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Downgrading your rig?

aah_scary

aah_scary

Nov 4, 2016
107
128
34
Liverpool
#1
Hey guys, looking to get some advice.

I'm thinking of selling my gear for cheaper gear and pocketing the difference. I'll start off with the fact that I'm a novice bedroom player who bought a good bass and amp not long after I started playing. I don't practice every day or even often but pick it up every now and then. Nowhere even close to being able to play gigs and stuff.
I've currently got a MIJ FSR Aerodyne Jazz in LPB and a TV Electronic BG250-112 which is a lot more than I need (and maybe a tad expensive). I'm not sure what amp I'd get (Could keep it) but I was looking at getting an Ibanez SR300E, which after picking up in a shop, seemed to be a very good bass for £265!
I reckon I could get a good £500 by swapping the bass and amp; which, while I don't necessarily need the money, it would come in useful at the moment. The downside is, I quite like this bass, even if it doesn't see a lot of action.

So, if you were me. Would you keep the gear or downgrade?
 
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#2
If you love the bass, keep it. I've sold one or two instruments that I loved, and I regret it. An amp is replaceable in my opinion, so if you can sell that and get a used Fender Rumble or small Ampeg for example, that makes sense.

The FSR is a limited run in a popular colour, and will probably hold its value well, it might even increase in value at some point. The Ibanez will most likely not. If you don't need the money, don't give up a good bass.
 
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#6
I agree...keep the bass at least. And it doesn't make much sense to sell your amp just to replace it with something one size smaller, which is about all you'll able to do, but end up spending probably more money. You could always get a POD to play in the bedroom if you don't want to keep an amp around.

Right now. money wise, you're already at or near the low investment level so selling out to buy more low end stuff, at or near the value of what you have, doesn't make sense.
 
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#8
I would definitely keep the Aerodyne for sure. That is a particularly cool bass and not sure common. As for the amp, the amount of money that you'd pickup by downsizing is not a lot.

Drums are my primary instrument. When I was in my early twenties I sold my first decent drum set for reasons similar to yours, I didn't get a kit as nice for about eight years. I really regretted it.

Unless you are in a very tight financial situation that selling this would fix, I would not do it.
 
#9
As others have stated, if you really like the bass, I would keep it if you can unless you really need the money. I have downgraded a few times in the past, and have regretted some of the basses I've let go off. Rule of thumb for me is if the bass is something I can easily find and buy in the future, like say a standard US Fender Jazz bass, then I would have no qualms in selling it. If it's a MIJ Aerodyne in the color I like, I would probably be a little hesitant as it may be difficult to find one in the future.
Again, this is assuming you really love the MIJ Aerodyne, some prefer going with an Ibanez brand bass over the Fender style basses. if so, I would also consider looking into a used SR500 or above as there's a jump in quality there and the price might not be all that different from a new SR300E.

If anything, the amp is the one I would sell- the bass after all is the instrument and it has to be good enough to encourage you to want to keep playing.
 
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#10
Sounds like you're overthinking this TBH, maybe to justify a bit of GAS with the Ibanez. I know your quandary well, and have upgraded and downgraded many, many, many times.

Sometimes, it's worked. Most of the time however, it's been a complete waste of time & money as the chosen replacement doesn't meet expectations in any way shape or form (and that's after trying them out in a shop!).

The Aerodyne is a cracking piece of gear, if you're happy with it, keep it. You don't HAVE to sell it, you don't HAVE to buy another bass (however, this would seem to be against the general rules of TalkBass, and admitting it would possibly see you banned! ;) :D ).

It is of course, your decision, and yours alone, however, unless you're finding the Aerodyne is "missing something", and you're not actually that happy with it, then keep it. If you aren't happy with it, if you feel it's lacking that certain "something", then scour the market and find something that meets your requirements better. Take your time, do your research, visit some shops and see what's available. Most importantly, try a load of basses out, hands on. Don't be tempted to do it over the internet, you need to physically interact with the bass to see if it's right for you.

But I'd still be tempted to keep the Aerodyne.
 
#11
if your items where bought ' New ' ... you'll lose more $$ than you'd pocket ... then re-buy cheaper stuff that would lose even more value .. !! kinda a lose/lose situation ...

if you sell things yourself and re-buy Used at the right price ... you'll lose less
 
#12
I say let your ears decide - I sold roughly $30k in equipment from my recording studio (all top shelf equipment!) to replace it with about $8k in gear because I thought the trade-off was amazing. The $8k gear sounded about 90% as good as my $30k gear. What would I pay $22k extra for a 10% difference? Most people would call me crazy for doing what I did, but most people also wouldn't be able to tell the difference themselves :) Don't pay extra for hype, unless you need it :) Just my two cents.
 
#13
There's probably an easier way to come up with some extra cash.

Selling gear is a hassle. It takes a fair amount of time and effort, and then there are shipping costs.

I could see selling gear if you were sitting in a room crowded with basses, amps, pedals, keyboards and other music gear. These things can get out of control. I've been there.

But you have a bass and an amp. Pretty much the minimalist approach to realistically playing with other folks. And they are decent pieces of equipment.

The real question seems to be whether you are in to it, or not.

Quickest route to playing onstage, in front of people, with musicians who are into playing: your local blues jam. learn a few 1-4-5 forms and grooves, you'll be thrown in the muddy waters and schooled.

Attachment-1.jpeg
 
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#14
Take the Tbers advice. Don't sell. I did 30 years ago for no good reason other then thinking I'd never use it. Big mistake. My investment back then would be worth 4 x as much today and sound better. As said down the road your bass will hold or appreciate in value. I should have let mine sit under the bed.
 
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#16
aah_scary said:
Hey guys, looking to get some advice.

I'm thinking of selling my gear for cheaper gear and pocketing the difference. I'll start off with the fact that I'm a novice bedroom player who bought a good bass and amp not long after I started playing. I don't practice every day or even often but pick it up every now and then. Nowhere even close to being able to play gigs and stuff.
I've currently got a MIJ FSR Aerodyne Jazz in LPB and a TV Electronic BG250-112 which is a lot more than I need (and maybe a tad expensive). I'm not sure what amp I'd get (Could keep it) but I was looking at getting an Ibanez SR300E, which after picking up in a shop, seemed to be a very good bass for £265!
I reckon I could get a good £500 by swapping the bass and amp; which, while I don't necessarily need the money, it would come in useful at the moment. The downside is, I quite like this bass, even if it doesn't see a lot of action.

So, if you were me. Would you keep the gear or downgrade?
Click to expand...
Not an Ibanez fan until I tried out the Talman TMB 600 and 310.
Now, I'm thinking about dropping $200 on this...just because I need a red bass!
However, the Japanese Aerodynes are some of the best Fenders made.
20170831_144403.jpg

I understand these TMB 100s are very good for the money.
 
#17
The gear you already bought and paid for is mid-level, not an insult or anything negative implied, point being, its paid for...keep it...what you may recoup by flipping it will result in a loss, big or small, a loss none-the-less..have fun with what you got, play it loud and play it hard! Rock on ;-)
 
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#18
singlemalt said:
There's probably an easier way to come up with some extra cash.

Selling gear is a hassle. It takes a fair amount of time and effort, and then there are shipping costs.

I could see selling gear if you were sitting in a room crowded with basses, amps, pedals, keyboards and other music gear. These things can get out of control. I've been there.

But you have a bass and an amp. Pretty much the minimalist approach to realistically playing with other folks. And they are decent pieces of equipment.

The real question seems to be whether you are in to it, or not.

Quickest route to playing onstage, in front of people, with musicians who are into playing: your local blues jam. learn a few 1-4-5 forms and grooves, you'll be thrown in the muddy waters and schooled.

View attachment 2616928
Click to expand...
This diagram applied probably everywhere in the world *except Central Virginia*. The last Central Virginia Blues Society jam I went to had 6 bass players, 4 guitarists, 2 singers (and guitarists), 2 drummers, and one harmonica player. Totally odd.
 
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#19
We're closer to Bluegrass here in mid-West VA, LOL!


I've done this & later regretted it deeply. I sold my Rickenbacker (pronounced like Linebacker), but I should have put it in the case for a while & just stashed it someplace.
I guess I got bored with it, but I'd sure like to have it back now.

Get a SR370E, and if you don't need the money, stash the MIJ for 3 months. I'd bet money you'll be glad you didn't sell it when you get it back out again.
BTW, I really like those Power Span pickups in the SR---E series

Here is the SR370E, all maple:

J31134000001000-00-500x500.jpg


[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
 
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