I could never see the need for more than a main player and a back up, a couple of cables and a serviceable amp. But then again I am not very materialistic, or much of a bells and whistles person. In the past I have played with folks who got themselves in hock getting instruments. I always thought that was silly. I have generally lead a debt free life other than a mortgage.
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GAS vs. Motivation vs. Downsizing
- Thread starter hooky_marr
- Start date
At one point the number of basses I owned was closer to ten; it's settled in right now at four (two fretted, two fretless). To one of the points above, I am enjoying playing more.
I'm down to a single amp (Bergantino Forte D) and speaker (GR Bass AT-110). It's a simple, uncomplicated setup that sounds great, is both small and lightweight, easy to set up/break down, and has power for gigs both big and small. It took me a few years to get here, though. I even sold the '63 B-15N I've had since the 90s which is something I thought I'd never do.
At the end of the day whether you own 400 basses or four, 100 amps or one, do and own what makes you happy and makes you want to play. I find my basses inspire me in different ways. People I play with have their favorites (for example, in one situation if I just played one of my P basses all the time, they would be happy).
When I was in NYC a few weeks ago, I played a great bass that has me thinking maybe I'd add one like it to the herd. That said, I'm in no rush - not the least of which is because I don't have that much spare scratch to spend. I also have thought about what it would add to the mix (or not ...) and if it would be worth it from that angle. Being fiscally responsible is a good thing, too. I had a few COVID-era purchases that are now gone. Owning just to own for me is not a "thing"; in my book, basses and amps should be played whether they are boutique or off the shelf, mass produced widgets.
Maybe my attitude now is also different because I am a bit older. I don't need as much "stuff" (not just musical equipment) in general. At times I thought "stuff" made me happy or happier; it didn't. Sometimes buying things (not just basses) makes you feel like it will motivate you or fill some void. It doesn't.
At the same time, I can appreciate the things I did own at one point. Some of them go for stupid money which is crazy to me.
This past weekend I was thrilled to finally find a stool that I would love to use on gigs - and for the right price. My back will thank me and I can still load in/out in one trip.
Right now I'm also evaluating the different playing situations I am in. I'll probably make some changes soon. I want to enjoy playing, not feel like it's an obligation.
I'm down to a single amp (Bergantino Forte D) and speaker (GR Bass AT-110). It's a simple, uncomplicated setup that sounds great, is both small and lightweight, easy to set up/break down, and has power for gigs both big and small. It took me a few years to get here, though. I even sold the '63 B-15N I've had since the 90s which is something I thought I'd never do.
At the end of the day whether you own 400 basses or four, 100 amps or one, do and own what makes you happy and makes you want to play. I find my basses inspire me in different ways. People I play with have their favorites (for example, in one situation if I just played one of my P basses all the time, they would be happy).
When I was in NYC a few weeks ago, I played a great bass that has me thinking maybe I'd add one like it to the herd. That said, I'm in no rush - not the least of which is because I don't have that much spare scratch to spend. I also have thought about what it would add to the mix (or not ...) and if it would be worth it from that angle. Being fiscally responsible is a good thing, too. I had a few COVID-era purchases that are now gone. Owning just to own for me is not a "thing"; in my book, basses and amps should be played whether they are boutique or off the shelf, mass produced widgets.
Maybe my attitude now is also different because I am a bit older. I don't need as much "stuff" (not just musical equipment) in general. At times I thought "stuff" made me happy or happier; it didn't. Sometimes buying things (not just basses) makes you feel like it will motivate you or fill some void. It doesn't.
At the same time, I can appreciate the things I did own at one point. Some of them go for stupid money which is crazy to me.
This past weekend I was thrilled to finally find a stool that I would love to use on gigs - and for the right price. My back will thank me and I can still load in/out in one trip.
Right now I'm also evaluating the different playing situations I am in. I'll probably make some changes soon. I want to enjoy playing, not feel like it's an obligation.
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I generally don't buy instruments unless they can do something the ones I already own don't do (pedals excluded...)
But I still have instruments that get all the attention and a few that hardly ever get played, so I obviously could downsize.
But I probably won't any time soon...
But I still have instruments that get all the attention and a few that hardly ever get played, so I obviously could downsize.
But I probably won't any time soon...
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I think it might be a good idea to scratch out that middle part for now, and just "bite the bullet and put in the time".
Otherwise you risk repeating the same pattern ("buy/sell today, make music tomorrow").But also make sure that "putting in the time" includes having fun, something that can spark your motivation for playing music, for example finding someone to play with (teacher, band, friends..).
Good luck!
I think the biggest contributor (for me, at least) is hearing someone else's tone or rig and going "THAT!! I want THAT sound!", even if you already have 3 or 4 other "sounds" already. I suppose the excitement turns into FOMO and that can lead to a maxed-out credit card...it has for me before!
I procured a lot of basses over the years with sentimental attachment and lots of modification. It's difficult to part with them since I'd be getting nowhere near (or nothing) upon selling them. So I'd rather they just sit there in a loving home than holed-up in the corner of a pawn shop or landfill. Amps are a little easier for me to part with, but that fear of "needing a rig" gives many of them cement legs.
I procured a lot of basses over the years with sentimental attachment and lots of modification. It's difficult to part with them since I'd be getting nowhere near (or nothing) upon selling them. So I'd rather they just sit there in a loving home than holed-up in the corner of a pawn shop or landfill. Amps are a little easier for me to part with, but that fear of "needing a rig" gives many of them cement legs.
I've stopped obsessing over acquiring dream basses and started obsessing over quality builds on less expensive instruments. Don't get me wrong, I still play an hour or two every night after everyone goes to bed and dad duties are done, but I've found real satisfaction in finding basses that have good bones and modifying them to bring them on par (or better) with their more expensive/ custom brethren. It makes me want to play them more because of the effort I put into learning all about their intricacies and idiosyncrasies, building them up, and setting them up to my personal preferences.
I beleive that theres alot of truth to this - keeping at it on a regular basis, making small strides every day, is way more productive than waiting for the "big breaktrhough". After a while it becomes totally ingrained and I find that I start looking forward to the "daily grind" instead of dreading it. I'm pretty disciplined but like so many others here, easily distracted also.
If you are a hoarder and tinkerer and you identify with music but aren’t that interested in playing music, keep doing what you are doing until it isn’t fun anymore. When you get to that point think about what else you would do with the money, what else you would do with your time, and what else would be the focus of your social activities or relationships. It will be difficult to change away from something that is this big a part of your identity, so you might need help beyond the advice of fellow TBers.
If you’ve never played a 5 string multi-scale bass, it’s a long shot that this will be “the one”. But it is one I would also like to try out.
If you’ve never played a 5 string multi-scale bass, it’s a long shot that this will be “the one”. But it is one I would also like to try out.
Getting new gear can be really motivating and make playing more fun. When that happens it's a great thing and worthwhile. But if it's just accumulating stuff to have new stuff it's not very helpful. Either way, one should ideally be practicing and working to get better. Do whatever enables that outcome best.
IME/IMO, the more you play (e.g., practice, rehearsals, gigs, practice) the more you know = what you need to have to deliver the goods.
IMO, lots of 'churning' may have to do with avoidance.
This is a great topic, hooky-marr, and I can surely identify. Cause I'm an older guy, I've had various stages of practicing when I was still active. During my "college degree" years, three or four hours a day were necessary to get the job done. Now that I'm out of the business and work from home online, I'm lucky to be able to grab my mandolin or bass when the mood strikes, and just play for the joy of it. And I downsized like crazy a few years back, going from 12 basses and a wall full of amps and cabinets to one bass and two speakers and an amp (mid-70s Fender PJ, Genz Benz 10" & 12" and an Acoustic Image Clarus head).
I'm not a great self-motivator, but I really got to it when I had a project looming or hard deadline. Setting aside a specific time during several days a week to practice or play seems to be a must to stay fresh and prepared.
I'm not a great self-motivator, but I really got to it when I had a project looming or hard deadline. Setting aside a specific time during several days a week to practice or play seems to be a must to stay fresh and prepared.
This exact same situation happened to me a few years ago but instead of basses were sailboats. I love them a lot. I was buying my 3rd sailboat but barely having time to sail because my family grew a lot during those years. I finally and painfully decided to sell the whole thing and wait, wait until I have time to sail again.
My advise to you is, sell, sell everything until you finally feel free of this load, then you will finally have time and passion to go to your next interest(hobby). It feels like a detox, believe me.
My advise to you is, sell, sell everything until you finally feel free of this load, then you will finally have time and passion to go to your next interest(hobby). It feels like a detox, believe me.
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Consider the upgrade and renovation portion complete and start playing the basses you have.
Get into a band. Get into three bands.
I guarantee that will get you playing more.
I was in a high-GAS phase from around 2015-2020. It tapered with the pandemic, and I haven’t bought anything since last July. I’ve made so much progress since then. I found I was twiddling with all the new knobs, constantly A/B’ing the gear. So for me, downsizing and minimalism certainly works.
I think dopamine is a big part of it. And as some have mentioned it’s easier to go shopping than it is to practice. Many of us would say “I don’t do that!” but our brain is tricky and it’s subtle. I also think that at some point in our journey, on the transition from beginner to intermediate, we buy that second bass and/or amp. It’s just what we needed and it indeed is an upgrade that translates to gains in playing. So while on some occasions it’s good for us to get something new, we often end up chasing that high we got when it happened the first time.
I think dopamine is a big part of it. And as some have mentioned it’s easier to go shopping than it is to practice. Many of us would say “I don’t do that!” but our brain is tricky and it’s subtle. I also think that at some point in our journey, on the transition from beginner to intermediate, we buy that second bass and/or amp. It’s just what we needed and it indeed is an upgrade that translates to gains in playing. So while on some occasions it’s good for us to get something new, we often end up chasing that high we got when it happened the first time.
I'm as susceptible to GAS or gear ADHD as anybody else.
What I've found is that the more I play, the less GAS I have. The more I play, the more fun I have. I see myself getting better and I'm learning new songs or new techniques. It's great, but it also makes me realize how much better I could be and should be if I dedicated myself to the instrument even more. Which, in turn, makes me want to play and improve even further. Same as when I was gigging regularly. I was so busy learning songs, practicing songs, rehearsing with the band, and actually playing gigs, my GAS was effectively zero.
There's a lesson in there somewhere.
What I've found is that the more I play, the less GAS I have. The more I play, the more fun I have. I see myself getting better and I'm learning new songs or new techniques. It's great, but it also makes me realize how much better I could be and should be if I dedicated myself to the instrument even more. Which, in turn, makes me want to play and improve even further. Same as when I was gigging regularly. I was so busy learning songs, practicing songs, rehearsing with the band, and actually playing gigs, my GAS was effectively zero.
There's a lesson in there somewhere.
Are you saying as soon as you get another bass, you play it for a few hours and then never again?
If you are really not playing at all, I'm not sure what is going through your mind...seriously. Either get rid of everything or keep just one. If you don't play that one after another year, sell it, too.
I rolled through a few basses, guitars, baritones over the last 5 years I've been getting back into playing more - and after landing on the 1005SMS about a year ago, I'm genuinely annoyed by the idea of playing anything else. So, if you want to get down to one-ish instruments, that's a pretty good choice. I like it stock and always play passive, many others highly recommend a pickup swap, fewer recommend a preamp replacement, but there aren't many complaints about them beyond that.
