I've taken a couple of very long breaks from playing - wish I hadn't, given how close I was to getting a lot better as a player. But real life does what it will with us.
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Steve,
Not much that I can add except...
For quite a while you lamented selling the Riscoe fret less you had before you had the new one built
Thru good fortune, I am the now the proud owner of that bass and yes it is as good as you had described... So good that I went ahead and secured two fretted Roscoes and I cannot decide which one to keep!
I would hold on to both of them and revisit the situation later. No need to buy another bass as either Roscoe especially the fretted can handle any time you need at church
I will likely be lurking if you decide to sell the new fret less!
Jim
Not much that I can add except...
For quite a while you lamented selling the Riscoe fret less you had before you had the new one built
Thru good fortune, I am the now the proud owner of that bass and yes it is as good as you had described... So good that I went ahead and secured two fretted Roscoes and I cannot decide which one to keep!
I would hold on to both of them and revisit the situation later. No need to buy another bass as either Roscoe especially the fretted can handle any time you need at church
I will likely be lurking if you decide to sell the new fret less!
Jim
Jim,
That was an amazing fretless. This one is as good or better. Two of the best fretless basses they've built for sure! I'm glad you are enjoying it - and moved to fretted Roscoe's as well.
As of this moment, I'll probably hang on to both. Gonna use the fretless in church on Sunday and see how it goes. My wife would probably kill me if I sold them. I ran it by her and she said keep them.
They are really nice.
Maybe. I don't know that I'd play a P bass as I have had/tried them in the past and they never seemed to work for me. I guess I was thinking (or overthinking) that I maybe don't need to have all this stuff to play a couple Sundays a month at church where I play mostly roots between the 1st and 15th fret on the E, A, and D strings.
Honestly, I haven't looked at the classifieds for a long time; I am on the forum less than I used to be; I have tried every bass that I care to. Obviously I can "live" with a pair of Roscoes. I think maybe this lull in my playing career/interest had me wondering if less would be enough in my situation.
I still say all of this talk about what you don't need is restlessness and GAS. You have two boutique basses, big deal! Guess what? Under no circumstances will you have them forever because you will die, and someone else will have them. Do you want to stress over gear until you are in an old folks home, and can't have them anymore? I am a deacon in my church, and I visit the elderly. Old folks homes have lots of people who aren't that old. Seeing them makes me want to enjoy myself. We all have eternity to cut back.
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^^^
...aaaand @Dr. Cheese for the win. There is probably more truth and wisdom in that one post than in a huge percentage of the rest of The Internet put together.
Enjoy what you have...don't stress over it! Someday whatever your essence is may well become a part of everything, but at that point, you won't be here to worry about (or enjoy) your toys. There'll be bigger, more important things going on!
...aaaand @Dr. Cheese for the win. There is probably more truth and wisdom in that one post than in a huge percentage of the rest of The Internet put together.
Enjoy what you have...don't stress over it! Someday whatever your essence is may well become a part of everything, but at that point, you won't be here to worry about (or enjoy) your toys. There'll be bigger, more important things going on!
My sister in law was in a nursing home for about three years before she died there at the age of 60. Enjoy today and take in tomorrows stuff tomorrow. The one who dies with the most toys dies. Thats it.
Steve -
Maybe you're just ready to move on and leave behind your bass playing identity? You could be ready for to pursue other interests. Totally natural, no reason to hold on if you are into it anymore.
Maybe you're just ready to move on and leave behind your bass playing identity? You could be ready for to pursue other interests. Totally natural, no reason to hold on if you are into it anymore.
Ajapses
Gold Supporting Member
Don't be a little afraid...be a lot afraid. We're a dying breed. People who call themselves bass players and know what it means. There's plenty of so-called singers - witness the excess of Karaoke bars. Too many guitarists to count. And a bunch of kids that dropped guitar for bass because "playing Smoke On The Water was too dang hard". There are some amazing kids coming up, but will it be enough to replace those of us that die or quit? We're getting as scarce as good drummers.
The day is coming when some producer, lacking a real bass player will tell a dude to jump on keys, stay to the left, and scratch a record with the dry skin on his elbow, all at the same time. He'll then declare that he's discovered the Mystical It. And we'll go the way of the polar bear, tube TV's, and Cadillac health care plans.
Take a little break. Practice a little to keep up your skills. Take comfort with the fact that you're helping to maintain our bio-diversity. When the time comes again - you'll be ready.
Nobody endorses this.
I have not read this whole thread, so forgive me if I say things that others have said:
1.Listen to your wife.
2.I am amateur and the only place I play out is church, but considering who my REAL audience is there (hint, I'm talking BEYOND my fellow worshippers in the pews) I want to have the best equipment on hand for whatever I may be called upon to play.
3. It is perfectly natural to have different perspectives/priorities at different times in your life, but be careful about burning bridges.
4. Pray about it.
I stopped playing live for about 9 years when my kids were born. I didn't sell any of my gear and I continued to be a bass player doing studio work for others. When the itch came back to get a band together and start playing out again, I was ready to go.
Kids were old enough and my wife was happy to get me out of the house sometimes. I have been gigging live now since 2003 and love it. So maybe all you need is a break
Kids were old enough and my wife was happy to get me out of the house sometimes. I have been gigging live now since 2003 and love it. So maybe all you need is a break
I'm nothing more than a proficient church player and would never claim to be anything else. Put a hymnal in front of me and I can play it. Life has taken some turns over the past year or two, all for the better. However, the time and motivation to become a better player just isn't there anymore. I show up Sunday mornings at church cold, without even having looked at the music prior. I play through the songs with a basic level of competence and the bass goes back into the bag until next Sunday.
I will probably pack it in, possibly sell my gear to fund other commitments. It was an enjoyable hobby, but it's time to move on for me. Playing in church is just a service for the congregation, it isn't any more noble or holy than that. I was just playing hymns and banal CCM radio tunes rather than classic rock covers in a bar People were worshiping before I got there and will continue to do so if I stop playing. There is no need to feel committed in perpetuity. I would suggest thoughtfully considering your position. Talk it over with your wife, pastor, friends. You will probably find that they will be completely understanding. You might just need to be let off the hook mentally.
Best of luck in whichever direction you go!
I agree with you. I know I would either retire or cut back if a young bassist or bassists joined the church. Knowing how much SteveC loves nice gear, I am sure he will be setting himself for major regret if he let his Roscoes go.
I suppose something could pop up that would interest me, but right now, the idea of playing the same old stuff (you know, the stuff people want to hear) from 10pm - 2 am has zero appeal to me - even if I'm playing with great musicians. I'm playing with the best musicians in town right now at church.
It's a little scary to think I'm thinking about hanging it up as I've been playing for 35
It's a little scary to think I'm thinking about hanging it up as I've been playing for 35
Sometimes it takes a break to realize how much you really like something, or not.
On another note, my Roscoe has been a wall decoration for 3 years because I was playing other basses. Now I have a need for it, could have sold it (not that I would), but now have a legitimate need for it, and am so happy to have it, dive bars or not
On another note, my Roscoe has been a wall decoration for 3 years because I was playing other basses. Now I have a need for it, could have sold it (not that I would), but now have a legitimate need for it, and am so happy to have it, dive bars or not
Unless it's a financial issue (i.e., you're inclined to sell the basses because you could use/need the money), I'd suggest holding onto at least one.
I got discouraged last August, and didn't play all year. It was confusing and strange to me, because music has always been a source of joy for me, a way to meet people, and at the very least, something to do in my downtime. But I picked it up again last month, equally as mysteriously, and have been playing every day and loving it. Focus on other things, maybe find a different aspect of music that interests you, spend some time with your family, and you'll come back to it when it feels right.
I got discouraged last August, and didn't play all year. It was confusing and strange to me, because music has always been a source of joy for me, a way to meet people, and at the very least, something to do in my downtime. But I picked it up again last month, equally as mysteriously, and have been playing every day and loving it. Focus on other things, maybe find a different aspect of music that interests you, spend some time with your family, and you'll come back to it when it feels right.
I've been there. After playing seriously three times a week from 1997-2009, and long term relationship that ended and both original bands I was in both calling it quits. I decided to stop playing altogether as I was over it.
Six years later I find that playing bass is what I'm meant to do as having a normal job just doesn't work for me.
So now in my late 30s I'm slowly making plans to get back in the game. First by saving to move back to Philly, and having a new bass made for the fresh start.
I thought music was over for me.
Six years later I find that playing bass is what I'm meant to do as having a normal job just doesn't work for me.
So now in my late 30s I'm slowly making plans to get back in the game. First by saving to move back to Philly, and having a new bass made for the fresh start.
I thought music was over for me.
Reminds me of the day I was driving to a gig, stuck in traffic and wishing I could have just stayed home. Then I saw a bumper sticker which read 'There will come a day when I can no longer do this.' Straightened me right the **** up. Gratitude. Enjoy what you have, now.
