Patriotic GAS

[Frodolicious]

I would be a liar if I said I felt the same about GAS as I did two weeks ago.

I was getting tired of the music played at my church, and I would love less commitment on Sunday. I could see me dropping down to two or even just one bass. Bass is my passion, but history is my profession. I want to do more in my profession with my time on this planet Earth.

I am personally trying to aim more towards minimalism myself (even though I just bought my second bass, and first fretless!), love this idea that you have for yourself, Doc! (I mean the less gear, not necessarily the less playing out).

Keep your 1 or 2 basses that bring you the most joy (Pedulla and Geddy), and get rid of the things that dont as much! Nothing wrong with sticking with what inspires you and brings you the passion for playing bass.

Unfortunately the market for selling basses might be slim for right now.

 

[bhendrix]

You might be feeding the family of the salesman or local store if you buy. That’s why it is called stimulus. It is the same principle as tipping a delivery person, but scaled up considerably.

+1. Also the main point of this thread to begin with. Yeah, it sux what we're all dealing with now and you can't turn on any media without being reminded - and rightly so people are scared and everyone has a different situation.

I just enjoy a diversion from all that - playing bass and talking bass with you guys (and gals). But unfortunately the commentary on our present situation will find its way into most threads I'm now reading...

 

[dBChad]

If this check actually comes (lots of talk, but I'll believe it when I have it in my hand), I plan to invest in the future. I'm pretty happy with the gear I own now, but if I use it to pay down my credit card balance, I have more buying power for whatever comes (music related or not).

 

[Mike Sorr]

I put a $100 deposit down on a new Jazz Bass that I'm actually willing to lose now since the times are so uncertain. Thankfully I still have my job and am able to work from home, so while I still want the bass, these unprecedented times call for a level of adulthood I'm normally able to suppress.

 

[sing-modulator]

Funny you should ask
I have these items in my wishlist on Sweetwater
Fender Rumble 2x10 cabinet with cover to go with my Fender Rumble 500
2 Berhinger 12 in powered monitors
$885
Duke

i'd stay away from those behringer monitors, i've had a lot of bad experiences with them being noisey and failing

 

[GretschWretch]

I'm in a blessed situation -- enough so that I sort of can have the backs of people i care about if they get in a jam: care packages and such like. I'm afraid my local downtown music bar will be forced to close, and the bartender is really fretful about the future. I was going to spread three very generous gratuities over last night, tonight, and tomorrow night. But since I had no guarantees they would even be open tonight or tomorrow, I had to batch and last night gave her one exorbitant tip. Can't do that every time I visit, but I could manage to be a one-hit wonder.

 

[HolmeBass]

If and when I get any stimulus money, it's either paying off pre-existing debt or buying stocks I know and trust. Depending on how responsible vs. adventurous I feel at the time...

There is quite the sale on stock right now. But the prices may go lower before this is through.

 

[skycruiser]

I hope people who don't need the stimulus to buy food, housing and other essential resources don't get it. I don't need help with those things and I hope I don't get a penny. We're not at the economy stimulus point - more at the desperation/survival for a huge segment of the population who are week-to-week and can't work due to work closure. Using this to buy gear is irresponsible.

 

[Leonid Nidis]

Im in a somewhat similar situation.
Basically I can buy a almost any piece of gear new or used for very low prices right now.
I decided against it.If things will get worse Ill use the money to help people close to me.
If Ill see its improving in 2 months or so its shopping time

 

[red_rhino]

I’m just worried about all the precautions triggering a total shutdown, leaving all that money being as useful as Pesos in Bangladesh.

Yeah. It's also very easy to be overly focused on what's happening with the stock market, etc, mistakenly believing that's what drives the economy when it's mostly the other way around. I say "mostly" because people often rely on equities to fund very large purchase like homes, or pay tuition for their children. With those values dropping, the corresponding cost of real estate, etc, should also drop and scale in response. We'll see.

Not to sound all doom and gloom (because I'm really pretty optimistic overall), but in a complete and total economic meltdown, even cash becomes worthless if there's nothing to buy. That's why.....

I hope people who don't need the stimulus to buy food, housing and other essential resources don't get it. I don't need help with those things and I hope I don't get a penny. We're not at the economy stimulus point - more at the desperation/survival for a huge segment of the population who are week-to-week and can't work due to work closure. Using this to buy gear is irresponsible.

.....you should spend it, even if you don't need it. (And perhaps, especially if you don't need it.) If you feel guilty about receiving money that you don't believe you need, go do something good with it. Get creative. There are indeed a lot of people who will be severely impacted by this, and I worry for them. Anything we can do to keep money flowing and the economy working will help.

 

[theduke1]

i'd stay away from those behringer monitors, i've had a lot of bad experiences with them being noisey and failing

We play a club in Green Bay Wi that uses them and I have been impressed with them each time we play there
Thank for the info I will be sure to check them out before buying
Duke

 

[skycruiser]

.....you should spend it, even if you don't need it. (And perhaps, especially if you don't need it.) If you feel guilty about receiving money that you don't believe you need, go do something good with it. Get creative. There are indeed a lot of people who will be severely impacted by this, and I worry for them. Anything we can do to keep money flowing and the economy working will help.

I wouldn't feel guilty. It would just be yet another example of stupid action by the powers that be. I'm not wealthy but I don't expect to get any money and hope the line is drawn well below my income level, or somehow the help is proportional to the real need. Hell, even if your normal income is moderately high but you are at a complete stop-work right now, you will need help. It will be interesting to see how this plays out. I just hate the idea of social experiments when so many people are at risk of real suffering.

 

[john_g]

My business is essentially shut down, so that means no money coming in. Luckily I got a few decent sized checks from projects I completed before this hit, so that, with my tax return (and the wifes salary) will hold me over for a bit. If we get a check from the gov Ill just hold onto it in case this goes on longer than a month. Have to admit I am gassing for some things right now as our gigs are cancelled for the foreseeable future and I need something to keep me going.

 

[Scarysharkface]

Please no politics, just GAS.

It appears that substantial stimulus is coming our way soon. Some of that money will be earmarked for some responsible adult things, but we should get enough that I can pass some GAS. I know some things I might buy, but I talk about my GAS so much, I want to hear what others might do to musically boost the economy?

We'll use it for bills, some of them ours. We're pretty fortunate in general, and this is one of those times when we get to pay it forward. If we come out of this sooner rather than later, maybe a Trickfish Trilobyte will find its way to my pedalboard.

John

 

[leegreenman]

I might buy a fun, but unpractical pedal like a EHX bass mono synth.
I never get any use from synths in a band setting, but they’re fun to play with.

 

[cool breeze]

And who knows, depending how this all goes we may be social distancing until there’s a vaccine. In that case there won’t be any gigs. So why would I possibly need, let alone want, gear.

GAS always seemed so trivial, now even more so. I apologize for being such a downer.

No downer, facing reality and thinking smart!

 

[Mamoru]

I wouldn't count on any money until it actually hits the account. Just read there are a few stipulations on who will/will not get any money.

Sounds like those in the most need will be ineligible.

 

[diegom]

My main shortage, at this time, is... TIME!!!
I wish I had a "Time Stimulus"!!! "Take 3 weeks off. Everything will be fine and you won't have 3 weeks worth of work to do in ONE DAY when you come back!!!"

 

[Hambone70]

Once we’re through this, I think many will re-think the consequences of living beyond their means. Too many live on credit, no savings, consumed by greed and selfishness. It is refreshing to see those that are rallying together to help the less fortunate. But those whining because they can’t make their $5000 house and $2000 car, truck and boat payments? Sorry, dude. There will be lessons to be learned here... hopefully!

As modest as it may be, I’ve never been more content with what I have right now.

 

[skycruiser]

You might be feeding the family of the salesman or local store if you buy. That’s why it is called stimulus. It is the same principle as tipping a delivery person, but scaled up considerably.

If you have the means to take an unexpected money gift over to a guitar shop and drop it on a new piece of gear, then with a little bit of discomfort you could probably do it without the gift. The person who just lost his restaurant job with NO OTHER SIMILAR JOB OPENINGS across the entire country (this is not hyperbole - it is literally true right now), is in a much more dire situation. No one is disputing the idea that we need to spend and stimulate, but the need for cash-in-hand is far greater for certain folks right now. The rest of us are all hedging and saving expecting the worst to come. Maybe the best we can do is accept a little risk, spend money to keep the economy moving. Not an easy thing to do - actively work against what you think are in your own personal best interests.