Need psychological help

[leonard]

No love for PJ from me. But who knows, you might like it! Go to a store and play them all! A P, a J, a Stringray and even a PJ will get you through any gig. Get one of each!

 

[ZenG]

First off you definitely need help. I see a 'self sabotage' mechanism at work here. This isn't going to go away unless you do something about it.

It will not be one bass. It will be an endless succession of basses. Each bass bought because you loved it and then sold when the inner GAS surfaces.

Oh Geez...maybe intervention is required here......I can see it all now....the endless searching for new pickups, pickguards, strings, knobs, tuners, straps, bridges. From there it's on to fretless necks and new amps...and then on to 5 and 6 strings....

Surely you don't want to end up like us....

 

[wintremute]

Thank you guys!



Do PJs get respect around here? Are they a viable choice? More classic than a Stringray? What puts me off a Stingray is that I've heard they're one-dimensional and have a very specific tone that sometimes isn't the right choice. What attracts me is looks, design, build quality (or so I've heard).

Who cares if they get respect? What matters is how you feel when you play it. If only feel good because other people think you made a good choice in bass, then you have other issues that you need to deal with.

Do you have music stores near you where you can go check out basses?

 

[Son of Wobble]

Learn to love again you must.

 

[Kevin Guin]

Water under the bridge. Grab a cheap bass to get your chops up. Sell it when you leave your current location.
When your get home....
Grab a nice bass, a good rig, some fried chicken, and get busy.

For realZ, Bro. Well said.

 

[Flaked Beans]

Learn to love again you must.

 

[bhoff5150]

This is a weird one admittedly, but I have no one else to pour my heart out to but TB, so any kind of advice/criticism would be welcome.

I once bought a magnificent used Custom Shop Jazz Bass for a very attractive price. It was very well-built, had beautiful wood (perfect, perfect neck!) and an amazing Aztec Gold finish. It was an active bass. I also swapped the Noiseless pickups for some Lollars (time to order from the US + money). Overall great deal. Had it for about a year.

Then I foolishly sold it. For no real reason. I didn't *need* the money. I didn't really have a strategy of what I'm gonna do next. Just one day decided to sell it. Partly because I thought I wanted a passive bass, maybe a P-Bass, I don't even remember now, I was delusional.

It's worth noting I don't gig or rehearse now because I'm currently far away from home in a foreign country and have zero chance of finding a band. When I come back, though, joining a band will be my top priority. I used to play in a band back home. The idea is that while I have the time and stable income, I'd assemble a nice rig and work on my chops to be ready to kick some *** back home.

I was left without a bass. I also play guitar, so I thought I'd maybe focus on guitar...

Anyway, the real point of this thread is the following: I'm now hunting for a bass but I absolutely cannot get rid of the feeling that I screwed up big time and nothing I might buy will ever be as good in terms of quality/price. In other words, right now I'm looking at spending at least the same amount of money on a regular, non-CS Fender. A Stingray, which I'm reluctantly considering, costs even more (oh yes, I'm in Europe, so our prices suck). If I decide to swallow it and get a regular American Standard P-Bass, I hate the current finishes. I hate sunburst, while the only other options are black and white. The most attractive option currently is a used AVRI-75 Jazz Bass for about 600$ less than the bass I sold. But if I'm getting a Jazz Bass, why did I sell the previous one?

I don't know if I'm making any sense, but hopefully you see my point. I'm just unable to make a decision right now at all, because the bass I sold keeps haunting me. There was absolutely nothing wrong with it. Ok, I thought it hummed, but what do I know? It was a beauty! How can I justify spending the same amount of money now but on an inferior bass?

So what are my options?

Thank you all!

Watch the used market. I feel the same way as you about the lack of color options and prices. I was able to find a used CS jazz in bing cherry with real pearl inlays and a flamed maple neck for $1650 - a little more than a new standard jazz. I ended up replacing the "noiseless" pickups with Aero type 1 single coils. I also put in a Nordstrand 3B preamp that allows me to have a 3 band pre when I want it and a toggle switch to run passive when I don't. Absolute best of both worlds. Because I enjoy it so much that would be my advice. Buy one used, put your own electronics package in it, and keep it this time....

Happy hunting.

 

[buldog5151bass]

The first bass I ever had I sold (a Ric) - a mistake, but somehow I've managed to survive gigging for the last 30 years or so after that.

Some people think too much.

 

[2manynotes]

Weird. This reminds me so much of that supermodel I dated in high school. She's not coming back. Ever.

 

[L Anthony]

If you never have any regrets, you've either had a charmed life or a really boring one.

Use that regret and go get yourself another bass, because a bass in the hand beats one anywhere else.

 

[sawzalot]

There's a reason for everything, including basses you've sold but wish you hadn't. I've got plenty of those in my past. Just live in the present, look for a good bass, and the sting of that past situation will fade in time. And who cares if it's a PJ, Jazz, humbucker, soapbar, active, passive, or anything else? Bottom line is if it works for you, it's good.

Tom

 

[Eminor3rd]

There are a billion good Jazz Bass-type instruments out there, from Fender to the litany of boutique copiers. All of them are eminently customizable.

Embrace the journey you are about to take to find your next "perfect" bass. It won't be exactly like your old one, but you'll be able to end up with something that's just as good.

 

[phillipkregg]

Thank you guys!



Do PJs get respect around here? Are they a viable choice? More classic than a Stringray? What puts me off a Stingray is that I've heard they're one-dimensional and have a very specific tone that sometimes isn't the right choice. What attracts me is looks, design, build quality (or so I've heard).

I've played jazz basses most of my life but recently acquired a Stingray HH and I'm constantly amazed at how well it sounds and plays. It's super versatile and my favorite bass.

I've got sound clips to show it's versatility if you are interested

 

[higain617]

As long as there are musicians in the world, there will always be a market flooded with used instruments at a fraction of the original purchase prices.

 

[DOMIT]

You are in Europe. I'm virtually positive there are some things to be had over there that are much harder to get here and equally desirable. Pick up one of those, bring it home with you when you come back to the U.S., and use it for trade material to get what you want... or maybe you will find your new love in a European instrument. Warwick (yes, available here of course)? Anyone have any good ideas?

There are some GORGEOUS luthier-made instruments that are less than a new CS Fender in Europe. I've seen some on this forum that just blew me away. I apologize for not being able to remember the names of any off the top of my head- maybe someone will chime in with some. Look through the luthier section on here- I think a couple of them hang out there.

 

[DOMIT]

Try this site:

[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

And another guy right here on Talkbass:

Some stuff in progress...

 

[Stoch]

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.

I'm in Portugal. The local market is virtually non-existent (both new and used), so I'm looking at the UK mainly and maybe Germany (Thomann is great, I've ordered from it before, but at the moment there's nothing exciting there). Don't want to buy from the US because of customs. So if someone does hand carry me a bass from the States, that would be awesome!

And cheers to everyone else as well! Great stuff! Didn't expect such a productive thread I've sold many guitars in the past, some amps, pedals, and never felt so much a pinch of doubt afterwards. It's the bass I regret. But yeah, one thing for sure: the hunt is very enjoyable!

 

[Hidesert]

Get a cool used bass particular to the country you are in. With the $ as strong as it is, you should be able to find something special and a great value. Bring it back home and sell it on TalkBass for a profit and have a good time while looking like a genius.

 

[Malak the Mad]

@Stoch; Personally, I think P/J's are great. So much so, I have three. Surprisingly, each have their own, distinct "character".

Not necessarily now, but maybe when you get back to The States, you might want to explore the "parts-bass route" many of us have undertaken. In my case, I feel that much more invested in the look, feel and sound of my creation. And in the process, not only did it teach me a lot about what makes a bass "tick", it helped figure out what feels best in my own hands, ergonomically speaking.

Be warned though, choosing to jump down that rabbit hole can be both Heaven and Hell for someone who's plagued with indecision and prone to second-guessing themselves (like me! ).