GAS Times Two

[peabody]

It's bad enough that GAS forces me to satisfy the buying and selling needs for myself, but now I'm finding I'm doing it for my son too.

He's 13, in the 7th grade (and an only child) and already quite the musician. He's been playing piano since he was 5, been playing French horn for about 1.5 years and been playing bass for about a year.

When he announced a year ago he wanted to play bass (a chip off my old block), I went a little crazy and bought a nice used MIA Precision and a used Geddy Lee Jazz for him to see what he'd like better. I knew whatever he didn't want, I'd have no problem selling. Since he was 12 at the time, both basses seemed to be a little big for him, so I sold them both and bought him a shorter scale Fender Mustang instead. Now that he's been playing for over a year (and he's grown), a couple of weeks ago I bought him a Lakland Duck Dunn. So now he has the Mustang and the Duck. Cha-ching.

Thank goodness I have enough amps lying around that I don't need to buy him his own amp (yet).

About 3 months ago my son's French horn instructor told my wife and I that we should probably look into buying him his own horn. The instructor said that even though he's only been playing for a year and a half, he's an exceptional player and a good horn would make him even better. I did a lot of research in a short period of time and found a great deal on a very nice professional level Holton horn. Street price is $4200 and I found one like new for $2000. Cha-ching.

I'm a little worried because a couple of 8th graders have asked my son if he wanted to be in their band. I'm worried because this opens a whole new avenue for fueling my GAS. I hope someone develops a cure soon...

[(b)Assman]

Stop spoiling him.

[WyrdoBass]

Sorry, but +1. Nothing wrong with support, but getting him high-level gear for nothing seems kinda steep...

[peabody]

I'm 49, and when I was a kid, my parents supported my music, and when they could afford it, they'd help with purchases, equipment trucks, etc. Their support was unbelievable and I couldn't have done it without them.

Unfortunately my Mom passed away last March, and even though my band doesn't play out much anymore, I could always count on seeing her and my Dad in the audience when they could make it. You don't always see a lot of 80 year olds watching a classic rock band....but I loved to see them out there.

It may seem extreme to someone outside looking in, but to me, it's fun sharing a hobby with him and I know he appreciates it. Of course I'm biased, but he has 10 times the music talent I ever had...and regardless if it's his piano, horn or bass...he loves to play.

I'll keep supporting him however I can. Maybe I'll be the 80 year old out in the audience some day...

[megadan]

So you want to buy your kid nice gear. Worst case scenario, he won't appreciate it yet. Or he'll lose an expensive piece of gear.

Best case scenario, you start him on a life long road to a successful career in music, he gets rich, and buys you a Corvette

It's your money and if you're willing to spend it, that's up to you.

[peabody]

Maybe a classic Corvette...like a '67 or so? I can live with that...