My gift is my curse!! A vent!!!

[Spinal Tapper]

Originally Posted by Mr_Sore_Fingerz

Try giving yourself a breather from "band" stuff and try doing some stuff on your own. If you have a basement with some recording gear, try fiddling around on the guitar, bass and drums (if you have them, if not try a drum machine or some beat synthesizers on the PC) and see what happens. I would go insane if I played covers all the time lol

Anyhow, give that a shot, see what happens....and once you feel comfortable, try finding a nice guitarist or drummer you like to just jam with (preferably not in the current band) and see what happens when you guys play together.

+1000 to this! Sell ur large rig and get some recording gear. Maybe see if your son is interested in instruments or recording and work with him on stuff too.

[SlingBass4]

Been there / done that

It sounds like you may have come to the place where you know what to do and how to go about it. It's just a matter of setting your priorities and going about putting your life in order. Really not that big of deal - unless you wish to make more out of it than is necessary. I have 20 years of sobriety, a great wife, nice house, and decent job. I play when and as much as I need to - keeping everything in balance. I quit twice for a total of 20 years. Too extreme, and it wasn't the answer. Balance was. Understand this: There are incredible players out there also playing as time allows, and they're looking for others just like themselves. They've found balance - and so can you. Keep your gear. You (or your son) are going to need it one day

[dmusic148]

Originally Posted by phatbass

I stopped worrying about carrying a bunch of stuff (leads, strings, batteries - I kid you not) to pull other people's butts out of a problem caused by their own neglect.

Agree with all you said, but this part stuck out. I carry nothing but a drum key.

[elpezpr]

Maybe just maybe it is subconscious GAS and you will buy a new rig a week from the moment you sell the one you have.

Hope everything works out.