What country are you presently calling home? If it's popular enough you may be able to find someon to hand carry you a bass from the states. I have taken several to South America for a TB friend down there.
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Need psychological help
- Thread starter Stoch
- Start date
I second the notion of buying a cheap bass to get your chops up, then sell it before you leave where you're at to come home. You then have the option of buying something nice there or buying something nice at home. Get whatever bass that YOU like, not what's popular or not on TalkBass. I'm one of those that (perhaps not entirely rationally) hates PJ basses, but plently of others rock them happily so more power to them. It sounds like you prefer a Jazz sound so why not get another Jazz? They're only instruments at the end of the day, you can have as many of few as you like.
It's just "stuff". Anything can be replaced.
I've had some really nice gear I had to get rid of for various reasons-so it goes.
Strangely enough my main bass for rocking at the moment is an Indonesian Squier P/J.
My Steinberger is sitting in it's case.
Keep your chin up, there are loads of really good basses out there.
Just be patiant.
I've had some really nice gear I had to get rid of for various reasons-so it goes.
Strangely enough my main bass for rocking at the moment is an Indonesian Squier P/J.
My Steinberger is sitting in it's case.
Keep your chin up, there are loads of really good basses out there.
Just be patiant.
Life is full of regrets. Regrets aren't real problems unless you let them cripple you. So... don't let your decision prevent you from making other decisions. This is a lot easier if you set realistic expectations, so accept that your next bass most likely won't be your dream bass. And, most importantly, remind yourself that you'll have fun when you actually play with people -- the instrument is just a means to that end.
acceptance is the first step to recovery. I also recommend the following steps:
- admitting that one cannot control one's compulsion;
- recognizing a higher power in Talk bass, that can give strength;
- examining past errors with the help of a sponsor (experienced member);
- making amends for these errors;
- learning to live a new life with a new code of behavior;
- helping others who suffer from the same compulsions.
When I lived in Germany, I didn't have an axe either, so I purchased a cheap Epiphone acoustic guitar for 250 Deutsch Marks in former East Berlin (about $175 US at the time). And I'm a bass player, not a guitar player. It kept my "musical feeling" alive, and I improved a bit on guitar.
Now that I'm back States-side, I've purchased and sold several basses. Your hearing changes, so don't worry about the lost Jazz bass. I used to want only punchy mid-frequencies, a la Jaco, but now I love the fat low mids of a classic P. You'll find other basses in the future that you will love as much, if not more, than your old CS Jazz.
Also, if you're in Europe, there are several brands that are cheaper there than they are here in the States, due to import/export tariffs and shipping -- like Sandberg, Mayones, etc. Maybe you can get one of those for less than you would pay here in the U.S.?
Good luck, and most of all, enjoy your time abroad! It gives you great perspective on home, and it's an invaluable life experience! (PS: And yes, I have a PJ and love it!)
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Never regret buying a Stingray. They are worth the money. I've bought them new, used, vintage, and they all simply kick butt. They're especially good if you have an aggressive style. Great for slap, and when you get a set of broken in strings, really dig in with your fingers and you get a killer growl. Goes great with some subtle distortion.
If basses are like women then buying sight-unseen is definitely online dating.
You wanted a psychological explanation, so here goes: I think you are remembering all the things you loved about that bass, but are forgetting whatever it was that you didn't love about it that led you to sell it. People often have fond memories of ex-girlfriends/boyfriends or ex-wives/husbands years after breaking up, and find themselves wondering why they ever let him or her get away. Approval ratings of previous presidents are almost always much higher years later than when they were actually in office; people seem to remember what they liked about them but forget the things they hated. I suspect you had good reasons to sell that bass, even if you can't remember them now -- and even if you couldn't really articulate them back when you sold it. So, stop kicking yourself for having sold it and focus on finding something that you'll love even more.
Love the bass. Love bass playing even more. Conclusion, get another bass and move on with your playing.
Well, consider it an expensive lesson in wisdom. If nothing else, it has solidified what you really want, in your mind. You may not find the same deal $ as before, but you will appreciate what you have even more.
My big regret is on the guitar side of the fence. Back in the mid-late 90s, I had a beautiful tobacco sunburst American Standard Strat and a Fender Twin amp. That was the holy grail as far as I was concerned. When kid #1 came along in 1999, I had an irrational moment where I thought the income from that gear was going to be critical for our family, so I sold the rig to a local music store at a painful loss. When not in use, the Twin had lived under its dust cover, so there wasn't as much as a fleck of dust on it. It was pristine; I can still smell the Tolex. Today I still play, but my rig is considerably more humble: an Epiphone Les Paul Standard Plustop Pro and a Peavey Classic 50 410. It's no holy grail, but it gets the job done. And in the end, it's not about the gear itself, but about getting the job done.
There are people around the world dodging bombs and praying the government doesn't come torture them and kill them. I think you will be OK
Yes! Psychological suffering and remorse over a bass guitar is a real bourgeois tragedy!
Get over it.
My advice is NOT to spend "half the money" on getting a Squier. They are decent, but for dogs sake, you come from a Custom Shop Jazz...
I suggest Sandberg! If you want more "bite", pull out the stock electronics and install something Fender!
I suggest Sandberg! If you want more "bite", pull out the stock electronics and install something Fender!
Yep. First world problems...
If I'm on a mission, and I scour CL, eBay, music stores, Kijiji... educate myself on pricing, value, and quality... MY magic number is 3 months. By that, I mean in 3 months I will usually come across a bass where a beam of light shines down upon it from the heavens, a chorus of angels starts to sing and a harp plays in the background. Unless I need something immediately, I won't buy unless that happens.
You had one get away. There will be other deals.
If I'm on a mission, and I scour CL, eBay, music stores, Kijiji... educate myself on pricing, value, and quality... MY magic number is 3 months. By that, I mean in 3 months I will usually come across a bass where a beam of light shines down upon it from the heavens, a chorus of angels starts to sing and a harp plays in the background. Unless I need something immediately, I won't buy unless that happens.
You had one get away. There will be other deals.
