Having a bass & amp as a toy?

[Killed_by_Death]

a year later, you will be like "why did I buy that first toy bass and amp when I knew I didn't like to practice."

Ultimately I decided that this would probably happen, based on my past experience. Either that or I would get so bored with a bare bones cheap setup that I would just sell it. I don't want to get into a circle of buying, hardly using, and then selling over and over again.

It took me two days to get over that feeling that I needed to buy that bass, just because it's there!, but I think I'm over it now.
Banging on my bongos was good enough for releasing some pent up musical energy & it's so much easier than remembering where the notes are on a fretboard.

Any real practice time & my left arm starts to go numb, like it did last week from sweeping for 30 minutes.

We had an acoustic guitar that I would even take with me to the park or just sit & play around with while waiting someplace, but I never improved at chord changes. I'm not exaggerating at how bad I am at guitar.

 

[hondo4life]

I voted for carrots, but that's because I like cooking almost as much as playing bass. Okay, the part I really like is eating, but cooking is good. Cook up a bass, make it look like a carrot, and eat it.

 

[cableguy]

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.

^^^^^This^^^^^

While I did make my living for a few years playing bass in the 80's. (Dive bar band so not a good living, but had fun and payed the bills.) Since then I'm a week-end warrior type playing originals and covers in different bands over the years. My point? In that time I'm probably 10-20K in the hole. But, over 30 years, that's not much to pay for the fun I've had. And as I tell my wife when I buy some gear......It's cheaper than hookers and blow.

 

[SunnBass]

Harm none.
Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the law.

 

[EriktheRed]

Seems to me if it were something to be ashamed of, a whole lot of members of this forum (myself included) would be hanging their heads.

I suck and not only do I want to keep my bass and amp, I'm thinking of buying another bass in the next year.

 

[esoxhntr]

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.

This.

 

[HolmeBass]

Playing bass for fun is a heck of a lot better than most other leisure activities! Sure better than TV or movies or computer games, even though I enjoy those as well. No shame in making musc!

 

[Engle]

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[

Good idea. Check out the semi acoustic!

 

[ZenG]

Ultimately I decided that this would probably happen, based on my past experience. Either that or I would get so bored with a bare bones cheap setup that I would just sell it. I don't want to get into a circle of buying, hardly using, and then selling over and over again.

It took me two days to get over that feeling that I needed to buy that bass, just because it's there!, but I think I'm over it now.
Banging on my bongos was good enough for releasing some pent up musical energy & it's so much easier than remembering where the notes are on a fretboard.

Any real practice time & my left arm starts to go numb, like it did last week from sweeping for 30 minutes.

We had an acoustic guitar that I would even take with me to the park or just sit & play around with while waiting someplace, but I never improved at chord changes. I'm not exaggerating at how bad I am at guitar.

Seriously I think you need to think about this to some extent.

By your own admission you are tone deaf, can't remember songs or notes and you dislike practicing.

These are some pretty big limitations.

As long as, going forward, you recognize these limitations you should be fine knowing that you're chances of ever becoming even at least bare-minimum proficient are next to non-existent.

If you look at it from the standpoint of just having a bit of simplistic noodling fun then o.k., there are plenty of inexpensive basses and amps out there that will fit the bill.

But it would be pointless to be yet again dissatisfied with cheap gear and start trading up to more wallet-emptying equipment.

 

[Bassmaticmatt]

Dude did you sell the 4004? I interpreted your post as you want a toy bass aside from your usual gear. but based on other posts it seems you purged.

 

[Killed_by_Death]

after the issues with my arm/fingers, I sold up
I couldn't even practice enough to get better w/o my arm acting up, and this was after reviewing & changing my technique

it was a motivator again not to buy a bass, even though I found a nice one for a good price in the local pawn shop

 

[Blackjac97]

When I was in high school, I was the bass player for everything. Jazz band, show choir, fall musical, etc etc. It was fun, but something started happening that I didn't realize was happening until my 2nd year as a double bass major. I started playing music for other people. I played what others wanted, when they wanted and how they wanted. For six years I let other people tell me that the stuff I was playing wasn't right. I learned a ton about what is considered to be "correct" in the conventions of various musics, but I lost one thing along the way: inspiration. I spent so much time playing for others that I was too drained and beaten to go back to Rush and Primus in the down hours. Some days I wonder how much better a player I would be if I had stuck with the music that inspired me for those six years instead of trying to be accepted by other musicians.

I would say that keeping music fun is the absolute most important thing you can do. Keeping it fun will help you keep it inspired and make sure your true passion never becomes the name of your existence. You'll play for more of your lifetime, and in more fulfilling ways, if you're already looking forward to the next time you pick up your bass as soon as you put it down.

 

[Nickweissmusic]

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.

Why the heck not? Do you know know how many people have come into my teaching studio, with instruments nicer than mine and a gung-ho attitude, only to realize they don't really have the time or motivation to practice, and never play the thing again after a few months? A $300 package is what you SHOULD have if you're a hobbyist, no they're not Alembics but any pro could gig with any of those entry level instruments in a pinch. The real shame are the G&L bass and ES-335, Martins and Taylors, among others, I've seen come through here that I know are sitting in a case somewhere.

 

[Killed_by_Death]

The local Fender dealer told me he suspects 75 - 80% of the gear he sells end up under a bed or in a closet

Years ago I had no idea how much hard work it is to get good at playing, but I know full well now & that's probably why I didn't buy that one yesterday.

 

[japhy4529]

Ultimately I decided that this would probably happen, based on my past experience. Either that or I would get so bored with a bare bones cheap setup that I would just sell it. I don't want to get into a circle of buying, hardly using, and then selling over and over again.

It took me two days to get over that feeling that I needed to buy that bass, just because it's there!, but I think I'm over it now.
Banging on my bongos was good enough for releasing some pent up musical energy & it's so much easier than remembering where the notes are on a fretboard.

Any real practice time & my left arm starts to go numb, like it did last week from sweeping for 30 minutes.

We had an acoustic guitar that I would even take with me to the park or just sit & play around with while waiting someplace, but I never improved at chord changes. I'm not exaggerating at how bad I am at guitar.

Do whatever makes you happy. Think about how many "golfers" out there spend thousands on clubs and completely suck! If you're not going into debt over it, go ahead and buy yourself a bass that's nice enough that you won't have G.A.S. for something better, but not so nice that you regret having it lie around not being played. Only you can decide what that instrument should be. Hey, you like Ricks, right? Maybe you could pick up a used body/neck and gradually pick up the parts as your budget allows. This 4003 Fireglo is about half the price of a used Rick (but of course only includes the body/neck). You could even just buy a bridge and tuners for it and string it up and then decide down the line if you want to spring for electronics and an amp. It would make a great couch bass (although it wouldn't be very loud unplugged).

 

[Clark Dark]

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.

Do something different,
you have the tools
learn the modes
and come back
start a thread explaining
how scales evolved
from modes
not vice versa

 

[Bassmaticmatt]

after the issues with my arm/fingers, I sold up
I couldn't even practice enough to get better w/o my arm acting up, and this was after reviewing & changing my technique

it was a motivator again not to buy a bass, even though I found a nice one for a good price in the local pawn shop

That's a bummer man.

 

[Dougie44]

Do something different,
you have the tools
learn the modes
and come back
start a thread explaining
how scales evolved
from modes
not vice versa

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.

 

[Clark Dark]

those who can do
those who can't
teach

 

[Matthew_84]

No shame on that - at least I hope not, as I'm pretty much doing the same thing these days. One bass and one over-sized bass amp that I'm mainly not selling because I don't want to invite strangers into my house to try it out.

I've been having a lot more fun with video games, specifically fighting games, as they tend to require a bit more skill and practice to execute big combos well, in my opinion...

By the way, I recently got into Mortal Kombat 9, which is pretty old now (came out in 2011) but can run on my 6 year old laptop, and I can truly say, I haven't had this much fun with a hobby in a while.