How do you get over GAS?

[drumsnbass]

I'm not sure one EVER gets over GAS, you just have to learn to maintain -- like a good diet.

 

[hsech]

Empty bank account cures GAS.

 

[spiritbass]

When you have enough good equipment to serve your needs and make a conscious decision to just be content and enjoy playing music with it.

 

[Burwabit]

Let GAS be a side hobby (separate from playing of course)...I started off with one $50 gift certificate 3 years ago and have bought 70 basses during that time- no additional money spent, just kept rolling profits into a "bass fund". Of course some of the early basses were kind of crappy, cheap ones, but in a year's team, I had some pretty decent ones, and by the end of the year, have had some really nice ones. Opportunity and luck figures heavily in the picture. See that SR700 in my pic? Essentially picked that up with a trade for a bass I bought for $160 (from the bass fund, so really not from any money from my bank account). I could of course turn around and re-sell it now for more than what I put into it, but I really like it.
That's my cure for GAS but I'm getting a little tired with the buying/selling/trading scene for a while. I do want the new SR750 though. uh oh...

To me this is the best approach to GAS. Fund your own habit. That's what I have to do in my house.

Then, I give the gig money to my wife (for groceries, etc). And all is pretty well square in the world.

 

[BartmanPDX]

Buy a new set of strings. You'd be surprised how much better the gear you already have sounds with the right set of strings. Works surprisingly often.

 

[spiritbass]

Buy a new set of strings. You'd be surprised how much better the gear you already have sounds with the right set of strings. Works surprisingly often.

I love 'new string day' for this reason! It happens about every six weeks at my house.

 

[edwardthewave]

I get over GAS by bring broke long enough (usually about 20 days or so) to lose the desire to get new gear.

 

[Skasteadyb]

1. Stop using talkbass
2. Start practicing bass more
3. Stop using talkbass

 

[HawldieMPB]

you run out of money

 

[Rayjay]

I'm over GAS. The reason is that I feel like an idiot showing up for auditions or crappy bar shows with a bunch of perfect gear that is, and looks, more expensive than anyone else's. That's the only gigs I'm getting now anyway. Last night I played with a guitar player with a no-name 20 watt amp and a Squire Bullet. I felt "overdressed."

 

[Jeff Elkins]

I made a spreadsheet with all my GAS: buying/selling, trading etc. I have had over 60k of gear over the past 15 years, and I am an amateur at best. I spent close to 35k and lost about 10k. Comparing that to my student loans is sobering. My partner and I agreed to one acoustic, 2 basses, 2 guitars. That works for me.

That's a brilliant idea! I need to make a list for insurance soon--I think I'll expand it and use it as a GAS-reduction tool...

 

[Maxdusty]

To me this is the best approach to GAS. Fund your own habit. That's what I have to do in my house.

Then, I give the gig money to my wife (for groceries, etc). And all is pretty well square in the world.

Yes, I've also shared the profits with my wife and kids, they have to put up with my habit after all. I always leave some to keep rolling into additional equipment purchases but I guess funding the "habit" this way makes for a much clearer conscience. I'm not using money that we would otherwise need in our household, in fact often times, I'm adding to our funds-that makes me feel a whole lot better about it.

 

[static0verdrive]

Here's my method to get over GAS: I buy what I like with the intention of flipping all but "the one". I need to work on getting to phase 2 though because I haven't actually sold one yet!

 

[Maxdusty]

Here's my method to get over GAS: I buy what I like with the intention of flipping all but "the one". I need to work on getting to phase 2 though because I haven't actually sold one yet!

uh...oh. When the basses start accumulating behind doors, under beds, in your closet in between shirts, between bookcases and the wall...then you probably need to address that little problem of yours.. until then, all is good

 

[StinkFoot]

GAS is usually the result of having too much money to spend. The best cure is to use PayPal to donate some of it to less fortunate members of TalkBass.

 

[Gougedeye]

Change the strings on your current basses.

 

[WarriorJoe7]

Run out of room or money

 

[cjj]

Aw, come on! Getting over GAS is EASY!

Buy 'em ALL!

 

[bassbenj]

How do you get over GAS? Spend money. But it's only a temporary cure.

You said it. Having scarfed a nice modulus Q6 some time ago I have been spending virtually GAS-free days in total enjoyment of freedom. And what happened two days ago? I drop into the local guitar shop just for grins and what to my wondering eyes did appear but a Welson bass from 1960! The thing was filthy, has a warped neck, Was missing the bridge cover and was a major relic. Just $100 and I HAD to own it! I mean this thing has so much mojo and history just oozing from it, GAS simply swept over me and I was doomed! Today I just finished polishing the tuners and cleaning the fretboard. GAS never does end. You stamp out the forest fire in one area with a big wad of cash and then next thing you know GAS attacks from an entirely different and unexpected direction. <sigh>

Wait until I get it done and NBD photos get posted. CRAP! It suddenly occurred to me I should have done a "before" photo before I started cleaning and polishing!

 

[Robus]

Keep a list of stuff you plan to acquire, prioritized in the order of how much impact it will have on your playing, gigging or recording. Never buy anything that isn't on the list.
I reorder my list as needed but never buy anthing that hasn"t been on the list at least a month. This rule will help you avoid busting your gear budget on impulse buying and help you get the most results from money spent.

Upgraded mics for my home studio is high on the list. More bass gear is way down the list.