Can a new/different bass re-ignite the "passion?"

[FishDub]

So I have 3 basses, all very good. Within the past few months I have been just "walking" by them at night when I usually play. The other day I strapped one on, played a song and put it back..I just don't seem to have that drive to play lately. I certainly have had my share of highs and lows in the past 20 years but this seems more different lately. Although I still peek at the classifieds and think I would like to have some of them, my brain goes right back to my lack of passion lately---and don't buy/trade anything. Anyone been in this situation and buy a totally different bass, and the passion starts up again? Hopefully this is completely normal...maybe there is no solution..

 

[MrLenny1]

Just chill and take a break. Sometimes it's the best fix
for lost interest. IMHO a new bass will not re-ignite the passion.

 

[ZenG]

I would say yes ...if it is a bass that has a to-die-for tone and also ticks all other personal must-have boxes.

If it's just for the sake of getting a new bass then I would say no.

 

[FishDub]

Just chill and take a break. Sometimes it's the best fix
for lost interest. IMHO a new bass will not re-ignite the passion.

Good advice...Hopefully this break doesn't go on too much longer lol

 

[Killed_by_Death]

yes, but in my case that "passion" dies out again after 4 to 6 weeks

 

[FishDub]

I would say yes ...if it is a bass that has a to-die-for tone and also ticks all other personal must-have boxes.

If it's just for the sake of getting a new bass then I would say no.

Right now I have three that tick the must -have tones and feels..which is why its confusing..

 

[FishDub]

yes, but in my case that "passion" dies out again after 4 to 6 weeks.

So I'm sure after that 4-6 week period you must have had many returns?

 

[Killed_by_Death]

Yeah, I actually put a date in my calendar about 3 days prior to the "return date" & when my phone alerts me I make up my mind at that point, if I'm going to keep it or return it.

 

[FishDub]

I often wonder what would happen if I sold off everything and started over..I recall a TB thread not long ago stating this opinion..

 

[FishDub]

Yeah, I actually put a date in my calendar about 3 days prior to the "return date" & when my phone alerts me I make up my mind at that point, if I'm going to keep it or return it.

Yeah I may try that..nothing to lose I guess, especially with the GC return policy.

 

[Killed_by_Death]

I literally sold it all last year.
At least when you start over, you know what you're looking for, and what to avoid.

 

[FishDub]

I literally sold it all last year.
At least when you start over, you know what you're looking for, and what to avoid.

There is a "holy grail" bass I am eyeing but curious what would happen...I may be back to square one afterwards. Or, I may say geez where was this bass 20 years ago!

 

[Killed_by_Death]

I thought my Holy Grail bass was the cause of all my pain. I had seriously painful tennis elbow from playing.
I've since learned some exercises to minimize that, but the bass has been gone 9 months already!

 

[FishDub]

I thought my Holy Grail bass was the cause of all my pain. I had seriously painful tennis elbow from playing.
I've since learned some exercises to minimize that, but the bass has been gone 9 months already!

Strangely enough, my favorite is my XL2, which I love and I have been even walking by that too! ugh

 

[40Hz]

In my case, yes.

But sometimes you just have to go to ground for awhile if you're in a total musical rut.

Whenever I found my enthusiasm for bass completely evaporating I discovered it was most beneficial for me to just walk away from music entirely for awhile. Within a few weeks (or sometimes months) the urge to play would always come back to me. And when I picked it back up again I'd be refreshed and seeing things again with a fresh set of eyes.

 

[FishDub]

In my case, yes.

But sometimes you just have to go to ground for awhile if you're in a total musical rut.

Whenever I found my enthusiasm for bass completely evaporating I discovered it was most beneficial for me to just walk away from music entirely for awhile. Within a few weeks (or sometimes months) the urge to play would always come back to me. And when I picked it back up again I'd be refreshed and seeing things again with a fresh set of eyes.

That very well may be the case with me..

 

[Nev375]

I think it depends on what's causing your lack of passion.

Loss of interest in things you once enjoyed is a typical symptom of depression. There's many kinds of depression. Some are situational and temporary, others are more chronic. Also having a symptom of depression doesn't mean you have it. It could also be just a passing phase.

Still it doesn't hurt to mention it to a doctor if it doesn't go away soon.

A new bass toy will likely spark some immediate interest, but if there's an underlying cause it will be temporary.

 

[Killed_by_Death]

I was mega-bored with bass not long ago & livened up my play time with harmonics, including pinch harmonics.
Billy Sheehan using harmonics in his solos, with plenty of gain.

 

[ThePresident777]

Maybe it's time to try the violin?

 

[bdplaid]

So I have 3 basses, all very good. Within the past few months I have been just "walking" by them at night when I usually play. The other day I strapped one on, played a song and put it back..I just don't seem to have that drive to play lately. I certainly have had my share of highs and lows in the past 20 years but this seems more different lately. Although I still peek at the classifieds and think I would like to have some of them, my brain goes right back to my lack of passion lately---and don't buy/trade anything. Anyone been in this situation and buy a totally different bass, and the passion starts up again? Hopefully this is completely normal...maybe there is no solution..

Yeah, in my case I started playing more fretless. Really perked up my interest, as it's a totally different flavor and in general is a blast to play... much more expressive than fretted bass.