Interesting parallel Duke. We simultaneously posted about our '77 Precision stories.
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Does anyone else get emotionally attached to their basses?
- Thread starter oscarmeyer777
- Start date
Interesting parallel Duke. We simultaneously posted about our '77 Precision stories.
dukeplaysbass
Supporting Member
This looks like a religious post.
Relax, dude. You're in California. People worship all kinds of silly stuff.
Don't worry, I have lots of love for family and friends. I just choose to keep a couple of basses around for sentimental reasons.
My first bass was a GSR200 as well, since then i painted it, made it passive, and put flats on. I'd play it alot more if i could get the action lower. I gave my other bass a perfect setup but i cant do it on this one. As they say, no two basses are the same... and i dont have $20 for a set up. =D
dukeplaysbass
Supporting Member
Ya know, I think I may be, I needed a new bass cuz of a humming problem, I know that an easy fix but other factors led me to wanting to get a Lakland, and boy is the lakland amazing! It makes my ol spector legend seem lifeless in comparison, but Im broke now cuz I couldn't bring myself to get rid of the dang spector, guess I'll keep her and maybe use it to learn on, do a tone dump and maybe pickup swap.
I have to very strongly disagree with this post. I am very thankful for my great family which I love very much, and am very offended that you are judging me due to my love for my basses. I will ALWAYS ALWAYS ALWAYS love my family more than bass. And regarding your statement about gear being product, this is technically true, but if it was 100 percent true than why would The Bass of Doom have much more monetary value than any other fretless jazz bass? Because that bass has so played so much great music, it has been in the hands of the most revolutionary bassist of all time, and it just has so much wonderful history. All of these things contribute to this bass being one of the most famous basses ever, and this instrument started out as being just a product, but now it is oh so much more. In my opinion this is why vintage guitars cost so much, not because the wood is dried out or anything (don't get me wrong, I'm not bashing vintage basses, I LOVE most of them) it's because people want to own an axe that has been places, one that has made lots of great music, or at least this is why I love them. I would hardly consider myself to be a physco gearhead, as stated in the OP I didn't like to see people throw around instruments as much some people do, my definition of a gearhead is one of these people. This thread has made me realize that it takes all kinds, some musicians see music as a way to make some extra dough, and some of see it on a MUCH deeper level. But I can't say I didn't expect something like this from this thread
My Squier Affinity P-Bass has a lot of sentimental value to me. I've played it on gigs, used it on my first-ever band recording, etc.. I bought it used with some Christmas cash for $100 from a Guitar Center. Total impulse buy. And it's now my #1. It's 8 years old and still dishin' out some serious booty.
My 4003 is the one I can always come back to and never be let down. I bought that bass before I was worthy of playing it and as such, I learned a great deal throughout 7 years of playing on it. Each time I go back after playing a different bass for a while, it see it from a new perspective. I say pfffft to the conceived lack of versatility of the 4003.
That said, the Ric won't be able to give the same vibe that the Grabber I built from scratch will.
That said, the Ric won't be able to give the same vibe that the Grabber I built from scratch will.
I've had one of my basses (Wahsburn Xs5) for the last 8 years, it has been ripped apart & re-finished 6 or 7 times, also defretted, but I can't seem to think of parting with it (not that anyone would want it)...it's been a great instrument, and a good learning tool. I could definantly see how someone could be sentimentally attatched to their instrument.
i've never really been emotionally attached to any instrument. i've sold quite a few good ones, too. USA Peavey Wolfgang, Les Paul BFG, Ibanez RGA121, Ibanez RG570, and a few more (obviously all guitars, no basses yet!). having said that i do feel a bit of a connection to my acoustic. to me acoustics are far more personal than electric instruments. but it would take a whole lot to get me to sell my new telecaster deluxe. somebody would have to offer about what it cost me to build the thing. anyway, here's to hoping my project bass becomes just as important to me!
I treat my basses like I treat my women... never keep them around long enough to get attached.... except that certain one that I just can't let go of.
I think at some point, I should be attached to something that spends so much time resting against my junk. I'm just sayin'.
Some yes, most no. The attachment isn't really sentimental, because I'll have all the great gig memories regardless of which basses I have. Heck, I happily unloaded the bass and guitar I played at a gig that landed me on Japanese TV, at which my wife asked me on our first date!
It's more about how much I treasure the bass as an instrument, how much I connect with it while playing. My 2003 Jazz, for example, is one of the really great ones, and gets the job done every time. I'm very attached, and would be devastated if it were destroyed or stolen, largely because I think it would be so hard to replace.
It's more about how much I treasure the bass as an instrument, how much I connect with it while playing. My 2003 Jazz, for example, is one of the really great ones, and gets the job done every time. I'm very attached, and would be devastated if it were destroyed or stolen, largely because I think it would be so hard to replace.
You try not to after you have them stolen(64 T-Birds, both in New Orleans area, 1970's) or had to dump them on eBay to be able to afford college for children.
Current "rule" here: If they don't perform or suck live(either tone, weight, or other reason), they usually get sold.
Answer to OP: No.
Current "rule" here: If they don't perform or suck live(either tone, weight, or other reason), they usually get sold.
Answer to OP: No.
My '04 MIM Jazz was my first REAL bass, and a gift from my father after about a year of playing bass. It's my favorite bass, and its possibly the best sounding out of all of my basses. I dont think i'll ever get rid of it. I like it much better than my Ric, my Geddy or my Am.DLX P. I am very emotionally attached to it. One time, there was a ding on it that ive never seen before, and you won't believe how angry and sad i was. I baby that bass like no tomorrow.
i am attached to all my gear
some falls in and out of favour with me but ill always come back to it
some falls in and out of favour with me but ill always come back to it
Manipulation of scarcity, marketing of intangibles.
The sizzle, not the steak...and the steak is just meat.
No, it's not.
It never will be.
Look, I've run the mojo con much as anyone in my working life, but I've never been dumb enough to personally fall for it.
Does it have an added value for being associated with some musician or other? Sure, but that's entirely in the heads of the credulous people who buy into gear as fetish or totem and the marketers who manipulate those people and the historic market. It's also volatile and unpredictable. I've seen incredibly historic gear go for near nothing (such as the Howlin' Wolf house '52 Precision, gigged by virtually every great -- and unknown -- bassist in the long history of Chicago Blues...went for about two grand at auction). Markets are fickle.
I simply dispute that such a level exists except as an imaginary figment and marketing construct.
I also think that unless it's your job to manipulate and profit by that illusion, in which case you're merely cynical, it's unhealthy and...I don't know...idolatrous, I guess...to get emotionally invested in mere gear. In a generally loveless and effed-up world it's sick to pour emotion into inanimate product.
I've worked hard to get my basses, I'm probably most attached to my 79' Music Man Sabre that was stolen from me 26 yrs. ago then returned just about 3 mths. ago. My 82' Steinberger has alot of memories attached to it and I really dig my Carvins and '08 MIA Fender Jazz Bass V.
