I am very conflicted with wanting more basses that I don't need but want them simply to have them. For example, I'd say green is my favorite color. Someone recently told me I should get a green bass. There aren't a lot, and if they are around or above 1,000 dollars. It's a Hofner Violin Bass. It's an HH hollow body. I already have one like it, and based on demos they sound very similar. Therefore, I don't need it (and don't want the bass because I already have one just like it), but I feel like I should get it for the simple reason of having a green bass. Same thing with bigsby guitars. I like bigsbys, but I'm never ever going to use it, but I want it just so I can have one. There are several other examples similar. Is there any advice the community can offer to help me scale down/calm down and focus on what I really want for a bass and what I really want out of one?
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I need and/or want more.
- Thread starter Ian Tarbox
- Start date
I understand you perfectly.
By immersing in music theory and practice one could break out of this.
By immersing in music theory and practice one could break out of this.
How so? I'd say I already know a good amount of theory and I learn new tricks often, and I also practice and learn new songs every day.
This is an aside:
One way to get control of things like this is to get serious about a meditation practice. Google "anterior singular cortex". I've done it in the past and it worked as advertised. But this would be another distraction if you aren't careful.
edit: singulate. Autocorrect.
One way to get control of things like this is to get serious about a meditation practice. Google "anterior singular cortex". I've done it in the past and it worked as advertised. But this would be another distraction if you aren't careful.
edit: singulate. Autocorrect.
Last edited:
Well, maybe I didn't understand you as perfectly as I thought.
Sounds like you're trapped in consumerism/gear-stuff and need to break your brain out of that.
The anterior singulate cortex is supervisory over where your attention goes.
O.P.: Some people are minimalists, some people like having options and some people like to collect instruments... If you appreciate an instrument and it adds to your overall quality of life by having it around there is nothing wrong with doing that.
I prefer usually playing everything that I have and need options that offer completely different sounds...but about once a decade I grab something that I run into that I have as just a collection piece because it's special, rare to run into and will generally appreciate in value over time. The main thing is that I also just really appreciate it for what it is. Nothing wrong with doing that. You may become a full blown collector one day and you may find that you really enjoy that.
I prefer usually playing everything that I have and need options that offer completely different sounds...but about once a decade I grab something that I run into that I have as just a collection piece because it's special, rare to run into and will generally appreciate in value over time. The main thing is that I also just really appreciate it for what it is. Nothing wrong with doing that. You may become a full blown collector one day and you may find that you really enjoy that.
My best GAS killer is when I can see the wanted instrument in person and take one of my more similar or versatile ones for comparison. I often can realize it would just take up space if it sounds too similar.
Coming to talkbass to get rid of pointless gas is like moving into a crack den to sober up.
I’m a variety is the spice of life kinda guy, so I would suggest maybe looking into some other style basses you may have an interest in and keep your eyes peeled for a green model on the used market.
I’m a variety is the spice of life kinda guy, so I would suggest maybe looking into some other style basses you may have an interest in and keep your eyes peeled for a green model on the used market.
There’s a support group for this
Bass Hoarding Personality Disorder (BHPD) - You are not alone.
They help you buy more.
We need a club for those who have successfully quit TalkBass in order to study.........
If you just buy one more bass, your GAS is sure to dissapate. I'd advise you to buy it soon to get that sweet relief.
I own 3 Fender P-basses, bought over about 10-15 years. I started with a white one - on sale
Then I saw the candy apple red one, and had to have it.
Then I got a new band shirt, which perfectly matched the seaform green one, and I bought that.
Then I needed a 5 string, and saw a candy tangerine J bass, and bought that.
My only useful thought is not to buy any more shirts that I would have to match.
Then I saw the candy apple red one, and had to have it.
Then I got a new band shirt, which perfectly matched the seaform green one, and I bought that.
Then I needed a 5 string, and saw a candy tangerine J bass, and bought that.
My only useful thought is not to buy any more shirts that I would have to match.
I'd like to know just what disorder has blanketed the fruited plain that makes people feel guilty about buying, trading, acquiring, whatever, an instrument that they would like to have for whatever reason.
If your kids and family are well-cared-for, if your bills are paid, forget the consumerism crap and get what you want. You aren't buying an apartment building and kicking out tenants so you can build an office building for 3x-4x the money. You are buying, whether you need it or not, a musical instrument. That's all.
And the notion of coming in here to spill your guilty feelings has already proven to be 100% ineffective. As has been alluded to, there's not a bigger bunch of enablers than the bunch that participates in this place (ME INCLUDED!!!....
)
All of you folks sitting on that overloaded fence of uncertainty about the next bass purchase, just decide (don't agonize!) to buy it or not already (tongue planted firmed in cheek!)
(BTW, it may not seem so, but having been a foster parent in another life and dealing with those foster kids parents from time to time, I fully well know the implications of "enablers")
If your kids and family are well-cared-for, if your bills are paid, forget the consumerism crap and get what you want. You aren't buying an apartment building and kicking out tenants so you can build an office building for 3x-4x the money. You are buying, whether you need it or not, a musical instrument. That's all.
And the notion of coming in here to spill your guilty feelings has already proven to be 100% ineffective. As has been alluded to, there's not a bigger bunch of enablers than the bunch that participates in this place (ME INCLUDED!!!....
)All of you folks sitting on that overloaded fence of uncertainty about the next bass purchase, just decide (don't agonize!) to buy it or not already (tongue planted firmed in cheek!)
(BTW, it may not seem so, but having been a foster parent in another life and dealing with those foster kids parents from time to time, I fully well know the implications of "enablers")
Lol you're so mean.
I guess after collecting some more thoughts, I have some more to share. I have noticed problems earlier in my life with buying things because I want them but I never have any use for them. I love basses and I want more, but I want to use them. I don't have intention of collecting to sell, I want to actually play and record with them. I don't want to spend money on something I'm never going to use, because I could spend that money on real life things, or making music.
Question 1: Would it make you happy?
Question 2: Can you afford it?
If the answer to both is "yes", go ahead and buy it. And 2 more.
Question 2: Can you afford it?
If the answer to both is "yes", go ahead and buy it. And 2 more.
Do not believe his lies.
