A Philosophical GAS Question (Kinda Long)

Well, it's never a bad thing to have a Jazz AND a P. And if you really want a P, these new MIA's make it a good time to get one.

 

It's probably all of the above. Although, I find my G.A.S. spikes when I'm not gigging or playing in a band, 'cause I get bored. When I have gigs, I usually focus on playing one or two basses.
I've bought so many basses I didn't need. Two already this year.
Talkbass doesn't help, especially reading the classifieds and seeing what everyone else has.
There is definitely something to the "completist" thing. I have a Precision with a Jazz neck, so you'd think I'd be set there.. best of both worlds, right? But, no.. some evil part of me thinks I need to get an actual Jazz and an actual Precision. Ugh.
As for a new MIA Precision, have you played any of the '08s? They're nice. And the rolled fretboard edges make the neck feel slimmer. I know I'm not helping here..
I've thought I was "done" a bunch of times, but G.A.S. is terminal. It may abate from time to time, but it never really goes away.

 

I'm still not in a position where I have enough money to own multiple basses, so I can't say

Regarding a P and a J, at first starting out, I though I would prefer a J because of the neck. How wrong was I. I tried on a P and I really dig the wider neck spacing. Mostly because wider necks tend to be flatter and thinner in depth, which I prefer. Narrower necks tend to be very thick in depth.

Also, I kinda dig the thump / boomy sound of the P pickups rather than the mid range punchy of the J pickups

 

You've been here.






Reading.

 

You know, I never thought about it much but that seems to be my problem as well.... who knew?

 

Just go to a music store and play one a few times, then maybe you'll get over it. I think sometimes it's just something new and different that we crave.

 

+1!

 

This is true for me as well. If I'm playing out regularly, I focus more on making sure my basses are properly set up and ready to go.

Now, putting on the "analyst's" hat for our friend the O.P., I notice you didn't complain about the TONE of your '97 Precision, only the sunburst. And I'm with you there -- I find sunbursts really boring for the most part. And you didn't complain about the tone of your fretless, only the playability. You did complain about the tone on your Deluxe, and I'm with you there too. I had a '99, and it just didn't do the P thang like it should. So I sold it, and bought a 2004 American Series, black on black/maple. It was the right move.

So I think, deep down, you know you need a genuine, no BS split-coil Precision in the arsenal. This is causing you tension, because you think you "must" be a J-bass guy after all those unsatisfying P-bass experiences. I think it's just you haven't found the right P-bass. So don't fight the GAS, allow it to lead you to righteousness -- American Standard Precision!

 

I think a P body with a J neck is nearly the perfect bass. Get a Warmoth J neck and slap it on a P...that's what I'm going to do very soon.

 

I agree 100% that GAS is worst when you're not gigging. I went 6 months without buying anything when we were gigging heavily. Now that things are slow, I am consuming at an alarming rate.

I'm a J guy too. Just added a Geddy to the herd yesterday. But I also have that MIA P over there, just because I know I will HAVE to have it at some point. In fact, I just bought a new pup for it tonight (Rio Grande Muy Grande). I hear the '08 models are wonderful, too.

Glad I could help.

 

I think it may be the combination of "completist" as well as talkbass threads.

Around here, the P bass is just crazy greatness (which if you find the right one, it really is), and with that, it makes you want to find this crazy greatness that others are raving about.

As much as you may not need that P... you may need to fill the void. But try not to do it with something that isn't completely good for you... don't settle for a P that you find something wrong with. One glorious day you'll come across that P bass that is just for you. Just try to hold out until then.

 

i have been gasing over a p for so long. i really want that butterscotch/maple p in the classifieds to be honest.

but i have a spector and a jazz. since i got the jazz i never play my spector. so i dont even want a bunch of basses, i would never play them. i dont know what i would do with myself if i had a nice p and a nice j. i just dropped some model j's in my jazz to fatten it up a little im liking it but it just isnt the same single coil vintagey jazz anymore. il get that p bass eventually though just searching for the right deal.

 

I'd buy a new bass every month if I had the money and the room to keep them. It's just fun playing new instruments I guess.

 

I am the opposite. I'm gassing for J-basses.
I have a MIM fretless, and don't like playing on it.
It's not my cup of tea I guess.
I know if I sell it after a few month I just might buy another fretless J.

The same with P-basses. I am gassing for one. American Standard or Highway One. But I don't need it.
Just because some of my heroes use a P-bass, something in the back of my mind keeps telling me I'd be as good if I get a P.

 

My GAS will not be satisfied until I have the 'Tele' bass that I've been dreaming about since I was a teenager... (I'm 51 now!).

Could be a 51/55 p reissue or (god forbid) a Squier p Classic Vibe, although it really has to be blonde with a white scratchplate.

There... I feel better now!

 

I truly understand the situation. Go ahead and live your GAS, oops, your dream I meant

 

I'm a Jazz bass guy myself - but there are times when only a P will do. I wouldn't part with mine willingly, even though I usually reach for a Jazz in most situations.