What happens to your gear when you're gone?

[ratdog73]

I was at the music shop a while back and they were discussing an older customer they had known for years that had a very high quality banjo.
It was a special edition and had massive amounts of custom mother of pearl and was always played, but extremely well looked after.
The deal was that the instrument would stay in the family as it had a family history as well.
Fast forward, the old guy passes away.
Not 6 weeks later, one family member is trying to sell it at the same music shop to get money for a new playstaion.
When the shop is reluctant to buy it, he heads off to the city to try his luck at the pawn shops.

This got me thinking.

What do you do with your pride and joy, the instrument you searched for years to find, the mainstay at gigs, the custom build.

Sell it before you get too old so you get a good price?
Give it to another musician that will appreciate it?
Leave it to the kids to trade it for a playstation and for it to be sprayed matt black and covered in stickers by some kids older brother?

[jay tay]

put it in the coffin with me!

[Shakin-Slim]

I'll be giving everything to a deserving kid, or to a school. Ain't no use letting a good tool going to waste

[rtslinger]

Coffin no doubt

[SolomonHelsing]

Amp and any of my normal basses will likely be passed on so they are used, warmoth will either go with me or be kept in family.

And what a little T*sser trading family history for a playstation,

[MikeBC]

Either jump off the 59th St. Bridge while holding it or donate it to the Smithsonian.

[ratdog73]

"warmoth will either go with me or be kept in family."

How can you ensure this happens though?

[ButtUglyJeff]

My son will be happy, hopefully while being sad...

[Jazz Ad]

Originally Posted by Shakin-Slim

I'll be giving everything to a deserving kid, or to a school. Ain't no use letting a good tool going to waste

My opinion as well.
For the most desirable instruments, I will try to pass them to somebody who will put them to good use.
The rest, well most of my gear can go away to make money when I'm dead.
I wouldn't want to bring a sweet music instrument with me in the coffin.

[countrybass007]

I don't care, I won't need it any more.

[Jazz Ad]

Of course if you play an upright, you can be buried IN the bass.

[4StringAxe]

I'm having my basses and pedals built right into my coffin. The wife and kids can have the amps.

[heavyfunkmachin]

I dont really care... I just wish they get played.

[HeadyVan Halen]

I'll give it to my son. Who will sell it for the 'New Jordans'.....roughly 6 months later he will use them to cut the yard.

"There's no way, no way that you came from my loins.."

[kombi]

Well, this is pretty obvious isn't it? i will - of course - let myself bury me with all my gear and a will resurrect a few days later as a bassist-zombie to KEEP ON PLAYING!!

JK... I asked myself the same question some time ago. Right now i would say, if it's in good condition and playable, i would give it to a dedicated musician who would appreatiate it. If it's too "rocked out", i will take it to the grave as a part of mine...

[Melik]

Originally Posted by Jazz Ad

Of course if you play an upright, you can be buried IN the bass.

I've actually played with the idea to get buried in an upright bass! But I guess that the top wouldn't handle all that pressure and the dirt would come in from the F-holes.. so it wouldn't be too practical anyway, a cool idea

[jmac]

My wife has the information needed to sell my gear on talkbass. However, I sort of like the idea of donating it to a school.

[Downunderwonder]

Only one of my basses has much dollar value. It's custom made in NZ with "kiwiana" touches. I'd like it to become an heirloom instrument as my gt grandad's violin did.

[Phalex]

I want my wife to sell everything as fast as she can, but a boat load of food and liquor, and throw a huge party!

[No Malarky]

All my gear will be the fuel for my funeral pyre.
Those attending may want to stay upwind.
Burn baby Burn.