Damned if I do..

[RobinG]

I find myself at the edge of becoming a collector, rather than a player. Don't get me wrong, I will always play, until the day I die. But.. I have the opportunity to purchase a limited production CIJ Fender Bass made 10 years ago, new, in an unopened box.

As a player, it's doing no one any good in a box (except the owner, as the value goes up). But I'd rather see it in my hands, on stage. But opening the box..

Robin

 

[FretNoMore]

I can't see that bass becoming much of a collectors item in this lifetime. If you like it, buy it and play it.

 

[DigitalMan]

It's Schrodingers cat sitting inside an unopened box.

 

[FretNoMore]

There is that too ... is there even a cat inside, or is it a dog?

 

[zontar]

Basses are meant to be played!

 

[OutToPlayJazz]

I find myself at the edge of becoming a collector, rather than a player. Don't get me wrong, I will always play, until the day I die. But.. I have the opportunity to purchase a limited production CIJ Fender Bass made 10 years ago, new, in an unopened box.

As a player, it's doing no one any good in a box (except the owner, as the value goes up). But I'd rather see it in my hands, on stage. But opening the box..

Robin

Hi Robin. I found myself in a similar state in mid 2010. Yes, I'm a pro player, but being on a UK forum just gave me too many opportunities to trade and buy stuff I wasn't playing. Lovely equipment that was sitting in cases, but not earning it's keep. I think I got up to about 15 very special basses in the end.

Luckily, I was going through a messy relationship breakup and needed a house/furniture quickly, so sold off most of the collection - Some of it sadly - Especially one of the 50th Anniversary Jazzes and a Piezo Stingray with a satin finish luthier varnished neck. But I was left with a handful of Status basses that I actually play for a living, so not too bad.

Now I'm down to my main player, a Status S-2 Classic and one of the new MusicMan Classic Sabres. They give me most of the sounds I need and now I'm just looking for "the right Jazz bass."

So for the last four years I've been living by the rule that if it's not earning me money, it's expendable, no matter how nice or boutique. It's hard, but a very practical way of operating. GAS is only useful if it's something you really need, or if money is no object.

Footnote: Oh no, I'm off to Enfield Guitars in a couple of weeks!

 

[Abner]

Basses are meant to be played!

Exactly. If you don't play them, they are not musical instruments, they are decoration.

 

[RobinG]

Thanks for the input. I think the Bass will be opened, and played.

 

[Happynoj]

Exactly. If you don't play them, they are not musical instruments, they are decoration.

...and it's not going to be a very pretty decoration if it's in a a cardboard box!

 

[RobinG]

So true! A cardboard box is pretty unatractive.. especially when the Bass inside in pink paisley.

 

[Robus]

Pics or there's a dead cat in the bass box.

 

[mikeswals]

So true! A cardboard box is pretty unatractive.. especially when the Bass inside in pink paisley.

Do it!

 

[RobinG]

The deed is done! I finally was able to work out a time to pick Shteren up today. This pic is after I unwrapped her.. Still very close to in tune, but a step low. I recently purchased a Blue Flower version (Bersey) of this Bass with an SN starting with Q. While an awesome Bass, it didn't feel right to me; I'd had a Paisley version before. My son took a liking to Bersey, so he got a pretty bitchin' BDay present.
The SN starts with P on this Bass, and it's very different from Bersey. My son and I put them side by side, and the neck on Shteren is narrower, and thinner. The last paisley version I had was used as a backup/ practice Bass to my Geddy Jazz in a Rush Tribute Band, and it felt close to the Geddy. My son's main Bass has been an early 80's CIJ PBass, with a little more chunky neck. After spending some time practicing and gigging with Bersey, he understands the relationship of how a properly made, and set up Bass, with a single coil PU can be a very dynamic choice. Down side is the pick guard has warped, so it's got to go.. darn

 

[Turock]

Nice!

 

[FretNoMore]

Cool .. I think that needs to be on stage and not in storage

 

[tortburst]

I played one of those in a store in NYC and loved it. Nice bass

 

[klejst]

Player or collector...GAS does not care.

 

[Feral Feline]

^ The GAS escaped when he opened the box.

I'd name the bass Schrödinger.

 

[RobinG]

Yes, it will be played, a LOT. I started getting it set up today, and it's lovely. Tuners are a little stiff, and the truss rod was barely tight. I had to remove the pick guard (I probably would have anyway) because it expanded slightly and was bowing at the front edge of the pickup. You can sort of see that in the pic. I'll let adjustments settle, and tweak it a bit further tomorrow. Even in it's preliminary state, it feels good I'm set for my rig in the Psychedelic Shadow Show between this Bass, my eggshell 4001 and a purple burst Longhorn.

 

[Maxdusty]

Just think of it this way, by playing it, you're going to be giving the bass some mojo. Not to mention give you the pleasure of playing. Win - win situation if you ask me. I play the bass and also collect to some extent. All my basses have been played, and I've also perpetuated my hobby by selling/trading them. Just don't abuse the bass and it'll retain good value.