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A Minimalists internal struggles with GAS

MasterBrianD

MasterBrianD

Jun 28, 2019
275
675
35
Dublin, Ireland
#1
I see myself as a minimalist in pretty much all aspects of life, I hate clutter and I hate having too many of the same sort of thing that does the same job. For example with consumer electronics (phones, tablets, TVs, laptops etc.) I like having one high quality product for each task and getting the use out of that product for many years until its end-of-life instead of constantly buying cheaper products every year or so.

With instruments, I like just having one bass to do everything, I don't play in a band or do any sessions or anything, I just record at home and I like having "my sound" that my current bass perfectly produces.

At the same time I can't stop looking up basses online, in stores and on used guitar websites, constantly "on the hunt" for something new or a good deal.

The problem is GAS will get the better of me every now and then, easily justified if its a good used deal on something I have had my eye on anyway.

But then I always find that if I have over, say three or four basses, the option paralysis kicks in and I spend more time messing around with them, comparing them to each other, adjusting action, cleaning, thinking about mods etc. rather than playing/practicing... then I usually sell them off (usually at a loss) and keep my number 1.

Whenever I have basses sitting around un-played an unusual sense of "guilt" kicks in and I end up selling.

Am I over-thinking this wayyyy too much or does anyone else have the same kind of weird mental barrier like me?

I should just try get over this and enjoy having multiple basses because I'm not going to win against GAS lets be honest. Maybe stick with a rule of three and no more or something.

Curious if anyone else feels the same.
 
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#2
I'm the same. Hate having more than I need, which is why my 2008 Tacoma keeps chugging along.

I have a fretless jazz as my #1 and a Squier as my practice kick about bass. It's all I need, and in some ways all I want.

But I just put a deposit down on a custom as it's time to reward myself for half a lifetime of hard work. Justification is I want it, and it will kick my Squier to the office, which leaves one fretted and one fretless at home.

Three is perfect as each one then has a place. Anymore and I have to store them. That's too many, for mine.
 
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#4
Guilt for wanting more bass gear is ridiculous.

Look to your right, now look to your left. Everything between you and what you see is GAS.
Breathe deeply. Now exhale. GAS.

Take a walk outside. Notice that clean feeling of not having your skin stripped off your bones from solar radiation? Thank GAS.

Enjoy the beach? Enjoy it more without fish kills? That’s GAS.

GAS is how you are alive to read this.
 
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#7
Like you I am a major minimalist. I live in a modern, tidy place and keep it very minimal and clean. Also, like you, I am always looking at gear. However, what stops me from buying too much is that A) I've been there done that and I know it's not the best feeling. Being excessive annoys me and makes me feel guilt. and B) I only have a 3 space rack. It holds one Precision bass, one Jazz bass and one Stratocaster. The necessitates. I can switch those around if I wish, but I can add no more. (I do the same thing with sneakers, because I am a neaker head but it's got to remain checked.) The thing is, I've purchased my grail Precision and Jazz (American Original) so where is there to go from there? Nowhere. I would never spend custom shop money, so I know I have the best I can buy. A P with Flats and a J with TIs. There's nothing more to need.

One way to stop gas is to only buy the best the first time. Yea, it may seem like a lot at first but it saves money in the long run. I guarantee that.
 
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#8
Killing Floor said:
Guilt for wanting more bass gear is ridiculous.

Look to your right, now look to your left. Everything between you and what you see is GAS.
Breathe deeply. Now exhale. GAS.

Take a walk outside. Notice that clean feeling of not having your skin stripped off your bones from solar radiation? Thank GAS.

Enjoy the beach? Enjoy it more without fish kills? That’s GAS.

GAS is how you are alive to read this.
Click to expand...
I have absolutely no idea what you mean by this.
 
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#10
Mike Vee said:
Like you I am a major minimalist. I live in a modern, tidy place and keep it very minimal and clean. Also, like you, I am always looking at gear. However, what stops me from buying too much is that A) I've been there done that and I know it's not the best feeling. Being excessive annoys me and makes me feel guilt. and B) I only have a 3 space rack. It holds one Precision bass, one Jazz bass and one Stratocaster. The necessitates. I can switch those around if I wish, but I can add no more. (I do the same thing with sneakers, because I am a neaker head but it's got to remain checked.) The thing is, I've purchased my grail Precision and Jazz (American Original) so where is there to go from there? Nowhere. I would never spend custom shop money, so I know I have the best I can buy. A P with Flats and a J with TIs. There's nothing more to need.

One way to stop gas is to only buy the best the first time. Yea, it may seem like a lot at first but it saves money in the long run. I guarantee that.
Click to expand...
I think having bought "the best" is my issue though, my current bass costs €3000+ so anytime I buy a "backup" or any other bass its usually between €500-€1000, so its never going to match up, then it doesn't get played that much because I already have this bass, then that newer bass gets sold, rinse and repeat.
 
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#13
droo46 said:
I recently hit my limit with gear and I'm preparing to sell quite a lot of stuff. Basses, pedals, amps...I ended up with far more than I care to have, so it's time to clean house. I rarely sell anything, and after 15 years, I've accumulated way more than my 1 bedroom apartment can handle.
Click to expand...
Safe to say your Serek's won't be on the "to-sell" list anyway? :smug:
 
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#18
I really need 2, both 6s tuned differently and used for different applications.
However, having a couple more, set in the bedroom and the living room so they're at hand is what I really like. I have a preference for Ibanez SR necks and they all feel about the same irrespective of model, having some of the budget models are OK as practice mules and once set up, I'm not a tweaker.

There are far more instruments here than I need but selling them where I live is a huge PITA, and the market very soft, so I'll keep dusting them for a while more, and sell them as I feel the need for more space.
 
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#20
Hues said:
I try to focus my GAS on things that are years out of production,and more than hard to find....That way the hunt is always on.And the hunt is the real thrill.
Click to expand...
I like that idea but I don't buy into the vintage hype, paying way more than a bass is realistically worth just because its old and less common. I believe basses made today are the best they have ever been.

I do however tend to go for 2008-2016 Fender American Standards and that sort of thing if thats what you mean. Great instruments at decent prices compared to new.
 
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