Keep a bass for sentimental value?

[FunkMetalBass]

Kind of a back story, but my Uncle was big into music and he's one of the main reasons I started playing bass. He passed away about 4 years ago and I inherited all of his gear (basses, amps, guitars, keyboard, recording software....everything).

I've sold off some smaller trivial pieces, like a drum machine, an SWR 1x15 combo I didn't like, and other things of that nature. I figure I'd rather sell a lot of it because I need the space, have no need for most of it, don't play it, and I could use the cash for music-related things I actually need and will use.

His only bass was a '96 Fender MIM Jazz in Ocean Turquoise. I've never liked the sound or feel of it, but I just can't bring myself to sell it. He was mainly a guitarist anyways, so I feel like I should have no reason to want to keep it...but I do.

Should I just get over it and sell it to somebody who will appreciate it and make decent music with it? Or should I keep it in a case in the closet for the next hundred years?

 

[Freddy-G.]

You might consider donating it to a local school band that is in need of a bass. I'm sure the school would really appreciate it, and it would be a nice gesture in memory of your uncle. You might even receive a tax break for the donation.

 

[snyderz]

Anyone else in the family that plays or wants to play? Nieces, nephews, cousins? You could keep it in the family, and it would have that heirloom feel, honoring your uncle.

 

[sleepy_monkey]

Sell it................













to me.

Seriously, if you sell it you will probably regret it later.

 

[FunkMetalBass]

Nobody else in the family, but donating to a school is an idea. I'll keep that on the back burner.

 

[scowboy]

All good suggestions from Freddy-G and snyderz. I have a hard time keeping things I do not use or like. I had a J-bass that I built from parts, I loved the color but other than that I never liked the J tone (this was my 2nd J-bass try). What would your uncle have done? If he was enthusiastic about you making music and thought you should have the tools you want then sell it. If he was sentimental then keep it or donate it to a good cause. As other have often said instruments were meant to be played. If they are stuck in closet they are not getting played.

 

[uaudio]

There's a guy on the forum who just inherited his father's vintage bass and is doing all sorts of non-reversible mods to it. I think its pretty stupid, but then again I am a sentimental guy.

A musician friend of mine recently died of cancer, and he had tons of gear. His will stated that the gear was to be sold off to pay for funeral expenses. I bought one of his guitars, but then again I am a sentimental guy.

Are you a sentimental person? Do you feel some sort of attachment to the instrument other than just as a tool to create music? There is no right answer, but if you sell it make absolutely sure that's what you want to do. I've seen countless posts from family members (there's one here on TB right now) looking to reclaim an instrument that was sold years ago. Once its sold, its probably gone forever. Can't unring the bell.

 

[GreaserMatt]

^ +1

 

[Baird6869]

Keep it, donate it to charity or a school or give it to a family member. Don't sell it IMO.

That bass is likely only worth $250-300, that amount of $$$ is likely not going to change your life if you sell it.

 

[Darknut]

If it was My Uncle I would never sell it.

The guy modding .... EI: destroying the vintage bass he inherited from his dad obviously suffer from a serious lack of respect.

 

[creativitis]

to each his own... sentimental value, IMO, is a great reason to keep a bass around: to play well after the original owner has passed on, to put in a display case and honor, or to teach new learners with.

but if it's not treated in such a way that carries the meaning along (i.e. thrown into a closet, or turned into a cheesy frankenbass), then it's not sentimental to that individual at all: it's just an object.

...that's fine too, i suppose. It's easy to pitch off into the deep end of existentialism when it comes to "meaningful instruments." i guess it begs the question of all of us: how "sacred" is your bass to you?

 

[stflbn]

For me... I definitely keep my Schecter Studio5 for sentimental reasons. My wife bought it for me as a gift when I got back into playing after a 15 year hiatus from touring, etc in order to raise our family, establish career, etc. I'm not a fan of EMG 40hz's so I gutted it and put custom Kent Armstrong humbuckers and an Aguilar OBP-3 in it. So now it's a Mahogany neckthrough with the above electronics, and honestly... it KILLS. Very punchy and warm with a true warwick growl. It often gets neglected in favor of other basses that look more 'expected' visually, but it's a dream to play and it's sound always pulls a 'wow, that bass sounds great, what did you do to it' from sound-men and new band-mates the first time they hear it.

 

[Lunaticds]

I've been thinking about rebuilding my first bass, cos I'm also a bit on the sentimental side.

It was a seriously elcheapo Samick from the start of the 90s. Killed the truss rod years ago, and the P pickups are horrendous.
Can't bare to throw it out, so I might as well replace the stuffed bits, and put it to use. My main bass blows it out of the water, but then I was thinking its life could be left to being tuned down half a step, and used for the one or two songs I might play once in a blue moon that I use that tuning in
Back when it worked, it played and sounded a lot better than most of the new "beginners" basses I've seen and heard recently. Hopefully I can get it back to that.

Saves me buying yet another bass because I'm a) too lazy to tune my main bass down b) too broke to afford a new bass.
Also deals with the fact that I hate having things laying around that I can't use.

So... as for the OP - keep it!
I've found to every piece of kit I've sold off, I've regretted at some point later in life, and usually haven't been able to replace without spending way more than I ever made...

...Hope I haven't hijacked the thread too much

 

[Basso Gruvitas]

Never. I'm cold and heartless.

If the bass is doing the job, I'll keep it. I've gotten rid of basses that I loved but were not what I needed. That's just the kind of ruthless guy I am.