How Do You Guys Handle GAS?

[LoGruvz]

G.A.S. has been a lifelong problem for me. Way before the Internet I used to graze thru music stores and pawn shops to find "different" equipment or maybe "my perfect tone".

Well, the Internet brought out a whole new monster in me. Long story short - I spent years buying and selling gear mainly thru what I called the 3 Amigos (Bassgear.com, Harmony Central and eBay). At one time I had 25 basses, tons of amps/cabs, pedals, rack effects. Then, I still wasn't satisfied and started to venture in to keyboards - I don't even know how to play one - figured I'd learn. So, I bought tons of keyboards, midi controllers, etc.. you get the picture.

It was like being an alcholic or addicted to drugs. I was like a day trader in stocks except I traded in music gear. At one point I was buying and selling on eBay and netting 2-4 grand a month in net dollars. What happened was I took a break for several weeks and when I came back I lost my Mojo and made some bad deals that cost me an arm and a leg.

I stopped for a long time and stayed away from "my friends".

Fast forward to now. I actually have the bass and rig that is my tone - I have changed from it many times but came back and bought the same rig/bass and am now satisfied. I still buy a few things every now and then - like the Yammie BBT500H - just had to try one out - and yes I like it so it is a keeper.

One of the problems I found with music equipment is that you need something different for how and where you play which means you could have tons of gear laying around just for the right setting. I am into boats and it reminds me of that. You need a small bass boat for fishing but yet you need a good ski boat for skiing yet you need a family cuddy cabin to haul friends and kids in yet you need a pontoon to go around for the leisurely booze cruise with your neighbors as the sunsets, you need the houseboat and yacht for large scale entertainment and finally the 40 foot Fountain to tear up the lake at Mach speeds.

It's finally over for me - thank God! There is an end and there is peace and contentment.

Good luck my friend in your journey!

 

[Dr. Cheese]

Since I'm stuck with the Fender until tomorrow, I took it to practice this evening. It sounds great! That said, I would have to work on it a bit to the pop tone just right. the slap and finger tones were killer as is. The neck is seriously wider and thicker than than any of my older basses. It is tempting, but I think it will go back in the morning.

I think that what I nned to do is raise the action on my Millennium to get it like my SR5 HH. Once I do that, the Millennium will work in the kind of role that the Fender would serve if I kept it. I hate to state the obvious, but one thing I have learned is that with active basses, you have to really take time to learn how to maximize the tonal options. If you don't you can get rid of bass before you really know what it can do.

 

[LoGruvz]

For GAS therapy, I always go to evilBay.
Bid something, lost it, bid again, lost again.
After 2-3 times of lost bidding, then I'll totally give up considering the thing, no matter new or used.
The feeling of being defeated overdo the GAS, I think.
That's how I passed a very nice Seamonk filter, Univox Beatle Bass, etc.

Sign up at www.auctionsniper.com and you won't lose any more (except on price).

 

[dwjazz54]

Beano.

 

[avid]

Yeah, i know there will be others eventually, but I am in no rush. A boutique P5 like a Lull or sadowsky would be nice, but I am in no hurry, afterall i play out several times a month without one already.

Dr. Cheese is how I conquer gas. He buys them and returns them and then I check them of my list. Please buy a Sadowsky and/or a Fodera next. They are the only ones left on my GAS list. TIA


p.s. It just dawned on me that cutting cheese is a euphemism for GAS. It now seems more appropriate than ever that Dr. Cheese would help me cure my GAS pains. ROFL!
David

 

[eboe]

i've got cheap gas.

my list is as follows, in order of aquisition
ibanez soundgear 305 (older korean)
OLP MM5 Baritone/Bass VI Silouhette copy
OLP MM2 4 banger
Ibanez Acoustic AEB10
Fender MIJ P-Bass

The MIJ clocks in at $407 shipped, and is offically the most expensive bass i've ever owned. Pathetic to some, but they are my slice of life. They get me through. The MIJ was my latest GAS, based upon the Squier II P Bass that was the first bass I ever bought, back in 1990. Sparkly white with maple neck. I loved that thing, until I inadvertently traded it for a microwave (long story...)

I get GAS all the time. Send me a new musican's friend or sCam Cash catalog and i'm drooling. I would really like to get a decent hollow-body bass, so I've got my mind set on an Ebony Jack Casady, but that's years away. Let's hope I don't give in and get one of those Oscar Schmidts!

And of course, a thunderbird, ric, and MM always look nice to me too!

 

[Dr. Cheese]

I got my SR5 HH & USA Millennium 5 back today. That Fender was nice, but I soon saw that I would miss what I had, and I needed to get my babies back. I had the action raised on my Millennium and it is playing better than ever. I think I am now officially anti-trade in. If you like a bass, no matter how cool the new one is, you will end up wanting your old one back. If the new bass is worth having, save up for it,or put on lay-away.