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How Do You Guys Handle GAS?

#23
My bass needs are satisfied. Anything I want I know I wouldnt play it much because my Sterling would be preferred. I usually just tell myself this. I also have post it notes at random places around the house telling me I dont need another bass. I also re-direct my gas towards my new amp rack setup which i have in mind :ninja:
 
#24
I'm glad I posted this because it has helped me focus on my problem. My problem is my tendency to trade off great basses chasing the "one." This has caused me to have a bunch of regret over the years. That is something I am determined to avoid. The issue for me is not what bass, I want to get, the issue is to really enjoy what I have. I only have about $3,000 in equipment, which is less than some have in one bass, but many would dream of having my setup.

As it stand right now, i will probably get a Fender style instrument of some sort. The budget is open, if I can get a good deal on something boutique, I may get it, however, I don't mnd going cheap if the quality is there.:D
 
#28
I just bought a G&L 2000 and it sounds so nice my GAS is gone- hopefully for good. I think I need to get rid of some stuff! I could live with just this G&L and my MM Sterling. The G&L gets every Fender and active sound I need and the Sterling is very light,looks, plays and sounds great. I'm done buying basses!!!`I mean it! I need :help:
 
#29
Dr. Cheese said:
Over the years, I have never really fought GAS. I pretty got what I wanted, even if it meant selling or trading in excellent basses that I actually really liked. Dumping basses is something that I now have pretty much decided to stop. I was tired of losing money and saying how much I missed _____. I can't say I'll never trade or sell another one, but if I do, it won't be on a whim.

The problem for me is that I love TB, but it just fans GAS flames. This really irritates me because all three of my basses are absolutely great!!! They all are comfortable, look great, and play great, most importantly, they all sound great. I have no need whatsoever for another fretted bass. I guess my GAS comes down to two things: curiosity about brands like Sadowsky especially that owners rave about so much; and a bit of brand snobbery on my part. I love my two Peaveys, but I often want something with more "status" on the headstock. I know this sounds childish, but it is an issue that I need to talk about because I am sick of it bothering me. I guess I need to back off the basses section of TB to a degree even though I really love talking basses, at least until until I am able to whip this old devil GAS down to a managable annoyance instead of a near obsession. Thank God I'm married. If I didn't have to explain purchases to my wife, I'd be up the river in pointless purchases for sure!:o
Click to expand...

Cheese,

May I point out the flaw in your method? Asking us hopeless GAS-aholics here on TB to help you with GAS is like lying on Hanibal Lector's analyst couch asking him to help you become a vegetarian :D :D

Seriously, I find myself in a similar situation and learned my lesson long ago about selling a bass that I really liked to get another that was what I percieved as better. I then wished I had never sold the first one and......on and on. I have some that cost more than others but, I find that I start to hone my tastes and keep the ones I really like.

For me,the discipline comes from not buying the next one until it meets two criteria:

1. I can afford to buy it without selling off an instrument that I like.

2. The instrument brings something new to the table and sounds, plays, and looks great.

It is hard to follow that discipline, especially when you see or hear a bass you know you just have to have. However, I find that the reward of eventually having a collection of instruments you would never think of parting with is worth waiting for. Also, I have stopped persuing "The One". The one bass that will do it all. IMHO, it doesn't exist, too many colors and tastes on the pallete for one instrument to cover.

Another factor is the rush we get with the aquisition itself. Once I identified that feeling, I was able to say "is it the instrument I really want or just the thrill of buying it?" I think that it is a part of human nature and is prevelant in some more than others (it is embedded in the DNA in bass players who suffer from GAS :).

I apologize for jumping into the deep end of the pool but I truely find this topic facinating. Maybe that's why my signature comes from a TV psychiatrist. :D

As always, Just my .02
 
#30
I...can't...control...it...lately!!

I played the same bass for 10 years, sold it 2 years ago and since then I purchased about 10 basses (4 of which I still hold on to)

And now I have a fretless thumb comming in from fellow TBer lbpark (who, I have to say - is a great guy to deal with!!)

But i found out some interesting universal truth lately:
3 new basses + 1 more on the way = 1 angry bank manager with a shotgun

:help:
 
#32
Well I end up spending all my money from GAS so I pretty much in the end I have no money and I still have GAS but since I have no money I can't do anything about it so I just can't buy anything therefore I don't have a probelm!
 
#35
I own 4 basses and if I hadn't given away a $90 pawn shop impulse purchase I'd be at 5. The total expenditure on all 5 is less than 1,700; which isn't too bad.

My cure came in two doses:
1. I really only feel like playing 2 of the basses and of those two, the One gets 75% of the playing time and the Two gets 25%.

2. Of the 2 I don't play, one was less than $200 so I don't feel too guilty about that. The other was $600 which does trigger a fair amount of guilt - both in that it really should be played and in it is now $600 of dead money. At some point, I'll either sell or trade it and get maybe $400 back; maybe at some point get $100 for the other. It is also a reminder of a bad decision, and I make enough of those that I don't need costly reminders.
 
#36
marwady said:
Cheese,

The one bass Another factor is the rush we get with the aquisition itself. Once I identified that feeling, I was able to say "is it the instrument I really want or just the thrill of buying it?" I think that it is a part of human nature and is prevelant in some more than others (it is embedded in the DNA in bass players who suffer from GAS :).
Click to expand...

That's just what I was going to say. That and the rush of showing it off on Talkbass!

Sometimes, simply changing your strings can breath new life into a bass and help reduce GAS.
 
#39
Marwady and Bass Viking, you guys are right on; the thrill of a new purchase, and the thrill of posting about it are just about as big a rush as the new bass itself. As for the getting the bass of my dreams, I'm not sure if I really have one. I want a Sadowsky, but that's more because of everyone's raving. I was not impressed the little bit of time I actually played one. My favorites have been Yamaha TRB6, Quantum 5, SR5,,Jazzes, USA Millenniums/55-94s. I honestly think that part of my problem is paying too much attention to others instead of following my own mind.:rolleyes:
 
#40
Substitue which brand of strings you want next. It's far more confusing than which bass and a whole lot less expensive. Start reading the strings forum on a daily basis and become familar with the daily repetitive topics. Pick a string and see how long it takes for someone to say, "not bright enough", " too bright", only lasted **** weeks", "bad "*" string".

Then wonder if perhaps you aren't meant to play double bass instead. Start reading everything available at TB about DBs. Search all the Double Bass builders sites. Months will pass by and you won't even think you want another EB because if you buy a DB you won't have any money. Lay awake at night imagining the gigs you will get. GAS doesn't happen when you are exhausted.

Develop GAS for a bass and then read all the negative things guys at TB say about that particular brand. It will scare you so bad you will be glad you didn't fall for it.

Swear you aren't going to read "Basses" again or get really crazy and switch to Lefty. Switching to Lefty will cure any case of GAS.

Right now I am working on all fronts. Can't decide what strings, considering purchasing a DB and stuck somewhere between a Fodera and a Sadowsky. I was born Lefty.

GAS, Who me?

David
 

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