Extremely Morbid Thread.....A Bassist's Last Will and Testament

rollerberg2000 · #1 08-10-2010, 05:00 PM

Sort of hate to even broach the subject, and some may even find it tacky. I've pondered this question internally many times, and the death of a friends relative brought it to mind again today, so here goes....

What are your personal plans or preferences for your gear when you die? I see so many wonderful instruments and gear that many claim will "go to the grave" with them, but we all know you can't take it with you.

In my case, none of my children are musical, so leaving it to the family would be a waste. If I knew my end was coming, I would of course start finding homes for my most beloved gear. Most of the time you don't see it coming though, lot's of people die young and unexpectedly I've mentioned to my wife there are certain pieces I want to go to certain musicians I know, and that if there are basses she wants to keep around to remember me that's up to her. The bulk of my stuff I've instructed her to consult with a particular person I met on TB for assistance in pricing, and then to sell it all off for very cheap to some of the friends I've made on talkbass if they want it. BTW, don't hunt me down and run me off the road, if you're thinking that you're probably not on my list!

Seriously does anyone else have a musician's will, for want of a better term, and if you do, how are you going to have it carried out without going into the personal details?

MatticusMania · #2 08-10-2010, 05:03 PM

Well, no one in my family plays. Im assuming I won't die until after next summer when I get married, so my gear will all go to my then-wife, who is free to do with it as she pleases.

**bassybill** · #3 08-10-2010, 05:05 PM

I want it all stacked up around me in a huge bonfire pyre while I burn.

hdracer · #4 08-10-2010, 05:07 PM

That is a great thing you are doing. Something we don't like to think about. I do not have that problem. My son would be ALL over my stuff !

MatticusMania · #5 08-10-2010, 05:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rollerberg2000

and then to sell it all off for very cheap to some of the friends I've made on talkbass if they want it.

Its your stuff, of course, and you can do with it as you wish, but personally I would advise against that. I'd rather my wife sell off my gear for at least what its worth, as to benefit her as much as possible.

McHaven · #6 08-10-2010, 05:12 PM

I would most likely want my family to keep one or two to remember me, even if no one plays. If I had a son or daughter that played, they could have it all.

Otherwise, 1 or 2 stays with the family. Rest can be sold off or donated to schools/needy kids.

**line6man** · #7 08-10-2010, 05:33 PM

Who cares where your stuff goes?
When you are gone, nothing you own matters anymore, it won't matter where it goes.

If you don't have any family or friends to appreciate it, have it sold or donated to charity or something.

rollerberg2000 · #8 08-10-2010, 05:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MatticusMania

Its your stuff, of course, and you can do with it as you wish, but personally I would advise against that. I'd rather my wife sell off my gear for at least what its worth, as to benefit her as much as possible.

You are correct Matticus, but my wife wouldn't be GIVING it away, but I've instructed her to make people a very good deal on something they want because I have certainly been the recipient of some very fine deals. Money won't be a problem, I've provided for my family if something unfortunate occurs, but I would get a kick out of someone getting to enjoy the fruits of my labor so to speak.

tplyons · #9 08-10-2010, 05:48 PM

If I have kids that don't play, my gear will be donated to Little Kids Rock... if I have kids that play, it's all theirs.

i_got_a_mohawk · #10 08-10-2010, 05:58 PM

As it stands now, I've told my parents to sell on my stuff to pay for expenses etc. If I croak it early.

TOOL460002 · #11 08-10-2010, 06:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bassybill

I want it all stacked up around me in a huge bonfire pyre while I burn.

hell ya- go out viking style on a floating fireball of woofers. get a relative to take pics too. fire cool.

jp58 · #12 08-10-2010, 06:13 PM

I want it to go to friends of mine that play instruments.. I don't have relative that play anything, nor do I have children so leaving it to family would result in it getting "yard-sale"d or collecting dust.

MEKer · #13 08-10-2010, 06:21 PM

I used to think I'd like my ashes mixed in some high gloss epoxy and used on a custom bass for my son. Still like the idea. That way "I" would still be playing.

Gawd, I love bass.

FL Knifemaker · #14 08-10-2010, 06:45 PM

My wife and I both lost our last parents over the past year and half. I tell EVERYONE go get your parents long term care and final plans in place LONG before they are needed. And also, sadly, while they are still able to make decisions on their own. Both my Mom and her Dad had everything in place which made things as easy as possible for us. During the past year and half we heard many horror stories of families that did not. As far as bass gear, it really doesn't matter what you do as long as you have your plans, OFFICIALLY IN WRITING, NOTARIZED and LEGAL!!

You CANNOT rely on a verbal agreement in these matters. It doesnt' cost much to have a will preparred and will be worth every penny.

theory028 · #15 08-10-2010, 07:06 PM

The only equipment that I have of any actual value is my Ampeg SVT-VR so that would be about the only thing worth selling when I die. Hopefully I'll live long enough to collect some MTDs and Laklands so I can leave something cool behind.

My dad and older brother play guitar so I'm sure that they'd have no trouble finding something to do with my stuff. One of my uncles used to play bass in a band with my dad. Otherwise, there aren't a lot people in my family to leave anything for. I'm not too concerned with whether they'd sell it or hold on to it. By that point, it won't make any difference to me.

IconBasser · #16 08-10-2010, 08:04 PM

all of my gear (and I) will be placed into a capsule that will then be jettisoned into space. I will be programmed to explode upon contact with the first satellite that I hit, which will be precisely calculated to bring down hundreds of neighboring satellites in our plunge back to earth. The resulting impacts will kill thousands. This way, even if I accomplish nothing in life, I will be remembered throughout history as an extra-terrestrial mass murderer.

Phalex · #17 08-10-2010, 08:10 PM

Interesting topic. I've thought about it before, but never actually had anything drawn up.

I figure I'd have my wife sell my Ric and use the money to buy a crap load of liquor and such for the party after the funeral.

I don't have any kids, but I have a brother, three nephews (one who plays bass) and a couple of nieces that play music. I'd like to let them take turns claiming stuff with the stipulation that they can't sell it. I'd kinda like to keep it in the family for a generation or so.

The party should be pretty cool......

champbassist · #18 08-10-2010, 10:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Phalex

I figure I'd have my wife sell my Ric and use the money to buy a crap load of liquor and such for the party after the funeral.

The party should be pretty cool......

You find humour in everything don't you? I salute you

I've been thinking about my will for something like 7 years (since one day depressing day when I was 12) and think about it on and off all the time.

Frankly, even if no one in my family plays music, I'd still leave it for them to do as they please, as Matticus says. Maybe it'll spur someone on to learn to play. If it doesn't, hell, who cares! I won't be here, not my headache

shadowtippy · #19 08-11-2010, 06:31 AM

I'll leave my gear to my soon-to-be wife's grandson. He has expressed an interest in playing and would get a decent start on finding something to suit his tastes.

buzzbass · #20 08-11-2010, 07:17 AM

The Zon goes to my buddy John Wolby, Berklee grad, awesome bassist. Only person I've ever taken a lesson from. Always made me feel good about my playing, although it could never hold a candle to his.

The USA ATK5 goes to whoever is the bassist in my old high school's jazz band on the day I die.

The other 7, including the 78-P & all my amps go to my son and daughter. Son is a budding bassist, and my little girl plays the flute.