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How to avoid G.A.S?

Stay off internet forums and spend that time practicing instead. You'll be amazed and how much more you'll learn and develop as a player and discover that it's more about technique and the time and effort you put into it, and less about thinking you need more gear.

Last year I sold all my basses (1976 Precision, RW Jazz, American Pro Jazz, G&L JB2, Classic 50's P (poly version), Classic series 70's Jazz, American Standard P) after picking up a Classic Series Lacquer P.

I've considered picking up another bass to just have something different and put rounds on it, but every time I try something else it doesn't really compare to the Classic 50's Lacquer P. I can pretty much do everything I need with that bass. I've recorded for some friends with it through my Ampeg SCR-DI, played it through my Rumble 500 V3 210 with a classic country cover band and at a few garage jams with friends. For my needs I really don't need anything else. I've told myself if they ever release the Classic 50's Lacquer P in a different color I may buy one just to put rounds on it.

I keep telling myself if the right bass comes my way I'll buy it to have a second instrument, but I really don't have the buring urge or need for a second. I'm concentrating more now on practicing and learning new stuff and have that occupy my time instead of scouring the internet and watching videos about my next purchase.

Also, as an added benefit, I've been putting a crap ton (at least for me) of money into savings because I'm not constantly buying and selling gear. Instead of worrying about the next greatest thing, my goal is to have $50k in the bank by the end of the year. I'm more focused on that than acquiring gear.
 
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Not sure? login on to talkbass surely isn't a good start ha ha ha
I look at it this way, get what you want, as long as it pays for itself in the long run. If you are going to buy something that ends up collecting dust you need to seek professional help :bassist::thumbsup:
Yeah that is the one good thing I have going for me is that I don't keep gear around that I don't use. Although I use that to justify another purchase (oh well you just sold that effect rack so you can buy the fender bass) hahaha
 
I went from 20+ basses to 4 using this simple formula - Every time I'm gassing for a new bass think about these things - 1) what bass will I NOT play after I buy this one, 2) what does this bass do that none of the basses I currently own do 3) remind myself of the basses I've bought without trying them before and how many wound up not being nearly as satisfying as I thought they'd be 4) think about how much I'll lose if I don't like it and wind up reselling.

Any time you buy a bass without trying it you are taking a chance. To paraphrase @lz4005 - go practice.
 
It's more about the generic reality of music outside of the tools used to make it. More Mel Bay and less Ebay. Take lessons, play other instruments besides bass, and take lessons on those other instruments. Study and transcribe solos and figures from other bassists and non-bassists.
 
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Stay off internet forums and spend that time practicing instead. You'll be amazed and how much more you'll learn and develop as a player and discover that it's more about technique and the time and effort you put into it, and less about thinking you need more gear.
+1

A $1,000 bass may be easier to play and sound better than a $100 bass, thereby improve your playing by allowing you to concentrate on making music and not wrestling a good sound out of the bass; BUT beyond that, it's mostly about you. And I'm a supporter of buying the best possible equipment you can afford, so I am NOT dissing expensive basses.
 
+1

A $1,000 bass may be easier to play and sound better than a $100 bass, thereby improve your playing by allowing you to concentrate on making music and not wrestling a good sound out of the bass; BUT beyond that, it's mostly about you. And I'm a supporter of buying the best possible equipment you can afford, so I am NOT dissing expensive basses.

I also feel like people will create these situations in their head where they will make themselves believe that they need a new bass and blame all of their shortcomings as a player on the instrument and THAT'S why they MUST have that new bass. "If I have that new bass I'll be able to reach my goals as a player!" But most won't follow through and put in the time and effort practicing, and now they have a new/new to them bass and are still stuck in the same old rut they were in before, but with a new instrument.

I'm not knocking anyone for wanting nicer gear. New gear, higher quality gear, etc. can make learning and playing more fun and inspire you to actually play more, no doubt about that. But unless you're actually also willing to put in the time and effort to practice you'll just be that guy with tons of nice gear that can't really do anything with it. And again, if that's your thing and you're cool with that, I'm nobody to criticize that either.

Just be honest with yourself and why you think you want or need a new bass. Maybe instead of buying a new bass you should invest in a good set up, or get your frets leveled, crowned and polished/PLEK'd, spend that money on lessons or an online course, or buy a jazz fake book and force yourself to learn how to play jazz standards, buckle down and learn how to read music, etc.

I know I wont get a ton of fans saying this, and trust me, I'm no expert by ANY MEANS. I'm a mediocre player myself who's trying to get better, but I think a lot of people just go through gear constantly and spend a ton of their time searching for the next best thing because it's too hard/too much work to actually practice. I think a LOT of people on these internet forums are like this, and the people that actually practice and play a ton aren't. I'm guilty of it as well, so I'm not just calling people out and saying I'm anything different. I just came to the realization last year that it's less to do with the gear and more to do with being honest with yourself.
 
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There is no cure for GAS
We are all looking for that 'tone'
Most of it comes from you <the player> but you plus a different piece of gear might sound like this or that
There is simply too much gear to not look at something
I had never heard of or though about a birth year bass until I started on TB
But now I am looking into one!
 
I want a 25 pound box that will sound as good and beefy as my SVT 410HE and my SVT 15E together, but my finances state that it ain't gonna happen.The easy way is to only allow yourself to settle for the unobtainable, then you can look and search without worries..........You're welcome
 
+1

A $1,000 bass may be easier to play and sound better than a $100 bass, thereby improve your playing by allowing you to concentrate on making music and not wrestling a good sound out of the bass; BUT beyond that, it's mostly about you. And I'm a supporter of buying the best possible equipment you can afford, so I am NOT dissing expensive basses.
Yeah I am beyond happy with my basses. Thankfully
 
Omg, I have the worst G.A.S, lol. How do I avoid it? I really love all the gear I am playing through. I just had bought a new bass last year (Mex Fender PJ bass-4 string) and one gifted to me this past summer (5 string American P-Bass). My amp head is only about 2 years old and my speaker cabs aren't that bad either. Although my 4x10 is alittle heavy. Money isn't an issue, so that's part of the problem. I just can't help it. I need help! lmao. I go on here and guitar center, and craigslist everyday. hahahaha, any advise to avoid getting it? I don't want to purchase anything new for this entire year if possible just because I feel like it is a vicious cycle. Is there like GAS Anonymous group? Any advise would be greatly appreciated
I have nothing....lol
 
When I was shooting photos, I wouldn't allow myself a new piece of gear unless I completed a project. Also, after I get my first "kit" I wouldn't allow myself any extra gear unless photography paid for the gear itself.

You could apply that mentality to music.

Want a new bass? That's cool, just finish the EP you've been putting off and you can go buy a new bass.

Want a new amp? No problem! Just gotta hit those travel dates you and your band keep talking about wanting to do.

Want a new pedal? Awesome! Just write X amount of songs first.

If money really isn't a problem, I'm assuming most of the money is coming from a day gig. So limit yourself to only buying gear from money you receive from music gigs.
 
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Omg, I have the worst G.A.S, lol. How do I avoid it? I really love all the gear I am playing through. I just had bought a new bass last year (Mex Fender PJ bass-4 string) and one gifted to me this past summer (5 string American P-Bass). My amp head is only about 2 years old and my speaker cabs aren't that bad either. Although my 4x10 is alittle heavy. Money isn't an issue, so that's part of the problem. I just can't help it. I need help! lmao. I go on here and guitar center, and craigslist everyday. hahahaha, any advise to avoid getting it? I don't want to purchase anything new for this entire year if possible just because I feel like it is a vicious cycle. Is there like GAS Anonymous group? Any advise would be greatly appreciated

Get into pedals. It never ends.
 
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