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Serious question: is there a cure for a gas?
- Thread starter Matthew_84
- Start date
Another option is to be married. That way, whenever you 'want' or 'need' something you simply ask your non-musician spouse and get "that look."
Many people here just shuddered when I said, "that look."
Many people here just shuddered when I said, "that look."
Yeah, GAS is a serious problem.
i fix it by recognizing that practicing is the cheapest way to an upgrade.
i fix it by recognizing that practicing is the cheapest way to an upgrade.
Having no money, and playing upright bass kind of helped me with it. Also just having other expensive hobbies... (curse you tank models!)
I just go with a “run what ya brung “ attitude and just make what I have work.
Yes, but I think it involves taking it i
on the chin a couple of times. Either by losing a decent amount of money on a purchase or stumbling onto something you didn’t know you wanted but really grabs you. Or a combination of all 3.
I bought a hofner beatle bass because I’ve always wanted one and then absolutely hated it. It sounded cool but we just didn’t make friends. I sold it at a loss which was a bummer. The same day, I saw a squier vista musicmaster bass on the verb that was priced at exactly what I had made from the hofner. Something just told me to buy it and I’m glad I did because I really love it. It practically plays itself and it sounds like me when I play it. I play it almost everyday.
I have a Moollon on order, but after that I think I may be set.
Edited for speeling
on the chin a couple of times. Either by losing a decent amount of money on a purchase or stumbling onto something you didn’t know you wanted but really grabs you. Or a combination of all 3.
I bought a hofner beatle bass because I’ve always wanted one and then absolutely hated it. It sounded cool but we just didn’t make friends. I sold it at a loss which was a bummer. The same day, I saw a squier vista musicmaster bass on the verb that was priced at exactly what I had made from the hofner. Something just told me to buy it and I’m glad I did because I really love it. It practically plays itself and it sounds like me when I play it. I play it almost everyday.
I have a Moollon on order, but after that I think I may be set.
Edited for speeling
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OK, so that last response was a flippant one, but I do have a real one as well, because, well, my GAS is pretty much cured (at least for now). I bought two basses back in January of this year and not only have I not bought one since, but I haven't even had the urge to buy one. I've run through the classifieds only a handful of times, and my response has always been "meh." (Well, that's not quite true, sometimes my response has been "wow, that's pretty" but I still haven't had the urge to actually buy anything.)
My two purchases in January brought my main stable to seven basses, which I certainly think of as a lot. I play all of them regularly. But with #7 I feel like I kind of hit the point where everything I want is pretty much covered. I have a P, a couple Js, a couple Rays, a 5, a short scale, a fretless, a couple of double-Hs. I not only feel like there's nothing else I need, but I don't even really want anything else. I mean, sure, I'd love a Wal or a Fodera or something crazy expensive, but that's not anything serious. I'm just a hobbyist, and I've reached the point where I don't feel like I need anything else. Will I, at some point, buy another bass again? Probably. (If Yamaha re-releases the BBPH, definitely.) But I've lost the "itch" to buy anything.
Heck, I even feel pretty sated on pedals, which is really saying something. I've only bought 2 of them this year, which is WAY below the average...
My two purchases in January brought my main stable to seven basses, which I certainly think of as a lot. I play all of them regularly. But with #7 I feel like I kind of hit the point where everything I want is pretty much covered. I have a P, a couple Js, a couple Rays, a 5, a short scale, a fretless, a couple of double-Hs. I not only feel like there's nothing else I need, but I don't even really want anything else. I mean, sure, I'd love a Wal or a Fodera or something crazy expensive, but that's not anything serious. I'm just a hobbyist, and I've reached the point where I don't feel like I need anything else. Will I, at some point, buy another bass again? Probably. (If Yamaha re-releases the BBPH, definitely.) But I've lost the "itch" to buy anything.
Heck, I even feel pretty sated on pedals, which is really saying something. I've only bought 2 of them this year, which is WAY below the average...
I went through this with wristwatches, audio equipment, and bass guitars. Eventually, you elevate what you have to a point where you realize any incremental spending has hit a diminishing return, and you're "good to go." Could be a sign of other insecurities or needs though, so once that's satisfied or extinguished, I think the mind allows itself to move on. Now I look at my collection and say "I'm all set." It eventually fades away, or becomes something else.
Some might say I've been afflicted with GAS (I currently own 11 basses and 4 amp systems) and am a full on collector. That's partially true but I'm still a player at heart. I play regularly in 2 bands each of my basses gets a run with them. On the amp side, it sure is nice to be able to have one at each rehearsal/studio location and not have to regularly haul one around.
I just think there have been so many good basses out there, that piqued an interest to me, that I've decided to acquire. I don't actively search but when one special one comes up, I investigate. With my current stable, I kind of have a new bass to try out every night so this is becoming rarer and rarer. I'd like to say GAS is completely cured but never say never.
I do applaud those that have stuck with one, maybe two basses over their career. There is something about bonding to one and one only. For me, it's just not the case. We're all different.
Best
Bones
I just think there have been so many good basses out there, that piqued an interest to me, that I've decided to acquire. I don't actively search but when one special one comes up, I investigate. With my current stable, I kind of have a new bass to try out every night so this is becoming rarer and rarer. I'd like to say GAS is completely cured but never say never.
I do applaud those that have stuck with one, maybe two basses over their career. There is something about bonding to one and one only. For me, it's just not the case. We're all different.
Best
Bones
I would argue that our consumerist culture is a product of our human inability to be satisfied by stuff. Culture doesn't create behavior - behavior creates culture.
But that's getting off topic.
Uhoh. Strike no gas. Found out my home Headrush 108 + Alto tx212s is not really adequate for bass guitar at band levels. 108 is farting out at 95db and that's with the sub taking 100hz and below.
And here I was actually thinking about selling my PF-500 since I don't have a cabinet for it.
And here I was actually thinking about selling my PF-500 since I don't have a cabinet for it.
Totally agree and I think it’s on topic. Classic human nature to get bored and dissatisfied. Spending money on gear is just a way to escape that for a while.
There is a cure. First, understand and apply ‘need’ vs ‘want’. Once you have what you need, gratitude will end the dissatisfaction.
Of course, ‘needs’ can change! And that ‘need’ can often be more practice, rather than more gear.
Of course, ‘needs’ can change! And that ‘need’ can often be more practice, rather than more gear.
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I gotta ask (as I do love fretless P’s obviously). Can you tell me a bit more about the one if your profile pic? Is it parts bass, aftermarket neck, strings, etc?
Buy one or two quality life-time basses and call it a day.
Acquisition cures GAS the same way gasoline cures an empty tank: both will run out and you will need more. I have lost GAS for things I cannot afford. I can love something and accept that it is not affordable. I am just happy there is great gear that fits my budget.
