Having a bass & amp as a toy?

[Killed_by_Death]

Would it be shameful to have a bass & amp (think all in $300) around just for fun once in awhile?

Over the years of owning various gear, I've come to the conclusion that I will never practice or improve, sad but true!

I considered getting an acoustic bass uke, just for plunking around on, but I really like to be able to throw some distortion/OD into the mix sometimes.

 

[Salicete]

If you aren't having fun, what is the point, and toys are for fun.

Have no shame.

 

[catcauphonic]

No harm in keeping some sort of setup around the house for when you feel like dinking around, as long as you're not spending money you don't have ... where's the harm in that?

 

[S-Bigbottom]

DO IT!
We told you to keep something around, you will eventually need to making noise again.

 

[Stumbo]

Since you don't really play bass, I suggest as an alternative, $300 would buy a nice acoustic guitar. Learn 3-4 chords, play a thousand songs. Your kids, friends, visitors may also have fun with it.

 

[ZenG]

Seagull M4.

Easy to play. Cheap.Fun.

 

[OldFunBass]

What guy does not have a toy or two? Only difference between men and boys is the price of their toys.
I know guys that have Harley's, trail Jeeps, guns, Golf clubs, Hot Rods, fishing gear, boats, season tickets to their favorite sports teams, etc. The list is endless, and none of it is essential. If you can afford it, go for it. $300 bucks is pretty cheap compared to a lot of things you could be spending money on for fun.

 

[LeftyD]

This post is really to show off my new toy. 1 of 6 head and cab combinations in my room. So, once or twice a week it will get played. I'm glad I did it!

 

[buldog5151bass]

I would bet less than 5% of the people here are netting (after expenses) legitimate income. I would bet less than 1% of the people here are making significant income. The vast majority are doing this for fun.

Do what makes you happy.

 

[Dogbertday]

No Shame! If i could afford it I would have plenty of stuff that could be considered toys... my synth bass rig and drumset are argueably that already!

 

[Chrisk-K]

Some people own sportscars, yachts and airplanes as toys.

 

[alack]

Life is short. Do what brings you joy, even if it does involve a little OD from time to time.

 

[RyanOh]

Yes get it. I'm surprised you sold off every last bit of gear in the first place. Once bass is a part of you, it can never leave.

Enjoy.

EDIT: maybe even one of those Kala U basses. They don't appeal to me, but it's a bass that looks like a toy so...

 

[Aberdumbie]

Not to disparage the acoustic suggestions. They are good ones. But yeah, there's nothing quite compares to plugging in to a couple hundred watts and rattling the windows. Sort of like the difference between riding a bicycle and riding a fat boy. They both have their place. But once you ride the fat boy it's hard to shake that need to do it again...... If you can get all in for 300 bucks and satisfy the "need" heck man do it.

 

[pie_man_25]

Seagull M4.

Easy to play. Cheap.Fun.

The seagull parlour guitar is easily one of the best I've played, ever. It was their cheapest one too. I'm currently in la belle province, maybe I should try to find the factory and see if they do tours.

Edit: to stay in topic, might as well tell you to just get one. If you want to do it, and can, then do it. It's easy for us to take for granted the skills we've developed - but after having taught a bit of guitar to a young man at the local youth centre, and fixing up a guitar for them that was just given to me because it was unplayable, I've learned not to take it for granted. After all, the man that doesn't is no different from the man that can't.

 

[RyanOh]

Not to disparage the acoustic suggestions. They are good ones. But yeah, there's nothing quite compares to plugging in to a couple hundred watts and rattling the windows. Sort of like the difference between riding a bicycle and riding a fat boy. They both have their place. But once you ride the fat boy it's hard to shake that need to do it again...... If you can get all in for 300 bucks and satisfy the "need" heck man do it.

Yeah that too. My 'practice amp' is a 400RB, it's a lot more fun that way.

And Aberdumbie is your avatar a pic of you? I'd have loved to see that show, if it's someone famous I don't recognize it.

 

[Aberdumbie]

Yeah that too. My 'practice amp' is a 400RB, it's a lot more fun that way.

And Aberdumbie is your avatar a pic of you? I'd have loved to see that show, if it's someone famous I don't recognize it.

Yep.... That was my "glory days" as it were. LOL

 

[RyanOh]

Yep.... That was my "glory days" as it were. LOL

Nice man. That is some serious style.

 

[fhm555]

Rather than buy a cheap bass, buy one of those cheap kit basses and build one. it will take you a minute and give you something to do for a while before you set it by the end of the couch and pick it up every other full moon.

BargainMusician.com - Warehouse Direct DIY Guitar & Bass Kits, Finished Guitars and Basses - DIY Bass Guitar Kits

 

[BAG]

I'm surprised that you sold off everything. From memory you had some decent gear. Should have held onto one amp and bass.

I suppose the question that should be asked is "do you enjoy playing the bass occasionally?"

If the answer is yes then have a bass and little practice amp in the house...... if the answer isn't a definite yes what's the point of playing.

I'm leaning towards an earlier post. Get yourself a semi-decent acoustic guitar and you can strum and sing on the back porch with very little practice or musical knowledge.