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How does one get over bass / instrument hoarding?

#21
Menorahman said:
I got a bit out of control this year and managed to go from 4 instruments to 34.
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You say this like it's a problem. :D

Step one - get the hell off of Talkbass. You probably never even knew you wanted all that crap before you came here. Step two - sell them the way you bought them - one at a time.

Unless you need the money, my criteria would be 1) the bass you would lose the least money on (or the bass you would make the most money on), 2) the bass you could replace the easiest 3) the bass you play the least. I have a '66 Tele bass that I never play. I would make money on it if I sold it, but I can't bring myself to get rid of it because I'll probably never have a chance to own a '66 Tele again.

Good luck. I'm going to try to get under 10 myself.
 
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#22
I ask myself this question regarding all potential gear purchases (including bicycle and motorcycle gear, stereo equipment, etc): will this make me enjoy the activity more? Is the increased enjoyment going to be worth the price?

And when that doesn't work and I've already bought it, the question is: how many times have I used this item in the past year? Am I really getting value out of it?
 
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#24
It's a tough problem once you get down the road far enough. I've gone through bouts of hoarding with most of my hobbies, but I've been able to find happy mediums with most things now.

For basses, I focus on what different style instruments I want and balance it with the realization of maintainance. Realistically, I don't want more than 3-4 basses because then it becomes too much of a chore to maintain them all.
 
#25
Jim Nazium said:
I ask myself this question regarding all potential gear purchases (including bicycle and motorcycle gear, stereo equipment, etc): will this make me enjoy the activity more? Is the increased enjoyment going to be worth the price?

And when that doesn't work and I've already bought it, the question is: how many times have I used this item in the past year? Am I really getting value out of it?
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Totally agree with this. A few years back I had a big variety of basses and guitars, but sold most off (1 bass and 3 guitars left) to purchase a ProTools rig, mics, a Rhodes, an MPC, and a good bicycle, items for my house and some new clothes. As far as stuff to support my financial and physical well being and musical aspirations, this has worked out well, I've done a lot of home studio stuff for fun and occasional profit. And having nice threads when walking or rolling down the street did more for me than a SR5 in case at home that i never played. But hey, if ya got everything consumery you already want and disposable income, do whatever you want and fill your boots, there are worse investments and you can't take it with you..

edit: I should add that I never had even a pang of regret after selling anything, even a couple instruments I'd played a ton for over a decade and knew inside and out. They're just "things". It was actually kind of liberating to clear clutter for clarity (and a sweet electric piano).
 
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#27
Jim Nazium said:
I ask myself this question regarding all potential gear purchases (including bicycle and motorcycle gear, stereo equipment, etc): will this make me enjoy the activity more? Is the increased enjoyment going to be worth the price?
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+1

I have also not bought a lot of basses because I ask myself - will this become my main bass? what specifically am I going to use this for? what bass am I NOT going to play after I buy this? If you answer those three questions honestly, you will buy far fewer basses.
 
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#28
Here's my problem: I have a main stable of three bases I rotate between; a '98 Warwick Thumb 6, a '94 Stingray and a '94 Pentabuzz. That's enough to get by.

My other hobby is shooting, and I own 12 handguns. But I shoot them all, as a .22 target pistol is markedly different than a .45 1911 and a Smith & Wesson .44, for example. Each has its unique qualities, and I rotate between what I bring to the range. If your basses aren't collecting dust, and you are using them and most importantly, enjoying them, there's no real problem that I see. Plus, if you get a good deal (I always buy used), there is a good chance you can get your money back, possibly make more, possibly lose a little, that's not a bad thing. My Stingray would make me a profit compared to what I paid for it. But it's impossible to put a price tag on something that gives you great pleasure. If you feel it's worth it, do it. If you feel it's a compulsion,
Seek out a mental health professional. Not people here, where the lunatics run the asylum. ;)
 
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#33
Get over it by:

1. Running out of money
2. Running out of space
3. Facing the realization that you have more than you actually play (in the practical sense)

I am at #3 now with only 10 basses in my collection. I try to tell myself, "but sometimes I do play it!" but I know I'm just rationalizing questionable behavior. Some of my 10 I know I'll never get rid of (1 in particular for sentimental reasons) but I know of 2 for sure I could cull from the herd. Right now I don't need to cull due to either reasons #1 or #2 though so I'm just going to hold on for a while without buying anything new. If / when I do go for something new, I will implement the 1 in / (at least) 1 out policy.
 
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#39
I'm no hoarder by any means of the word, however, I do like a little bit of variety. I have my mainstays which will never leave. I also have a nice Cort acoustic guitar which I picked up a few months ago after selling one of my basses (I'm still at 4 basses).

I go by the "one in/one out" method. If I want something new, I sell one to fund the other. I usually keep one bass and use it as a pawn to sell/trade to get something else. Sometimes I gain, sometimes I break even. I don't look at making profit from it, but as a gateway to try something new.

Break it down to the basics of what you need/want in terms of your tone, cut the rest, buy a really good amp/cab.

The basses I have cover the sounds I want, so I personally don't really need anything else at the moment.

I've also focused more on evolving my playing abilities (both guitar and bass) than what kind of gear I have.
 

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