Am I the only one who finds it humorous that the OP is "done" chasing tones and is thinking about capping it all off by selling his bass and trying out a new one?
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In my young, not very experienced life there has been times where I've been totally over gigging and playing in general. But it never fails that at some point I'll either hear something new or see a band that inspires me to to get back into it, REALLY back into it. And it's always nice to have the equipment to scratch that itch.
I'd bare bones keep the fretted. But again, take this all with a grain of salt as I have only graced this earth my presence for a mere 24 wifeless, childless years.
I'd bare bones keep the fretted. But again, take this all with a grain of salt as I have only graced this earth my presence for a mere 24 wifeless, childless years.
What a sickeningly sticky thread this is.
Sell it all and spend more time with the family. Then put on some slippers and kick it.
Sorry. Four pages of "Don't stop! I wuv you!" got to me. It's only stuff. Yes, I regret selling most of my gear (for better reasons than what's listed here) but I'm still okay.
Enjoy life! Maybe you're a drummer.
Sell it all and spend more time with the family. Then put on some slippers and kick it.
Sorry. Four pages of "Don't stop! I wuv you!" got to me. It's only stuff. Yes, I regret selling most of my gear (for better reasons than what's listed here) but I'm still okay.
Enjoy life! Maybe you're a drummer.
Don't do it Steve. Back when I first had kids (early 80s) I was playing 5-6 nights/wk... cut back to 3-4 for their 1st few years, then down to 1-2most weekends... then little league & sports, so I laid off totally for a year + (87/88). I was then recruited for the church worship team, and have played regularly since then. When the kids were off on their own (college) I was referred to a classic rock band that was looking for an older bass player with experience... fit perfectly for 9 years. Now, we've been really been backing off the gigs (grandchildren) and I'm down to 3-5 classic rock gigs a year.
Throughout the whole time, I kept my equipment, with the exception of my first fretless - a '69 Jazz (which the buyer had fretted and still owns). If I would have sold all my gear, I wouldn't have had the flexibility to jump in to whichever opportunity came up. Since the kids graduated college I've been free to truly explore GAS - and have. You have 2 awesome basses that fit YOU. Playing life ebbs and flows, but a lesser instrument will not inspire like your Roscoes do.
Throughout the whole time, I kept my equipment, with the exception of my first fretless - a '69 Jazz (which the buyer had fretted and still owns). If I would have sold all my gear, I wouldn't have had the flexibility to jump in to whichever opportunity came up. Since the kids graduated college I've been free to truly explore GAS - and have. You have 2 awesome basses that fit YOU. Playing life ebbs and flows, but a lesser instrument will not inspire like your Roscoes do.
I wouldn't be chasing again, just settling for something less.
Wasn't the intent. Sometimes it helps to think out loud and have some common sense inserted.
I think I've been talked off the ledge. Thanks for ALL the comments. I have a rehearsal tonight for church this weekend - me, a guitar/singer and another singer. I'll bring both Roscoes and see how it goes.
Doner Designs
Steve Doner
- Jun 2, 2012
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- Doner Designs is an alias for Steve Doner
To me 1-2 times a month at church is gigging plenty though you might not call it that vs helping to lead others in worship. You still need a decent bass and so long as you enjoy it and can afford it, own and play what you like.
I play at church too, though I am newish at it. I hear a lot of guys say that the B string is good in that environment because you can play the lower octave and play in your own space without bumping into the keys. Seems like the B string is heavily used on the recordings in that genre too.
Mine are all BEAD 4 strings because 5 is too wide, I can live without the G and can't live without the B. I try to avoid using the D string - probably could get by with a BEA three string.
In my mind's eye, I can see Gard and the boys at Roscoe rubbing their hands together knowing full well, that if you sell both or either of those Roscoes, you will be back ordering in a short time.
I can see the "regret" posts showing up in the Roscoe Club closely followed by the "when is it going to be done posts"!
Fishheadjoe
I can see the "regret" posts showing up in the Roscoe Club closely followed by the "when is it going to be done posts"!
Fishheadjoe
Yes, a pattern with you, Steve. (Like wraub, I've known you online for quite a while now.) You keep coming back to Roscoe, and if you don't really need to cash from a sale, I suggest that you keep at least the fretted one.
You will likely have ebbs and flows of interest and opportunity over time, and it's no biggie to dial down for a bit, dial back up, dial down again, etc. I was able to play more for myself and with others as my kids grew older, but also have taken breaks, too.
It's all good. In the end, as always, it's your call, and the risks to you regardless of what you decide are not major -- this isn't like deciding on whether to submit to an experimental medical treatment that might have unfortunate side effects!
Peace.
--SW
Right. We all know I tend to over-react and over-think things. Like I said a couple posts ago, I think I've been talked off the ledge. I'll hang on and enjoy now, later, whenever. I've already given Greg, Gard, Keith and the boys enough of my hard earned money.
I did just get a 2006 Mustang GT that may need some modifications down the road so...
This happened to me many years ago. My last band ended in a sour note, and I was burnt out of music. I sold everything I had, except for one bass that my wife, Ged bless her wisdom, told me not to sell because I was going to regret it. So everything was sold, until nothing but a bass in a closet remained.
Years later I changed jobs, and the guy sitting next to me is a drummer. We hit it off right away, and to this day, even though I no longer work there and live thousands of miles away from there, we're still good friends. And he encouraged me to pick up playing again, got me into playing shape, and I eventually joined one of the most fun and fullfiling bands I've been part of. And, thanks to my wife, my main bass, which I got around 16 years ago, is still with me.
So sure, take a break, but don't get rid of everything. If that roscoe has that connection to you, don't sell it.
Years later I changed jobs, and the guy sitting next to me is a drummer. We hit it off right away, and to this day, even though I no longer work there and live thousands of miles away from there, we're still good friends. And he encouraged me to pick up playing again, got me into playing shape, and I eventually joined one of the most fun and fullfiling bands I've been part of. And, thanks to my wife, my main bass, which I got around 16 years ago, is still with me.
So sure, take a break, but don't get rid of everything. If that roscoe has that connection to you, don't sell it.
I had a very similar situation. I stopped playing right after getting married to focus on career, finishing school, and starting a family. Shortly thereafter, former bandmates were in another project and just about everyone in the band was in the same situation: young kids, going to night school, etc... We played a half dozen gigs a year from charities to cookouts. Once the kids were in High School or off to college, we ramped things up and are now a cover band gigging out twice a month.
My point is there's a scenario for every situation. I'm sure there's plenty of like minded folks out there just itching to find a bassist in the same situation. Maybe take a hiatus and poke around a bit?
My point is there's a scenario for every situation. I'm sure there's plenty of like minded folks out there just itching to find a bassist in the same situation. Maybe take a hiatus and poke around a bit?
Steve, I totally get you! I sold all my instruments but my upright 3 years ago (really part of a move to try to save my marriage, which was futile) and now that I am single again I am playing again. I USED to be Mr. Sadowsky, Modulus, Lakland 55-94 deluxe and all that. NOW I have a Skyline Lakland 44-64 (P bass with J pickup) 4 string and I am the happiest with my tone perhaps EVER in 24 years of playing bass. I love the simplicity of the 4 string and somehow it is helping me to reconnect with the 13 year old kid who had a crappy Cort 4 string with a busted nut and played for hours and hours to 90's punk and grunge. I don't care if I ever see a 5 string again! Now, I did succumb to gas and just bought a Fretless Warwick, but I do play jazz so there is probably some application and I used to use the Fretless ALL THE TIME when I played in a worship band.
But I never thought I would so happy with my number one bass being a P bass bassically. I am finding that with a good amp and good speakers and a pedal or two my tone and even approach to playing is SO much more rock n roll. YMMV but I think your plan of selling the $3000 coffee table basses and buying a P bass is a good one. It forces you to worry less about the gear and more about what you are playing IMHO.
But I never thought I would so happy with my number one bass being a P bass bassically. I am finding that with a good amp and good speakers and a pedal or two my tone and even approach to playing is SO much more rock n roll. YMMV but I think your plan of selling the $3000 coffee table basses and buying a P bass is a good one. It forces you to worry less about the gear and more about what you are playing IMHO.
I would just take time off, I like to play something else when I feel tired of my basses, I grab my acoustic or electric, drums too and try to get inspired that way. Sometimes meeting new people at music stores gets me fired up again. Sometimes I have quit playing for a couple years (don't advise that). I really want a USA Strat really bad!!! Why did I just say that? Invalid Link Removed
Don't sell your Roscoes, and just accept that you'll never be "done." I can't count how many times I've said I was done, only to go back to the well. If you can afford the instruments you have and you enjoy them, don't stress over it.
Only if it happens to be extremely necessary for you to sell so you can pay those mods you talked about ( or any bills actually ), I'd sell the fretless which you stated were giving little or no use at all ... but I advise you NOT to sell everything. If that Roscoe bass is your passion, you'll sooner or later try to get it back, or buy a similar one, which won't have that quote of emotional value, sort of speak. Take some time off and you'll eventually find yourself dying to play some songs again !
Even though I myself returned to music after a 15 year hiatus that doesn't give me the right to advise on your situation. The only thing I will say: do what your heart tells you. You don't want spending years looking at the basses you don't play. You can always buy another bass if you decide to get back into it.
I took a ten year hiatus and regretted every minute of it after I started playing again.
I also play piano pretty seriously, but I don't play in bands. That is just for me. I play through Mozart and Beethoven and Braham's music and I find that is a wonderful way to just dive into pure music just because I love to play it. No gear issues, no band drama, no bs, just me trying to get my fingers to behave and make some music. It's good to shake it up.
