Maybe I'm growing up.

[Clef_de_fa]

why not some stuff to record ??? A few years ago for my birthday my father bought me a sound card that comes with Pro Tools to record myself so I did a few cover with it and it is actually a very very good Learning tool to how you sound when there is nothing else playing, if you can play to a click track etc

 

[Big Hoss]

Speaking as a guy whos grandmother passed before he graduated college, I personally would much rather, if she insisted on spending her resources on me, have it spent on making memories with the time you have together here on earth... Be creative, have her come up with something she wants to share with you... Like in school take lots of notes, and just sort of absorb the experience...

 

[buldog5151bass]

Just a suggestion. Do not buy something just to buy it. If you have everything you want, how about a discussion with your Grandmother that you have everything you need, and how about a CD (certificate of deposit, not compact disc), a nice suite (since you are entering the work market maybe), money toward your car insurance, or something like that.

I don't know your relationship with her, but that might show her you are growing up, and getting serious about money.

 

[MrBKerth]

If a P doesn't fit your hands, then have you tried a P with a Jazz neck?

I have had 2. one was a custom American g&l sb-1 with a jazz profile neck, and the other a fender parts bass. Unknown body anniversary year jazz neck. I don't know why i can't seem to get a listenable tone out of them.

 

[hintz]

I came into money about 8 years ago, just my experience/opinion but I wish I would've gotten at least some recording gear....

instead I was up to 6 electrics, 1 upright, 2nd rig and now they are all long sold off from when I hit hard times 5 years ago!! Or you can put $$$ away for a rainy day....

My grandma just passed recently, but she was always supportive of me, sounds like yours is the same and I think she enjoyed giving me fun things that I use for my craft,
either way, its a good feeling not to have GAS for different basses, I finally got to this point last year, except now I GAS for other things like pedals, amps....

it is a rabbit hole no doubt, I had to consciously avoid the BC rich forum for this very reason, and I try to stay away from the classifieds here(though its difficult)

 

[lovefist]

Felt the same way after I bought a MarloweDK bass...Could always buy a second MarloweDK....

 

[hsech]

I think after numerous attacks of GAS you finally realize you are happy with what you have. That's where I am at this point.

 

[raventepes]

I'm inclined to agree with either an EUB or recording gear. It seems like you're good on everything else right now, so there's no point in wracking your brains on a new bass or amplification setup.

 

[Gaolee]

If I'm being honest i did originally think hand stained P, but I've been through so many p basses that I'm giving up. My hands dont fit them. I desperately wanted to keep my roadworn p but it literally hurts to play

The necks bolt on. If you don't like the aircraft carrier deck, um, neck, then bolt on a Jazz neck that fits you better. If it had a set neck, you couldn't do this. But, it's a Fender so you can.

 

[Nephilymbass]

Yeah I never got gas looking at talkbass classifieds either. I feel like it's a waste of time to really look for something in the classifieds because most of the stuff on there is way overpriced. I was a paying member of talkbass because I wanted to support the forums and because I planned to buy and sell stuff. But that was before I realized the rules about the classifieds part of talkbass. For example a typical listing would be something like 2007 mim Jazz bass for $600. When I remember that exact bass costing less than that brand new in the store. And according to the rules you can't even mention "hey this bass didn't cost that new"

I got the feeling that the majority of people who sell on talkbass aren't really wanting to sell their gear. They probably put it up knowingly it's unlikely to sell at the price they are asking and it just clutters up the classifieds and makes it a longer harder process to find good deals. I wish talkbass classifieds had search options to narrow the search. For example when I bought my mim Jazz used I went on ebay and could completely filter out all listings that were above the price range I was willing to pay. With talkbass it's a much more painful search through the listings. There are some items posted that rarely hit ebay or craigslist or any other site but again it's like searching for a needle in a haystack imo.

 

[wmhill]

 

[static0verdrive]

Some great suggestions above!

The ART Project Series TubeMP with USB is an awesome tube-based mic & instrument preamp recording interface for your computer, which you can then use with Pro Tools, GarageBand, Logic, Cubase, Ardour, whatever! Recording can be a lot of fun.

A nice suit will serve you well.

A super nice strap? Case or gig bag?

Bass lessons to learn something new?

The world is your oyster!

 

[jamro217]

I can't tell if I'm G.A.S.-less or just growing up more but I've been scouring the amp and bass classifieds with nothing speaking to me. My wonderful grandmother has offered to buy a bass (or gear item) for me or helping on the price as a college graduation gift.

The thing is, I've already got an American Jazz that's survived the purchase (and sale) of every other bass I've ever owned. Its the only one I have and I've been looking at used '62 avri's but even those aren't jumping at me. Once upon a time I desperately wanted an Aggie 750. Not feeling it much anymore.

Whatever it may be I want it to be something that'll stay with me for the rest of my life. I don't want "just another" piece of gear. I'm just drawing a serious blank.

Don't worry, you'll grow out of this stage you're going through. I'd take her gift in the form of money, add to it, then surprise her and take her on a cruise, or a trip to someplace she'd like. What better way to show appreciation than to return it?

 

[Lobster11]

Since you already have an electric bass you love, it seems you are good in that department. So instead how about something "differently bass"? Maybe an upright bass or EUB? A Kala U-Bass or similar? In ear monitors? New amp or cabs? Recording gear like a multitracker, maybe?

I like all of these ideas, and maybe even a different instrument entirely that you'd like to learn to play (e.g., keyboard, guitar, mandolin, etc.) Since you're good in the bass and amp department, try to think outside the box -- as an opportunity to get something you wouldn't ordinarily think to get for yourself.

 

[Anthonyfranklin9000]

How about a fretless Jazz? (since I didn't see where anyone suggested it, unless I read too fast)

 

[static0verdrive]

Wow fretless is a great suggestion too! I love mine and it's not nearly as hard as I thought it would be. Great for a different sound / different skill to develop. A different instrument altogether is another good idea too - I love having a guitar to record with just to give real guitarists an idea of what I was thinking - they take my part and run with it until it evolves way past what I could do.

 

[edencab]

1st this: "The thing is, I've already got an American Jazz that's survived the purchase (and sale) of every other bass I've ever owned
then this: "I am very partial to Fender and even more partial to jazz basses
....so......I think you should not get another Fender Jazz, seems like you have that category locked down......you will either not like the new one after a while or really like it and be tempted to sell the original (not likely from the 1st statement, and you'd really regret it if you did)....but then you would have 2 Jazzes with (possibly) not much difference between the 2, and not really playing one of them much ...I think you need to look at mid to high end stuff.... Ricky's, Ibby's, Yammys, Gibby's, Hoffy's ?, even Epi's, Squier-ee's...
.....problem is you sold every other bass you had so: .hmmmmmmmm......I guess play them, borrow, rent etc and you may find something......great hobby IMHO.....tell Granny that her purchase may or may not be permanent
.....that rig sounds awesome, but you'll spend forever trying to find something better or different enough to keep you happy....
YMMV

 

[Lobster11]

Bass lessons to learn something new?

This is a great idea, and to make it into a special gift consider this: Do you have any bass heroes, or at least people whose playing you especially admire or would like to learn how to emulate? No matter how big the name, see if you can find a way to contact him or her and ask if they would be willing to do lessons with you via Skype (or in person, of course, if by chance he/she happens to live near you). I'm currently doing Skype lessons now with Italian bassist Marco Machera (who is, in fact, in Italy), and am in the process of arranging same with Julie Slick. (These are my now-belated birthday and Christmas presents.) I suspect that some big-name pros might not be interested in such things, but you never know until you ask -- and you might be surprised. In a recent thread someone talked about approaching Doug Wimbish (who happened to live not far from him) for lessons -- and now he's doing exactly that.

 

[MrBKerth]

Wow guys, these are a ton of great suggestions! Im really drawn to the new instrument suggestion. I've always wanted to learn violin or trombone. Since I live in an apartment complex I'm thinking violin. I still might get a nice jazz as a backup but that'd be on me. I think I'll start looking for a nice second hand violin

 

[Acoustic356]

IMHO, being partial has a tendency to limit the opportunities to new and exciting experiences. I never thought I would get a PRS or a Korean made SE. After playing an SE Kestrel that was properly setup, I found what I liked.

I also found that rolling off the bridge and neck pickup to around 8 greatly improves the tone too.

It's a hard bass to get to know, but once it's set up and you understand the controls, it has a lot of character!