I remember having the same sort of phobias over my first bass. I got it in '82 and still play it today. You just have to play it man. Put some battle scars on it. Let it bleed. It won't die! I think of Jimi Hendrix setting his guitar on fire at "Winterland". When asked why, he said "I had to set it free". I don't know what it means exactly but it's beautiful.
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Afraid to play my bass?
- Thread starter scsm
- Start date
Dude, its a warwick,... not a rain coat. Take it the closet and plug it up.
Id'e smack my kid upside the head if I busted my a** to buy him a decent bass that he could appreciate, only to have him put it away so's he don't get any finger prints on it... :scowl:
If you want to make it up to your parents, make a plan do something for them that shows them how cool they were for getting you that bass.
Hey, Big Cheeto. You're a major cyclist, right? I know you from a different forum. If I'm wrong, I apologize but, if I your avatar is an indicator, you're the realio dealio. Nothing wrong with being a "double threat."
My parents randomly bought be a $1000 telescope for Christmas one year after I had taken an astronomy class at college and had expressed some degree of interest in the subject matter. Truth be told, I've used it maybe 4 times and its been sitting in the box for the last 3 years. And I imagine they're bummed that I don't use it more, but honestly I never even hinted at wanting one. And I sometimes feel quite guilty about not using it.
...on the other hand.... My buddy was given a 2001 Mustang Bullitt 8 years ago and drove the $#!% out of it. I mean, burned clutches, blown tranny, slid off the road through a barbwire fence, crashed it into an Edison electrical box and ruined the entire front end, got it back from the shop and that day rear ended somebody... And his dad was far from pleased that his son was enjoying his gift so much.
Still, in your case I don't think the latter scenario is comparable.
...on the other hand.... My buddy was given a 2001 Mustang Bullitt 8 years ago and drove the $#!% out of it. I mean, burned clutches, blown tranny, slid off the road through a barbwire fence, crashed it into an Edison electrical box and ruined the entire front end, got it back from the shop and that day rear ended somebody... And his dad was far from pleased that his son was enjoying his gift so much.
Still, in your case I don't think the latter scenario is comparable.
You're at college, so you probably have people in your room sometimes, who you don't really know very well.
While you have it at school, it might be a good idea to have it locked up out of site, like in a closet or under a bed. Don't advertise to the world that you have it.
But absolutely, positively, play the thing!
While you have it at school, it might be a good idea to have it locked up out of site, like in a closet or under a bed. Don't advertise to the world that you have it.
But absolutely, positively, play the thing!
I have a guiding principle regarding material goods (cars, musical equipment, clothes, dishes, you name it): Never have anything that is so nice that you are afraid to use it.
Why? 1) Because it's crazy to own something you cannot use. 2) Wear-and-tear are a fact of life (distinctly different from neglect and abuse). 3) That's what museums are for. Start one; then you can surround yourself with eternally unusable stuff.
Musical equipment is made to be used, not to go straight to artifact status. In fact, the less you use it, the worse it sounds, because it NEEDS to be used.
You honor the gift giver by making the most of the gift. Get over it.
Just my $0.02.
Why? 1) Because it's crazy to own something you cannot use. 2) Wear-and-tear are a fact of life (distinctly different from neglect and abuse). 3) That's what museums are for. Start one; then you can surround yourself with eternally unusable stuff.
Musical equipment is made to be used, not to go straight to artifact status. In fact, the less you use it, the worse it sounds, because it NEEDS to be used.
You honor the gift giver by making the most of the gift. Get over it.
Just my $0.02.
Engine207
Losing faith in humanity...one call at a time.
I remember reading a rather heartwarming tale on here about someone's parents (much like yours) who bought a Rickenbacker 4003.
If I remember correctly, that Rick helped put food on the table.
Play it like you mean it.
If I remember correctly, that Rick helped put food on the table.
Play it like you mean it.
The first step to recovery is admitting to your fears and nuerosies.... welcome to recovery TalkBass style.....!
You've got to admit, there's no coddling here!
The first step to recovery is admitting to your fears and nuerosies.... welcome to recovery TalkBass style.....!
You've got to admit, there's no coddling here!
There have been really three types of responses.
A) "The Grandpa" - Told some kind of story/Gave me lessons from their own youth.
B) "The Dad" - Gave advice that used physical materials
C) "The Brother" - Told me I'm a huge wussy.
Something helped though because I have played the bass a bunch lately.
Good. Now cut with the foolishness and play, making sure you wipe it down after every use.
If you have the opportunity, watch a video that Lee Rittenhour is playing his red guitar. Lee is in his 50's, his parents gave him that guitar when he was a kid. It shows its age with nicks and cracks, and you know what, it sounds incredible. Do you think for a second his parents are bothered by the nicks and cracks, or do you think they feel great everytime they see and hear him play that guitar? Let go of the guilt and play it. Get insurance on it if you fear that it will get stolen, but for Christ sake, be thankful and play it.
