Not a guitarist

[Cygnus X-1]

Hey guys, I've not posted in a very long time. However, I am am in dire need of some advice. Like most of you, I am in love with the low end of the spectrum. In time I have picked up some pretty nice basses & amps and couldn't be happier.

Guitars on the other hand... after two teles and two strats, I've come to the conclusion that i'm not really into guitars. I love the look and sound of them in the hands of an experienced player, but for me, playing one is a chore. While bass is sheer bliss. I have since then narrowed my line to basically 1 guitar. A Roadhouse strat which is really nice, but I have no real desire to play it anymore (if you call what I do playing). I'm not in a band, nor do I wish to be in one. I am strictly a 43 year-old guy who plays for a hobby.

I'm seriously considering selling my 2 amps and strat along with line 6 pod and just focusing all my love onto the bass. Is this strange or am I part of a group that feels the same way? I really could use some insight at this time.

Thanks in advance, Mike

[remy26]

Well, I've only been really playing bass for maybe a year and a half and I'm a big fan of never say never, but I currently have no interest in playing guitar at all.

[mark-oj]

Sell everything and buy a Rickenbacker

[AciDBatH666]

I switched over to bass about 3 years ago coming from about 10 years of off and on guitar playing. I've since sold all of my guitar gear except my first guitar and my first combo amp. A friend is borrowing the combo for now. I just can't find the will power to sell my first guitar even tho I never touch it.
I'm glad I made the switch tho.

[Cygnus X-1]

Originally Posted by mark-oj

Sell everything and buy a Rickenbacker

LOL , Thanks but I'm not a fan of the Ricks. I manage a guitar shop and have tried a few of the new ones. the only one I really ever liked was my boss's 65 4003 in fireglow. I'm a Fender guy

[basstotheface]

Originally Posted by Cygnus X-1

LOL , Thanks but I'm not a fan of the Ricks. I manage a guitar shop and have tried a few of the new ones. the only one I really ever liked was my boss's 65 4003 in fireglow. I'm a Fender guy

You're boss is a true innovator. Back to the Future meets Bass.

[Cygnus X-1]

Originally Posted by AciDBatH666

I switched over to bass about 3 years ago coming from about 10 years of off and on guitar playing. I've since sold all of my guitar gear except my first guitar and my first combo amp. A friend is borrowing the combo for now. I just can't find the will power to sell my first guitar even tho I never touch it.
I'm glad I made the switch tho.

My first guitar was bought and sold many years ago. However, The Roadhouse is my very first Strat. It's beautiful and all, but I feel awkward on guitar. Bass feels more natural (not a fan of the pick).

[Kwesi]

You're on talkbass.

[monkeyking]

I think all musically inclined folks have what I refer to as a native instrument. For me, the bass came as naturally as breathing. It's been the bread and butter for 30 years now.

I also play guitar and have done several bands as the singer/rhythm guitarist. By most standards, I'm a good guitarist. But for me, I have no interest in playing it beyond accompanying myself for the occasional solo gig and get little joy from playing it in a band.

I keep two acoustic guitars on hand for the living room play alongs with friends. I also like to sit down once a month or so to play and sing songs I like. But the bass guitar is what I love to play, I excel at it, and find it far more expressive for me than any other instrument. In short, it's my native instrument. Sounds like it's yours too.

[Cygnus X-1]

Originally Posted by monkeyking

I think all musically inclined folks have what I refer to as a native instrument. For me, the bass came as naturally as breathing. It's been the bread and butter for 30 years now.

I also play guitar and have done several bands as the singer/rhythm guitarist. By most standards, I'm a good guitarist. But for me, I have no interest in playing it beyond accompanying myself for the occasional solo gig and get little joy from playing it in a band.

I keep two acoustic guitars on hand for the living room play alongs with friends. I also like to sit down once a month or so to play and sing songs I like. But the bass guitar is what I love to play, I excel at it, and find it far more expressive for me than any other instrument. In short, it's my native instrument. Sounds like it's yours too.

I never really thought of it in that respect "native instrument". Good words, adds clarity and perspective.

Thanks

[shadowmac]

I too play guitar and have several and actually have quite a nice guitar rig. For me, bass and guitar are like comparing apples and oranges. I like both of them for different reasons. I like writing on guitar and then the accompanying bass line, or vice-versa, but at the end of the day, I consider myself a bassist - if I have a native instrument, it's a bass.

[FretlessMainly]

I started on guitar in '77 and took up bass in '80. I still play guitar, and I find it useful for composition (as well as jamming with my Father-in-Law and his Buddies on jazz standards and blugrass), but bass is my true love.

If you have no real interest in guitar, then you might get a nice bass or have some cash in your pocket if you sell it. BUT, if you don't need to sell it, you'll never know when the bug might hit you to pick up a guitar, so my advice would be to sell it only if you really need to. Otherwise, you got a nice little new hobby waiting in the closet should the mood strike you.

P.S. - How can you have a username of Cygnus X-1 and not like Ricks? That's really messed up, man.

[Ivan M]

Funny thing is i am heavy into BASS, but just picked up an American Standard Strat and a small AMP, BASS is my first love and always will be, but i got the Strat just to mess with when i want to take a rest from BASS, or when someone good at guitar comes over they can plug in and Jam with me, i will NOT be buying anymore guitars but i cant say the same about BASSES...lol, if i were you i would keep that strat, sell the AMP you use the least and get a nice BASS to start with, as you get better at BASS you can have friends come over that can play guitar and just have some cool jam sessions...Truly if you dont need the money why sell it?..Be careful BASS PLAYING is addicting...Good luck either way and welcome back to the LOW end, by they way i am 44 and i also don't play in a band, well atleast not yet.

[Cygnus X-1]

Originally Posted by Ivan M

Funny thing is i am heavy into BASS, but just picked up an American Standard Strat and a small AMP, BASS is my first love and always will be, but i got the Strat just to mess with when i want to take a rest from BASS, or when one someone good at guitar comes over they can plug in and Jam with me, i will NOT be buying anymore guitars but i cant say the same about BASSES...lol, if i were you i would keep that strat, sell the AMP you use the least and get a nice BASS to start with, as you get better at BASS you can have friends come over that can play guitar and just have some cool jam sessions...Truly if you dont need the money why sell it?..Be careful BASS PLAYING is addicting...Good luck either way and welcome back to the LOW end, by they way i am 44 and i also don't play in a band, well atleast not yet.

Too late , I already own 8 basses and I love them all. 2 08 american standard Jazz in maple and rosewood, 08 american standard P, Roadworn P, American Deluxe P 07, Geddy Lee, JB24, 60's classic Jazz Bass. Currently looking at 75 Jazz reissue in ash w/rosewood. Ampeg 610 hlf, Ampeg SVPCL, Crest audio power amp, Fender bassman 250/210, ampeg b100r. Like I said earlier, manage a guitar shop. I get great discounts.

What I'm considering parting ways with aside from the RH is a SuperChamp XD (great little amp), Blues Reissue Deluxe and a Pod X3 w/shortboard. I've tried guitar on and off since I was 8 and I can never seem to go anywhere with it. I see what some of you guys are saying, and it makes perfect sense. I'm really not being hasty, I just don't want to hold on to something I won't use.

I do have an 8 year old daughter, but she has shown no interest at all in guitars. If she ever does, I may just start her with something later. She's only 8 though and life does take many twists and turns.

[FretlessMainly]

If nothing else, you've helped to outline how different bass is from guitar. On a related but rather jaded and slightly disjointed topic, I hate the term bass guitar.

It's a damn bass.

[Ivan M]

That Occasional jam session will put the one and only guitar you own to good use, LOL....WOW, you have enough Basses already good for you. I owned a 75 RI MIA, Natural with a Maple fretboard and black blocks, one of my selling regrets should have held on to that one, good luck and think about it hard, i suck at guitar, although i just got it last week, but i wont sell it like i said, for that occasional jam session it is perfect.

[Ivan M]

Originally Posted by FretlessMainly

If nothing else, you've helped to outline how different bass is from guitar. On a related but rather jaded and slightly disjointed topic, I hate the term bass guitar.

It's a damn bass.

I AGREE.

[basstotheface]

Originally Posted by Ivan M

I AGREE.

I disagree. Bass trombone. Bass guitar.

[honeyiscool]

I'm sure classical bassists don't like the term "bass" getting thrown around to describe things that can fit inside a Smart Car, so please, accept the term "bass guitar" because we'll never be as manly as the guys who carry around a double bass.

On the topic of this thread, I love bass and guitar equally. I don't know why others don't. They're both very fun and important instruments. Combine the knowledge of both instruments with some knowledge of piano, and you're close to being a very self-reliant musician, and that's my goal.

[The Eristic]

I've never once felt inclined to restrict myself to a single instrument. I started on guitar, but play and teach 7-12 stringed instruments now (depending on how you categorize). I love playing, performing, teaching, even just holding and admiring them all, and wish I could get my hands on even more (my current search is for an oud - I have a Godin oud/guitar hybrid but I want a full acoustic in the Bashir style). You think guitars and basses are bad, get into pro quality mandolins, banjos, double basses and the like! My G.A.S. is unbearable, man.