L1000? It’s USA made. Killer bass. @LowEndLobster approved. I’d have to keep it and let something else go. Maybe the dog or a child. (Just kidding about the child!, still pretty funny,,,)
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Sell Sentimental Bass?
- Thread starter Lowbrow
- Start date
I'm not so sure I agree -- I'm getting good input here on both sides of the equation and sometimes people need to talk things out.HAY-ell No!
People who ask other people if they should sell their bass . . . . shouldn't sell their bass
There is a reason you haven't let it go yet, and it's the same reason you would regret letting it go now
Funny, same here except is my 2nd bass. Always missed it. 20 years later I found one in mint condition exact color at GC. Played it for 1 set at a gig, had to swap back to my sterling ray4. I remembered why I quit playing the jazz. It went back to GC.
It's not a bad question, and the result would likely be me saying, "Wow, what a great bass!" and sticking it back in the closet for another 5 years. It's already happened a few times, and one of the reasons I'm starting to think it's expendable.
I sold my very first P-bass, an Elite I got around 1985. I simply wasn't playing it any more. It was lovely, in really clean shape but pretty heavy (ash body, eh) so I finally decided to sell it. I miss it a little but I have other basses I prefer to gig with, so it's just as well.
If that is the case, then I agree with you. Sell it to someone else who will play it. I have two basses I keep mostly for sentimental reasons but also have a rule that if I have not played it for a year, then it needs to go. Not saying you need to have the same rule, just pointing out that if you are not going to reconnect with it no reason to keep it.
Instruments need to be played, if you're not getting enjoyment out of it and it's just the nostalgia, sell it. Preferably to a TBer and then you can enjoy all those NBD posts and follow it's journey in the G&L club. Write a note about its history and throw it in the case with your email address. New owners will love the mojo and pedigree and maybe reach out and tell you about its new adventures. Move on from guilt of unplayed sentimental bass in the closet to an instrument that is continuing to bring joy to the world.
As others have mentioned Lobster just reviewed the bass, lots of players will be stoked to get their hands on it.
As others have mentioned Lobster just reviewed the bass, lots of players will be stoked to get their hands on it.
I've been pondering your situation and really mulling it over. The "sentimentality factor" seems to be a real thing for a lot of folks and can be a powerful force when deciding to keep or get rid of "stuff". My first reaction was to keep it, that you'd regret selling it later on. However, upon "further review", I've decided that it's time to move it along. How did I come to that recommendation? Well, first off, if there is an "object" that one keeps for nostalgia or sentimental reasons and they see it often and it gives them some moment of joy, then it can be "worth it" IMHO. However, when an object is never seen or heard, is completely put away, and most probably forgotten, then it's not worth it (again, IMO). It sounds to me that, deep down, you are ready to unload your bass, and you just need to get "pushed over the edge" (thus your posting). I totally get the "need to talk things out" (I'm the same way!), so that's my perspective. BTW, I'm "advanced middle age" and just don't have the need/desire to store stuff that I never see or think about anymore. Good luck with your decision!
30 years?? For me if an instrument has been in the closet one year, I’ll think about selling! I’m not very sentimental, I say if you have no use pass it along.
I might consider taking it out and playing it exclusively for a week or two. See how I feel about the actual playing experience, think about if it could be useful for a potential/future project. We tend to romanticize instruments and downplay their utility (or lack thereof.)
I might consider taking it out and playing it exclusively for a week or two. See how I feel about the actual playing experience, think about if it could be useful for a potential/future project. We tend to romanticize instruments and downplay their utility (or lack thereof.)
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I have two basses I regret selling (Samick Neck Thru and 1994 EBMM Stingray), but I have a similar dilemma with a 2003 Warwick Corvette 5 I have owned since about 2008. I love the look of it, but the weight and neck and string spacing have pushed me to basically hang it on the wall and almost never play it beyond occasional noodling...but...my wife bought it for me. LOL
Dammit, man
If you would be able to let it go with no remorse, this thread wouldn't exist
The only Sentimental Bass I own is my Peavey T-40 bought brand New in December of 78 or march of 79 I forget now. My first real brand name bass. It has always been stored in a case. Since 1985 used sparingly now hasn't been touch but maybe 10 times since 2007. I've been tempted to sale it lately since the used market price for T-40 are at a all time high.
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I agree with the above 100%. If it were me, I'd sell. Sitting in a closet for 30 years not getting any love is a shame for any instrument. Now I am being hypocritical because I have a gorgeous drum kit still setup that I haven't been physically able to play for going on 5 years, but I am hoping one of my kids wants it when they move out. That kit treated me beautifully for 10+ years of active gigs and tours. I will hate to let it go, but I will. It wants to be played.
However price matters, my drum kit is/was quite expensive. It won't go the way of some instruments I've had where I have just donated them to a good home. What's the market value on your bass?
Geez...an L-1000 is as close as you can get to a P-Bass without actually being a P-Bass.
Have you done the "K-Mod" on the wiring? That might get it closer to the sound of a P-Bass.
I also remember my '81 L-2000 had capacitors on one of the coils for each pickup to reduce the phase cancellation in the mid and treble frequencies. If your L-1000 doesn't already have that capacitor, adding one might make it sound more like a split coil Precision pickup.
IMO, it would be silly to sell such a long-term "partner-in-crime" when it's so darn close to your preferred bass sound.
Thanks for this — clearly you spent time both considering the scene and formulating your thoughts. And your POV is pretty right on in my mind.
Oh, c'mon OP, let's get that thing out of the closet and give it some tender loving by playing it again.
Take it out of the closet, give it a good cleaning, put some fresh strings on it. There’s a reason why you played that bass so much and kept it so long. Get reacquainted. I think you’ll eventually regret it if you let it go. Ultimately up to you, though.
