Daren gets it.Body parts! You hearing us brother. We're talking body parts. Don't do it!
Man, come over to England for a trip soon. I'm going to get you soooooooo drunk. Lol.
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I'm done
- Thread starter Indiana Mike
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Man, come over to England for a trip soon. I'm going to get you soooooooo drunk. Lol.
If you think getting rid of your basses, etc. is gonna buy you some breathing room, then give it a try--it's not like you won't be able to find 2 Fenders and a solid-state head again.
I don't know you from Adam, but here's my 2 cents: you sound unhappy, and sometimes thinking "long and hard" is exactly the problem. You don't have to be depressed or crazy to talk to a professional about how you're feeling. There are lots of counsellors and therapists who specialize in helping normal people gain a little self-knowledge and insight into their emotions and behaviors. There's no shame in that.
I have 4 kids, a stressful and mostly thankless job, a mountain of debt, high blood pressure, and insomnia. I saw someone twice over my Christmas vacation and I already feel a little better. I KNOW I'm not depressed or crazy, but it felt good to say some stuff out loud, and to learn a few things about myself and how I handle stress, boredom, obligation, and negativity. Also, I've had more fun than ever playing the bass lately.
Like I said, just my 2 cents. YMMV.
I don't know you from Adam, but here's my 2 cents: you sound unhappy, and sometimes thinking "long and hard" is exactly the problem. You don't have to be depressed or crazy to talk to a professional about how you're feeling. There are lots of counsellors and therapists who specialize in helping normal people gain a little self-knowledge and insight into their emotions and behaviors. There's no shame in that.
I have 4 kids, a stressful and mostly thankless job, a mountain of debt, high blood pressure, and insomnia. I saw someone twice over my Christmas vacation and I already feel a little better. I KNOW I'm not depressed or crazy, but it felt good to say some stuff out loud, and to learn a few things about myself and how I handle stress, boredom, obligation, and negativity. Also, I've had more fun than ever playing the bass lately.
Like I said, just my 2 cents. YMMV.
The Genz Benz could make someone really happy....
Sell that, then keep the J and buy a small practice amp.
. Sell that, then keep the J and buy a small practice amp.
Sorry to hear that man. I hope you will have a change of heart but you are right in that family should always take precedence.
My unsolicited advice,...sell one of your basses, downgrade your 2x10 to a single 12 (smaller/easier to move but still a decent practice/coffee shop rig) and jettison all the incidentals till you have the bare bones essentials. Keep a minimal amount of gear that you can use should the bug bite you again. You never know when you happen upon a worthwhile gig that you could easily jump into but would be forced to hesitate because you don't have the gear.
The other thing to consider is perhaps becoming involved with a worship group. It's not something I would choose to do myself because I'm non-christian/don't go to church,...but I recongnize the potential to be a good outlet, would get you out of the bar scene and it's something you could get the kids involved in.
Just food for thought.
I won't say I've had a hard life, but it's been full of ups and downs. The one constant has always been playing bass/music, and I plan on it always being there for me no matter what curve ball life throws at me.
My unsolicited advice,...sell one of your basses, downgrade your 2x10 to a single 12 (smaller/easier to move but still a decent practice/coffee shop rig) and jettison all the incidentals till you have the bare bones essentials. Keep a minimal amount of gear that you can use should the bug bite you again. You never know when you happen upon a worthwhile gig that you could easily jump into but would be forced to hesitate because you don't have the gear.
The other thing to consider is perhaps becoming involved with a worship group. It's not something I would choose to do myself because I'm non-christian/don't go to church,...but I recongnize the potential to be a good outlet, would get you out of the bar scene and it's something you could get the kids involved in.
Just food for thought.
I won't say I've had a hard life, but it's been full of ups and downs. The one constant has always been playing bass/music, and I plan on it always being there for me no matter what curve ball life throws at me.
An other vote to keep one bass.
The only advise I can give is never stop playing with a crowd of people.
The only advise I can give is never stop playing with a crowd of people.
Eh, go ahead and sell it all. It isn't hard to buy it back, especially around here. 
Of course, I am not heeding my own advice. I filled my den with gear, but I don't play. I should sell it all too.
-Mike
Of course, I am not heeding my own advice. I filled my den with gear, but I don't play. I should sell it all too.
-Mike
Sorry to hear that you are hanging it up but I can understand where you are coming from. Its hard to balance a job, family and still stay committed to a band and a giging schedule. I think you might change your mind someday ..never know. I walked away from another activity I was heavily involved with for 20+ years. It got to be too much with family etc and I sold out and walked away. I then had time at almost 40 to get back into music and I am here now. I will say I get sick of the politics, getting the gigs,and the music buisnness. I'm with a good group and am lucky, for now Good luck and stay positive.
why dump the things that are positive influences,like music stuff....get rid of the stuff that affects you negatively,put the gear in a closet,and see how you feel in a month or two
john turner
You don't want to do that. Trust me.
i would hold on to the stuff. it's meaningful to you, and if nothing else, your children will find meaning in it too, someday.
Man, I kind of know where you are coming from. I spent 15 years gigging sometimes 3-5 times a week in more than one band. Got to be more of a chore at one point than it was a pleasure.
Found out I was going to become a dad in 1998 and ended up packing it in, selling everything (except for one beater acoustic guitar) and took a second job.
I'm 42 now and have missed it a great deal.
I would keep one bass at least! You never know what the future holds.
Found out I was going to become a dad in 1998 and ended up packing it in, selling everything (except for one beater acoustic guitar) and took a second job.
I'm 42 now and have missed it a great deal.
I would keep one bass at least! You never know what the future holds.
I came back to bass after a 23-year layoff.
NEVER say never.
Find room in a closet and store it. The bug not only can, but probably will, come back.
NEVER say never.
Find room in a closet and store it. The bug not only can, but probably will, come back.
I didn't pick up a bass for 5 years after getting a divorce. Felt pretty much the same as you. Sold everything except for the very old Traynor tube head, cabinet with one 15" speaker in it and my MIM Fender Jazz. When I finally did pick up the bass again I had so much fun with it I kicked myself for ever putting it down. Since then I've gone through at least 6 basses until I got the USA Fender P-Bass Deluxe that I've currently got and I'm now playing in a great church band.
So....like a few guys have already said....and since I've been through a very similar situation....my advice is to keep at least one bass and amp. The bug will bite you again and when it does you're gonna need something to scratch the itch with.
So....like a few guys have already said....and since I've been through a very similar situation....my advice is to keep at least one bass and amp. The bug will bite you again and when it does you're gonna need something to scratch the itch with.
