Pops lost his job....and what to do with my collection.

iplaybasstexas · #1 05-29-2009, 08:17 PM

so....pops lost his job. great.
my house is now up for sale since we can't afford the payment now.... and i just got my first truck, so i'm on my own with gas and fun and stuff. Im getting a better paying job this week, but i need to help support just incase.

I had an amazing job and i bought all my gear without a single penny from my parents. I take alot of pride in that, since its legitimate gear (mesa, bergantino, markbass) and my basses are great too.

So here's the deal, i have two amps, one cab and four basses. Should i just hope for the best or should i sell down to basics incase the family needs me? i'm already trying to sell one of the basses anyway. My schecter is my main gigging bass for three years now, but i just got an Elite Thunderbird, but its under work right now ( i need a bridge for it :/ ) and so i was thinking that might be my player from now on.

But i really don't want to part with my bass gear, but i really dont want to see my family fall apart (well, already is..) and have to go through all that and have the burden, you know?

i'm so confused

Luke19Boarder · #2 05-29-2009, 08:26 PM

you should probably talk to your parents about this.

Alienation · #3 05-29-2009, 08:36 PM

I recommend talking to God.

iplaybasstexas · #4 05-29-2009, 08:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alienation

I recommend talking to God.

....................................

stflbn · #5 05-29-2009, 08:39 PM

Don't make long term decisions based on short term problems...

That advice will take you a long way, and as you get older you'll understand it much more.

wysiwyg248 · #6 05-29-2009, 08:42 PM

You should discuss this with your family.
I am not sure how old are you, but I am sure that if you have the will, you will get many opportunities in the future...it is not about the gear, it is about wanting to play.

Jaymi · #7 05-29-2009, 08:45 PM

Talk to God and then your parents. There is always more gear but you only have one family.

billoetjen · #8 05-29-2009, 08:45 PM

Pare down to the essentials and force yourself to get the most out of that...

There will always be lots more gear in the future. That's the great thing about youth...

kjpollo · #9 05-29-2009, 08:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by iplaybasstexas

so....pops lost his job. great.
my house is now up for sale since we can't afford the payment now.... and i just got my first truck, so i'm on my own with gas and fun and stuff. Im getting a better paying job this week, but i need to help support just incase.

I had an amazing job and i bought all my gear without a single penny from my parents. I take alot of pride in that, since its legitimate gear (mesa, bergantino, markbass) and my basses are great too.

So here's the deal, i have two amps, one cab and four basses. Should i just hope for the best or should i sell down to basics incase the family needs me? i'm already trying to sell one of the basses anyway. My schecter is my main gigging bass for three years now, but i just got an Elite Thunderbird, but its under work right now ( i need a bridge for it :/ ) and so i was thinking that might be my player from now on.

But i really don't want to part with my bass gear, but i really dont want to see my family fall apart (well, already is..) and have to go through all that and have the burden, you know?

i'm so confused

I do not envy you, dude. But that is VERY noble and unselfish of you to think about selling some of your gear to help out the fam. The sad part is-unless you have some majorly high-end gear to sell, you probably cant make much of a difference in the situation. That being said, "gear" can be replaced later, "family" cannot. Maybe you can go from 4 basses down to 2. This way you can still gig (and earn a little extra $$, I would guess) and you can give whatever cash you get from selling the basses to the family to keep food on the table or help get into a new place once the present one sells.

This may sound nuts but what kind of job are you leaving? Is it something your dad could possibly take over?

Good luck, and stay positive (I know-not as easy as it sounds)

mcz925 · #10 05-29-2009, 08:49 PM

I don't think the internet is the place for this at all. Talk to your dad. If he's not good with money then talk to a relative who is. Who are we to judge a situation like this without knowing the details of your family's finances?

basspraiser · #11 05-29-2009, 08:50 PM

I agree wth alot that was said:

pray AND get your parent's opinion...

I think selling will be painful (and quick sales in this economy are NOT easy) but I think you will feel better about yourself and your family will respect you ALOT for "chipping in".

I also have alot of respect for you to think about doing this....

as stated earlier...you are young...you have time to rebuild.....

peace, prayers and good luck!!!

Doug

ProfGumby · #12 05-29-2009, 08:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stflbn

Don't make long term decisions based on short term problems...

That advice will take you a long way, and as you get older you'll understand it much more.

Fantastic advice!

Don't make any knee jerk decisions right away.

iplaybasstexas, I second prayer, talking withyour mom and dad and will add that you should sit down and talk to your Pastor for guidance too. That is what a Pastor is really there for, if he cannot help, he can lead you to those who can.

Also, you say you are selling your Schecter? When you do, put the money in the bank. Cut all the excess out of your spending. No frilly extras. Save all the money you can right away.

Maybe you can gig a little more and save all that money too. See how things shake out before you start selling gear all willy nilly.

kjpollo · #13 05-29-2009, 08:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mcz925

I don't think the internet is the place for this at all. Talk to your dad. If he's not good with money then talk to a relative who is. Who are we to judge a situation like this without knowing the details of your family's finances?

Umm, I think you've missed something here. No one's "judging" anyone!
This guy is relating a crappy thing that happened to his dad and EVERYONE is praising him for considering selling off some of his gear to help out the situation.

Yeah, you missed something all right!

SteveC · #14 05-29-2009, 09:02 PM

Your heart is in the right place, but really, even though it is nice gear, it really won't help in the long run. I'd hang on to it and try to help out in other ways.

mcz925 · #15 05-29-2009, 09:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kjpollo

Umm, I think you've missed something here. No one's "judging" anyone!
This guy is relating a crappy thing that happened to his dad and EVERYONE is praising him for considering selling off some of his gear to help out the situation.

Yeah, you missed something all right!

He asked in the op, "Should i just hope for the best or should i sell down to basics incase the family needs me?"
This looks to me like he is asking for advice. I merely pointed out that he would be better off looking elsewhere than the internet.

w33nie · #16 05-29-2009, 09:13 PM

How much money do you think you would make from going to the basics?

kjpollo · #17 05-29-2009, 09:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mcz925

He asked in the op, "Should i just hope for the best or should i sell down to basics incase the family needs me?"
This looks to me like he is asking for advice. I merely pointed out that he would be better off looking elsewhere than the internet.

What you've said here is a stripped down version of what you said in your first post.
Reread your 1st one-the part about "who are we to JUDGE"-thats the part I was referring to.

He IS asking for advice and people are giving him very SOUND advice-talk to your parents, talk to your clergy, talk to God.
No one's judging anything-bad word choice on your part.

Apologies to the OP-no intent to hijack the thread for an argument over semantics.

Alienation · #18 05-29-2009, 09:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by iplaybasstexas

....................................

I know, no offense intended, really, but it sounds like a tough call so try this....set your alarm for 3:30 or 4:00A.M. find a quiet place, closet bathroom whatever and ask God what to do. Give yourself 30-45 minutes of quiet and see what happens. Seriously, no chain yanking here, just an option.

It's your choice

mkrtu9 · #19 05-29-2009, 09:32 PM

use your job to pitch in and speak to your family about selling your gear if it is needed. Good luck, you will get through it just stick together.

**jmattbassplaya** · #20 05-29-2009, 09:44 PM

Talk to your parents about what you can do to help, but I would NOT sell your basses or your rig(s). You will barely get any money out of those in todays market, and any money you do get will only last a very short amount of time when it comes to food, rent, gas, utilities, and other expenses. Plus, trying to repurchase such things would only cost you so much more in the long run.

If I were you, I`d save those until it became INCREDIBLY necessary to sell them off. Just get a well paying job and help out that way. One tip towards spending though, only buy things with cash now. It forces you to stick to the bare necessities.