How To Spend $500 At Guitar Center?

[MrVentures]

Sorry for your loss.

I’d vote for helping out a musician in need, or holding onto it to see if any of your own needs materialize. Should be good for at least a year, no?

 

[QweziRider]

What would YOU get?

An octave mandolin if they could get their hands on one.

 

[ashtray]

Maybe hold off until you do need a new amp or cab etc and use it then? Every year there’s a latest toy that comes out that is tempting too - be it an Elf head, or a new bass, etc. Just wait till you want something.

 

[pcake]

I really like the idea of thinking outside the bass box and considering a different instrument to fool around with. Previous posters have suggested mandolin, guitar, and drums, and I'll suggest a keyboard as another option. Why not add another hobby to keep you busy during retirement?

keyboard is a good option to my way of thinking as i find it's a different way of thinking, there's lots of good free lessons online, and btw, i was able to play keyboard when my shoulder was too injured to play bass.

Just an FYI: I own 41 guitars. Room to add more gear is an issue. As for buying my wife something she'd like, well, her casket was the last thing, and I don't know whether she liked it or not.

if you own 41 guitars, you must regularly need strings. or if you don't want to be too practical, you could try some pricy strings you never bothered to try - thomastik jazz flats or jazz rounds or a set of elixers.

 

[IanStephenson]

IF you haven't got. a set, and are (or will be) gigging, an IEM system.

I don't know your situation, but if you have more free time then picking up more gigs sounds a fun way to fill retirement, and moving a full bass rig around is the only thing that would stop me. Building a "rig" with IEM's and a DI and you can carry everything you need in one bag, and a bass in a gig bag over your shoulder.

 

[BlueTalon]

GC is a Mesa dealer. If it was me, I'd put a $500 dent in the price of a new amp. But that's just me.

 

[Lowbrow]

I’d recommend getting DAW hardware and software but I didn’t see you mention that you were into home recording. As you’re retiring it’s not a bad pastime to cultivate.

 

[OldStrummer]

I’d recommend getting DAW hardware and software but I didn’t see you mention that you were into home recording. As you’re retiring it’s not a bad pastime to cultivate.

Thanks for all the replies, folks! Keep them coming!

This suggestion is one I've been tossing around in my head a bit; I have the basics for recording (mic, boom stand, shock mount, headphones) but haven't used them because I don't know where to start. I've toyed with recording to my Mac (I also have an Apogee ONE and GarageBand) but somehow the chain confuses me, and then blending and overdubbing become a frustrating experience. Maybe I should investigate this further...?

 

[buldog5151bass]

All depends upon your musical goals. If you want to record, certainly some software (maybe some lessons to go with it) is a good way to go.

 

[BobKos]

In my own case if I had $500 silly money I would seriously consider an Ampeg SGT-DI. It looks like such a great piece of gear and offers so many options. And of course DR strings in various types to fill out the balance.

 

[basslayer]

Recording interface would be My go to. Congrats on exiting the rat race.

 

[Nightsprinter]

If you don't actually need anything, I'd sell the gift cards on CL/marketplace for $450. Sucks leaving "money" on the table but when it's a gift, it may as well not exist.

 

[Lowbrow]

Thanks for all the replies, folks! Keep them coming!

This suggestion is one I've been tossing around in my head a bit; I have the basics for recording (mic, boom stand, shock mount, headphones) but haven't used them because I don't know where to start. I've toyed with recording to my Mac (I also have an Apogee ONE and GarageBand) but somehow the chain confuses me, and then blending and overdubbing become a frustrating experience. Maybe I should investigate this further...?

Seems we’ve struck something that interests you, so yeah, look into it. It’s really not too difficult to suss out and god knows YouTube abounds with tutorials from both software makers and users. I’d recommend a Presonus Audiobox USB interface, which costs $100 and includes Presonus Studio One recording software. Save the rest for additional software plugins or playback stuff like monitors or upgraded headphones once you’ve rolling (but really you can plug whatever ‘phones you already have straight into the Audiobox.) So be sure to see that your computer is compatible and up to specs — that’s key and prob the only area where it may be a cost challenge if you need to upgrade.

 

[Watchootognbout]

You do not spend $500.00 at GC.
Guitar Center has become a place to buy the same ol' same ol'

Many of us don't want to buy the same ol' same ol'

 

[lomo]

Get a TB membership and sell the cards at a 20% discount.

 

[Green Hornet]

Bongos with a stand.
Stage lights and/or color light bar.
Fog machine (use it for halloween).
Stickers, keychains, wall posters- to give as gifts later.

 

[Egg250]

You're retired and you already have the gear you need....the gift card was a gift and you don't really have anything in it....don't blow the money just because you have it. You could get with the music teacher at the middle school or high school, see if there is a kid who is interested in music but doesn't have the means. Use the money to mentor a young one into music. If you talk nice with the guitar center folks they might be willing to donate a strap and maybe a music stand for such a cause.

 

[Greenman72]

Fender Mustang Micro Guitar Headphone Amp Black | Guitar Center

 

[JZQuantum]

Headphones. I assume you might want to listen to music for fun going forward. They are selling the Sennheiser HD600 for 300 dollars, and this is pretty much the standard high end reference open back headphone. Use the extra 200 on a headphone amp to get the most out of them.

I like this idea. I own these Sens (annd the HD 650). A good place to look for a quality headphone amp is monoprice. I got an amp with a 4 pin XLR jack and converted the cord on the HD600 to 4 pin XLR. That gets the most power to the phones and they just sound great.

 

[Krakmann]

Salud!

What would YOU get?

Something easy to sell.