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GAS - I've officially lost my mind - downgrading (almost) everything

#41
I know you aren't the most sociable guy out there. No big deal, but I must admit that playing with other, better musicians has helped me along, and would help you get the most out of the gear you have...

I am not dissing cheaper gear by any means. I LOVE my SXes, particularly my Ursa 1, and at this point would pick it over any of the MIA Fenders I have had my hands on. Not saying MIA Fender is bad, but this particular Ursa has got the "something special"...
 
#42
Big Hoss said:
I know you aren't the most sociable guy out there. No big deal,
Click to expand...

It is a pretty big deal, because I'm freaking out about meeting another person to play with. I don't really know what my problem is about meeting new people. I generally won't even talk to strangers. Even the polite, "How about this weather we're having?" type things, I try to keep as brief as possible.
It wasn't a big deal when my neighbor was on his porch playing & we got to talking about playing together.

I will call the guy soon about meeting later, just to see what we look like, LOL
I was hoping the songs he was interested in playing had simple bass lines, but some of them aren't. This will be a challenge.
 
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#43
Killed_by_Death said:
It is a pretty big deal, because I'm freaking out about meeting another person to play with. I don't really know what my problem is about meeting new people. I generally won't even talk to strangers. Even the polite, "How about this weather we're having?" type things, I try to keep as brief as possible.
It wasn't a big deal when my neighbor was on his porch playing & we got to talking about playing together.

I will call the guy soon about meeting later, just to see what we look like, LOL
I was hoping the songs he was interested in playing had simple bass lines, but some of them aren't. This will be a challenge.
Click to expand...

Please take this in the manner intended, to offer a truly helpful suggestion. It sounds like you are a bit of an excessive introvert. Aside from the music thing that has the potential for severely limiting you in making a living, and just living your life. I know about how this impacts people as I have family with a similar issue. In his case he was found with a biological / chemical issue that was straightened out with diet changes... If you can, see about getting checked out, it is possible your best days are yet to come, and they can be awesome!
 
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#44
1. Remember that feelings always change, eventually -- I would never take a permanent action based on a feeling that didn't last for at least 6 months. That includes 'stuff,' because it means something to you.

2. Playing with others is almost always helpful, but it can work out poorly as well. My last attempt at playing with others featured the following:
- Band leader (my friend) telling others I was proficient on an instrument I'd never played before - ever - with others.
- Band member literally refusing to speak directly to me. He was so odd it took me until the third practice for me to realize this was the case. Turns out I'd replaced someone he liked ... whatev.
- Not saying I can play well, but I am musical - I can usually do something vaguely useful to hang with others. There was literally almost zero musicality in this group.
- When asked to share material, band leader broke down laughing because my lyrics reflected the POV of a character other than myself. (FWIW, I used to work with major label artists to help select and develop material).

It came to a point where I sat there one night and realized "holy cow, I'm doing this as a favor, and getting treated poorly to waste one night a week listening to horrible versions of songs that should never, ever be covered any more." Thankfully, I was asked to not come back (probably because I would stop playing in the middle of songs quite a bit that last time).

Other than spinning a yarn, here's my point: I have a studio at home. You can put together a GREAT recording environment for <$500-600. This will give you direction and something to do with yourself.
 
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#45
I've had a steady run of basses throught the house this winter. I should just stick with my 1995 American P Bass with Jazz neck because it's perfect....but I didn't. I had to go and buy the Drake custom made PJ here on the TB classifieds. Never ending. But I hope the Drake custom will stop things for me (for awhile at least).

I also sold two amps (Markbass 410 and Ampeg Portaflex). Now I just have the Drake PJ bass and my GK MB212 II combo.

I'm a happy camper when it's simple and I only have one bass.
image.jpg
 
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#50
Find a better teacher. I spent a good portion of my adult life thinking I had zero aptitude for music but six months in with my current teacher and I'm already miles ahead of where I was after ten years with self instruction books. It's crazy. I thought mking music just wasn't for me and maybe I'll never be one of the greats but in a year or two I'll be good and a few years after that I'll be damn good.. Shop for an instructor the way you shopped for your amps.
 
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#54
I've gotten quite an education in 'all things bass' over the past 5+ years- since I've joined TB... been playing for over 35 years- never a 'regular gigger'. For me its always been my way of 'socializing'. I am an 'uber-introvert'. I don't 'jam'... in fact it brings anxiety to me! I learned Rush's first five albums (when I was around 16/17) and did well in some bands- but never learned any scales- so I couldn't (still can't & don't wanna) just jam... so that limits my opportunities- but gimme a song to learn... listen once or twice... I got it! (point is... 'jammin' might not work for you)

I, recently, had 7 basses & a menagerie of amps/cabs... I sold off all but 3 basses and decided to just focus on Markbass amps. Whilst I am not a minimalist, in instrumentation, I have really settled in on what I have & think I'm over all the (xtreme) @StudioGC buying & selling (really) :woot:.

The moral of this rambling story is that my bass playing helps me interact with people - so I need to have equip which makes me happy & makes me sound good... even if I don't use it weekly! Ya might sell off 'the excess'- but keep 'the good stuff'. :thumbsup:
 
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#55
Killed_by_Death said:
It is a pretty big deal, because I'm freaking out about meeting another person to play with. I don't really know what my problem is about meeting new people. I generally won't even talk to strangers. Even the polite, "How about this weather we're having?" type things, I try to keep as brief as possible.
It wasn't a big deal when my neighbor was on his porch playing & we got to talking about playing together.

I will call the guy soon about meeting later, just to see what we look like, LOL
I was hoping the songs he was interested in playing had simple bass lines, but some of them aren't. This will be a challenge.
Click to expand...

I don't like human interaction, either... That's why I bought a house and ten acres on a gravel road, an hour from the city. That being said: my only real interaction with people (other than work) is when I go jam with my band. I've known them all for more than a decade, though. The first time we were a band, alcohol and a few other substances made me a fairly gregarious dude. That changed when I got sober, and I've been increasingly introverted ever since. Jamming with these guys has really helped me a lot, and I *think* I'll be ready to play shows soon. The struggle will be speaking to people and playing nice with audience members who want to ask questions after the gigs...
 
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#58
This thread is a bit painful to read. OP, with all due respect, you seriously sound manic and/or depressed. Find a reason to love your life. If that's playing music, great. If not, don't force yourself, find something else. TB may not be the right place for you to seek help.
 

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