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Do I have my final rotation?
- Thread starter Dr. Cheese
- Start date
Heh heh, I like the way that last sentence leaves the door open. 
Who cares about the basses look at those babies!
Yeah, I’m not buying a word.
Happy for you. But…
Happy for you. But…
They are 23 and nearly 19 now.
I don't know who you think you are, coming on this site, THIS site, and even suggesting that you're done at two basses!! Don't you go blaspheme in here!!
I would love to buy a nicer fretted five, I just don’t know if I can justify it. I’m not young or middle aged. I can’t guarantee I would get ten years out of another bass, let alone twenty plus years. Furthermore, I have a decent part time income using what I already have.Heh heh, I like the way that last sentence leaves the door open.
My vote…..get yourself a nice retirement bass and call it a day. 
This is how I see this thing playing out.
This is how I see this thing playing out.
My Esteemed Dr. Cheese,
I do not feel you need to have to justify what you would like by how much you would use it out of the house.
As long as you’re not causing a ruckus indulging trying different things, I say don’t burden yourself with that requirement.
I long ago realized that my desire to have beautiful wooden baubles around could not be “earned”. Just having them to try and swap out at will makes me happy, and that’s worth something these days.
I do not feel you need to have to justify what you would like by how much you would use it out of the house.
As long as you’re not causing a ruckus indulging trying different things, I say don’t burden yourself with that requirement.
I long ago realized that my desire to have beautiful wooden baubles around could not be “earned”. Just having them to try and swap out at will makes me happy, and that’s worth something these days.
Soon, I will get in contact with you about a possible option if I do get another fretted.My vote…..get yourself a nice retirement bass and call it a day.
This is how I see this thing playing out.
Can't see what usefulness has to do with buying new basses...
Think the only bass you ever really needed was the first one, without which you couldn't play at all...
Since then every other has been for comfort and most of a all for pleasure.
.
And I see nothing wrong with that!
If you can afford it without going bankrupt, go for it!
Buy some Ken Smith, Fodera, Sadowsky, or... Squier!
Whatever makes you happy!
Remember: only one life to live!
Think the only bass you ever really needed was the first one, without which you couldn't play at all...
Since then every other has been for comfort and most of a all for pleasure.
. And I see nothing wrong with that!
If you can afford it without going bankrupt, go for it!
Buy some Ken Smith, Fodera, Sadowsky, or... Squier!
Whatever makes you happy!
Remember: only one life to live!
My father spent his retirement fishing. He didn’t need to fish to put food on the table, he just enjoyed fishing very, very much and it made his retirement more enjoyable. He spent a whole lot of money going out on fishing boats and it never once occurred to me that he was wasting money even though the expense was on an experience - something that had no resale value. It was not wasted money. It was spent on making himself happy.
If buying a better fretted fiver makes your playing experience more enjoyable you don’t need to justify it.
If buying a better fretted fiver makes your playing experience more enjoyable you don’t need to justify it.
Couldn't have said it better...
I’m a few years younger than you but also thinking I’ll retire about two more years. For several years i’ve been casually planning to buy myself a retirement bass and have even narrowed it down to a few likely candidates. It would be my reward to myself for spending 40+ years honing my sarcasm and cynicism skills in the corporate looney bin.
But I now have three outstanding basses (all Musicman) that I love playing enough that I now have difficulty deciding for a gig which one will get played, which one will be the backup, and which one stays home that night. Sure, I still drool over other basses, especially a few Musicman basses to complement the three I mentioned. But lately I’ve been thinking that there's a lot more thrill in the chase than there is in the kill. There’s nothing I can’t do in any playing situation I’ll ever find myself in with my small collection.
Still haven't made a decision, but I feel like I'm leaning in a saner direction now - playing basses is a lot more fun than buying/collecting them.
Famous last words, I know .... LOL
Don't want to be the guy to fuel your GAS, but your words say that your current fretted 5 is too heavy and the neck is not comfortable.
As someone who chose the magic bullet for as long as you have, I would have supposed that you settled on something a little more glamorous.
Yes, you're approaching 65 and you might doubt whether or not you're good for getting another decade out of that bass.
But you're also an enjoyer of well made basses that sound nice - and the bass does not have to retire with you (or be put in your grave).
Once you quit for good, you can pass it on or sell it and the bass can start its next chapter.
I don't see why someone who has played all their live should end up with a sub par instrument just because they feel like they can't justify owning a better one because they're old and only play in church.
As someone who chose the magic bullet for as long as you have, I would have supposed that you settled on something a little more glamorous.
Yes, you're approaching 65 and you might doubt whether or not you're good for getting another decade out of that bass.
But you're also an enjoyer of well made basses that sound nice - and the bass does not have to retire with you (or be put in your grave).
Once you quit for good, you can pass it on or sell it and the bass can start its next chapter.
I don't see why someone who has played all their live should end up with a sub par instrument just because they feel like they can't justify owning a better one because they're old and only play in church.
Long-timer lurker of the good Cheese Doctor’s posts.
There’s something awfully special about bonding with an instrument. I’d say with those lovely FSOs, force yourself to excel on each! Use the fretted four for most of the meat & potatoes work and dial in a next-level vibe with the fretless 5 … for those detuned gospel tunes, the expressive solo stuff, the synthy bass lines.
I’m a bit of a minimalist so I’d say sell the peavey if it causes you any angst about never playing it.
Stash the extra cash in case the perfect lightweight fretted 5 comes bopping along. My $.02, I’ll see myself out now - but good luck and keep swinging!
There’s something awfully special about bonding with an instrument. I’d say with those lovely FSOs, force yourself to excel on each! Use the fretted four for most of the meat & potatoes work and dial in a next-level vibe with the fretless 5 … for those detuned gospel tunes, the expressive solo stuff, the synthy bass lines.
I’m a bit of a minimalist so I’d say sell the peavey if it causes you any angst about never playing it.
Stash the extra cash in case the perfect lightweight fretted 5 comes bopping along. My $.02, I’ll see myself out now - but good luck and keep swinging!
I think for your retirement you should get a fretted 5 string Sadowsky JJ. You've always wanted one and there are many price point options out there, both new and used.
Bones
Bones
I was not aware Sadowsky Made an UNLINED Fretless Metro Express JJ. I will definitely have to keep an eye out for one of those. Thanks!
I am 70. I play in a big band, which has a large repertoire; jazz, swing, r&b, rock, latin, etc. My main bass is a fretless 5 and I only gig with this one. In my practice sessions I rotate this bass with a fretted 5 and a fretted 6. It is like cross-training. That could be your motivation to get a fretted 5.
