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My goodbye : For a while

#21
Stay positive.... I was in a similar situation and had to sell all my gear that I had accumulated over 8 years and wasnt in a financial position where I could afford something decent until 8 years later. I was able to borrow instruments here and there, but pretty much was on hold. I did try alot of gear out in that time and it may have been a good thing that I was given a "break" than continue in the direction I was formerly in.

Use the "off" time to hone up any other music related skills you may be interested in. I used a 5 gal. pail turned upside down as a drum for a while.....lol You may not be able to play bass for a while, but that in no way means you have to give up your appreciation of music.... ;)
 
#22
This has been such a great outpour of support and means alot to me. I appreciate all with that wanted to 'lend' a hand. But I still do have my first ever bass my grandma bought me for my 12th birthday, a Squire P that I would never ever ever sell. I can still noodle around with some music prgrograms on my computer with the bass plugged in. I won't abandon the site, I will always be back to check in with the new stuff, and how everyone is doing.

Its also the problems with cell phone, power, cable, (you know all the bills) including my internet because without that I would lose my marbles! The downsizing of my equipment is necessary for the time being to pay bills, and at least set a little aside for the upcoming holidays.

All the support here really makes this the greatest, THE GREATEST DAMN community I have ever been apart of. There is so much love here.
~AJ

p.s.
Even to Apeishigh who never really liked me, I'm sorry for the bickering high school crap we got into.
 
#23
Don't get rid of everything. This may be the time for you to start gigging and making some money with your equipment. You may have to sell some things, but if you are the typical musician, you were going to sell and trade some stuff any way. Over the last few years, I had to let go of some high end basses to take care of more important matters, and I can say that the joy of music doesn't stop because you play a $400 bass instead of a $4000 one.

Be positive and be willing to hustle, things will work out fine! Keep playing! :bassist:
 
#24
Sorry to hear about your troubles... I found myself unemployed about 6 months ago and started picking up as many paying gigs as I could - you can certainly make enough money to give you an excuse not to sell your gear (or even enough to pay the bills if you get lucky). Put an ad out. We bassists are in high demand.
 
#25
BassDmb18 said:
p.s.
Even to Apeishigh who never really liked me, I'm sorry for the bickering high school crap we got into.
Click to expand...

Awwww. I didn't ever not like you, and who cares? It wasn't bickering, I'm never serious about the wisecracks I post. Good luck with finding a new job. I'll pray for you LatinoHeat.
 
#27
In my neck of the woods, south florida, quality bands and bassists are about as useful as a snow-shovel. Its just not a musical area down here.

WHEN I find my dream house in Memphis or New Orleans, and music will be flowing all through the town, then I'll be sure to use my new profession's income and get me some BAD ASS Ampeg gear again, and 2 Custom Basses.

But till then, i have to pay bills.
 
#28
BassDmb18 said:
In my neck of the woods, south florida, quality bands and bassists are about as useful as a snow-shovel. Its just not a musical area down here.

WHEN I find my dream house in Memphis or New Orleans, and music will be flowing all through the town, then I'll be sure to use my new profession's income and get me some BAD ASS Ampeg gear again, and 2 Custom Basses.

But till then, i have to pay bills.
Click to expand...
There is always Gainesville, FL. Great music scene with tons of work for any talented musician.
 
#29
Its always darkest before the dawn !!! Don't sell all your stuff, only what you can get exellent money for. Even if you sold it all at 75% of purchase price how long will it keep you floating for.? Talk to your creditors, Landlord etc. , try to work out a deal.

Get a few part time gigs, its season in Florida. Wait tables, bus dishes, work security in a club, be a bar back, youve got a licence, try being a driver or delevery boy for a reastrant. Anything untill you get somthing permenant.

I say all this because I once did it When I was young and I regret it. I gave up my music and it was like giving up my soul!!!! Don't do it, if you love your music its what keeps you sane in an insane world.

Let your girl walk out, she'll be back!
Sell your car, get a beater!
Letem kick you out of your house, get a crapy little apt.
Just don't give up a big part of your "self"

Realy, if you kept your good bass and mabey had a smallish practice amp you could sell the rest and get alittle breathing room. Still be available to gig, still practice, still be in music. Slowly get it back together.

You will get it back together if you try hard enough, and let this be a good hard lesson. Never to get in a situation where if you lost your job that you would have to sell everything you held dear, just to get by. Have a nestegg for a rainy day.

Good luck and my bestwishes!
 
#30
Keep your spirits up and have faith, you'll be alright.

I agree with what a lot of the guys are saying about not selling ALL your gear. I did the same thing a couple years back. Sold an Ibanez SDGR 6-string ($600), and Ibanez Ergodyne 4-string($600), and my beloved Eden Metro and D115 15" cab ($1500) and a Digitech BP-8 effects processor ($300). All to a music store for $700 to pay bills. That was my biggest regret. But I spent the next two years really "listening" to music and the individual parts, not just the bass, and it really helped my musicianship today. Now that I have a little money again and playing in two bands. Proof that things will always get better, trust me. You sound like a great guy, so I'm sure people will help you out.

Just keep a bass and amp to keep your sanity.

Good luck and hang in there.
 
#32
I had to sell some of my stuff about a year ago, when I lost my job. I know what you feel, man. Life always has better and not-so-good moments, just stick to the people you love, and things will sort out with time.

Good luck man.
 
#34
Hey man I've been there were u are now (hell;Recently)and besides the loving support I got from my family and friends Music was what kept sane and humble.I know 1st hand what a mans got to do a man 's gotta do -trust me if anything bro keep the faith.If you can hang on to 1 of your instruments do so but main priorities are just that regardless of material values and I have nothing but the UPMOST respect for ya.So with that being said-It Ain't over until YOU say it's over.

peace
 
#35
hey man - i'm here in FL too, and i don't post much because i'm kinda shy that way.

listen, my advice is: don't stop playing. as you go through tough times keeping your chin up and reminding yourself of why you get out of bed every morning are vital - and to me, playing music is a part, or most, of that.

so let's do this: i have an extra bass you can borrow and i think i have an old bassman amp around somewhere that i'm not using. if you're anywhere near miami, borrow that stuff (it's not great, but it's playable) to keep your chops up and keep playing with people. you can return it when you're back on your feet. if you're interested, PM me.

chin up, mate!
 

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