Advice for poor bass player lol

[Flgc2017]

Hi just wanted to ask you guys some advice.
I’ve been playing bass for over 20 years, I also play guitar. Due to bills and other things I’ve sold all of my bases slowly over the last few years. I am now down to a hohner precision bass copy which was actually my first bass.
the neck was always twisted really bad, But I’ve got it to where it’s pretty playable except for some fret buzz in areas. I'm pretty proud of myself for fixing this bass that had been almost unplayable for the last 20 years but it’s still not that dependable.
Now here is where I need advice. I own an original 1957 Gibson Les Paul Junior that I got for $70 from a pawn shop. The guy at the store was unaware that it was a Gibson. and so was I when I bought it, (long story involving plastic over the headstock to hide a bad repair) but it’s worth some money. I could sell this guitar and get a better bass and have money left over for bills but I’m afraid I’ll be sad in the future that I sold it ( like everything else I’ve sold) what Should I do? Thanks!!

 

[Flgc2017]

Also. I hsd a Sterling Sub bass that I had gotten on a cheap AMS 8 payment plan but I sent it back because even 40 a month is too much for me right now.

 

[Bassbeater]

Sell the Gibson and the cheap bass and get a better bass. Unless you want to play guitar, it doesn't make sense to hang on to it when you don\t have a serviceable bass IMO.

 

[danster]

Sell the Gibson and the cheap bass and get a better bass. Unless you want to play guitar, it doesn't make sense to hang on to it when you don\t have a serviceable bass IMO.

^^^ THIS ^^^

 

[mattbass6945]

Only you can decide what's right for your situation. I just sold an amp last night that I was sad to see go, but I knew I wasn't using it and probably wouldn't use it in the future. I think you have to ask yourself a few questions.

Is it an investment that is gaining value?
Are you getting use out of it?
Do you see yourself getting use out of it in the future?
Are you about to be living in a van down by the river?

I can't stand to see equipment just sit and gather dust, but I also don't own any vintage, high end stuff. Best of luck to you!

 

[SturmUndDrang]

Keep the Jr. and take good care of it. Maybe try some different things to make more money. I hear the book rich dad poor dad is a good one. Also, go Red Sox.

 

[charlie monroe]

Are you earning money playing music?

If not, it sounds like your financial situation should not be strained by buying/swapping gear at this time.

Were it me, I would concentrate on spending my pennies on the treasure that is in your arms.

 

[Joe Nerve]

I hold onto my basses until I either HAVE to sell them, or really WANT to sell them. If you're unsure, it won't hurt to hold onto it. I will only go up in value. Money in the bank, as far as I'm concerned.

 

[buldog5151bass]

Hard to know how collectible the Gibson is if there was a significant repair. Here is how I would look at it. Are you gigging to the point where you NEED a more dependable bass? If not, don't buy another bass. Also, you sold off your instruments to pay bills, but still need extra money to pay bills. Priorities.

 

[Flgc2017]

Yeah. I never struggledwhen I was younger the way I am now. Jd byrider car, expensive rent and other bills. I’m barely making ends meet. But playing music is very therapeutic to me. I do play guitar but just chords and songwriting stuff. Bass gets me excited and I’m very good at it ( not trying to sound prideful here)
When people hear me play bass I always get compliments and it makes me feel great about all the practice I’ve put in over the years. But I’m not a gigging musician at the moment. Actually not fot the last 4 years. Last gig I played, my dad had a heart attack on stage playing drums and died ( true story) so I have a lot of anxiety about that but I’m determined to get past it. Cause music is what keeps me going

 

[ejaggers]

The LP Jr was considered a student instrument in ’57 much like the Mustang or Musicmaster.
But that doesn’t mean it’s not worth some $$$. I personally don’t sell my basses as a rule, but then, I’m not strapped for cash.

Putting myself in your position, I have a 1967 Coronado II and a 1972 Jazz.
I would sell the Jazz in a heartbeat if I was desperate, but would NOT sell the CII under any condition,
because of the sentimental value. So how close are you to the LP Jr?

057912

 

[br1qbat]

Yeah. I never struggledwhen I was younger the way I am now. Jd byrider car, expensive rent and other bills. I’m barely making ends meet. But playing music is very therapeutic to me. I do play guitar but just chords and songwriting stuff. Bass gets me excited and I’m very good at it ( not trying to sound prideful here)
When people hear me play bass I always get compliments and it makes me feel great about all the practice I’ve put in over the years. But I’m not a gigging musician at the moment. Actually not fot the last 4 years. Last gig I played, my dad had a heart attack on stage playing drums and died ( true story) so I have a lot of anxiety about that but I’m determined to get past it. Cause music is what keeps me going

As a someone who had to sell all their gear before, I vote for selling the guitar, and either 1. Get a new neck for your exisiting bass. Or 2. Get a more playable cheap bass.
Either way, keep playing. Its a great stress reliever. Still is. Your mental health is worth the small price tag on a cheap bass. Use the rest of the $ for bills.

 

[bwildt]

You will have to decide how much sentimental value the Hohner and SG have for YOU. That will determine if you want to keep them or not.

If you sell the SG, will you still want a guitar (and a bass)? If so, you may need to re-purchase both.

Here is some good news. Due to modern manufacturing methods, inexpensive instruments have never been better. Even the inexpensive models from manufacturers like Squier, Ibanez and Yamaha play well. Also look at used stuff. My local Craigslist and Facebook Marketplace are full of entry-level basses for very reasonable prices.

 

[buldog5151bass]

Yeah. I never struggledwhen I was younger the way I am now. Jd byrider car, expensive rent and other bills. I’m barely making ends meet. But playing music is very therapeutic to me. I do play guitar but just chords and songwriting stuff. Bass gets me excited and I’m very good at it ( not trying to sound prideful here)
When people hear me play bass I always get compliments and it makes me feel great about all the practice I’ve put in over the years. But I’m not a gigging musician at the moment. Actually not fot the last 4 years. Last gig I played, my dad had a heart attack on stage playing drums and died ( true story) so I have a lot of anxiety about that but I’m determined to get past it. Cause music is what keeps me going

If you aren't gigging, and the bass is playable, you have a playable bass for now. I would get the guitar appraised to see what the value is in its current condition. Frankly, you are probably better off not playing that guitar if it is worth money. But get your budget in order before you start buying more stuff.

 

[saabfender]

No brainer for me: sell the old Hofner and Gibson and buy a good bass. Something amazing is bound to come up while you’re peddling the two guitars you don’t need.

 

[Flgc2017]

I just got done talking to a the owner of a vintage guitar shop who I’ve become friends with over last few years. (He’s seen and played the Gibson 57 I have) He said if he was me he wouldn’t sell the it if he were me. He says the chances of me ever having that luck again at a pawn shop are slim to none. So I’m gonna keep it. It’s not in great condition but it’s all original and plays great. And it was a HUGE blessing that it found it’s way into my lap
The old hohner bass isn’t that bad. I played it again today and it sounds and plays pretty good after working on it again last night. So I’m just gonna stay wee I’m at for now.

 

[B-Mac]

Sell the Gibson and the cheap bass and get a better bass. Unless you want to play guitar, it doesn't make sense to hang on to it when you don\t have a serviceable bass IMO.

^ what he said ^

 

[PaulJSmith]

If music is important to you, and it sounds like it is, you should definitely keep playing. That said, only you can assess where that falls in your priorities. Most of us go through some tough times. I've had to sell instruments to pay bills, and I always wished I had them back. However, they were not my main instruments that were supplementing my income, so I decided to sell them. This was many years ago, and I have since replaced all but one.

My personal opinion: Since you have no gigging responsibilities right now, I would recommend against investing any more money in music until you have your personal financial situation stabilized. All the cool instruments in the world are pointless if you end up homeless and destitute. Get that in order for you and your family, then worry about how to fix or replace your bass. You could sell your remaining instruments to pay some bills, but what will you do the month after that? Address the root cause of your financial issue. Need a better job? Need a second job? Do whatever you need to do. Music will still be there for you when you get back on solid ground.

 

[matty1039]

Check out some of the bass necks on Amazon, Rondo, or Guitar Fetish. You could find a pretty cheap replacement neck out there.

 

[jwr]

First I would make damn sure that Gibson is real because there have been a ton of fakes floating around pawn shops for a LONG time now. Hell, I ran into one 20 years ago in a used music store in town as well. Sounds like you may have done this, but I just want to drive the point home.

After you verify that the stamping/dating...etc is good I would do the following.

Investigate whether or not I want to play that guitar because honestly, I know what these other guys are saying is also true, but that may not be a replaceable item like other items are.

Now that being said, if you have zero value in it other than just having it collect dust in a closet, I'd sell it. Even though it's not replaceable and the store guy is right, you probably won't get lucky again. Who cares?

A '57 Gibson can go for several thousand dollars. Too bad it wasn't a non jr, then we'd be talking big bucks. With that said, they move extremely slow depending on where you live. You may have to have your local shop sell it and pay them for the sale.

I dunno man. I feel you on the money pains (I unloaded over 50 pedals the last 4-5 months). It sucks bad and we do sometimes have to get rid of thing.

Know this though, nothing is being replacement when you have a love for music. You'll find a way to scrape up enough money to buy a cheapo bass and create the joy again. I know exactly how you feel too because I had to do the exact same things in the past and owned 0 gear for almost a decade. I still played though! Luckily for me, my cousins had instruments, so I'd use theirs and I even ended up getting a Gibson Grabber clone for 50 bucks. That thing was SOLID as a rock. I sold it awhile back. Much regrets.

I hope you find your solution though soon! I know you said you're keeping the guitar, I've said stuff like that right before I've sold things too.