S. usually flares up the worst when I'm not working. Fewer gigs= more free time to worry about amps/cabs/basses. In those instances, TB can definitely be an enabler. Fortunately, my poverty keeps my G.A.S. in check.

MrMeacham · #3 07-20-2011, 08:33 AM

Lets see...I'm going to respond to thread that says responding to threads causes GAS and keeps me from getting things done.

Right

I have to keep it short because most of my gear doesn't measure up to threads reviews. I have to hide my current effect purchases from the wife while she's out, open up my amp to see if the wiring is pinched, Change my strings from round to flat, find shows with better chicks to stare at and think of a song name that has the word "HOME in it.

So....TB has no effect on GAS or free time at all.

**rhino333** · #4 07-20-2011, 09:18 AM

G.A.S. can be in direct proportion to:

1. The sound you have, and
2. The sound you want.

To that end, I use TB for knowledge. Since becoming a member, I've learned about pedals, amps, configs and playing experience I don't get elsewhere. Because of the knowledge I've gathered, I now own:

A 3 Leaf Audio Groove Regulator
An EBS Octabass
An EBS Dynaverb
A T-Rex Bass Juice
A T-Rex Bass Sweeper
A Pigtronix Envelope Phaser
An Ampeg Portaflex PF-500

All the pedals, I did not know until I heard of them here. Ampeg is a different story. I have MANY Ampegs, however, I used the reviews and info I found here on the PF 500 as a basis for deciding to get one.

G.A.S. is only bad (IMO) if it makes you buy things "willy-nilly". For me, I was searching for the sound I heard in my head and the info I get here helped me move towards it.

electracoyote · #5 07-20-2011, 09:21 AM

For sure, this place is like the old K-Mart "blue light special." You become aware of every cool toy ever produced, and you just gotta have one or your life isn't complete.

AwkwardLoudness · #6 07-20-2011, 09:42 AM

This place helped end my G.A.S. for speakers cabs because I was able to find what I wanted.

I still have GAS for certain other items though, especially studio recording equipment.

Rocker949 · #7 07-20-2011, 11:24 AM

I'm not aware of any delete function on the TB board. This may be like the Hotel California: you can check out anytime you like, but you can never leave. Besides, being in a well-stocked music store gives me GAS way more than being on TB.

Dekker · #8 07-20-2011, 11:53 AM

Instead of getting GAS, live vicariously through others as they buy and use the latest toys and post their wild experiences. If you let posts create an uncontrollable need for possessions, you're going to eternally play a game of Keeping Up with the Joneses.

If you stop visiting TB, you'll also have to stop reading bass-related magazines, or even other bass websites.

In the end, there will ALWAYS be someone out there with a better [bass/amp/head/cabinet/pick] than you have, and even if you buy the best, it'll be outdated the next month.

As mentioned, use TB for product comparisons, and to see what others are doing!

klejst · #9 07-20-2011, 11:56 AM

I was just curious is all. Thanks for the responses.

Muddslide · #10 07-20-2011, 07:31 PM

TB is a great site. Great group of people for the most part, and it can be a wonderful resource.

But in a general sense, I think the Internet itself is largely responsible for GAS attacks, not just this one specific site, and not just for bass players.

Let me be the first to say that I believe people should buy and own anything they want. If a person wants to own 150 basses, then cool! I love seeing the "Family Pics" and NBD shots on here. I love basses and get a vicarious thrill when someone scores a new baby.

But I remember back in the 70s through the early 90s I knew tons of musicians. And not just bedroom warriors, but I worked in radio and booked shows for some clubs in the Midwest so I got to meet and greet a lot of pretty well-known musicians. Being a gearhead geek, I always talked equipment with these folks.

Of course there have always been collectors, but back in those days (even up to 15 years ago or so) it was rare when I met a player who owned more than a half dozen guitars or so. Often they'd have a couple or three really nice vintage pieces they kept at home and they toured with 2 or 3. I didn't know many people personally who had more than a couple of guitars or basses, and that includes many people who gigged in one or more bands several times a week and did some recording as well.

But since the Internet, I read a lot of musicians sites and am on a lot of forums and sheesh--it seems like every other person has three dozen guitars or 20 basses. Again, that's perfectly cool, but I feel a lot of it is fueled by being online, it being so much easier to shop, talk about instruments, see pics, hear about new things, etc.

Not necessarily a bad thing at all, just a different sort of paradigm. Although I do sometimes wonder if this "chasing after the perfect bass and the perfect tone" stuff doesn't sometimes hamper a new young player who might get the impression it's more important to have just the "right" equipment rather than just learning to play and practicing a lot.

**pacojas** · #11 07-20-2011, 07:49 PM

G.A.S. ain't a problem 'til you need a second job...

s_mcsleazy · #12 07-20-2011, 07:54 PM

im un employed atm and getting £55 a week and considering £20 goes to driving and £20 to my mum that leaves me £15 a week wich isnt alot so i cant afford to gas. i do all my own repairs.

electracoyote · #13 07-20-2011, 08:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pacojas

G.A.S. ain't a problem 'til you need a second job...

Or a second home.

**rhino333** · #14 07-21-2011, 06:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Muddslide

TB is a great site. Great group of people for the most part, and it can be a wonderful resource.

But in a general sense, I think the Internet itself is largely responsible for GAS attacks, not just this one specific site, and not just for bass players.

Let me be the first to say that I believe people should buy and own anything they want. If a person wants to own 150 basses, then cool! I love seeing the "Family Pics" and NBD shots on here. I love basses and get a vicarious thrill when someone scores a new baby.

But I remember back in the 70s through the early 90s I knew tons of musicians. And not just bedroom warriors, but I worked in radio and booked shows for some clubs in the Midwest so I got to meet and greet a lot of pretty well-known musicians. Being a gearhead geek, I always talked equipment with these folks.

Of course there have always been collectors, but back in those days (even up to 15 years ago or so) it was rare when I met a player who owned more than a half dozen guitars or so. Often they'd have a couple or three really nice vintage pieces they kept at home and they toured with 2 or 3. I didn't know many people personally who had more than a couple of guitars or basses, and that includes many people who gigged in one or more bands several times a week and did some recording as well.

But since the Internet, I read a lot of musicians sites and am on a lot of forums and sheesh--it seems like every other person has three dozen guitars or 20 basses. Again, that's perfectly cool, but I feel a lot of it is fueled by being online, it being so much easier to shop, talk about instruments, see pics, hear about new things, etc.

Not necessarily a bad thing at all, just a different sort of paradigm. Although I do sometimes wonder if this "chasing after the perfect bass and the perfect tone" stuff doesn't sometimes hamper a new young player who might get the impression it's more important to have just the "right" equipment rather than just learning to play and practicing a lot.

I don't have 150 basses, but I do have a nice selection which is idisplayed in the "Readers Gallery" of Vintage Guitar magazine this month and on line. I couldn't fit all the basses in one shot and have picked up an ESP LTD Surveyor 414 since then. Does this qualify as having G.A.S.?

Joe Nerve · #15 07-21-2011, 07:08 AM

The only way talkbass gets me in trouble gas wise is when someone posts ridiculous deals like highway ones for $400. Otherwise I get in more trouble with print. Bass player magazine messes me up, as do manufacturer catalogs. Many years ago, before I had internet access, I had a warwick brochure. Every warwick in that 4 or 5 page catalog got indullible burned into my intestines. I've since owned every model of that time period lest a dolphin and a thumb. Yeah, catalogs are no good for me to have. Still gassing for guitars that have been out of production for decades cuz of catalogs I drooled over as a kid. Woul LOVE to get me a lafayette bass.

Kwesi · #16 07-21-2011, 07:18 AM

Unfortunately, I discovered TB as I was just starting bass so my fall into GAS was inevitable. It's gotten me into a bit of trouble once but I've learned to be smarter about things from it, lol.

dangerouscello · #17 07-21-2011, 07:19 AM

I think that the more you know, the more you want. Before I started reading TB, I was not very content with my tone, but I didn't know anything else so I couldn't want it.

After I started reading, and seeing how much was out there, it gave me the impetus to search and read and play a lot of different things. Eventually, I found what I want (so far), but the more I read and practice, the more my needs are going to change.

It's like wine; at first, Franzia (box wine) is fine because you don't know any better. But the more you find out about wine and drink it, the more discerning your palette becomes. If you call that striving for the best "GAS", then so be it. But I'd rather have that than the unhappiness of mediocre tone.