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Being embarrassed by basses you love?

#141
msb said:
I'm an old Pbass guy , but over the years managed to pick up a small assortment of name and vintage basses . Somehow my 98 Korean Dano Longhorn became my #1 . Cheapest bass I own . Don't really know quite how it happened , but I'm ok with it .
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I just got this one about a month ago, it's becoming my favorite bass. Love the sound. Don't care what it's made of or how it's made, it is a fantastic instrument.
Longhorn.png
 
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#145
Bought a new Status Series II back in '86. Loved it. Gigged it until the end of the decade, by which time such basses were beginning to be seen as passé by a certain crowd. 'Ooh, that bass....SO eighties!' one spotty snugglemuffin crowed at me one night.

By '95 it was gone I just didn't bond with it anymore. Back in 2007, I found who now owns it but he's a Status aficionado and refuses to sell.
 
#148
J-Bassomatic ... my Longhorn made me re-evaluate just what it was that made a good bass . It was lightweight , fun to play and sounds great . And despite the light weight has proven to a a tough little thing . It's been my number one for years now and has never let me down . I had reservations about the wooden bridge , but there is a sweet spot for it . Intonation is not an issue . Tuners are lightweight but it stays in tune . I don't mind the Masonite body . I've come to appreciate it for what it is . Love the cheap little thing ...
 
#150
Well, i own a Harley Benton BZ-6000, a Harley Benton JB-75MN, a Vintage V74MRJP, an Ibanez TMB30 & a Squier Classic Vibe 50s LPB. The Squier is the most expensive of these basses at 350€ new in 2009. And it's the only one i would consider selling for now. I love how the neck feels, but i don't like how it makes me play. I confess i am self-conscious taking my cheapos to rehearsals or posting videos to IG playing them, but they're all i can afford, & i love the way they sound. Maybe because i don't know any better? Maybe if i could afford that BTB846SC-DTL that i've been wanting for so long, i would completely forget my other basses. But for now, people who look down on me for owning & publicly playing those cheap basses might have to get a wry neck from doing just that...

Funny thing also: Harley Benton is the house brand of Thomann, one of the biggest online relailers in Europe. When U mention owning one of those, employees & guitar techs in music stores judge U so bad... it's hilarious... and intimidating. But hilarious mostly.

That being said, if anyone has a spare BTB 6er & wants to donate it to a poor fella in Southern Spain, holla & maybe i will walk these streets prouder & more confident for it! Take care fellaz & fellazettes! Good night!
 
#151
twinjet said:
My J has the no-guard look complete with fastener holes. Some people like it, but some don't and have asked about the lack of a guard. I tell them it was a deliberate choice that I don't really want to change. I have to wonder if people look at it with a degree of "ew" when we play together.
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That’s beautiful! Just say, “I like it.” If it’s the fan who’s trying to make a connection then indulge him.
I had tiny dowels inset in the holes of my Tele bass. Looked like a wood floor. No comments.
But you have to grow a pair and ignore people. Someone will always have something to say. When you don’t care very few people will say anything because your vibe repels them. They are attracted to criticize the weak or doubtful. My vocalist once said, “did anyone ever attempt to take Mother Theresa’s shoes?”
 
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#154
keyofnight said:
When I was 18, I bought my first bass an Ibanez Acoustic. I loved it because I didn't need an amp to play it, had very flat action, and had a tuner built in. But from day 1, I had to defend myself from folks who argue, "acoustic bass is useless." I'm still defending myself. A couple years later, I bought a used 5-string Schecter. I really loved this bass, because it felt like I was getting so much for the price. But Schecter as a brand hasn't really held up. So many folks think of them as the old numetal sponsor or the new djent sponsor. The last time I mentioned that I had a Schecter at a guitar shop, folks laughed and joked about how it must be covered in abalone inlays.

I've thought about replacing both of these basses with more premium basses, but I won't replace them unless the replacements are better quality. It seems, however, like I'd have to pay a great deal of money to get instruments that feel better to me. The Schecter, in particular, came from the Cort factory and was finished in Schecter's shop. It's still feels quite nice in my hands, and I genuinely find it more comfortable than the higher-end Fender, G&Ls, and Gibsons I tried in shops. The instruments that tempt me are things from Wal, Modulus, Mike Lull, etc. Even still, I can't shake the competing feelings that (1) I can do better than my basses, and (2) these are my trusty companions that I shouldn't replace.

I'm sure I'm not the only one who has this problem. Tell me your stories, and tell me what you do/did in situations like these.
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#155
marqueemoon said:
Many years ago I attempted a DIY refin on my P-Bass. I was very careful removing the poly, but didn't get quite all of it, and it turns out it was painted for a reason. I wanted a natural finish, and between the ugly wood and not getting all of the tiny poly bits off that would have looked terrible, so I tried to stain it and that didn't really work either, so I sanded it back a little and rattlecanned it a Shoreline-ish gold and sprayed some clearcoat over it.

It looked ok from a few feet away, but I always kind of hated it, and over they years it picked up a lot of little dings and play wear, so now I get people asking about/complimenting my "relic" finish that I'm still pretty ashamed of. I do love the color though, and if I every pay a pro to do it properly it will probably be exactly the same color.
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Have you ever thought about applying layers of images that are meaningful to you, as a collage, and clear coating it? Remove every reference to a brand, or sticker over. My instruments are at the lowest level a serious musician could get by with, I know that's ambiguous but no guitar or bass over $1000. They are all friends of mine. Never let me down. Not selling them. Not replacing them.
 
#156
My solution is simple. I sold the first bass I ever played (a Japanese Zim Gar bass, with horrible action) for $100 when I was 17, and broke, and buying my first "serious bass."

And then, since then, I have NEVER SOLD A SINGLE MUSICAL INSTRUMENT! So my wife hates it, because I have both the old bass for which I have an irrational attachment, plus the fancy new bass for which I have an entirely rational attachment. And maybe even a few more. And an upright. And a guitar. Or two.

But so what. I'm happy. And if I still miss the Zim Gar, who cares? I'll just see a therapist and complain about my terrible empty life, filled with too many instruments.
 
#157
If you care what other people think you're going to go through life miserable about much more than your basses. Here is what I'd suggest you do. First, play something on one of the instruments you own. Next play the same thing on the holy grail you're thinking of buying. Better? 1000X better? Next find a very polished player and have him play you something on your existing bass. Here's where the rubber meets the road. Whenever I do this all I find is that it's me, not the guitar or bass!!! Good luck.
 
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#158
keyofnight said:
A couple years later, I bought a used 5-string Schecter. I really loved this bass, because it felt like I was getting so much for the price. But Schecter as a brand hasn't really held up. So many folks think of them as the old numetal sponsor or the new djent sponsor. The last time I mentioned that I had a Schecter at a guitar shop, folks laughed and joked about how it must be covered in abalone inlays.
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I own a Schecter 6-string bass, as well as a Schecter guitar; they are EXCELLENT instruments, feel and sound great, and are gorgeous (especially the bass). Absolutely NOTHING to be ashamed of!
 

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