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Time off from bass?

HamOnTheCob

HamOnTheCob

Nov 21, 2004
1,829
1,072
Wheeling, West Virginia, USA
#1
Most of you probably have no idea who I am, but there might be a few of you who remember me from time to time as an avid poster on this site. Unfortunately, I have a terrible characteristic of losing interest in even my most beloved hobbies from time to time.

Several times in the 10 years I've been playing bass I've gone a month or 2 without even touching a bass. More recently, after a short stint with a hardcore metal band filling in as a favor, I put the bass down and haven't picked it back up in over a year now!

I still have the Jazzwick (search Talkbass if interested, it's a custom bass built for me by Hambone) but other than that, all my other basses are gone. I've owned 20 Warwicks in the last 5 or so years, and I played them exclusively for recording and performing. Sure, I owned other basses, but they were my preciousssssss. Well, now I don't own a single one!

While I was in the metal band, I had 3 amps I used a good bit (SWR SM500, Eden WT-400, Ampeg B2R) and now they're all gone as well. I still have my pair of Genz-Benz GB210T-XBs and I have a Peavey Delta Bass sitting on top of them in my spare room just in case I ever get the bug back.

What's the point? Well, I guess I'm just curious if anyone else around here has had this sort of crisis of bass inspiration before, and if so, how did you overcome it? I'm looking for anything to re-kindle the passion I once had for the instument. I still write, sing, and play (on acoustic guitar) my original music, so I can't say that I've lost my love of music at all. The bass just fell by the wayside I guess.

I've been talking with Hambone about another custom in hopes that a new bass would spark something for me. But maybe someone else here on TB has some suggestions!

Thanks in advance,
Jake

P.S. Hopefully with a renewed passion for bass will come a renewed passion for contributing here. My daily post average went from around 5 to .78! This is crazy considering I used to spend nearly every waking moment playing, cleaning, thinking about, talking about, or writing about BASSES! Help pull me out of this rut guys!
 
#3
I guess it depends on what you're in it for- where your "voice" is...

IIRC, you had a kid not too long ago... That sucks a lot out of you. I don't mean that in a bad way- Kids need time and attention. I got married last year, with all the family and home and work stuff- playing is a luxury to me. Playing at volume is a luxury. Getting together with friends and making rock and roll is a luxury. But I still love it, even though I don't get to do it as often.
 
#4
I've had stints like that as well. But not for as long.
Sometimes buying a new bass or amp does the trick. But a much cheaper thing that I do is to try to listen to a lot of different music that I normally don't listen to. For instance...... Country. I went from "hating" country music to really enjoying some of the bass lines and such.

Also, try jamming with some strangers. Hit up your local craigslist and look for some new people to jam with.
 
#5
The Golden Boy said:
IIRC, you had a kid not too long ago...
Click to expand...

Yep, Lily just turned 2 on the 15th of November! But unfortunately, her mother and I have since divorced and I only have her a couple times a week and every other weekend, so I could play as much or as loud as I want, but I just don't feel the inspiration.

I think a lot of it might have to do with depression (anyone here have it?) sucking a lot of motivation out of me. But even when I had my worst spots of that, it was music that usually was the main factor in getting me through.

Times change I guess. Hopefully as soon as I have another bass in my hands, I'll feel like jamming again. I've never stopped getting calls about twice a month from all kinds of different people (most of them strangers to me) trying to convince me to play with their bands... maybe I'll take one of them up on it.

I just noticed that last week marked my 3rd anniversary as a member here. Anniversaries are good for a spark, right? hehe

As for craigslist, I must admit my ignorance... I've never been on craigslist and I know nothing about it.

Thanks for the replies fellas, and it's good to know a couple people remember me. hehe

Jake
 
#6
I did that! In highschool (early to mid-80's) I played in a band and continued into my early 20's. I lost interest after that and got heavily into motorcycles (dirt, street and racing too). I then had kids and then had a bad motorcycle accident (on the street) in 98. A few years later (around 2001) I picked up a cheap Yam bass and my love was renewed! I've been hooked since.

So I took a 13-14 year break, but have been hooked steady since then (2001ish). Lovin it!
 
#8
Hey Jake,

Nice to see you back on here! I go through those stretches at least once every few years. I 've always just played guitar instead at open mikes or wherever until the bass muse returns. In fact, I'm contemplating doing that right now, since the original bassist from one of my old bands has moved back nearby, and I think it'll be fun writing some new tunes with him.
 
#9
The most I take off from the bass at a time is a few days, over about 7 years. Sometimes I feel more inspired to play than others. It often depends on the stuff going on in my life, since August I've been on a high and I've been loving playing more than ever!
 
#10
I know you from the OT pictures of yourself thread!

In answer to your loss of interest - no, I've never gone through a period where I haven't been interested in the bass or performing music.

Music is a huge stress reliever and possible lifestyle for me after I graduate from college. I'd be lost without musical expression during bad or good times in my life. When I'm not in a band or playing with a group - I'm simply not happy. It's not about collecting gear or recognition from being on stage, it's about providing emotional engagement and entertainment not only for me, but for the people I'm performing for. I want them to feel what I feel when I'm playing.

20+ Warwicks and 3 rigs to speak of? Maybe you've just burnt yourself out on the whole gear aspect of music. You should focus more on what you do with it.

Another suggestion would be to explore playing outside of the genre you're used to. Keeps you interested in how you can mold your playing style into something totally different. It's fun too!
 
#11
Quadzilla said:
I lost interest after that and got heavily into motorcycles
Click to expand...

Off Topic: Crazy that you mention motorcycles as a reason for getting away from it! I didn't speak a word about it, but one of the things I've gotten heavily into since May are vintage Triumph motorcycles. My dad has been collecting parts for over 30 years and this summer I learned a hell of a lot about building/working on them and spent every nice day riding 7 different bikes to work and such. Good fun. Anyone else interested in old British bikes, shoot me a PM!

This is my main one, a 1970 TR6R Tiger 650.
l_29759974bc7535009c579e1564c4ae45.png


louieeadg said:
Drink more water and exercise a little bit...it'll get things going in your brain that motivate you creatively...
Click to expand...
I should be following that advice anyway. I'm pretty healthy and not in poor shape, but even for 6'5", 330lbs is a little much. hehe Maybe using bass playing as a rationale will motivate me to exercise and drink more water more effectively than "it's so I can lose weight" haha.

Passinwind said:
I've always just played guitar instead at open mikes or wherever until the bass muse returns.
Click to expand...

I've found myself singing Lionel Richie/Stevie Wonder/Temptations/Hall & Oates and other tunes at Karaoke every week! hehe

eedre said:
20+ Warwicks and 3 rigs to speak of? Maybe you've just burnt yourself out on the whole gear aspect of music. You should focus more on what you do with it.
Click to expand...

Oh believe me, I've owned a lot more basses and rigs than that. hehe I wish that was all there was. ;)

Another suggestion would be to explore playing outside of the genre you're used to. Keeps you interested in how you can mold your playing style into something totally different. It's fun too!
Click to expand...

At one time, I played in an alt-country band, a metal band (with a rapping vocalist), an indie rock band, and I played at church. I agree that playing different genres is wonderful and fun, but that's the thing. I don't have a lack of interest in genres, I have a lack of interest in picking up a bass, period. If I could get inspired to play at all, I wouldn't have any problems finding different kinds of music to play. :) I could be in any one of at least 10 bands right now of differing genres. I just have no motivation for playing any music at all on bass.
 
#14
Jake, I remember you well - especially the thread when Lilly was about to be born. Sorry to hear of your divorce. Hopefully, it's for the best.

I have had times when I didn't play for years - most notably, when my wife and I had three children in a six year span. Not only was I a zombie from no sleep, I had to make a living, and it would not have been right for me to be out all night on gigs. I came back stronger than ever, and now I'm in one of the top acts in my state (as well as running a business, chasing the kids, etc.)

The breaks are necessary, and they are good. Life experience helps your playing and perspective. When you come back, it is actually more fun, and you appreciate it a lot more.

Hang in there. It's all good!
 
#20
Hey man, i remember you as well, nice to hear from you. As for motorcycles, it's a great excuse away from bass...I have the same itch for vintage Brit bikes. I've been gassing for a lightning clubman BSA for a decade...still trying to find one that isn't either a basketcase, or a million dollars....lookin for a barn classic.

Anyway, no need to feel bad about not playing, you fall in you fall out, it'll always be there, and neither of you owe each other anything. Play when it inspires you, when you don't, meh.

I go through those phases too, I got some drums cheap, got my late Gramps' guitar, got my Wife / kids, my artwork, and day job...when you're younger it's easier to focus and fixate...nowadays, not so much, and it's better, imo, to be multifacetted.

It's healthy. I would love to see a pic of yer Hambone bass tho. I love Superbassman2k's, it's awesome.

Peace out bro, again, nice to see you here...
 

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