Serious question: is there a cure for a gas?

[Matthew_84]

I hate this place - I cannot be satisfied with what I have, and even when I think I’m certain about what my next bass will be, it is sure to change to something completely different - often multiple times a day.

I currently have two basses: a fretted 4-string PJ with rounds, and a fretless 5-string with flats and a foam mute for that thump.

I am currently studying jazz and want to be a decent jazz bassist and jam/gig with others eventually (I am currently just learning by myself, though I am looking for other jazz newbs to practice jazz standards with). The obvious next bass to get is an upright. I love how it sounds, I feel like it’d suit me perfectly, and I want to take jazz seriously - it’s a win win… The issue is that I also just really, really love bass guitars, especially fretlesses. If I could own a few really nice fretlesses (preferably an aged/worn fretless P and a slick/clean fretless J), I’d be a real happy man (with or without an upright). I really have no practical uses for the fretless P and J mind you, but I still want them to a near-desperate level…

I know what’d happen if I got them, I’d barely play them, and go “yeah… I should’ve got the upright”, but I cannot stop this itch…

And if y’all could stop posting pictures of your glorious Ps and Js (fretless or not), I’d really appreciate it. Thanks in advance!

(I’m joking btw, keep posting your beautiful basses… It’s a me problem).

 

[Bass V]

bass sales have been sensational during the best and worst of times in recent years, not a lot of gigging but plenty of time to press the GAS pedal and then a buy button. working pros have their tools and time is valuable, while many a man cave has seen new toys adorn the walls, but to your question it's a definite yes and no.
after years of bass madne$$ often documented here I found my Holy Grails (newer Asian vintage classics) and am offing the lonely pride to deserving homes, I broke even in costs and thx in part to TB I couldn't be a happier and satisfied camper except nobody is willing and able to crank out real RnR any more... maybe I won't die totally deaf after all!

 

[Dr. Cheese]

Life has killed a lot of my GAS. I still have desire, but I know what I can afford, and I know much I can easily afford, I don’t want. I have lost interest in having a collection because having basses take up space that I don’t really use is not practical for my circumstances. I know in my heart that I can be happy with a fretted and fretless five. Realistically, I will have more than that, but not much more.

 

[Killing Floor]

GAS is an essential part of our ecosystem.
Fender’s rosewood necks feel as good as they look.

 

[RichterScale]

I think insatiable desire for new gear could be a sign of too much time on the hands.
That's not meant to sound judgy or preachy. I wish I was in a position to have this problem. Unfortunately, life has made it so I've barely played in over a decade. There was a stretch in there where I didn't open the case for 5 yrs.
So, for me, there's no gas. I'd be happy with one nice bass that I really love playing and the time to play it.
My advice is to buy one nice fretless (not worn) and play it so much that you put your own wear marks on it. Don't give yourself time to have gas. Challenge yourself. Do something wacky like learn an entire old YES album note for note on fretless. I find that when I'm buried in a task, I'm thinking about the task,....not new gear.
A long time ago, that made me a better player.

 

[Matthew_84]

after years of bass madne$$ often documented here I found my Holy Grails

Yeah, I honestly hope after getting my upright that that's the case. I know I won't have much time to play anything but, and hopefully I won't want to.

For whatever reason, I am especially a sucker for nostalgic things, and for whatever reason, Fender Ps and Js fall into that category... I almost feel like I want them more as collectibles as opposed to getting them to use as functional instruments, which is odd because I'm not normally like that (I may have an old Transformer and X-Men toy kicking around for similar reasons, but they don't even take up a quarter of a shelf, and a single bass takes up a lot more space - let alone two of them)!

 

[Jeff Hughes]

Remember that “wanting” things is usually more exciting than actually “having” things. Of course you will definitely work your way through basses and find instruments that feel like extensions of your body.

 

[Matthew_84]

Life has killed a lot of my GAS. I still have desire, but I know what I can afford, and I know much I can easily afford, I don’t want. I have lost interest in having a collection because having basses take up space that I don’t really use is not practical for my circumstances. I know in my heart that I can be happy with a fretted and fretless five. Realistically, I will have more than that, but not much more.

This goes for me as well tbh. I do not like having extra basses just hanging on the wall - I almost feel guilty about it, and I'm a bit of a minimalist (more inthe sense that I don't like clutter or too many extra things).

I also definitely have desires (hence this thread), but if I had the money to buy what I want, then I'd just buy it, lol. There wouldn't be conundrum at all... I just hate having that desire and those questions in the first place , haha. I waste too much mental energy on it.

 

[BrianVengeance]

It wasn't until I got a few nicer bits of kit that I really bonded with that it started tapering off. More or less now I'm looking for things that are uncommon or otherwise studio centerpieces - my practical needs are more than met.

 

[Gibson Victory]

Why are people raining on my parade?

 

[Matthew_84]

I think insatiable desire for new gear could be a sign of too much time on the hands.
That's not meant to sound judgy or preachy. I wish I was in a position to have this problem. Unfortunately, life has made it so I've barely played in over a decade. There was a stretch in there where I didn't open the case for 5 yrs.
So, for me, there's no gas. I'd be happy with one nice bass that I really love playing and the time to play it.
My advice is to buy one nice fretless (not worn) and play it so much that you put your own wear marks on it. Don't give yourself time to have gas. Challenge yourself. Do something wacky like learn an entire old YES album note for note on fretless. I find that when I'm buried in a task, I'm thinking about the task,....not new gear.
A long time ago, that made me a better player.

Well, as someone who has had a super busy (and stressful) career for the last 8 or so years, I definitely understand your point. I've changed positions now and have been playing regularly again for the last month, and visiting TB regularly as well. Before then, I'd never even bother coming here.

I also understand where you're coming from with your advice, but no matter how busy I could make myself with bass (and I am playing hours a day these days), there are going to be times when your mind wonders no matter what. It's just going to happen with something per-occupying so much of your mind - when you're showering, eating, driving, etc, and not able to play bass or practice, you're going to think about other bass-related things. And again, I totally understand where you're coming from. A few months ago, I wouldn't have time to think of anything like this, my mind was too occupied with work-related issues (and stress/anxieties), but I am much happier now then I was then, so I'm not going back there LOL.

 

[Matthew_84]

Why are people raining on my parade?

I'm sorry! Please continue!

 

[Matthew_84]

Also, I should really mention that this question isn't that serious, LOL. It was actually meant to be somewhat of a joke, but you know, there's some truth to every joke

 

[Gibson Victory]

C’Mon man! It’s the thrill of the “Hunt”. What’s not to like?

 

[coy garcia]

No cure...but buying a bass will give you temporary relief.

 

[CletusMarley]

I was gas free (seriously) for a whole 5 months and then saw that Stingray last Thursday and i had to have it. The next day I found an Aerodyne Jazz I could not live without. In my defense I was selling gear to make some quick cash and had no intention of buying anything. My wife has the patience of Job.

 

[J Wilson]

The cure is knowing who you are as a player, and knowing basses well enough to know what's solid and dependable and has the best combination of looks, tone, and performance for what you need to do what you do.

After that, you say 'no' way more than you say 'whoa'.

 

[Jeff Hughes]

Remember every additional bass you have will you mean you spend less time playing your favorite bass.

You can also check your bank account or credit card balance, and that can work like a cold shower for GAS.

 

[ItsmeSantiago]

I wouldn’t say I have cured GAS as I browse often, but the dopamine rush I seek isn’t in gear like it was in the past.

Tbh I used to buy gear because I was dissatisfied with my life. I was gigging and paying my bills solely with music, but I was miserable so I figured it was the next bass, next pedal, next whatever that was going to make me not hate my existence. Now, I have no gigs, one bass, a couple pedals and I still wouldn’t mind having lots of gear again, but music isn’t my identifier anymore, so it makes it easier to not give in to the GAS. Sorry to bring the mood down, but for me GAS was a coping mechanism for something non gear related.

 

[MIMike]

Well, as someone who has had a super busy (and stressful) career for the last 8 or so years, I definitely understand your point. I've changed positions now and have been playing regularly again for the last month, and visiting TB regularly as well. Before then, I'd never even bother coming here.

^^^^^^
That statement up there is your problem. The best way to avoid GAS is to stay away from TalkBass.