Is it wrong to be happy?

[Dr. Cheese]

I think I have been a GAS bag so long, I guess it feels weird to satisfied with my gear. I knew my Tagima and Peavey were high end , just uncommon. I always knew they were premium, even if my Peavey is nearly 12lbs. I guess the surprise are my Sadowsky’s. My RSD fretless five and Sadowsky ME Modern are basses that Roger Sadowsky himself said have comprises with his NYC basses so they could be sold in the sub $1,500 market. It would be cool if my fretless had lines, but live, I can play in tune just fine. It has taken me a while to learn to eq my Modern, but it works just fine for me, especially after I had a VTC installed. I said I wanted a Metroline Modern or maybe Japanese Metro Modern, but I am more and more inclined to keep my money in my pocket.

 

[Dr. Cheese]

This is a better photo. My music room is small and is also the laundry room and dog’s bedroom.

 

[HelpImaRock]

I'm very happy with my gear. You can be happy and still window shop. 99% of the time, it makes you even more happy with your gear. It's that 1% that gets you.

 

[lowfreqgeek]

If being happy with my gear is wrong, I don't want to be right!

 

[crazycloud]

it feels weird to satisfied with my gear.

How dare you...

 

[Bass4ThePublic]

Feel that, brother. I made a similar post in the show your basses thread, and yes I agree that it feels weird not having much GAS. It kind of feels like I got lucky eventually, finding instruments that I gel really well with.

The 2 that do it for me are my 65 Jazz and my Maple Cap parts P. They just sound and play exactly how I want them to. They sound different and have completely different neck profiles, yet each one feels like an extension of myself.

Another thing that really kills my GAS is being a full time luthier/tech. New instruments every day hah, and I love it! If anything, fixing people’s broken crap all day makes me more grateful that I can simply come home and all of my instruments are in pristine, ready to be played condition.

 

[songwriter21]

View attachment 7412026


I think I have been a GAS bag so long, I guess it feels weird to satisfied with my gear. I knew my Tagima and Peavey were high end , just uncommon. I always knew they were premium, even if my Peavey is nearly 12lbs. I guess the surprise are my Sadowsky’s. My RSD fretless five and Sadowsky ME Modern are basses that Roger Sadowsky himself said have comprises with his NYC basses so they could be sold in the sub $1,500 market. It would be cool if my fretless had lines, but live, I can play in tune just fine. It has taken me a while to learn to eq my Modern, but it works just fine for me, especially after I had a VTC installed. I said I wanted a Metroline Modern or maybe Japanese Metro Modern, but I am more and more inclined to keep my money in my pocket.

Unless I get into a band again, and then maybe get something with a graphite neck, I couldn't care less about new gear at this point. Having disposable income is nice, like for...a car.

 

[Slade N]

Im happy with the gear I have but I want more, no more and less all the same time.

I feel like Im fighting GAS most of the time. I know I dont NEED anything else and the urge for something new is a lie, but that doesnt stop the urge from happening.

 

[J Wilson]

At some point vis-s-vis GAS, sufficiency, budget, and common sense intersect. And at a certain point you pass that point where big jumps in price in the real world are not commensurate with what you hear and feel for these big MSRP jumps.

If you have the budget to buy whatever you want, go for it.

For the rest of us where prices on any and everything go up almost daily faster than a submarine riding uphill on an emergency blow, expensive instruments may not make a lot of sense with an economy zooming out of sight for working people. I'm not getting behind on my obligations for a fancier bass, especially another grand or two for 'rolled fingerboard edges' and other stuff I could care less about.

 

[Dr. Cheese]

At some point vis-s-vis GAS, sufficiency, budget, and common sense intersect. And at a certain point you pass that point where big jumps in price in the real world are not commensurate with what you hear and feel for these big MSRP jumps.

If you have the budget to buy whatever you want, go for it.

For the rest of us where prices on any and everything go up almost daily faster than a submarine riding uphill on an emergency blow, expensive instruments may not make a lot of sense with an economy zooming out of sight for working people. I'm not getting behind on my obligations for a fancier bass, especially another grand or two for 'rolled fingerboard edges' and other stuff I could care less about.

The fact I am retiring is really making appreciative and I don’t to be hung up, paying a ton for something I don’t need.

 

[Dr. Cheese]

Feel that, brother. I made a similar post in the show your basses thread, and yes I agree that it feels weird not having much GAS. It kind of feels like I got lucky eventually, finding instruments that I gel really well with.

The 2 that do it for me are my 65 Jazz and my Maple Cap parts P. They just sound and play exactly how I want them to. They sound different and have completely different neck profiles, yet each one feels like an extension of myself.View attachment 7412085View attachment 7412086

Another thing that really kills my GAS is being a full time luthier/tech. New instruments every day hah, and I love it! If anything, fixing people’s broken crap all day makes me more grateful that I can simply come home and all of my instruments are in pristine, ready to be played condition.

Your Jazz is a classic, of course, but your P-bass is really nice to.

 

[KJMO]

Life is too short to be happy with your gear! Actually, not really. I've been trying to spend my money on experiences instead of gear, or gear that helps me have experiences. Like I bought a standup paddle board recently, and an extra one for whoever wants to come with me. I've been on several trips and between them it was a lot less than a bass. Idk. And I travelled to do a marathon, which is surprisingly expensive, but it was quite an experience and I want to do it again. I don't really want to get stuck spending money on something that doesn't really enhance my life though. Or someone else's. I'm starting to feel mortal, if you know what I mean.

 

[logdrum]

Happiness as I understand it , true happiness that is --is never wrong. That should be our goal I think.

Maybe you are saying contentment --- not a value our society promotes. A Fender ad will not tell you that the bass you got in 2014 should meet all your needs going forward and they are happy that it has worked for you and in appreciation, they would like to give you 1 year subscription to a less click baity bass lessons site than SBL and a master class with Pino Palladino no strings attached.

Contentment is tricky though - because it's not just material things but everything tangible and intangible and loving what you are without the complacency of a loser just accepting it or the guilt of being on the " have" side.

Or maybe it is not that existential of a question and just reminding the forum that what you have is good enough -- not just good but excellent.

 

[antfarm]

My GAS for a better bass was over when I got my Fender American Original ‘60s Jazz Bass. It reminds me of how at its time the original was (and arguably still is) the pinnacle of electric bass, and how so many players back in the days (more or less) had just one bass at a time.

Obsessing over specs, features and what to buy next sure is fun, but it ain’t healthy.

 

[Dr. Cheese]

Life is too short to be happy with your gear! Actually, not really. I've been trying to spend my money on experiences instead of gear, or gear that helps me have experiences. Like I bought a standup paddle board recently, and an extra one for whoever wants to come with me. I've been on several trips and between them it was a lot less than a bass. Idk. And I travelled to do a marathon, which is surprisingly expensive, but it was quite an experience and I want to do it again. I don't really want to get stuck spending money on something that doesn't really enhance my life though. Or someone else's. I'm starting to feel mortal, if you know what I mean.

I am about to turn 66 in February. I am at a point where I cannot assume I will
Be around in 15 or 20 years even though I am doing fine.

 

[Micha84]

A few things killed GAS for me. First and foremost being honest with myself about the question: What could I do with this new thing, that I can't do with the stuff that I have?
People talking about basses being "vastly different", but my experience after sleeping playing around is that, in the end, they all have about a handful of strings, sound kind of deep and play all the same notes. I have a J with rounds, a P with flats, an active 5, and I can play Good Times on all of them.

What more could I want?

 

[Nebadon2000]

I am getting ready to have 2 Trees taken down that will cost 3/4th of a NYC

Even being very content with my Stingray Special I would be happier spending that money on NYC than the Tree's

 

[hrodbert696]

There are always more basses, and each one is a little bit unique. A little bit. I don't blame anyone who wants to try a different one. But there's a point where you realize you've got everything you want with the basses you've already got. I haven't bought a new bass since COVID and haven't even really been tempted much.

 

[fretno]

For me the solution to gasin is practice. To facilitate this fast deflation and reality check I leave a bass out at all times. Don’t care what the temp or humidity does. Can’t hurt it. It also happens to sound incredible and play out perfectly. There are 13 basses sitting right next to it just in case I need a different vibe. Love the ones you’re with.

 

[Dana R Gregory]

I am very happy with my current setup. Sounds good and is fun to play.