Falling out of love with your bass

[tonemachine]

Sigh. It's not you, it's me. You didn't do anything wrong, I just don't have the same feelings I did before.
I've been gigging a Stingray HH for about 8 years. It's everything I could ever want in a live bass. I've played covers ranging from blues to metal to contemporary Christian and it's always been rock solid. Problem is I only gig about once every 6-8 weeks now. When I play at home or rehearsal I prefer my passive J or PJ every time. I've got young kids and I don't see myself being in a "working" band any time soon if ever again. I'm considering letting it go but can't decide, Stingray HH with SLO necks don't come up very often. I may never find another one like it.

Keep it. Keep every good bass you've ever loved. One day you'll be glad you did.

 

[Eric Swaim]

It's better to have loved and fingered, than to never have fingered at all.

Man, that's just wrong, just wrong

 

[P-BASS BILL]

I once left music for about 2-3 years.
Sold or gave away what I had.
Biggest mistake I ever made.
Just sayin'

Brother, you said a mouthful! I made a similar kind of mistake and I could just kick myself to death every time I think about it. I unloaded a '72 Jazz Bass, Nat/Ash Maple Pearl Blox, that I had owned for THIRTY-EIGHT YEARS ... and it was still DEAD MINT, covers, case candy ... the whole 9 yards ..... IDIOT!!!!!!

 

[basslifter]

Have you tried your other basses live? Sometimes a bass that sounds good at home does not sound so great in the mix. I had one like that....

 

[lomo]

IME it is less a question of falling out of love with one than falling more in love with another. My wife and love of 26 years often smiles and tells me she is glad she is not a bass; I am glad of that as well

Having said that, I will publicly subject myself to future ridicule by saying my current stable of 5 basses (with 2 Lulls as my mains and the others filling utility roles) has me GAS free for the 1st time and I can foresee no bass purchases or deals on the horizon.......maybe I need to sign a prenup, LOL.

 

[boristhespider9]

It's a Stingray Slo Special! Put it away for a while and you'll eventually appreciate it again. Plus, maybe your kids will want a "vintage" Stingray someday!

 

[shawshank72]

Brother, you said a mouthful! I made a similar kind of mistake and I could just kick myself to death every time I think about it. I unloaded a '72 Jazz Bass, Nat/Ash Maple Pearl Blox, that I had owned for THIRTY-EIGHT YEARS ... and it was still DEAD MINT, covers, case candy ... the whole 9 yards ..... IDIOT!!!!!!

Then you know the pain unfortunately.
That's why I tell everyone don't do it!!!!

 

[Tampabass]

My StingRay was my No. 1 bass guitar for probably 15 years. Then I decided I was ready for a change. Nothing wrong with it, but I wanted to try a different sound. So I sold it and moved on to other basses. Haven't really regretted it once.
Tastes change, even your own. And change can be good.
I typically don't stockpile basses that I'm not using, partly because I can't really afford to do so.

 

[mysteryclock]

Sometimes just the act of changing gear can inspire you to re-engage, play more & get better.

 

[DavC]

it's cheaper than divorce ...!! done that a couple times ...!!

 

[drummer5359]

I love all eleven of my basses. I guess that would make me a "bass polyamorist".

 

[Quilbert]

I was also considering selling my stingray. I've had it for 10 years but my playing style has changed and I think I prefer a passive p tone these days. The thing is it's served me well and has the scars or my playing. I know id instantly regret selling it on. It still brings a smile to my face whenever I plug it in.

 

[cv115505]

I once left music for about 2-3 years.
Sold or gave away what I had.
Biggest mistake I ever made.
Just sayin'

Been there... Sold a a Stingray that had to be magic. It was just a regular H Ray. White on white with a maple board, but it sounded amazing, and no Ray I have played since sounds the same... Pretty close, but not magic. There was also a good but unremarkable Fender rw jazz. I also sold a Genz GB750 and Uber 4x10. Stupidity.

 

[LT131]

[QUOTE="birminghambass, post: 17589187, member: 2existence ]Sigh. It's not you, it's me. You didn't do anything wrong, I just don't have the same feelings I did before.
I've been gigging a Stingray HH for about 8 years. It's everything I could ever want in a live bass. I've played covers ranging from blues to metal to contemporary Christian and it's always been rock solid. Problem is I only gig about once every 6-8 weeks now. When I play at home or rehearsal I prefer my passive J or PJ every time. I've got young kids and I don't see myself being in a "working" band any time soon if ever again. I'm considering letting it go but can't decide, Stingray HH with SLO necks don't come up very often. I may never find another one like it.[/QUOTE]
You pig. It gave you 8 years in the prime of its existence, faithfully performing your (probably sick) requests, actively I might add, and you up and go for another bass. Or two! you're going to just hand it off to some other "player" giving the poor bass no input in the process. Pig.

 

[Duder]

Mine is more a tale of regret. As much as I love my Jaguar bass, I do wish I had bought a Mustang bass instead. It's truly what I want to play. The wife thinks the Jaguar is sexy, though, so I can't sell it to fund the Mustang purchase.

 

[seansbrew]

Just put it in its case and put it in the closet. It will be there when you come back around. At the moment, all of my four string basses are getting no play. They are cased and stored.

 

[RED J]

I may never find another one like it

If it's that special , don't let it go. I have flipped tons of great basses, but none have been my '65 jazz. I have come close, but never quite. Put that beggar in the closet if it's not a money issue.

 

[birminghambass]

Assuming you don't need the dough, I concur with those that advise you to keep it, at least for now/near future. 1) You say it is special. 2) You have a successful, meaningful history with that instrument. 3) Although you're enjoying playing your other basses, you might enjoy this one again, as well. Just take a break from it and gently set it aside for a time. 4) After some time goes by, reassess your need/desire.

Since you are not exactly sure about what to do now, take some time to clarify and process your situation. What's the rush? Maybe some extra time will help you decide in a less stressful, more confident manner.

Many believe this is not a great time to sell a bass price/market wise. On the other hand, some others think now is the best time to sell. So, another way to settle your issue might be to employ the market as your decision maker, say in a reserve/minimum price auction. If your reserve is/is not met, the market will automatically make this decision for you. For example, reserve price met = sale. Reserve price not met = keep.

Best, whatever you choose. .

Well this settled it. Thanks TB.

 

[MovingPitchers]

Funny how different hands do different things to the smae bass, more or less.
As a long time "love anything Leo did" guy, I've tried many times to love a MM bass.
But with me playing one, there's just this huge hole in the mid range live that most any single coil J fills for me nicely, and pretty much for sure every decent P bass fills nicely.
I wish an MM worked for me. They're great quality stuff.

Yeah. I owned a SBMM Ray 35. It was sick. Absolutely amazing and it wasn't even the Ernie Ball model but nonetheless it was a tone monster. However the Jazz Bass could do things for me that the Ray was unable to do. The craftsmanship from Musicman is phenomenal.

 

[Not yet]

Have a 78 B00 I bought new in college. Never play it but can't bear to sell it cause I've done hundreds(1,000 maybe?) of shows and reminds me of being young.

Every time I move to sell it my wife even says you'll regret it and the money will be gone in a second. She would know

Usually happy I keep it....you probably would too