I had work up the wazzoo this winter! Did well, had the downpayment on an Epi Casady I was longing for. My wife accidentally broke the door glass at the studio I was working at. Any glaziers reading this? Tempered glass? full length door? weekend? night time? you get the pic?. No mo' downpayment. Oh well, got more work coming up.
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Do you have a "No Gigs - NO GAS" policy? (mini-rant)
- Thread starter unbasslichkeit
- Start date
This all sounds so familiar - even the part about buying whatever you want if you can afford it. Dang, that was a long time ago...
i've found it's easy for me to not give in to GAS.
because i have no money. zero. i'm back with my parents, looking for gigs and a job, and have negative in the bank account. so bring on the GAS!! i can't buy anything anyways!!
because i have no money. zero. i'm back with my parents, looking for gigs and a job, and have negative in the bank account. so bring on the GAS!! i can't buy anything anyways!!
I gig pretty steady, always have, and even though bass purchases have never been solely based on gigging money, I usually use the coin from playing to fund the gear. Right now, I'm very nearly GAS free and have been for the past year or so.
Plus I keep my eye on the general economy which is looking a bit rough .... gig money is being put into the retirement/investment accounts for the future ......
Plus I keep my eye on the general economy which is looking a bit rough .... gig money is being put into the retirement/investment accounts for the future ......
I've already spent all I'm allowed to spend on bass gear with the exception of things breaking. My new gear has to be funded from selling other gear or direct trades. Gig money goes towards day care until I start making more than $125 a weekend.
I definetely agree with that. I bought a new bass when I had a couple shows lined up, and now the shows have slowed up and I find it hard to spend the money on a head/cab etc. So I hope I get some more shows soon...I wanna buy more toys. 
I gig pretty steady, always have, and even though bass purchases have never been solely based on gigging money, I usually use the coin from playing to fund the gear. Right now, I'm very nearly GAS free and have been for the past year or so.
Plus I keep my eye on the general economy which is looking a bit rough .... gig money is being put into the retirement/investment accounts for the future ......
Same here... with each year I see less and less that I actual want. If I buy something now, it's usually becuase it was dirt cheap and I plan on turning it over. all of my gear is paid for by gigs and wheeling and dealing. Most of the gear I own is still worth at least what I paid for it if not more. Usually more
I "cash in" a bass when the mood strikes me.
half my gig money goes in a jar. That's my GAS money (the rest is my gas money, and keep wife sweet money). If there's cash in the jar I can spend it on anything I want.
If I need/want something cool, and there's no cash in the jar, I just buy it BUT I have to pay myself back out of the jar. I'm usually paying myself back, but in the end it works out that gigs = new toys.
Ian
If I need/want something cool, and there's no cash in the jar, I just buy it BUT I have to pay myself back out of the jar. I'm usually paying myself back, but in the end it works out that gigs = new toys.
Ian
I buy according to the expenses of the month and my judgment. As a result, most of my "new" equipment is extremely clean used gear - which doesn't bother me a bit. I hang out in the under $300 range, and nab the occasional goodie. I can't do it every month, but a few times a year. However, my income does permit this....so it's all relative.
But since I primarily play benefits, the income from playing is not a factor - there isn't any.
But since I primarily play benefits, the income from playing is not a factor - there isn't any.
I try to stick fairly close to the no gigs, no GAS model. SInce I've gotten married, and recently acquired mortgage, i've gotten much better the at being disciplined in my purchases.
The only time my band makes any real money is in the summertime. Consequently, that's when I buy most of my gear, however there are a few other avenues for purchases.
1) Selling gear I already have. I get no flack when I drop around a hundred on a bass and flip it for a profit soon after.
2) Ocassional gift, or special occasion from my wife. To date, I have a 55-01 that she gave me, and an Artcore that was a pretty good deal, but the real reason I was able to buy it was that she thought was really pretty.
3) I picked up a side job doing HIV Facts presentations here in Chicago for a group not connected to my current job. It's alot like a gig: I show up, set up, do my "performance", teardown, and go home. I use about half that cash for Bass gear or LEGO purchases and half the cash for house hold stuff or surprising my lady.
The only time my band makes any real money is in the summertime. Consequently, that's when I buy most of my gear, however there are a few other avenues for purchases.
1) Selling gear I already have. I get no flack when I drop around a hundred on a bass and flip it for a profit soon after.
2) Ocassional gift, or special occasion from my wife. To date, I have a 55-01 that she gave me, and an Artcore that was a pretty good deal, but the real reason I was able to buy it was that she thought was really pretty.
3) I picked up a side job doing HIV Facts presentations here in Chicago for a group not connected to my current job. It's alot like a gig: I show up, set up, do my "performance", teardown, and go home. I use about half that cash for Bass gear or LEGO purchases and half the cash for house hold stuff or surprising my lady.
I have a pretty good arangment. Under $100, no problem. under $200, a call to make sure the funds are there, Over $200, lets hope the store has a lay-a-way program. This keeps me from going gear crazy and lets the wife not have to worry about me coming home with a new toy everytime I leave the house.
I don't have money one way, or another,
so I don't bore myself with that, brother..
I could sell this computer -
But then without tabs, my problems are greater..
so I don't bore myself with that, brother..
I could sell this computer -
But then without tabs, my problems are greater..
I'm in a similar situation. I am moving soon and have amassed just enough cash to pull it off, hopefully. I get paid every two weeks, so I need to budget accordingly. I just paid off my most recent purchase (Fender J '62 RI fretless, Nordstrands, Audere). And then someone posted this thread about a theramin. I had no idea what one was. I looked into it, and now i must most definetly aquire a theramin. I have only been playing for 5 years. I have 5 basses, two amp heads, 2 combos, pedals galore, multi track recorder, keyboard, melodica, some percussion instruments, and anything else musical I see for sale. Right now I'm dying to buy some stuff i saw at a music store, not to mention the theramin.
No, I have no such policies.
GAS is what it is, whether or not I'm even playing shows. I'm not even in a band anymore!
Still want a Stealth Bongo 6
GAS is what it is, whether or not I'm even playing shows. I'm not even in a band anymore!
Still want a Stealth Bongo 6
I have a decent day job, but I like to keep my music business separate from my other business...it is easier for Schedule C purposes. Gig money funds my gear. My choice is, usually, buy gear (i.e. an expense) or pay the money in taxes. I choose gear every time.
I think the gig money idea works for me. I don't play out very often, so the money goes in a jar.
However, I strongly suggest staying away from those credit cards. If you can't afford it... don't charge it. Save your pennies. You don't need a another financial obligation standing in the way of your music. "Sorry, I can't play that night because I HAVE TO WORK". No one wants to hear it... or say it.
However, I strongly suggest staying away from those credit cards. If you can't afford it... don't charge it. Save your pennies. You don't need a another financial obligation standing in the way of your music. "Sorry, I can't play that night because I HAVE TO WORK". No one wants to hear it... or say it.
i have the same mentality. i literally make my living from music (mostly teaching), i would rather buy something i can keep than just throw the money away every april. i already have way more than i need, but there's always something catching my eye.
Same here... with each year I see less and less that I actual want. If I buy something now, it's usually becuase it was dirt cheap and I plan on turning it over. all of my gear is paid for by gigs and wheeling and dealing. Most of the gear I own is still worth at least what I paid for it if not more. Usually more
I "cash in" a bass when the mood strikes me.
Same here. I see less gear I'd even be willing to buy as time goes on. It seems like my vision of what I want and need and the marriage of the two in my pro gig narrows my options as time goes on, that and I'm really happy with my gear and don't have extra money now that I've got 4 kids and a wife to support.
I still GAS sometimes, just for more of something I already have like my Lakland 5-- man I'd love to have 2 of those, but necessity does not call for it.
I've sold or traded away everything that I don't use except for a couple of heirlooms I want to pass on to my kids. Everything else goes to the gig or gets used in the studio.
This basically means that you don't buy new equipment unless (1) something breaks; or (2) you don't have enough gigs booked ahead to justify a new acquisition. Usually a problem amongst married bassists or bassists without day jobs or bassists with kids and/or girlfriends and/or wives without day jobs....
Aww who cares. WE broke!And this is the situation I find myself in - no gigs till May 3, no sub gigs, and all these nice basses and amps going right by me. Right now there are two Super J's been l on sale for a month, and no money unless I break into highly forbidden funds.
If you are in this position, or a similar one, c'mon and sit right down here. It's okay to whine.
i'm in the same boat; luckily i play out 3-4 nights a week so i can accrue funds in reasonable amounts of time... but i didn't buy a new bass or a rack tuner until i had amassed enough for both... lone exception is my current rig, was financed through selling some stuff on ebay (composite hockey shafts/blades, an old snowboard, everything must go sale).
