Does anyone else get emotionally attached to their basses?

[marchone]

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.

Well put.

 

[Mike M.]

I don't know. I'm "kinda-sorta" attached to some of my instruments but I wouldn't go so far as to say I'm emotionally attached. As it stands right now, I only have two basses; my 4 string Squire P-bass and my MIM Fender 5 string. The 5 string is all I use these days and if it got stolen I'd be pissed and hurt, but then I would just go out and buy another 5 string and that would be that.

Like a lot of people, after "certain hurts" in your life you get very good at just moving on and not looking back.

 

[marchone]

Compare having an emotional attachment to your first Teddy Bear or blankie and then restate your arguments.

 

[Bassman203]

My bass is the only one that feels right to me, even compared to others of the same brand and model, so yes. I've just gotten used to it/attached to it.

 

[marchone]

I sense this thread topic has been largely semantic and many posters are misusing the words "sentimental" and "emotional". Or at very least are disregarding the psychological implications of attaching an emotional value to an inanimate object.

 

[oscarmeyer777]

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.

It is if you want it want to 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.

This is fair game, some people like vintage and some people don't. I do, you don't. End of story.

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.

Hehe you said fetish.... And I guess whatever floats your boat.


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.

Ok, I didn't really mean to say emotionally attached, I kinda meant more sentimental value. Surely you get sellers remorse sometimes? Mind I ask what your religious views are? Sorry I kinda messed up the quote thing, I don't really know how to do it like you did.

 

[oscarmeyer777]

I changed the original post for clarification.

 

[Pet Sounds]

I think the only bass I've had serious pangs about selling was a mid-70s P-bass. It had mods including EMGs, gold hardware and a replacement 'guard, and the neck was a bit bowed. So I ended up trading it, plus some cash, for a '70s Telecaster.

The thing that bugs me is, I bought the bass from an old country musician who said it was a Nashville studio bass. The maple board was worn from years of music-making. There was a certain mojo to it that made it, to me, more than just an inanimate object.

I heard some guy bought it, got the neck fixed and absolutely loves it, so that's some consolation....

 

[Bassist Jay]

I am sentimentally attached to most of my gear but if I had to sell all of it to provide for my family or do something to help them out, I wouldn't hesitate to do so.

I am actually going to be selling my Ibanez guitars and 20th Anniversary bass pretty soon as I don't really need them any longer. I am now converting over to Music Man basses. I have 1 right now with a second one being built but would like to add at least 2 more to the collection.

 

[oscarmeyer777]

I am sentimentally attached to most of my gear but if I had to sell all of it to provide for my family or do something to help them out, I wouldn't hesitate to do so.

I would do exactly the same.

 

[pasta4lnch]

Ok, I didn't really mean to say emotionally attached, I kinda meant more sentimental value. Surely you get sellers remorse sometimes? Mind I ask what your religious views are? Sorry I kinda messed up the quote thing, I don't really know how to do it like you did.

you shouldn't have to clarify! people on this board are getting way to friggin touchy! this is a place where we can discuss, amongst other things, gear - and tools of our trade.

yes, I get emotional over my gear. If I don't play for a while and pick up my p/j I "feel" something. I'M HUMAN! and no, I don't compare it to the emotion towards my family or dog etc. but, as a human, I can feel complex emotions over a range of things. if thinking a bass has a soul gets you through the day, so be it. what does it matter if it's right? you ever see God personally? Know for sure He exists? I think you'd have a tough sell in that arena . . . just sayin'

it's not a stupid question at all! it's one thing to disagree, but damn! there are too many rifts here. grow up people! lets talk bass!

 

[Beginner Bass]

My Squier is my 1st, and my 5er was a gift and my first 5, so I don't see selling them any time soon.

 

[Slappin'Da Bass]

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.

Impressive vocab show. *Applause*.

If a bass is your friend, let it be. I adore mine like friends. Do I talk to them? No.

 

[blackriverstan]

im glad no one would offer me a whole lot for my p-bass lyte when i was trying to sell it...i would still be kicking myself

my yamaha has been a real horse and if i do ever decide to part with it, it will be in a blaze of glory smashed and burned and destroyed a la hendrix/townshend style

and i'm sure the p-bass i recently found for a steal will be with me for a long time

guess im idolatrous

 

[otis_thick]

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.

That was Gabby Johnson...I am particulary glad that these young bass players were here today to read that.... Not only was it authentic intellectual gibberish.....

inanimate
1. lacking any sign of life or consciousness; appearing dead
2. lacking vitality; spiritless; dull

The bass lying still....Just there or just bad tone from...

Animate
1. To impart interest or zest to; enliven: "The party was animated by all kinds of men and women"
2. To fill with spirit, courage, or resolution; To inspire to action
3. To impart motion or activity to.

Bass strings vibrating in harmoneous sync to the melody and rhythm causing spontaneous booty movement of those that can hear the bass singing and pulsating......

Its the player that gives the bass LIFE!

 

[tom once dead]

Ive sold two basses. My first bass, which I sold to get a Dean. I didn't really feel any regret at the time. The other bass I sold was the Dean, and I'm incredibly glad I don't have that thing anymore. Now I have bought back my first bass and put a new J pup in it.

 

[elavate7]

well my ibanez is my first real bass and it has got the job done for a long time. it isnt the best but it feel and sounds gret and im going to mess the heck out of it when i get something better!

 

[guitarchaser]

I guess I'm attached to my first bass, just cause it was my first. Would I replace it if it broke or got stolen...probably not, I'd upgrade to a bass of the same make, maybe, cause getting the same bass wouldn't have the same 'first bass' feel to me.

It's the only one I'm willing to jump about with, partly cause it is the lightest, and I'm not afraid if it takes any hits.

 

[lowphatbass]

Not me.

I also think it's a moral offense.

Don't get emotional about light industrial product, which is all gear is.

Give your emotional attachment to your friends, family and pets if you are lucky enough to have any of these.

Life is short. Don't blow it on being a psycho gearhead.

I'm not a psycho gear head. I've had one of my basses for over 15 years now and IMO, it's kept me from being a gear$luT. Next to the people and pets in my life it's my single most prized possession, and yes I understand it's a tool, it's made me hundreds of thousands of dollars.
My reality is this: It fits me like a glove, it's a discontinued model and most importantly it's "my voice" in terms of music which is the single most important aspect of my life.
I've known players with a constantly rotating selection of basses who always sound great, not to mention they gain a lot of joy and stimulation from buying, selling and trading basses. I completely respect going that route as well, it's just not for me.

 

[darkstorm]

Yes. Though Ive gone thru a lot of basses. I do figuratively "transfer" the good from previous bass to new one in a sort of fantasy transmigration of its essense. Silly huh? Yup, but still. Lol. Its one of the reasons the idea of relicing is gross to me. I wouldnt do such to a friend and I regard my insruments as friends. Sometimes my instrument friends can better manifest stuff in a diff body. Yes I'm weird. Lol.