Quitting Bass

[maryhyphenbeth]

I say sell the two reds and the vintage. You're young and in college, right? You really only need one bass. Two will keep your curiosity satisfied when you get the ache for playing again.
You are just confused and maybe it's become too big of a decision for you to make cleanly. If I were you, I'd sell the three and not worry about it. What's the sense in keeping a really nice playing bass if you're not going to play it anyway? Maybe one day, if you decide you need a bass that plays nicer than the two you kept, you will find an even nicer playing one.

 

[RickenBoogie]

Like many here, I quit, it lasted 14 yrs. Sold off everything. BIG mistake. Last year, I got the bug again, bigger than ever. I've spent over $40,000. the last two years, replacing, and upgrading, and GASing. Could've saved a bunch if I just hung on to may basses. You'll see.

 

[todd_freeride]

Thanks so much for the replies everyone reading other people's experiences on this subject has really helped me out. I wasnt going to sell everything, but I wanted to downsize to two basses.

I have been taking a break. a few months ago I had to do it with mountain biking. I ended up going to maui on vacation, then heading down to laguna beach california. and that 2 weeks off my bike was a miserable experience, and when I got back at 1AM in the morning, first thing I did was go for a quick night ride on the road.

I have been taking a break from bass for about 7 months now actually. I bought two new basses ( the vintage and the affinity ) to try to keep my interist thinking maybe a new bass would just set it all back again. but it didnt. I've played the affinity for an hour, the vintage for about 25 mins. heck the guitar center tag is still on the affinity.

I had taken the basses out of my room and stored them in the (climate controlled) garage. I reciently brought the affinity in to take a good long look at it. but right now I'm going to sell two of my basses (vintage and the ibeanez) then stare at the affinity a little longer till I can make up my mind. ProfGumby if I decide to sell it, I'll contact you first

I've got a Behringer BXL 1800A amp, its really nice and sounds great. I did use it for gigs with a friend so that amp and my p bass hold some fond memories. I wont get rid of those.

so I'll just downsize my collection. I had some guitar stuff but that stuff is long gone, glad to get rid of that crap

Thank you so much all of you, for your input.

 

[Baryonyx]

Just keep the jazz basses on the ends!

 

[GregC]

May I suggest that instead of "quitting" bass, you take a break from it. Just don't take as long a break as I did (30+ years :scowl: ).

+1 all around. I took a break for about 14 years, big mistake.

 

[Baird6869]

Keep 1 Jbass and 1 PBass. There's very little you couldn't cover with those two.

+1.

I quit playing for almost 15 years and now I am back at it hardcore. Everyone needs a little break now and again.

Remember, Neil Peart of Rush quit drumming a few years back and doubted he would ever play again. And I am seeing him play with Rush next week.

Good luck!

 

[UncleBalsamic]

May I suggest that instead of "quitting" bass, you take a break from it. Just don't take as long a break as I did (30+ years :scowl: ).

+1

 

[EricF]

I can understand your state of mind.

I spent more than a dozen years riding and racing bicycles (mountian, road, cyclocross). It was my passion. When I was off the bike, I'd spend my day thinking about what my next ride was going to be. I had 5 bikes, and more boxes of parts and sets of spare wheels than I can remember. I trained hard (which means intentionally inflicting pain on yourself for long periods of time), I raced hard, and had some nice success. However, I reached a point where my mind and body lost the motivation to keep pushing. I just couldn't do it any more, so I hung it up. I still have a road bike and a mountain bike, but they haven't been touched in months. At some point I'll come back to riding purely for the joy of it.

As my cycling was winding down, I re-found my love of playing music, which had been set aside many years earlier as I was getting into cycling. I'm a better musician than I ever was before, and am luckily at a point in my life where I can afford (most) of what I want equipment-wise.

My point is: It's okay to step away for a while. You might come back to it pretty soon, or it might be a while. Keep a couple of basses (a P & a J, definitely), and put them somewhere safe. When you're ready, they'll be there for you. When you come back to music, I suspect you'll be full of new ideas, inspiration, and passion.

Life is a journey. Enjoy the ride.