I think the flipping is pretty equal between guitars and basses. I was always an equal opportunity flipper.
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Can't substantiate this with data, but...
- Thread starter Mustang Surly
- Start date
There's definitely something to be said by this. If I look at the past 6 years or so, I've had a whole bunch of instruments come and go, but I've never had more than 2 at one time, and often its just a single bass. By comparison, the two guitarists I've played the most with over that time...one guy has 6 guitars, and he's never "flipped" anything - still has and plays the first electric he ever bought...and then the second guy has 8 guitars, and while he does a little bit of flipping, he also has the first electric he ever bought and seems more focused on acquiring than anything else.
I agree with the statement that guitarists seem more likely to seize on one particular instrument as THEIRS, their main voice, even if they own others. Still, I've known guitarists with pretty elaborate collections.
I do recall reading somewhere - I think a quote from a manufacturer or retailer - that bassists have less conservative taste than guitarists. It's not all strats, teles, and les pauls with us, we're more likely to take an interest in newer designs (even though we still like a good P or J too).
I do recall reading somewhere - I think a quote from a manufacturer or retailer - that bassists have less conservative taste than guitarists. It's not all strats, teles, and les pauls with us, we're more likely to take an interest in newer designs (even though we still like a good P or J too).
This is how I operate - I think it works well. A core of reliable workhorses + a couple to keep the "new bass" feeling alive.
I trade mine - the overall cost is $0 or minimal.
As a guitarist before I was a bassist, I know that a lot of that flipping is induced by GAS brought on by "deficient" equipment when you learn about the next big thing. Early on in one's musical journey, we are less likely to buy "professional" equipment too, since we are just learning. Then, as time goes on, we start to notice inconsistencies or defects that either inhibit our playing.
Alternatively, they could just be inconsistencies that reduce our passion for an instrument or inspiration to play. That's probably the reason for a lot of the sales going on: people are trying to find their feet with an instrument that doesn't really grab them.
But once you reach a critical mass (instrument), the need to acquire more or switch becomes less and less. Sometimes you just find something that fits right (which apparently has happened already to a lot of TBers, going by the poll). I know I'm not going to flip my bass (it's a keeper) and I don't feel GAS either because I'm happy with my gear.
So yeah, guitarists or bassists, I'd pick guitarists, but I don't think bassists are any slouches either. We're just a smaller community.
Alternatively, they could just be inconsistencies that reduce our passion for an instrument or inspiration to play. That's probably the reason for a lot of the sales going on: people are trying to find their feet with an instrument that doesn't really grab them.
But once you reach a critical mass (instrument), the need to acquire more or switch becomes less and less. Sometimes you just find something that fits right (which apparently has happened already to a lot of TBers, going by the poll). I know I'm not going to flip my bass (it's a keeper) and I don't feel GAS either because I'm happy with my gear.
So yeah, guitarists or bassists, I'd pick guitarists, but I don't think bassists are any slouches either. We're just a smaller community.
Just my .02 but for me its because its bass gear. Whenever my guitarist wants to try out a new piece of high end gear they plop on down to GC and give it a go. 90% of the stuff I'm interested in can only be sampled by buying it and hoping for the best. Thankfully on TB with some patience you can usually find something used and if you don't like it you can sell it away at a minimal loss. I can't tell you how many pedals i bought which were only used for about 15 minutes then went on to a fellow TB'er.
Yes, some guitarists have their "main voice," but huge collections too. One of my musician buddies is a huge gear freak, and has gone through dozens of guitars and amps, including some very expensive high end stuff. But on stage he rarely plays anything except a beat up Gibson SG he bought on eBay for about $700.
I played with another guitarist who had never played a gig before our band, but nevertheless had about 15 guitars, including some expensive quilt-top PRS and Gibsons, and a Shecter custom Strat-type. I tried a few, and they were some seriously sweet guitars. Even with all this, he bought a Carvin Bolt HSS specifically for that band, which he used almost exclusively when we played out. The most troubling aspect of this is that I understood!
