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Afraid to play my bass?

S

scsm

Jul 26, 2009
127
3
38
Manhattan, KS
#1
I know this is incredibility silly so maybe you guys can give me some insight to help me get over this.

About 3 years ago for an early graduation present from High School my parents got me a Warwick Standard Corvette at the end of my Jr year. Now my family is not well off by any means, blue collar jobs through and through so I know buying the bass was a HUGE financial burden for them. At first I was to guilty to play the bass because I know they spent a lot on it and I wondered if I really deserved it.

I didn't take it with me to college my first year because I was worried about it getting scratched/tipped over/etc in the dorms by dumb (possibly intoxicated) college kids. Then the next few years I was worried about it getting stolen because I was living in the student slum part of town.

For some reason last time I was at my parent's house a few months ago I took it home with me and its still the the case hardly ever played. I keep my Rockbass out that I've had for about seven years and play that.

I have a few things that are preventing me from enjoying my incredible bass.

1) Guilt thinking about my parents
2) Guilt in that I know a lot of better players really want this type of bass but can't afford it and I had one handed to me
3) I'm worried about scratching and dinging it up.
4) Somehow ruining the bass...messing up the fretboard by playing it...this thing is a work of art!
5) Its sat in my closet unused for 3 years I'm also worried the neck might have warped etc. Even though my brain tells me thats highly unlikely

This bass has caused lots of mental anguish on things I know are illogical. So any insight on my Warwick would be appreciated.

And please noone say "Hey, if you don't want it send it to me!" everyone's already expecting that joke :)



P.S. Selling it is out of the question - it was a gift.
 
#2
Well look at it this way,your parents bought you that fine instrument for to enjoy and play. Now that you're not playing and enjoying,it seems like a waste of money. You'll grow into the bass,you're very lucky to have parents who bought you such a nice bass,you'll probably never have to buy another one for a long long time. I assure you,you wont mess up the bass by playing it. Warwicks are made of very solid very high quality and very hard woods. Their necks are built for strength and durability. So take it out of your closet and play the hell out of it! What if you spent hard earned money on something for your kid one day to find out they're not even touching it. Don't let all that money go to waste.
 
#3
It's a tool for music making-use it!!! Your parents would be more pleased if you use it. If it gets a ding or a scratch, **** it; it's patina. If you don't play it, it's nothing but a piece of wood with some wires on it.
 
#4
Your parents would be VERY happy if you'd play it- that's why they bought it for you- they wanted you to have and enjoy it. Do them the honor and use it.

It will get dings etc....unavoidable. But if you are reasonably careful it will be minimal. I have expensive basses I've gigged for years, and you can hardly tell.

Play the bass, enjoy it.
 
#5
It`s a great bass and your parents bought it for you to enjoy, so play the **** bass or send it my way!!! :p

But in all honesty, basses are like anything else. Even if you`re really careful it will still get nicks and scratches... and that`s okay. Just enjoy the bass like your parents want you to and don`t let it become the mental burden you`re making it out to be.
 
#7
Using it is showing appreciation. It's a tool to be used, as well as a work of art to be appreciated. I can understand the attachment and protection of it-I worked for years to buy a Ric 360 and I hardly use it. I got over the fear of damaging it when I had a pocket knife clipped to my belt and it RUINED the finish on the back of it. If I had an appropriate band, I'd enjoy every minute of it. I'd still watch it like a mother to her baby, at all times, but I'd use it none the less.
 
#8
Do you realize that NOT playing the bass is the worst you can do? Think about your parents, they buy you expensive stuff and you don't even seem to need or want it. You get Warwick, they get disrespect, how nice. What's the deal with money? It's just green paper, don't stress about it.

Scratches? Dings? Don't make me laugh. Battle scars are inevitable if you PLAY the bass. Besides, they're cool. And unless you hit something HARD you won't cause any serious damage. Now go and grab that thing and PLAY it.
 
#10
I think you should simply play the bass and enjoy it. Your parents sound like hard working people who really wanted to get you something you would enjoy to show they were proud of you. I would enjoy it and play it, as im sure thats what they wanted all along not to be a dust collector. About leaving it in college, put it in a nice hard case with a lock on it and put it somewhere safe.

Don't feel guilty about other "better" players wanting it and not being able to have it. Life hands everyone cards, you gotta play the hand your dealt and not worry about too much stuff thats not within your control.

Just play it man. Its a music instrument, an awesome one in that, its gonna get scratches and dings, but so what it adds to its character. Take it out, dust that baby off give it a good set up and play it like your family probably want you too.
 
#11
while i understand where you are in your head and your reasoning.....I have to say

if i were your dad and i did without, pinched pennies and worked my butt off at a crappy job i hated...just so you could have an awesome bass and you didn't play it....i would put my boot in your butt...seriously

they care enough about you to buy what you perceive to be a great bass.....rock it and show them you care in return....
 
#14
yeah, really, play your bass!

if you're that paranoid about it getting stolen, [I'm being dead serious here] chain it to the floor. Or the wall. Or anything immovable. I dunno exactly how you'd rig that up, it depends on what kinda case you have. Make sure to get a nice BIG lock for that chain, so nobody can simply take bolt cutters to it.
 
#16
"Look... this one still has the old tagger on, never even played it..."

[points his finger] "You've never played...?"

"Don't touch it!"

"We'll I wasn't going to touch it, I was just pointing at it..."

"Well... don't point! It can't be played."

"Don't point, okay. Can I look at it?"

"No. No. That's it, you've seen enough of that one."
 
#17
What everyone else said. Or if you still rely on your parents for money, sell the bass and use the money to lighten your burden on them, by getting things for yourself. Study hard, get a good job, and buy yourself any bass you want.
 
#19
Play it, dude. Once you start playing it, you'll grow into it. It's what they want you to do. They're your parents, and their satisfaction comes from seeing you happy while you do something you truly enjoy. The only way they can be a part of that portion of your life is to buy you a great bass. By playing it, you'll be honoring them and indirectly including them in something that motters most to you.

Some people don't have the luxury of getting nice new instruments, true, but playing your bass isn't flaunting it or holding it over their heads.

Instead of feeling bad about how much they spent, why not start saving money for the next few years and send them on a $1000 vacation for their anniversary? Heck, a summer job (I don't know what your school/work situation is like) would get you that money in a single summer.

It's a gift, and they wont expect anything in return. So if you do decide to do something equally big for them, let them know it's for the same reason they bought you the bass - you love them and want to show them how appreciative you are of all their hard work.
 

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