Talk Bass and other forums fuel GAS - discuss

SteveC · #1 07-15-2007, 02:14 PM

I've noticed in a few threads lately comments about how "if I didn't hear it hear I would have never known about it" and similar statements. Not that there's anything wrong with really nice gear, extended range basses, multiple rigs, multiple basses, learning about new stuff, etc.

But if we didn't have this resource, do you suppose most of us (non-pro, semi-pro, weekend, hobby) would be playing a good old Fender-ish 4 string basses and a 400 watt or so 4X10 cab or even just combos?

It's very easy (I'm guilty as well) to get caught up and sucked in to "keeping up with the Jone's" as they say and loose track of what you really need or use on your typ eof gigs.

What do you think, 4 strings and basic rigs all around or would the economy take too big a hit if we all pulled back on our contributions to commerce.

MysticMichael · #2 07-15-2007, 02:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SteveC

But if we didn't have this resource, do you suppose most of us (non-pro, semi-pro, weekend, hobby) would be playing a good old Fender-ish 4 string basses and a 400 watt or so 4X10 cab or even just combos?

Not at all. TalkBass came about as a direct result of the ongoing evolution in bass gear, the concurrent growing interest in bass playing - and by extension, the continuing evolution of modern music in general. If Paul hadn't launched TB, something else would have popped up in its place.

Quote:

Originally Posted by SteveC

What do you think, 4 strings and basic rigs all around or would the economy take too big a hit if we all pulled back on our contributions to commerce.

I guess I don't see this as being primarily about commerce - I see it as being primarily about music. This whole process is much bigger than TalkBass alone - or even of TB plus all the other bass forums combined...

MM

SteveC · #3 07-15-2007, 02:34 PM

I guess what I was getting at is I see a lot of people on TV, touring, etc that are using a 4 string jazz and basic rig of some kind. Not a lot of "extras" like we talk about a lot here.

Unrepresented · #4 07-15-2007, 03:04 PM

I know that TB has been a direct cause of my increased expenditures on gear, but it's also accompanied a greater attention to my playing and interest in bass overall.

It fuels itself. The more you read TB the more you start jonesin' for more/better gear which results in more time spend playing with gear which increases your identification as a "bass player" which increases your justification for spending more on gear -- to satisfy that role.

Eh, it beats crack.

tplyons · #5 07-15-2007, 03:24 PM

Talkbass caused me to spend a lot of money I probably wouldn't have the same way. However, I probably would've spent it anyway due to eBay and whatnot.

905 · #6 07-15-2007, 04:34 PM

It may be as addictive and more expensive than crack, but at least it doesn't screw you up physically!

...

Unless you're playing a Thunderbird :P

Munjibunga · #7 07-15-2007, 05:03 PM

I certainly wouldn't own a Jerzy Drozd absent TalkBass.

CrazyArcher · #8 07-16-2007, 10:06 AM

LOL, I don't have money to fuel any GAS I maight have, so it doesn't matter

But truth is, TB greatly increased my knowledge in gear.

dave64o · #9 07-16-2007, 11:07 AM

I doubt I'd have what I have if it weren't for TB. It helped me find gear that I thought would work for me and only got me moderately GASsy. Once I found gear I liked I've been pretty happy with it and haven't felt the urge to do a lot of buying and selling. Lately I've been relatively GAS free.

Unfortunately I've been getting more into photography and I'm still pretty GASsy with photo gear. I'm hoping that will settle the same way bass gear did.

SteveC · #10 07-16-2007, 01:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dave64o

Unfortunately I've been getting more into photography and I'm still pretty GASsy with photo gear.

Now that is an expensive hobby. Talk about gadgits and gear. Of course, if you get good you can charge bucco dollars to shoot a wedding, senior portraits, etc. and become self employed. My wife is looking into photo stuff. While I am leary, it could also lead to some nice "bonus" income.

pointbass · #11 07-16-2007, 01:32 PM

My pursuit of extended range basses started long before signing on here at TB. However, being on TB provided a bunch more info than I could find anywhere else, which made me a more informed buyer ...

It was also the first on-line board that had anyone posting who had with direct experience with FBB, a bass line I had always been fascinated with. My very first FBB bass was bought from a TB member .....

Deacon_Blues · #12 07-16-2007, 01:36 PM

The term GAS was unfamiliar to me before I discovered TB. That's about it. I simply don't have the money to fuel my GAS problems. There's too much other things I need to buy first. And loans to pay for the next 25 years, at least...

vision · #13 07-16-2007, 02:31 PM

I had plenty of GAS before Talkbass...from reading magazines like Bassplayer and seeing the gear that my favorite bassplayers were using. Talkbass has taken that GAS and removed alot of the guesswork out of it - before I might have GAS for a certain bass because of a good review in a magazine (which could be very biased) or because it sounded good when a player I liked used it. I bought gear that I had no idea about and often didn't like it. Because of Talkbass, I can have a pretty good idea of if I'll like something before buying it - either from non-biased reviews by posters who's opinions I trust, or via the networking I've made on here which has allowed me to try out tons of great gear in person.

FunkyFlashFive · #14 07-16-2007, 08:17 PM

TB only shifted my gas to bass stuff rather than a computer or something. it's made me start buying bits to build my own (so far a piece of wood of of ebay but more planed for the next few paydays!).