My theory on the psychology of G.A.S.

rust_preacher · #1 02-18-2011, 11:29 AM

So, the gear acquisition syndrom plagues us gearheads, all the time. it is a never yielding obstacle that holds us down, makes us roam the Internet, visit stores, try out gear, buy & (seldom) sell...

My theory of G.A.S. is, as follows, after a day's worth of thinking about this idea I got this morning:

G.A.S. hits us guys. Women don't just understand. In fact, it is a biological/evolutionary thing for males. How many times have you heard a piece of gear described as "sexy"? This is the clue. Males want to own all females. They want to, even if they are married, still "own" anyt female they deem worthy. And, when they can't do this in modern society, they buy sexy gear. If they don' t do it at first, agonizing over a piece of gear, they end up saving and agonizing over it, before they give in and commit.

That's it, in a nutshell. Comments?

tdub0199 · #2 02-18-2011, 11:35 AM

I agree 100%... never thought of it that way but I have to agree....

austentaciousC · #3 02-18-2011, 11:40 AM

tastybasslines · #4 02-18-2011, 11:45 AM

I think that's a stretch.

IMO, it has more to do with constantly trying to improve, which is inherent in human nature.

natw42 · #5 02-18-2011, 12:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tastybasslines

I think that's a stretch.

IMO, it has more to do with constantly trying to improve, which is inherent in human nature.

...which is inherent to our nature because we want to live longer, attract more mates and make more babies.

It's biology baby!

(IMO of course)

Stumbo · #6 02-18-2011, 12:05 PM

Women have:
S.A.S (shoe acquisition syndrome),
P.A.S. (purse)
C.A.S. (clothes)

and a thousand more.

IMO, it's a hobby just like any other hobby.

Pick any of the icon bassists of the past. Doubt they spent much time on G.A.S.

disp · #7 02-18-2011, 12:17 PM

It's fun to buy stuff.

JTE · #8 02-18-2011, 03:32 PM

Abut 12 years ago Bicycle Magazine had a short article on GAS. The upshot was that it goes back to our primitive history when things were harder to find. Finding a really good rock for chipping flints, or lashing to a club for making a weapon, or finding a really good stick to make that club, or a bow, whatever was pretty rare. So even if you had a good one, if you found another you'd grab it and keep it because you never knew when you'd find another one when the first one wore out.

Now fast forward past the bronze age, past the industrial revolution, etc. and getting things is really pretty easy. But, we're still wired that way to want to acquire stuff that's useful so we still want it even if we already have enough. That's why the correct quantity of basses (or bicycles, or guitars, or cameras) is N+1 where N = the number currently owned.

John

**superdick2112** · #9 02-19-2011, 05:03 AM

Naw, it's much simpler & more child-like that that. Its the old playground mentality of, "He who dies with the most toys wins."

**dmonroe** · #10 02-19-2011, 05:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stumbo

Women have:
S.A.S (shoe acquisition syndrome),
P.A.S. (purse)
C.A.S. (clothes)

and a thousand more.

So why can't we have one, just ONE?!?!?!?

rust_preacher · #11 02-19-2011, 07:49 AM

...And,if I have a more powerful amp, it will attract more beautiful basses...

JoZac21 · #12 02-19-2011, 07:56 AM

My theory is that basses are just like Pokémon... if I catch them all I get a Mewtwo!

M0ses · #13 02-19-2011, 08:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JTE

That's why the correct quantity of basses (or bicycles, or guitars, or cameras) is N+1 where N = the number currently owned.

John

I believe the equation is more approximately Enough = (n+3)(t+2)p^2 where n = number of basses owned, t = amps owned and p = pedals owned.

**Coolhandjjl** · #14 02-19-2011, 08:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rust_preacher

So, the gear acquisition syndrom plagues us gearheads, all the time. it is a never yielding obstacle that holds us down, makes us roam the Internet, visit stores, try out gear, buy & (seldom) sell...

My theory of G.A.S. is, as follows, after a day's worth of thinking about this idea I got this morning:

G.A.S. hits us guys. Women don't just understand. In fact, it is a biological/evolutionary thing for males. How many times have you heard a piece of gear described as "sexy"? This is the clue. Males want to own all females. They want to, even if they are married, still "own" anyt female they deem worthy. And, when they can't do this in modern society, they buy sexy gear. If they don' t do it at first, agonizing over a piece of gear, they end up saving and agonizing over it, before they give in and commit.

That's it, in a nutshell. Comments?

Shhhhhhh......

Joe Nerve · #15 02-19-2011, 08:14 AM

I think gas is just another one of the millions of addictions humans have. One of less harmful ones. While it can possibly wreck a family and cuase some financial problems, most people can just sell off their gear if need be. And those of us who are good at what we do can even do it at a profit.

There's a definite high that comes with a new instrument. Gives us something to be excited about and get our mind off of other crap. Not an entirely bad thing IMO. The high fades though, and then we want it again. Some people are searching for the ultimate bass, and there may be validity in that, but I think there's an invisible line that gets crossed at a certain point. Maybe after the 7th bass.

If you're still searching after that you're either an idiot, or you have chronic gas. The perfect bass will never be found.

In my case I think there's a little added cause. When I was a kid I used to obsess on things in sears, jc penny, lafayette, and radio shack catalogs. I remember staring and fantasizing over the pictures (much like I did with other mags after around age 13). My parents either couldn't afford any of the stuff I wanted, or were just too cheap to get it for me. And when I was lucky enough to get something, it was alwyas the cheap spinoff of what I really wanted. Once I started earning my own money and mommy and daddy had no control over this crap any more it was liberating. There's a great feeling in owning a Musicman as opposed to an OLP, a Warwick and not a Rockbass, and pretty much anything I want to buy. So I do. And I'm happy about it.

adivin · #16 02-19-2011, 08:50 AM

Or, if I can only get this one last amp or bass, then I'll really be a killer player...That is trying to buy your way into being good.

JoZac21 · #17 02-19-2011, 09:03 AM

There is a big difference between "want" GAS and "need" GAS, it should be pointed out... my band wants to go on tour soon, start playing out of state gigs... if that's the case, I NEED a bass amp, which I currently don't have (I play my bass through my headphones at home, and most clubs here have a full backline)...

Since, I need an amp, I'm gonna get a Hartke soon... is that GAS? What I'd really really like is an Eden or Aguilar... to me, there's a huge difference between these two GASes... perhaps your analogy of being driven by some primal male urge applies to latter form of GAS... but not really the former.

ShirazBop · #18 02-19-2011, 09:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rust_preacher

...And,if I have a more powerful amp, it will attract more beautiful basses...

+1

steamthief · #19 02-19-2011, 09:57 AM

Buying stuff = happiness. That's the basis of a capitalist consumer society.

ShirazBop · #20 02-19-2011, 10:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JoZac21

There is a big difference between "want" GAS and "need" GAS, it should be pointed out... my band wants to go on tour soon, start playing out of state gigs... if that's the case, I NEED a bass amp, which I currently don't have (I play my bass through my headphones at home, and most clubs here have a full backline)...
Since, I need an amp, I'm gonna get a Hartke soon... is that GAS? What I'd really really like is an Eden or Aguilar... to me, there's a huge difference between these two GASes... perhaps your analogy of being driven by some primal male urge applies to latter form of GAS... but not really the former.

There's a “Wisdom Pearl” in the above "want" verses "need"...

I was up to a max of 13 or so basses at one time. And now have pruned it down to 4... All Precisions... Technically my "needs" could drive that number down to two (2): a P/J Fretted and a P/J Fretless...

I've done a similar scale back on my amp arsenal as well... At one time had like 3 heads (Ampeg, Genz-Benz, Thunderfunk) and 5 cabinets (Ampeg, Accugroove, Aguilar).... Now one head and 2 cabinets... 1 X 12 and a 2 X 12... (Sturdy USA made Ampeg PortaBass gear that, while others here have dissed on, suites me just fine thank you…) Add to this a good outboard pre (Sadowsky) and/or an Ampeg SVT-DI tube box and I am covered. These will fit all my gig needs in the foreseeable future...

It is somewhat cleansing on the "urge to purge"... and keep that which in their elemental simplicity will allow me to direct energies to more fruitful endeavors,...like,....wait a minute,... this is tricky,... practicing and improving as a bassist....

For me, it has been "freeing",...