How does one get over bass / instrument hoarding?

[MrLenny1]

Stay off of TB, CL, EbAy and sell your PC
and don't ever get on-line again.

 

[Menorahman]

I've always had a really addictive personality.

Addiction Timeline: Video Games -> Guitar -> World of Warcraft -> Drugs -> Music Production -> Video Games -> Collecting Instruments

 

[lavmonga]

The hard part for me is that the monetary value of many of my basses is less than what I deem worth getting rid of them for. For example, I have a Jazz bass (SX refin'd body, Fender USA hardware/pickups and Aerodyne Jazz neck), I don't play it all that much, but I love that goddamn neck so much. If I parted it out or sold it, I'd probably get $500 bucks, and down the line, if I want a Jazz bass with Aerodyne neck, it'll probably cost me more than $500 and a bunch of aggravation to replicate this one.

 

[BearCave]

Having followed your other threads regarding the '59 P, I am frankly a little dismayed to hear that your gas for "something else"
surfaced so quickly. I can only conclude that even if Ahab had succeeded in catching Moby Dick, he still would have be found at at Mickey D's the following week, pounding down filet o' fish sandwiches.

Exactly! The "chase" was finally over. It was like winning the Super Bowl, but what was more enjoyable, was the journey getting there than the actual victory. I was lost...thinking, "now what?"

That's the beauty of G.A.S. and which makes it almost incurable. It's the thrill of the chase and the anticipation of acquiring that piece of gear that you just got to have. It's almost like an aphrodisiac. Then once you've accomplished your goal, eventually the want and need to hunt, chase, and capture the next piece of gear rears it head once again.

 

[Clef_de_fa]

My solution is to play lefthanded and liking 6 strings ... you won't buy often

 

[Matt Dean]

How does one get over bass / instrument hoarding?

Get a divorce. :-/

 

[3rdWatch]

It's a 12 step process--

Start in your closet:

5. Sell all your sox, except one.

I'm not sure this would leave me feeling out of balance, and slightly taller on one side!

 

[waynobass]

If you don't use it in a year's time, there's no need to keep it.

I like this method. I used to keep an ABG around, but sold if after two years of dusting the case being my only interaction with it.

 

[Jay Mastro]

I temporarity got rid of the urge, but it was replaced with building a recording station, and I'm 90% sure that as soon as it's done I'm going to want some new instruments to record with

 

[foolforthecity]

This. I never thought I'd debate myself so hard about buying a new cable or strings, let alone a bass, but I have a toddler and $30 on strings or a nice cable feels selfish.

Yep, happened to me. I even dwindled down to 0 basses periodically during that whole period. But guess what? They're grown and gone now, so RINSE AND REPEAT:

 

[foolforthecity]

Brick & mortar GC, Sam Ash, etc? Ask for the boxes when they get shipments in? Just a thought...

Buy new ones from Amazon and you'll have all the good boxes you need.

 

[Son of Wobble]

Addiction Timeline: Video Games -> Guitar -> World of Warcraft -> Drugs -> Music Production -> Video Games -> Collecting Instruments

This looks good, but remember: Drugs should always go at the FRONT END of your signal chain. Everything will sound MUCH better.

 

[Ric5]

I'm starting to warm up to the idea of Ric after 40 years without one. Maybe we could work together to help alleviate your own problem with hoarding. I'll send you my ship-to address shortly. Let's start with the blue one.

Most of those got sold ...

 

[thebeerleader]

I have never owned more than 3 basses at the same time in the 25 years I have been playing. I guess I was lucky to have found what works for me in the first place. Actually, I have only owned 5 basses. Currently have 2. Sold 2 and gave 1 away. To own 30 basses and perhaps play one for each day of the month would mean you only play it 12 times a year. It makes as much sense to me as having a toilet for each day of the week because you need poopie to be different.

So apparently you can't say poopie here without it being censored and called, "poopie".

 

[foolforthecity]

Most of those got sold ...

Darn it all!

 

[JKB1957]

You are my hero.

 

[foolforthecity]

I have never owned more than 3 basses at the same time in the 25 years I have been playing. I guess I was lucky to have found what works for me in the first place. Actually, I have only owned 5 basses. Currently have 2. Sold 2 and gave 1 away. To own 30 basses and perhaps play one for each day of the month would mean you only play it 12 times a year. It makes as much sense to me as having a toilet for each day of the week because you need poopie to be different.

Well, let's not forget that what "makes sense" to one does not necessarily do so for another. To me, what makes sense is what makes a person happy without upsetting other aspects of one's life. I love just walking into my room and suddenly grabbing a different one off the wall and playing it for a bit. I may not gig with it, but I love it nonetheless. Now I will add that I have a fully-supportive wife who NEVER gives me grief, and I can readily afford my hobby/lifestyle without cramping up elsewhere. So only the OP knows their true situation and whether they can actually keep something like this up or not. Everyone's mileage varies regarding ths subject, I'd say.

 

[thebeerleader]

Well, let's not forget that what "makes sense" to one does not necessarily do so for another. To me, what makes sense is what makes a person happy without upsetting other aspects of one's life. I love just walking into my room and suddenly grabbing a different one off the wall and playing it for a bit. I may not gig with it, but I love it nonetheless. Now I will add that I have a fully-supportive wife who NEVER gives me grief, and I can readily afford my hobby/lifestyle without cramping up elsewhere. So only the OP knows their true situation and whether they can actually keep something like this up or not. Everyone's mileage varies regarding ths subject, I'd say.

Point taken. I do find 30 in one year seems to be excessive though. I am, however, of limited means.

 

[VWbug]

I think I'm on my way down to 2. I recently got a nice new lightweight MIA P bass. I'm only keeping a Jazz as a backup and because my luthier is a SLOW, in demand, one man shop.

I have a Nephew that I helped get started some years ago and he's a music teacher and a Jazz player on Upright in the Philadelphia area. He has an upright and the bass I gave him when he started. He's awesome, I'll never play at his level. I'm embarrassed when he asks about if I have any new basses.

I have many other musician friends that just have an instrument or two and play very well, they sort of look at me sideways and scratch their heads when they see a new bass. They are polite but I do get embarrassed.

Also have a lot of wonderful friends and family just getting by in this economy and I must admit feeling insensitive to be able to get a new bass.

So between riding the "simplicity" inspiration of a P bass presently and the above factors, I think I'll be selling a few more and then just having 2 and being ok with it.

Everybody has to decide for themselves. I started with a P and a J bass and it looks like I'm ending on the same note.

Before computers,TB and Bass magazines, I think I was ok with just having a P and Jazz bass. I was ignorantly happy.

 

[jjmuckluckjr]

The first step towards a cure is admitting that you have a problem.

Oops, wrong meeting.