Serious question: is there a cure for a gas?

[Deleted member 271037]

Moving to a new home can be a great cure once you've experienced the joy of packing 50+ basses/guitars, a dozen tube amps, a couple of cabs and around 40 rack units of studio gear and then have to drag it all in/out of a moving van (the part about removing the tubes for transport can be particularly effective!).

Getting kids is also known to be a great cure for GAS (at least when checking your bank account).

And of course simply buying every bass you can dream of and then realize the (slightly modded) Squier P-bass you got 30 years ago is your favourite should also be a very effective reality check... (I really need to sell some basses, LOL).

 

[JakobT]

There is no cure. Only remission.

 

[Durham52]

Humans were/are hunter gatherers, as we don't need to hunt and gather food to survive anymore we gather stuff. But because humans also have a creative and artistic side, we appreciate things for their feel, their look and their usefulness.

The problem is (if you see it as a problem) that our modern consumer society, means that we've been trained to go on needing and wanting long past the point of having what could reasonably be called, enough. But hey, we think why not? and we rationalize getting that next bass, or bike, or car, whatever.

I don't think there is a cure for gas, not in as much as anyone can say, just do this and you won't has gas anymore. I used to kid myself I didn't have gas, because I hadn't bought a guitar or bass for almost twenty years, but I'd built over a dozen that I hadn't sold or given away in that time. My gas was I thought of a great idea to try in the next build, or heard about some new pickups, or wondered what a flat fretboard would feel like and so on. I told myself I wasn't being extravagant, it was only the cost of parts (which I could sell), a bit of wood and my time.

I'm currently building my last two basses, a fretless and a fretted, they will be the only basses I'll own. At 69, I'm closing the workshop, my body objects to the hours bent over a workbench and it's time to enjoy just playing the damn things. That's how I'm curing my gas. (Hopefully...)

 

[mmon77]

I've come to the conclusion that GAS will only end shortly after I draw my last breath.

All I can do is try and control it

 

[Alexis Duntov]

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).

This is my usual schtick and at this point I’m a broken record. But you mentioned gas and upright. In my experience, and that of other doublers I know, once you open the door to double bass, your gas will likely evaporate (sorry). What you will crave will no longer be new gear but time and focus in the shed combined with playing time with ever improving cadres of musicians. You will discover that you are the instrument, and the bass is just the tool. Once I got into bowing the bass and all the different colors and textures inside of that universe, combined with all the other applications of double bass, my gas disappeared. Yes I still play my electric basses, but I don’t need new ones. The gas I have is for my own development.

 

[Snert]

Moving to a new home can be a great cure once you've experienced the joy of packing 50+ basses/guitars, a dozen tube amps, a couple of cabs and around 40 rack units of studio gear and then have to drag it all in/out of a moving van (the part about removing the tubes for transport can be particularly effective!).

LOL, I just did that and still have lots of the gear sitting in a pile in the middle of what will eventually be the dining room.

And of course simply buying every bass you can dream of and then realize the (slightly modded) Squier P-bass you got 30 years ago is your favourite should also be a very effective reality check...

My base Ibanez SR206 has seen a resurgence of playing and appreciation for how nice it is since I was preparing for the move. Most of the others had cases so they were packed and tagged in advance and the 206 left out because I didn't care if it was damaged; now I do.

I have little desire for anything else now and want to get rid of maybe 20 instruments when the market improves to get it down to a small core group. Plus build a couple, but that's different.

 

[DrBnz]

The cure is to first obtain a fair sized (8 to 10) collection of the basic food groups. But only keep 2 on display. The others go in the case. Weekly, you rotate the ones on display out with those from the cases. That way you get an NBD ever 3 or 4 days. Now in case of emergency when you read or see something great on TB. You quickly go pull out your equivalent model and judge whether the one you're GASing for is "that much" better than the one you have. If yes... you have to sell off the old one BEFORE you can get the new one.
BASIC FOOD GROUP ITEMs:
P-Bass
J-Bass
Stingray
G&L
Ric
5 string
Fretless
Short Scale
Other

 

[Komadinic]

Be thankful for what you got and things will work out. Play what you have, if you can buy 300 basses a year that's great but it won't do much for you long term.

 

[themickster]

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).

I always ask myself if I need it. The answer is always no, therefore I don't buy it. Thank you for reminding me that I don't need a 5er.

 

[Nashrakh]

My GAS vanished over night once I realized that my equipment can do more than I can. So it's me who needs to catch up.

 

[jfh2424]

What helped me a lot was reading “Your Money or Your Life”.

The issue of GAS isn’t really gear related.

 

[Green Knight]

consciousness can only have one object at a time … ergo, focus it on something else, like playing your current bass, reading, bingeing Shtisel, whatever! … ps: this has never worked for me

 

[Geogio]

Cure for GAS...
" if you absolutely, positively, have to buy another acquisition... wait two weeks" - pops

Have you learned anything new lately? Or are you just purchasing equipment and farting around with it.

I can say that because I have experience.

 

[Smooth_bass88]

yes, spend more time practicing, playing and gigging. Find more bands who need bass players. Focus on your sight reading. Learn new styles of music.

 

[RichterScale]

I don't think there is a cure for gas

Maybe try shocking it with electrical current.
If that doesn't work, remove it surgically.

 

[willddd]

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…

If you have the opportunity to play it with others, especially to gig it (so the pressure is on), get the upright. That'll keep gas at bay, at least for a while, although strings and pickups on uprights are a whole other syndrome to occupy your headspace.
It'll also improve your electric bass playing (you gotta use your ears more with the upright, and you can't rely on your tried and true electric bass chops and licks).

 

[willddd]

I always ask myself if I need it. The answer is always no, therefore I don't buy it. Thank you for reminding me that I don't need a 5er.

Oh, but surely you do ?!

 

[RustyStringer]

Sure, delete all your accounts to forums like this, leave any gear related Facebook groups...hell get rid of your internet and smart phone too.
I think the simple ability to access information (specs, pics, reviews) has become so easy with the internet that the only way to eliminate GAS is to take away your ability to "window shop."

 

[Raoul_Duke]

A life event that puts your priorities in clearer focus. There are much more important things than your amp, or your pedal, or whatever else you make sounds with. We can do this with relatively little invested, and most of the talented musicians I’ve met do exactly that.

 

[chris_b]

Cure for gas?

Run out of money.
Find the gear that is right for you.
Realise the grass isn't greener.
Stop being tempted by new stuff.
Buy what you need, not what you want.