Getting rid of my guitars...

joeyzaza · #1 04-06-2007, 05:35 PM

So, I started on guitar, and I always had an itching to play those lovely chunky strings, and low notes, I would just itch... I got one eventually, and my puny pathetic little weakling hands had to go through some rough stuff before I could really start feeling the bass, but as soon as I did, I played it to death. The thing with guitar, I am technically good on it, but when I play, I feel like I don't have freedom, it's so hard to improvise..

With the bass, I brought my left hand skills with me, and my progress on it was unbelievable, as if it was the perfect instrument for me to play. These days I pratice like hell, not so much on guitar, but actually, I'm not so sure I'll ever be as good on guitar as I am on the bass, I'm not sure it's possible, and I wouldn't be okay with that, my inability would just frustrate.

My only aspiration on the guitar is to be able to improvise effectively, and that's down right hard. I can do it to a degree on the bass pretty well now, everything is symmetrical, and BIG, it's perfect, but with the guitar I can't even think outside of scalar patterns. Technique means nothing unless you can make musical sense. The average joe public might think I'm a guitar god after a fast lick, but you and I know better, I'm useless.

The thing is, you can't be good at everything, and I'm happy with my growing ability on the bass, I'm good at it now, but I don't think it's even possible to get to that feeling with the guitar. Everything tells me it's the wrong instrument for me, but there's still part of me that wasts to master it, and I mean master it in terms of being able to improvise freely. Plus, the more I practice my guitar, the less I would practice my bass. My feeling is that it would still take many years to get to where I want to be, not technically, but musically. Perhaps you'll agree?

I don't know if it is worth it, or worth my time, I may never get to where I want to be, and it might be another hundred hours wasted before I realise that. I've already sold my spanish, but I have 1 electric guitar left. A good one, and an amp, everything I need. However, I need a live bass rig, to get that, I'd have to sell my guitar and it's equipment. What do you think I should do? What would you do? If I sell it, do you think I would regret it like hell? I'm sure there are tons of people here with a similar type of story. Love to hear from you!

Michael Jewels · #2 04-06-2007, 05:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by joeyzaza

I don't know if it is worth it, or worth my time, I may never get to where I want to be, and it might be another hundred hours wasted before I realise that. I've already sold my spanish, but I have 1 electric guitar left. A good one, and an amp, everything I need. However, I need a live bass rig, to get that, I'd have to sell my guitar and it's equipment. What do you think I should do? What would you do? If I sell it, do you think I would regret it like hell? I'm sure there are tons of people here with a similar type of story. Love to hear from you!

I, personally would not sell the my only guitar, especially if, as you say, it's a good one.

I am terrible on guitar, but I still feel the need to have one electric around the house for the times I just feel like fooling around with a regular guitar.

Keep playing/practicing the bass,

but try to save up for a bass rig, unless you have the opportunity to join a band right now, which might not come again.

I think if you sell your guitar, you'll regret it sooner than you think.

Good luck.

Mike

joeyzaza · #3 04-06-2007, 06:21 PM

Quote:

I think if you sell your guitar, you'll regret it sooner than you think.

Really? I think that might be true indeed, does anybody else agree? I guess I'm more tempted because I have $1000 or more of stuff I'm really not feeling to good about, plenty for a good rig.

ed khalimba · #4 04-06-2007, 09:07 PM

i'd keep the guitar as well. heres why.
a few years ago i decided i wanted to learn to play guitar, just enough to play the chords to a few of my favorite songs. i already had been playing bass for 10 years or so, so i aleady sort of knew my way around the guitar, i just needed to learn chord shapes and work on the technique of holding them, shifting them, etc. anyways, i never learned any of the cover songs but i did end up writing a lot of music on the guitar, more than i'd written on bass in a long time. the reason was because of my rudimentary guitar technique, i was kind of free to experiment and make up my own chords, like i didn't know the rules yet. the point is sometimes it's inspiring to not be the best at something but to be yourself. if you keep working at being as free as you feel on bass on guitar it will be a big breakthrough. i'm totally not making any sense or really helping you with this story, am i?

steamthief · #5 04-06-2007, 10:09 PM

I had a sweet, like-new 60-watt Marshall tube combo sitting in my closet not getting any use. I sold it to my guitar player friend to purchase my NA-650 head. One year later, zero regrets.

Unlike you, I suck big-time on a six string. I'm now looking to sell my Hamer Special to fund a nice Jazz bass. The only regret I may have is if one of my kids decides to take up guitar.