Do you have a "No Gigs - NO GAS" policy? (mini-rant)

unbasslichkeit · #1 04-15-2008, 12:58 PM

This basically means that you don't buy new equipment unless (1) something breaks; or (2) you don't have enough gigs booked ahead to justify a new acquisition. Usually a problem amongst married bassists or bassists without day jobs or bassists with kids and/or girlfriends and/or wives without day jobs....

Aww who cares. WE broke!

And this is the situation I find myself in - no gigs till May 3, no sub gigs, and all these nice basses and amps going right by me. Right now there are two Super J's been l on sale for a month, and no money unless I break into highly forbidden funds.

If you are in this position, or a similar one, c'mon and sit right down here

. It's okay to whine.

Ric5 · #2 04-15-2008, 01:10 PM

I have come to the realization that I will never break even in the music business ...

sixtwofour · #3 04-15-2008, 01:19 PM

That's my house rule too - I can't buy anything unless I'm gigging. So, I didn't buy anything for about 8 years. I started gigging in January again, so I was able to pick up a couple basses, a head, and cab.

Right now I'd like to pick up another bass, a nice compressor and perhaps a multi-effects unit (I'm really interested in the new Boss GT-10B that's coming out). I'm also looking for another acoustic guitar. Even though I'm gigging, I can't justify any of it, so I'm holding off. It's not like I can't play my shows with what I already have, and the other kind of gas is getting too expensive.

SteveC · #4 04-15-2008, 01:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ric5

I have come to the realization that I will never break even in the music business ...

I agree. I have a lot of gigs in the next few weeks, but my gig money goes for other things these days and I wouldn't change it for anything.

I went through a stage where I would buy and sell a bass within days. It was fun, and I learned a lot. For many reasons, I am over that stage. I am quite satisfied with my gear. My bass and amp are quality pieces. They play great, they sound great, and they look nice, too. Anything more would really be superficial - which is fine - but at this stage in my life and "career" I have what I need to cover my gigs.

iamoldschool · #5 04-15-2008, 01:24 PM

If I did, I wouldn't have any gear.

aproud1 · #6 04-15-2008, 01:25 PM

My Credit card, bank account and girlfriend would love if I could exercise that kind of control. But I cannot. I am frequently overcome by G.A.S. and can't resist. If I could do that I would. It's an addiction.
I guess it's better than a heroine addiction?

Buying gear is a hobby in its self. At least it is for me.

Andy

matrok · #7 04-15-2008, 01:29 PM

I'm a stay at home dad. I only spend money if I get a bunch of good gigs or some freelance computer work, and even then it's usually only on necessities. I have "splurged" on an SX neck, cheap body and parts for a frankenstein project coming in at under $200.

Phalex · #8 04-15-2008, 01:30 PM

Gigs are definitely the means by which I buy equipment, but I don't feel the need to buy equipment simply because I have gigs. Everything I own has paid for itself many times over, and I rarely get GAS attacks.

Hawaii Islander · #9 04-15-2008, 01:32 PM

I don't gig, so I use a different train of thought when deciding to buy new gear.

Life is short. One minute you're here and the next, you are not. Spending some money on bass gear is not an issue I worry about. If I have the funds and I "want" something (bass, amp, effects, etc) I buy it. I have no "need" requirement when deciding to purchase gear or not.

pedroims · #10 04-15-2008, 02:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hawaii Islander

I don't gig, so I use a different train of thought when deciding to buy new gear.

Life is short. One minute you're here and the next, you are not. Spending some money on bass gear is not an issue I worry about. If I have the funds and I "want" something (bass, amp, effects, etc) I buy it. I have no "need" requirement when deciding to purchase gear or not.

I am with u buddy !

i do not gig either, however , I have a budget for gear, my wife agreed $ 2500 per year which is enough I also pick up some presents from my lovely wife during the year. Keep in mind that my wife also has a budget for her gas: makeup, jewelry etc.

wideload · #11 04-15-2008, 02:06 PM

My wife and I have an agreement (that many of you probably have). If I get something new, she gets something new. The problem is, with bass gear, if I get a new cabinet, ,she gets a new

husband.

nubs · #12 04-15-2008, 02:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wideload

My wife and I have an agreement (that many of you probably have). If I get something new, she gets something new. The problem is, with bass gear, if I get a new cabinet, ,she gets a new husband.

well, tell her your gonna miss her..before she goes!

Zooberwerx · #13 04-15-2008, 02:17 PM

Its a hobby that almost pays for itself. I have nine basses and need each and every one to gig...or that's what I tell my wife. I have a decent day job as does my wife so its no big deal if we spend a little dough.

Riis

Spinal Tapper · #14 04-15-2008, 02:21 PM

My band gigs a lot...

I buy a lotta crap I don't necessarily NEED.
But that's the great thing about gear - someone could always use it...buy, sell, buy, sell, trade, sell, buy, sell!

I think you get the point...after a while, the stuff just starts paying for itself...basically...

IndyBass · #15 04-15-2008, 02:22 PM

I've been in between paying gigs for a while now. I usually try to minimize/eliminate the financial burden on the family by selling other stuff to pay for the new stuff I want. But I've also been known to go for very long periods (10+ years) without changing gear, so it all works out.

I've been making some gradual changes to basses and rig in the last couple of years, and when I'm done (in about a month) I expect to live with the new setup for another good long time. It works for me.

Ric5 · #16 04-15-2008, 02:26 PM

I moved in 2007 so I downsized my collection of music stuff ... I am now down to 14 basses, 2 guitars, 6 amps, 2 keyboards, and PA equipment, effects, cables, stands, cases, recording machines, etc ... I would have to do a lot of gigging just to break even ... then there is the cost of strings, gas to get to rehearsal and gigs ...

What a crazy business ... a band needs to have several members who have spent years learning their craft and each have thousands of dollars in equipment, then they need a pa, then they spend the time to learn songs and rehearse, then they show up early set up do a sound check, then they play, then they stay late and tear down ... and for what ... a few hunderd dollars ... if you do the math the music business makes no financial sense ...

But it sure is fun ...

Fortunately I have a good day job that lets me afford some nice toys ...

smitcat · #17 04-15-2008, 02:30 PM

I gig pretty often for someone with a day job. I used to always be on the hunt for new stuff. Nowadays, as long as its something Im really going to use, I don't mind spending the money. Im in a spot where Im really happy with what I've got, but I know that feeling won't last forever. But one thing I have learned is the necessity of other things. My fiance and I talked about getting a new car. I didn't really want to spend the money, BUT- with no wheels, theres no gigs. So thats where my money is going -AFTER my genz benz shuttle 112 gets here

wazzel · #18 04-15-2008, 02:39 PM

When I was giging for money all my gig money when towards gear. Now that my current gig is volenteer it is a bit harder to justify stuff other than strings, batteries and the things that get broken. With my day job I have to go to remote locations and some local travel that I get extra pay for. I get to spend a portion of the extra on junk for me the rest goes to family needs/wants. In the past year I traveled a bit, kids got a Wii, wife got some money put to some things she wants and I got a shuttle 6.0-12T. It is a multi win situation as long as the wife does not get greedy and want it all.

YCBass · #19 04-15-2008, 02:43 PM

I am with you on that... At this time I don't even have a band to play with - for fun, money, whatever - so no new gear for me... I even got rid of 1 bass cause I couldn't justify owning 3 eventhough they are all different (active J5, passive J4, semi-hollow 4 - got rid of the J4).

But in general I'm just trying to be more practical and find 1 do-it-all 5 string... I have yet to decide if my current J5 is it. Just trying to buy/sell/trade so I don't accumulate more basses but just get better ones.

Bardley · #20 04-15-2008, 02:48 PM

I'm in the married with a child boat. I always end up having to sell something and/or do extra jobs(I'm an audio tech by trade and also dabble in home audio remote programming) to settle the GAS pains. Our rule is that I never touch the day job money. That's for bills and the house.

It all seems to work out OK. I still have 5 basses and a decent rig and possibly a 6th bass soon.

You gotta do what you gotta do...