I feel guilty playing my boutique basses...

[Brad Johnson]

I mean no offense here... I know you were listening to the birds sing, while watching the bunnies frolic, all while keeping your cat at bay from murderous results, but I have to ask.... Was yesterday your first visit to the Internet? Grain of salt, friend...Grain of salt.

You spent YOUR MONEY on what YOU WANTED.

Yes, it was.

 

[Brad Johnson]

The less you care about what others think, the better off you'll be, IMHO.

o'rly?

 

[Brad Johnson]

You should feel bad. Anyone who enjoys the whether we're having here is a sick, sick man. Heck, the school system closed my son's school Monday because of the heat/humidity (no air conditioning at his school).

Yes, because we never have nice days like the one I mentioned.

 

[guy n. cognito]

 

[Brad Johnson]

BTW, what do your eyebrows look like?

I just double-checked, Jeff. Surprisingly enough... eyebrows.

 

[Brad Johnson]

Thanks for stopping by.

 

[Jeff Scott]

I just double-checked, Jeff. Surprisingly enough... eyebrows.

That was in reference to this thread.

 

[Brad Johnson]

That was in reference to this thread.

Forgot about that. No doubt they'll turn into butterflies shortly.

 

[mellowgerman]

I have a friend who is a bassist whose whole setup cost less than $400. He often complains about his gear and that he can't afford better stuff. At the same time, he constantly buys new video games, easily spends upwards of $100 on alcohol and pot every week, and goes out to eat with friends all the time. Not that I see anything wrong with any of those things, but it's a matter of prioritizing. If he cut back on some of his other constant expenditures, he could be playing an Alembic Elan through an Ampeg V4B within a couple of months. Of course you don't need expensive gear to be a good/successful bassist, but his gear is his main complaint to me so... just saying. It's all about prioritizing. Same way my dad was able to afford his first motorcycle in his early 20's -- he also did not by any means have a high-paying job.

 

[guy n. cognito]

Thanks for stopping by.

Hey! Any time.

 

[Brad Johnson]

I have a friend who is a bassist whose whole setup cost less than $400. He often complains about his gear and that he can't afford better stuff. At the same time, he constantly buys new video games, easily spends upwards of $100 on alcohol and pot every week, and goes out to eat with friends all the time. Not that I see anything wrong with any of those things, but it's a matter of prioritizing. If he cut back on some of his other constant expenditures, he could be playing an Alembic Elan through an Ampeg V4B within a couple of months. Of course you don't need expensive gear to be a good/successful bassist, but his gear is his main complaint to me so... just saying. It's all about prioritizing. Same way my dad was able to afford his first motorcycle in his early 20's -- he also did not by any means have a high-paying job.

He's right... he can't afford better gear.

 

[Doner Designs]

You can be banned from talkbass for such talk.

 

[TripleDouble]

I find this site kind of depressing sometimes too. Dudes arguing, worrying, judging, and Talking Buying stuff 10x more than talking bass. It's why I resort to stupid smug jokes. If every post was a video of a killer player and then a discussion of why they ruled and why their gear was awesome, I'd like it here a lot more.

But I went to a big music school too, which was way worse as far as negativity goes. "He can't groove", "she's got a lame tone", "they just sounded like noise". A sea of nasty jerks treating it all like a contest instead of an art and a craft. Every now and then a glimmer of insight or optimism would pop up in that poo stew, and it was such a relief and an inspiration. I think we're mostly just wired this way as musicians, to nit pick, be defensive, and complain, since they way it makes us less vulnerable and it's a way to make ourselves feel bigger. Anyway, glad you fixed your car, car expenses suck, think of the money saved/earned as your now given right to play and do whatever ya want.

 

[Jared Lash]

Hi folks.


I was working on my car yesterday and fixed a problem that could've cost a few thousand dollars for under $250. The weather was beautiful here in Maryland, I even got to work in the shade on my car. Birds were singing, bunny rabbits were frolicking round, my cat was indoors not killing them and it was just an all around great day.


Then I came on Talkbass and it seemed like thread after thread after thread was hip deep in negativity and judgments. People judging people they don't know based on that lack of knowledge. Universal "this is better than that". "expert" opinions that clearly lacked in expertise. And I mean blatantly. I'm not going to ponder when people got so close-minded, they likely always were, it's just that now they can broadcast it to the world.

This stuff seems to go beyond opinion. And apparently it's really important. If I didn't know any better I'd probably buy into this and feel guilty as I mentioned. I don't of course, I just wonder what propels the need to make others feel that way? Does it make your playing more competitive? Is it sour grapes? Misery loves company? What is it?

No, I don't really expect an answer. I figure with all of the other conversations going on, what's the harm in one more?

This is a pretty lousy post IMO.

I know people tend to think that posts are all about the time spent crafting them or how many words you use but I've been a Talkbass poster for about 10 years and in my expert opinion it's really just about the "soul" and "feeling" you put in your posts.

And if guys want to spend their money on fancy laptops or tablets and wi-fi that's fine but I still use a Commodore 64 with dial up access and my audiences love my posts as much as the guys with the latest technology. I think guys posting to TB on their iPhones are just showing off because anyone who reads their posts won't know what it was written on - spending money on gear doesn't make anyone a better poster.

Etc etc

 

[bucephylus]

Hi folks.


I was working on my car yesterday and fixed a problem that could've cost a few thousand dollars for under $250. The weather was beautiful here in Maryland, I even got to work in the shade on my car. Birds were singing, bunny rabbits were frolicking round, my cat was indoors not killing them and it was just an all around great day.


Then I came on Talkbass and it seemed like thread after thread after thread was hip deep in negativity and judgments. People judging people they don't know based on that lack of knowledge. Universal "this is better than that". "expert" opinions that clearly lacked in expertise. And I mean blatantly. I'm not going to ponder when people got so close-minded, they likely always were, it's just that now they can broadcast it to the world.

This stuff seems to go beyond opinion. And apparently it's really important. If I didn't know any better I'd probably buy into this and feel guilty as I mentioned. I don't of course, I just wonder what propels the need to make others feel that way? Does it make your playing more competitive? Is it sour grapes? Misery loves company? What is it?

No, I don't really expect an answer. I figure with all of the other conversations going on, what's the harm in one more?

Here I was all worried about you. You know, Brad, you have a real bad attitude. Perhaps, you need to move out here to the Southwest where it was 120 F yesterday. In fact, if you did come out here, you could get your attitude adjusted just by checking out the resources in our local CL:

[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

 

[peledog]

Maybe it's a Catholic bass.

 

[TrevorOfDoom]

I met a man last week that's only been playing bass for a little over a year, yet currently own 6 $3000+ boutique basses. Only plays bass in his church band a couple times a month.

I was tempted to chastise him, but i know that if I had his dayjob I could afford all those basses too. And it makes him happy.
So I asked him kindly to add my name to his will.

 

[Gaolee]

I'm thinking the bass felt guilty too. Just saying. It's better to be completely shameless, which means it's entirely upon the bass and amp to shoulder the burden of embarrassment.

 

[ElMon]

Hi folks.


I was working on my car yesterday and fixed a problem that could've cost a few thousand dollars for under $250. The weather was beautiful here in Maryland, I even got to work in the shade on my car. Birds were singing, bunny rabbits were frolicking round, my cat was indoors not killing them and it was just an all around great day.


Then I came on Talkbass and it seemed like thread after thread after thread was hip deep in negativity and judgments. People judging people they don't know based on that lack of knowledge. Universal "this is better than that". "expert" opinions that clearly lacked in expertise. And I mean blatantly. I'm not going to ponder when people got so close-minded, they likely always were, it's just that now they can broadcast it to the world.

This stuff seems to go beyond opinion. And apparently it's really important. If I didn't know any better I'd probably buy into this and feel guilty as I mentioned. I don't of course, I just wonder what propels the need to make others feel that way? Does it make your playing more competitive? Is it sour grapes? Misery loves company? What is it?

No, I don't really expect an answer. I figure with all of the other conversations going on, what's the harm in one more?

No pics no money-saving car repairs. Seriously though, more compelled to know THAT story. I'm sure you'll be making people jealous of your gear and your playing in no time. On a 6-string fretless. With no fret lines. LIKE A GERD DANG MAN!

 

[Mr_O'B]

Brad, I never worry about other people's gear and pockets! I don't care if it cost $40 or $20,000 dollars.

It's a shame that people frown upon those who choose boutique gear that speaks to them!

I will admit that I am envious of your basses, but not jealous!