Swearing off GAS

beelzelboss · #1 02-07-2011, 11:45 PM

I'm swearing off gas for the next couple of months. I just indulged, and bought a new bass, hoping I can get through the next couple of years (yes, YEARS) without making a major bass purchase. (Major bass purchase being over $150/year, excluding strings and a set up)

Anyone want to go with me?

Muddslide · #2 02-08-2011, 12:35 AM

I've been unable to indulge in GAS for most of the past 12 years.

This year I plan to indulge a little with an inexpensive bass, decent amp and some home recording equipment.

Once I put these things together, though, it will be the last gear I purchase unless and until something breaks down to the point of having to be replaced.

I'm thinking the bass I buy in the next few weeks will be one that I'm stuck with for as far down the road as I can see. But I'm not a guy who cares to have more than 2-3 basses.

MIJ-VI · #3 02-08-2011, 01:44 AM

I've had the one instrument I own since '96. Over the years I've added better pickups & flats.

PSPookie · #4 02-08-2011, 08:10 AM

Swearing off doesn't work in the long-run. The first step is to admit you have a problem and that you are powerless over your GAS. Then, there are 11 more steps.

Bassman316 · #5 02-08-2011, 08:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PSPookie

Swearing off doesn't work in the long-run. The first step is to admit you have a problem and that you are powerless over your GAS. Then, there are 11 more steps.

This.

sloasdaylight · #6 02-08-2011, 08:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by beelzelboss

I'm swearing off gas for the next couple of months. I just indulged, and bought a new bass, hoping I can get through the next couple of years (yes, YEARS) without making a major bass purchase. (Major bass purchase being over $150/year, excluding strings and a set up)

Anyone want to go with me?

HA!

beelzelboss · #7 02-08-2011, 08:27 AM

Thanks for the encouragement guys. I just want to feel for a while that I don't need anything else. I just want to keep that feeling long term.

PSPookie · #8 02-08-2011, 08:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by beelzelboss

Thanks for the encouragement guys. I just want to feel for a while that I don't need anything else. I just want to keep that feeling long term.

Don't worry about "for a while" or "long term". Just focus on today. Tomorrow, do the same.

The man who moves a mountain starts by carrying away small stones.

beelzelboss · #9 02-08-2011, 09:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PSPookie

Don't worry about "for a while" or "long term". Just focus on today. Tomorrow, do the same.

The man who moves a mountain starts by carrying away small stones.

Best thing I've heard all day.

SteveC · #10 02-08-2011, 09:45 AM

I'm trying. Try to take it week by week instead of year by year. Baby steps.

I have tried dozens of basses and amps over the last few years and always come back to my tried and true stuff. I am trying for one calendar year to just live with my Yamaha BB605 with Barts, NXT EUB and Genz Benz Shuttle 6.0-12T combo. Really, all my gigs are more than covered by this gear, and it all sounds great, plays great and even looks cool/nice. There's no reason why this gear isn't good enough for me and my gigs - except getting sucked in by TB and keeping up with the Jones' and all that crap.

And honestly, I'm getting a little tired of buying/selling/swapping/searching. Gonna try to practice and be a better player. We have a new drummer who's really good and is going to demand that we are better, too. I need a kick in the but so this will be god for me. I need time to build/keep upright chops anyway.

Dr. Cheese · #11 02-08-2011, 10:01 AM

My budget killed GAS for me!

I hope to pick up literally a couple of items this year, and that's it. I just can't afford the buying trading and swapping anymore.

SteveC · #12 02-08-2011, 10:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dr. Cheese

My budget killed GAS for me!

I hope to pick up literally a couple of items this year, and that's it. I just can't afford the buying trading and swapping anymore.

Amen. I can't afford it either and mentally, I am ready to not deal with it any more as well. Debating the minutia between basses or amps or whatever is mentally draining.

Dr. Cheese · #13 02-08-2011, 10:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SteveC

Amen. I can't afford it either and mentally, I am ready to not deal with it any more as well. Debating the minutia between basses or amps or whatever is mentally draining.

The thing that kills me is that if I had been more patient, I could have picked up something really nice instead of constantly getting "good deals." KJung once told me that I could have bought a boutique if I would just slow up on all of the little purchases. When I added up all that I bought last year, I saw that what he said was literally true!

Oh well, that's in the past now. It has really hit me that I am an older man with young children, and I have to move beyond gear, and focus on getting the college funds together.

Muddslide · #14 02-08-2011, 02:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SteveC

I have tried dozens of basses and amps over the last few years and always come back to my tried and true stuff...There's no reason why (my current) gear isn't good enough for me and my gigs - except getting sucked in by TB and keeping up with the Jones' and all that crap.

And honestly, I'm getting a little tired of buying/selling/swapping/searching. Gonna try to practice and be a better player.

Words of wisdom. Sounds so familiar. I went through half the 80s and half the 90s buying and trading and selling and getting everything I could get my hands on to try things out.

Went through 5'ers, 6'ers, an 8 string, AGBs, various fretlesses, active electronics (HATE THEM) not to mention effects pedals, amp gear, etc., only to find out all I need or want to play is a good passive, fretted, solidbody 4-banger.

Turned out to be a colossal waste of time and money.

I'd still like to have an AGB or a fretless or a hollow- r semi-hollow bass to mess around on. Be fun. But I don't need any of that. I'd be perfectly happy/satisfied with a good first position bass and a good backup.

SteveC · #15 02-08-2011, 02:32 PM

My words are wise but my actions don't always follow. I still debate a passive 4 string jazz instead of my active 5. I like the passive sound a lot, and 95% of my playing can be done on a 4 string, but I can't seem to kick the 5 string "habit" so to speak.

Auzzie-Phoenix · #16 02-08-2011, 07:42 PM

Start a CD at a bank, and keep rolling it over. That way sooner or later you'll have earned enough on the CD to buy something major once again.

Dr. Cheese · #17 02-08-2011, 08:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Auzzie-Phoenix

Start a CD at a bank, and keep rolling it over. That way sooner or later you'll have earned enough on the CD to buy something major once again.

+1,000!

PSPookie · #18 02-09-2011, 06:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Auzzie-Phoenix

Start a CD at a bank, and keep rolling it over. That way sooner or later you'll have earned enough on the CD to buy something major once again.

With typical rates below %1.5 it will almost certainly be later. I agree with the sentiment but perhaps another savings vehicle would be more advantageous.

Martin89 · #19 02-09-2011, 10:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PSPookie

With typical rates below %1.5 it will almost certainly be later. I agree with the sentiment but perhaps another savings vehicle would be more advantageous.

+1

I'd say stocks that pay over 5% dividends would be a pretty good way to go. It get's very impressive when you get a couple grand invested. It's like having a boutique bass with a guaranteed $150 gig a year($3k at 5%) not to mention the resale value is a little more stable and you don't have to part with the whole thing during a rough time.

FilterFunk · #20 02-09-2011, 10:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Muddslide

Words of wisdom. Sounds so familiar. I went through half the 80s and half the 90s buying and trading and selling and getting everything I could get my hands on to try things out.

Went through 5'ers, 6'ers, an 8 string, AGBs, various fretlesses, active electronics (HATE THEM) not to mention effects pedals, amp gear, etc., only to find out all I need or want to play is a good passive, fretted, solidbody 4-banger.

Turned out to be a colossal waste of time and money.

I'd still like to have an AGB or a fretless or a hollow- r semi-hollow bass to mess around on. Be fun. But I don't need any of that. I'd be perfectly happy/satisfied with a good first position bass and a good backup.

Sounds to me like it wasn't a waste of time. It seems like you ultimately decided to go with a simple rig because of all the experimenting. I agree with those who say that all of that buying/trying/selling/trading is mentally draining, time-consuming and expensive. I'm thankful to be at the point where I'm truly happy with what I have. Now if I buy gear, it's because it intrigues me, not because I'm still looking for any "Holy Grail." It purely fun for me now.