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Afraid to play my bass?
- Thread starter scsm
- Start date
I think you're WAY over-thinking this. Your Parents love you, and are proud of your appreciation and talent for music. The didn't buy a beautiful bass for you to lay a guilt-trip on you. They're probably secretly sad and confused that they spent hard-earned money on an instrument to commemorate your talents and graduation achievements, and for some reason they can't fathom, you act like you don't appreciate it. Do them a favor, make them proud parents, and play it, and enjoy playing it.
Don't worry about the inevitable dings and scrapes that will come with playing it. My bass has about $4500 invested in it, and its been dinged, fallen off its stand, been fallen into by drunken dancers, etc. And in spite of all that, I would still have to point the marks out to you. As someone said earlier - woods are hard, so don't worry about it, it will survive. And I love playing my bass, and enjoy the compliments from people who appreciate the craftsmanship and sound of it. The bottom line is, it is not a display piece, it's been built to be played.
How much richer is classical music because violinists aren't afraid to play their multi-million dollar Stradivarius violins?
As with all possessions, they can be stolen anywhere, anytime, including from your parents house if a burglar breaks in and sees it. I've got to wonder, if you worry this much about your bass, how do you handle the rest of your life - germ infested restrooms, tainted food, politics? You're too young to be this obsessive about your life. Material possessions will come and go over the years of your life, some sold or given away by you, some forgotten and lost by you, and some taken from you. For however long you have your items/favorite possessions, enjoy them while you have them, and treasure the memories you will make with them.
Now go grab that bass, make your parents proud they bought it for you, and make memories with it that you will treasure for years to come!
Don't worry about the inevitable dings and scrapes that will come with playing it. My bass has about $4500 invested in it, and its been dinged, fallen off its stand, been fallen into by drunken dancers, etc. And in spite of all that, I would still have to point the marks out to you. As someone said earlier - woods are hard, so don't worry about it, it will survive. And I love playing my bass, and enjoy the compliments from people who appreciate the craftsmanship and sound of it. The bottom line is, it is not a display piece, it's been built to be played.
How much richer is classical music because violinists aren't afraid to play their multi-million dollar Stradivarius violins?
As with all possessions, they can be stolen anywhere, anytime, including from your parents house if a burglar breaks in and sees it. I've got to wonder, if you worry this much about your bass, how do you handle the rest of your life - germ infested restrooms, tainted food, politics? You're too young to be this obsessive about your life. Material possessions will come and go over the years of your life, some sold or given away by you, some forgotten and lost by you, and some taken from you. For however long you have your items/favorite possessions, enjoy them while you have them, and treasure the memories you will make with them.
Now go grab that bass, make your parents proud they bought it for you, and make memories with it that you will treasure for years to come!
You have some really nice parents. And you needn't feel guilty about having something "handed" to you, unless you expect things to be handed to you. You certainly don't fit that description, from what I can see. You sound like a good, thoughtful kid.
If you take it to school, just keep it in it's case when not in use, and LOCK the case and your door. And insure it, just in case.
If it was a financial burden for your parents, then I'm sure they were very proud to be able give you such a great gift. Not using it might hurt their feelings. Make sure they know why you're not using it much.
After you graduate, and you have a nice, phat job, you be sure to do something really nice for those parents of yours.
If you take it to school, just keep it in it's case when not in use, and LOCK the case and your door. And insure it, just in case.
If it was a financial burden for your parents, then I'm sure they were very proud to be able give you such a great gift. Not using it might hurt their feelings. Make sure they know why you're not using it much.
After you graduate, and you have a nice, phat job, you be sure to do something really nice for those parents of yours.
I've heard that chicks really dig guys with a nice warwick bass.
Especially when they practice a bit, get out there with some buds and ROCK THE HOUSE!
SCSM, you sound like a nice kid with a solid work ethic and a bright future.
BUT
Your youth is gone before you know it- drop the neuroses and live a little! After you get swamped with responsibilities AND all of your joints start to ache (yes, it will happen to you too) you will still have DECADES to worry about stupid bull***t. Oh yeah, not to be a total downer, but your folks ain't gonna live forever either. Do what it takes to put a smile on their faces while you can. If that means playing the $2K bass they bought for you... well, so be it.
Don't waste any more time on TB. This is mostly a forum for bitter old men to talk about meaningless gear esoterica. If you want to have a stupid conversation , do it with a fresh-faced 20 year old with long blond hair, freckles, and long legs (or whatever floats YOUR boat). Guaranteed to be more enjoyable and educational, whatever the outcome.
Especially when they practice a bit, get out there with some buds and ROCK THE HOUSE!
SCSM, you sound like a nice kid with a solid work ethic and a bright future.
BUT
Your youth is gone before you know it- drop the neuroses and live a little! After you get swamped with responsibilities AND all of your joints start to ache (yes, it will happen to you too) you will still have DECADES to worry about stupid bull***t. Oh yeah, not to be a total downer, but your folks ain't gonna live forever either. Do what it takes to put a smile on their faces while you can. If that means playing the $2K bass they bought for you... well, so be it.
Don't waste any more time on TB. This is mostly a forum for bitter old men to talk about meaningless gear esoterica. If you want to have a stupid conversation , do it with a fresh-faced 20 year old with long blond hair, freckles, and long legs (or whatever floats YOUR boat). Guaranteed to be more enjoyable and educational, whatever the outcome.
Everything i was going to say has been said (even 'send it to me', i thought i would be the only one to think of that 
)
Dings and scratches just add character, the more honest wear the better imo.
)Dings and scratches just add character, the more honest wear the better imo.
I wish my parents could have afforded something like a Warwick for me, I got Sears bass and later an inexpensive Peavey. I was very proud of the Peavey and they were very proud to watch me play it. You should play it and make them proud.
Play it now.
And stop worrying about thieves, they are stupid, that's why they are thieves. I bought a bass from a guy yesterday, here is his theft story.
"They broke into my house with a crowbar. In addition to this Cirrus and that nice Fender guitar I've got 3 >$1000 keyboards downstairs. The thieves didn't touch them. They took $200 worth of old power tools and one of the keyboard cases, apparently so they'd have something to carry their new tools in."
And stop worrying about thieves, they are stupid, that's why they are thieves. I bought a bass from a guy yesterday, here is his theft story.
"They broke into my house with a crowbar. In addition to this Cirrus and that nice Fender guitar I've got 3 >$1000 keyboards downstairs. The thieves didn't touch them. They took $200 worth of old power tools and one of the keyboard cases, apparently so they'd have something to carry their new tools in."
- Oct 7, 2000
- 18,619
- 38,942
- Disclosures
- Endorsing artist: Musicman basses
I don't think you're going to be able to logically reason this one out because, well, it's kind of neurotic. If you want to get past it just play the bass. Get it scratched and learn you'll get over it. If you can't, then find help for your neurosis, not your bass issues.
I know this sounds cold, but I speak from experience. Nothing wrong with being a little neurotic either, makes life a little more colorful IMO.
I know this sounds cold, but I speak from experience.
Nothing wrong with being a little neurotic either, makes life a little more colorful IMO.Forget about the cable lock. Too easy to cut with bolt cutters. If you really want to foil the thieves, try one of these.
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you could always tell them what you have posted on here and see what they say, also maybe sending them a letter(since you don't live at home) telling them how much you appreciate what they did for you would be nice, maybe a little cheesey but nice.. i know my mom would love something like that
hey man, the bass was meant to be played, take that badboy out and ROCK! and if you do get the odd dent, remember this. Ever dent tells a story
