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I'm outta GAS!

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I bought about 10 basses last year, (the GAS was excoriating) and kept these three. Upgraded my amp and tweaked my pedals/compressors and sims. I know, if I lurk on T.B. enough the GAS will upset my delicate constitution, but seriously, I pick up my Jazz bass 10% and the Ray Special 90%. It is just a matter of trying different strings now.

Selling my Ray 4H Sunburst 1998 (near mint) 3 band if anybody is interested(orig. case included)
 
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The request for pics has been heard!
All I can offer for now is the before picture:

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I bought the blacked out Player Spec Ed. PJ Jaguar similar to that Precision last year. Liked the warm ebony fretboard, hated the jazz neck. It was a great starter bass. The frets sprouted and I did file them down and ran my humidifier all winter. After I got a Stingray, I had no interest in it and sold it, but those players are decent for the price. I really like my current Jazz Player series(fretless). I would like to de-gloss the neck this year and gunstock oil/wax it. Thats about it.
 
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I know, I know, I can hear you!
Blasphemy! Sacrilège! He's gone off the deep end! Is he possessed?

No, I'm actually just fine and grinnin' like a villin'.
I bought a new bass this past October. Black Fender Player p-bass with Ebony fingerboard and matching headstock. Before I bought it, I knew I wanted it blacked out. I bought a Badass II Bridge (in black), Badass OGT tuning pegs ( in black), Schaller strap locks (in black), and a replacement pick guard (in black but it doesn't matter because...) I wrapped it in black vinyl carbon fiber. I like to keep the original pick guards original, maybe it's my OCD, I don't know! :D
Anyways, honestly, I really only want an ashtray for it. I have one laying around the house but I took it off such a long time ago, I have no earthly idea where I stored it.
My GAS list is down to the ashtray and a new strap. I'll post pics of the finished product, sans the ashtray, in a week or so. I don't get her back until next Saturday.

First, congratulations on your purchase. I hope it serves you well.

Next, most of the time GAS is just an excuse to buy, collect, and acquire material goods. Often at the expense of cultivating skills and becoming a better musician and (if we are being honest with ourselves) instead of doing so.

Moreover, GAS abates when you want it to. It abates once you truly understand that more gear won't make you a better player. Barring a complete dog of a bass; "better" or more expensive gear does not improve your command of the instrument.

None of this should be interpreted as saying slavish Asceticism is necessary to be a good player, there is no need to go that far. It is simply a better use of time and resources, from what I can see, to improve to the point where one's level of playing requires "better" gear.

Happy New Year! and it looks like it's time to post this old chestnut again:

More Gear.jpg
 
And when the OP's bass is totally blacked out, I suggest DR Black Beauties for strings. Then it can be none more black. Okay, GHS Tapewounds are wrapped in black nylon tape, but the DR Black Beauties literally have "black" in their name, so they are the blacker black!

To add to the conversation about GAS, while I no longer have amp or instrument GAS (for now), I still have string GAS. It's like string-pokemon- "gotta try 'em all." Even though I know what strings feel good on certain basses and what strings last the longest for me, I still wanna try 'em all.
 
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Good for you! Now, go practice! :D

I’ve learned that I’m pretty sensitive to ergonomics. On top of that, I prefer a “pick up and play” mentality, rather than A/Bing tones (and ergonomics ,) and a small stable helps give me that. I bought some stuff recently, but haven’t bought a “keeper” guitar, bass or amp since 2021.

All that together keeps the GAS down. I never say never though, don’t beat myself up and try to remember gear is supposed to be fun!
 
I actually bought an amp today with NO GAS, just an objective decision to upgrade something as it has been creeping towards conking out for a while and I happen to have the money. It was a Tone Hammer 500 and I'm still not over excited but my Precision has never sounded better, it's surprisingly light and I discovered I like the drive dial (which I hadn't expected to even use)! Even the fan is quieter so I kind of wish I'd bought it with GAS to enjoy the elation. Bit weird.
 
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First, congratulations on your purchase. I hope it serves you well.

Next, most of the time GAS is just an excuse to buy, collect, and acquire material goods. Often at the expense of cultivating skills and becoming a better musician and (if we are being honest with ourselves) instead of doing so.

Moreover, GAS abates when you want it to. It abates once you truly understand that more gear won't make you a better player. Barring a complete dog of a bass; "better" or more expensive gear does not improve your command of the instrument.

None of this should be interpreted as saying slavish Asceticism is necessary to be a good player, there is no need to go that far. It is simply a better use of time and resources, from what I can see, to improve to the point where one's level of playing requires "better" gear.

Happy New Year! and it looks like it's time to post this old chestnut again:

View attachment 5309544
Straight out of Larson! :laugh:
That’s great! Where’dya find that?:thumbsup: