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Am I crazy???

Gbass75

Gbass75

May 20, 2009
1,343
948
Berkeley, California
#1
Within the last year-and-a-half I have gone from four basses to one (for the time being)...

I've parted ways with my Epiphone Elite Thunderbird, my Rickenbacker 4001v63, and most recently my Fender AVRI Sonic Blue '63 Precision.

I'm currently left with my CIJ '62 P-Bass; which is a fantastically built bass, and sounds sweet.

Here's my thing...

I recently got it in my head that I'm tired of playing "run-of-the-mill" basses; meaning the same P-Bass that thousands of other players have. I want to play something unique... my own "signature" model. But, that's quite the conundrum when your bass of choice is the Fender Precision.

Oh... and that reminds me... that's the other thing I forgot to mention... I'm just a P-Bass guy. After so many years and so many basses... this is where I've arrived.

I loved my past Rics and T-Bird... and, my JPJ inspired Jazz Bass was my mainstay for years. But, in the end, I've realized that the P-Bass is where I belong. So, it's a bit of a problem if you want instruments that stand out from the crowd, but you can't see yourself playing anything other than a Precision Bass.

With all of that said, I recently ordered a custom built P-Bass from a small builder; and it's awesome... a thing of beauty... and now I've got the bug! I want to commission another build! Is this crazy? Is it crazy to only want to play custom builds and end the cycle of flipping my basses? ...because it occurs to me; these instruments, awesome (to me, anyway) and rare as they are, will never be flipped for what was paid for them. These will be my basses till I die. The ones that go to my boy when I'm gone... and, actually, I think that's kinda cool.

What do you think... am I crazy to bail on the Fender made instrument for my own "signature" basses? Do you think it's a mistake? ...a sign of maturity? ...a mid-life crisis?!?!?
 
#2
Gbass75 said:
Within the last year-and-a-half I have gone from four basses to one (for the time being)...

I've parted ways with my Epiphone Elite Thunderbird, my Rickenbacker 4001v63, and most recently my Fender AVRI Sonic Blue '63 Precision.

I'm currently left with my CIJ '62 P-Bass; which is a fantastically built bass, and sounds sweet.

Here's my thing...

I recently got it in my head that I'm tired of playing "run-of-the-mill" basses; meaning the same P-Bass that thousands of other players have. I want to play something unique... my own "signature" model. But, that's quite the conundrum when your bass of choice is the Fender Precision.

Oh... and that reminds me... that's the other thing I forgot to mention... I'm just a P-Bass guy. After so many years and so many basses... this is where I've arrived.

I loved my past Rics and T-Bird... and, my JPJ inspired Jazz Bass was my mainstay for years. But, in the end, I've realized that the P-Bass is where I belong. So, it's a bit of a problem if you want instruments that stand out from the crowd, but you can't see yourself playing anything other than a Precision Bass.

With all of that said, I recently ordered a custom built P-Bass from a small builder; and it's awesome... a thing of beauty... and now I've got the bug! I want to commission another build! Is this crazy? Is it crazy to only want to play custom builds and end the cycle of flipping my basses? ...because it occurs to me; these instruments, awesome (to me, anyway) and rare as they are, will never be flipped for what was paid for them. These will be my basses till I die. The ones that go to my boy when I'm gone... and, actually, I think that's kinda cool.

What do you think... am I crazy to bail on the Fender made instrument for my own "signature" basses? Do you think it's a mistake? ...a sign of maturity? ...a mid-life crisis?!?!?
Click to expand...
1. Bottom line as you said.....as of now you are thinking that, you are determined that, you are now just a P-bass guy. OK. That's fine.
2. That evidently means your determination of what you are has changed (key word). OK. That's fine.
3. In love with a new custom bass...perfectly normal.
4. Excited about it so you want another....perfectly normal.
5. It is not a sign of anything other than an enthusiasm targeting your "change". That's cool.
6. The only thing constant IS change. So enjoy yourself solely as a P-bass guy and maybe for a long time. But eventually all roses lose their bloom and you may feel, some day, constrained by the P-bass. And you'll feel a change coming on. You can ignore it for some length of time, fight it for some length of time. But a bug will bite you to at least (re-)expand into, and (re-)appreciate, another style of bass (not necessarily abandoning your P's) and then you may want to get another Ric or a J or a P/J or whatever.
7. And #6 above also does not mean a damn thing. It also is: OK. That's fine.
8. The only thing that does mean anything is if you are feeling fulfilled with what you are playing at the moment.

But nothing lasts forever, including a change.

That's my take on it. So rock on, no sweat, just don't use the rent/mortgage money to feed the "feelin'-good-change".
 
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#6
Gbass75 said:
Within the last year-and-a-half I have gone from four basses to one (for the time being)...

I've parted ways with my Epiphone Elite Thunderbird, my Rickenbacker 4001v63, and most recently my Fender AVRI Sonic Blue '63 Precision.

I'm currently left with my CIJ '62 P-Bass; which is a fantastically built bass, and sounds sweet.

Here's my thing...

I recently got it in my head that I'm tired of playing "run-of-the-mill" basses; meaning the same P-Bass that thousands of other players have. I want to play something unique... my own "signature" model. But, that's quite the conundrum when your bass of choice is the Fender Precision.

Oh... and that reminds me... that's the other thing I forgot to mention... I'm just a P-Bass guy. After so many years and so many basses... this is where I've arrived.

I loved my past Rics and T-Bird... and, my JPJ inspired Jazz Bass was my mainstay for years. But, in the end, I've realized that the P-Bass is where I belong. So, it's a bit of a problem if you want instruments that stand out from the crowd, but you can't see yourself playing anything other than a Precision Bass.

With all of that said, I recently ordered a custom built P-Bass from a small builder; and it's awesome... a thing of beauty... and now I've got the bug! I want to commission another build! Is this crazy? Is it crazy to only want to play custom builds and end the cycle of flipping my basses? ...because it occurs to me; these instruments, awesome (to me, anyway) and rare as they are, will never be flipped for what was paid for them. These will be my basses till I die. The ones that go to my boy when I'm gone... and, actually, I think that's kinda cool.

What do you think... am I crazy to bail on the Fender made instrument for my own "signature" basses? Do you think it's a mistake? ...a sign of maturity? ...a mid-life crisis?!?!?
Click to expand...
Order your signature Fender Custom Shop and your problem is solved. :smug:
 
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#7
First off, I don't see no custom built P (hint, hint).

But more seriously, LIVE each moment for what it is and where you are. You are not crazy... well actually most musicians ARE a little bit abnormal, so you probably are too, but that's OK. ;)

Different strokes for different folks! Enjoy your bass(es) and be happy!
 
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#11
Nobody said:
P bass?
Click to expand...

Thank you kind sir I was having my morning coffee discussing international currency with my man servant Sebastian. I say yes it is very crazy to do things that make us happy without obtaining the verbal or written permission of the majority of members on this forum. I also believe that it's illegal at least in my state it is.
 
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#12
The problem with getting a second "signature" bass is that once you have two, neither will feel as "special" as just having one. You wanted your own custom, "signature" bass, and now you have one. I presume you've still got the '62 CIJ, so you've got the "real Fender" angle covered too. Enjoy what you've got at least for awhile, and save your dough for a time when you decide you really need or want something different.
 
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#14
Man I find myself in the same thoughts as you. I have accepted the fact that P Basses are my heart. Every bass I get, I eq it to sound like a P. Even my Musicman HH. So why not just buy P's? At one time I owned 6 Fender P's. And I let people convince me I was crazy for owning only P's. So now, I'm careful from whom I get my advice and info from. I suggest the same.

I was the happiest with my collection when I had those P's. And HAPPYNESS is the ultimate goal!
FF
 
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#17
I think you should build your own Franken-P out of the best parts you can find, Warmouth being the best I've seen for necks. You may end up spending something comparable to a custom build, but there is tremendous satisfaction in DIY, and not a lot of skill required to assemble parts. There is a "treasure hunt" aspect to searching for parts I really enjoy, and in the end you'll have exactly what YOU want, unfiltered by anyone else's expectations. If you follow your own eye on it, it will be unique by default.
 
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#20
I think it is quite sane to find or fund the building of the best specimen(s) of basses that 'work' for you. I've spent a good chunk of change doing it, but ended up with three of the most perfect (for me) basses on the planet. This approach saves time & money as it completely killed GAS. A resounding NO - you are not crazy!
 
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