There comes a time when you realize that you don't own your stuff, it owns you.
At least that's how I see it for myself.
At least that's how I see it for myself.
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Time to sell it all?
- Thread starter Jared Lash
- Start date
Of course we have to decide. But I wouldn't necessarily say it's fruitless. I've definitely appreciated all the opinions and insight.
And I don't have to do what my wife says. She's not the boss of me. And I can say that because, uh, she's not on Talkbass.
- Jul 7, 2010
- 3,383
- 2,311
- Disclosures
- Endorsing Artist for: Duncan Pickups; Line6, Hipshot, GHS Strings, Somnium Guitars
Not if you are selling 3-4 basses/guitars + and only have 2 on hand plus a guitar. You virtually will have cut your gear in half AND have some money in the bank for other things in the future if needed.
My house clearing experience started reluctantly and turned into a great experience. One thing I can say: it took six months, and my basement looked like a pack and ship shop. Gather ye boxes and tape guns.
I started with a few pedals. That primed the pump. Listed a bass or two a day until I had everything up for sale.
I just rolled the dice. Put everything up for sale and figured I’d be done when I had one bass, one rig, and the looper. Then I sold the looper.
Amps, cabs, basses, keyboards, guitars, pedals, racks, straps,... once I got the ball rolling, nothing was safe. Well over $10k later, I was so glad to have it all cleared out. My Dingwalls recouped their cost since I bought them all used to begin with.
Since then, the last bass standing (Dingwall Super PJ5) has been replaced with a Super P 4 and a Cirrus 4.
Since I’ve picked up a used Line 6 HD500X, and some cheap in ears, I’m eyeing the fEarfuls and remaining amps. Thinking about selling them as well.
It’s not like it happens in a flash. You can always delete an ad. It was really nice stuff, but in the end just stuff. I don’t miss any of it or regret selling. There’s tons of it out there.
Realistically, I need a four string bass and maybe an amp. Everything else is on my desk. The Line6, in ears, and a beat buddy. Hooked up to the Mac.
Don’t worry, you’ve got years of buying gear for the kids, piano lessons, band, sports, karate and stuff. You can slip the odd dad toy into the budget.
I’d turn all that gear into a boat for the family to hang out in the water.
I started with a few pedals. That primed the pump. Listed a bass or two a day until I had everything up for sale.
I just rolled the dice. Put everything up for sale and figured I’d be done when I had one bass, one rig, and the looper. Then I sold the looper.
Amps, cabs, basses, keyboards, guitars, pedals, racks, straps,... once I got the ball rolling, nothing was safe. Well over $10k later, I was so glad to have it all cleared out. My Dingwalls recouped their cost since I bought them all used to begin with.
Since then, the last bass standing (Dingwall Super PJ5) has been replaced with a Super P 4 and a Cirrus 4.
Since I’ve picked up a used Line 6 HD500X, and some cheap in ears, I’m eyeing the fEarfuls and remaining amps. Thinking about selling them as well.
It’s not like it happens in a flash. You can always delete an ad. It was really nice stuff, but in the end just stuff. I don’t miss any of it or regret selling. There’s tons of it out there.
Realistically, I need a four string bass and maybe an amp. Everything else is on my desk. The Line6, in ears, and a beat buddy. Hooked up to the Mac.
Don’t worry, you’ve got years of buying gear for the kids, piano lessons, band, sports, karate and stuff. You can slip the odd dad toy into the budget.
I’d turn all that gear into a boat for the family to hang out in the water.
"Men are not the keepers of bass gear, nearly so much as bass gear is the keeper of men" - Hank Thoreau (paraphrased). So much truth in that simple idea that most Americans can't wrap their heads around. Downsizing and simplifying is a great idea. But keeping 5 basses wouldn't be that, when all you need is one. Sell it.
I'm in the same position as you right now. My wife just loaded up the truck and drove out yesterday to start a job in Grand Junction while I am staying behind for my son to finish his senior year (he is a junior now) at high school and enjoy my last year as a hockey dad. I've got more gear than I need but rotate buying and selling gear pretty regularly. I've reassessed what guitars are unsellable (goodbye '92 Les Paul and Fretless USA Jazz Deluxe...) and reevaluated what I actually need to do what I want to do.
Best advice I can offer is make up your mind quick on what you want to part with so you have more time to get top dollar but also check out the scene in Denver. There is a lot of opportunity out there if you want to get into it.
I certainly wouldn't feel bad keeping any or all of it unless it prevents you from doing other things that are important to your family. Best of luck with the move.
fwiw, when my son was born I wasn't playing much. When he got to be about 4 I started gigging again once a week, had a pair of Zon 5-strings and giggable amp setup, along with acoustic and electric guitar and a keyboard. Kept that "baseline" setup for a number of years, then went on somewhat of a hiatus for personal reasons. In 2010 (son was now 16) I decided I wasn't getting any younger, and dove back headlong into studying and gigging. Last couple years dialed it back due to a lot going on, but still playing out and recording. During those periods I trimmed down to essentials, but what constitutes essential has changed. I had an acoustic guitar forever, but finally gave up playing that last year due to hand issues. I typically have a keyboard around the house, but sometimes it has been just a midi keyboard, other times a synth I can play out with.
There will always be other instruments out there, so if you want to do a purge, go for it. I am down to only a couple of basses at this point, and don't anticipate going above four instruments. If I had to drop to one I suppose I could, but I have other projects where I want a bit of variety.
Sometime a reset is a good thing. Other times it launches a thousand regrets. At the end of the day, just depends on what moves you and what you really need in your life.
There will always be other instruments out there, so if you want to do a purge, go for it. I am down to only a couple of basses at this point, and don't anticipate going above four instruments. If I had to drop to one I suppose I could, but I have other projects where I want a bit of variety.
Sometime a reset is a good thing. Other times it launches a thousand regrets. At the end of the day, just depends on what moves you and what you really need in your life.
I dont have any advice for your scenario. But i did want to say That is a very nice collection/setup you have.
I am a person who changes my mind a lot. So I try to avoid doing drastic things like selling all my stuff or getting a full tribal leg sleeve, knowing I may strongly regret it later.
So if it were me, I would wait a while and stew on it before doing anything drastic. Sell a few more and see how it feels, perhaps.
So if it were me, I would wait a while and stew on it before doing anything drastic. Sell a few more and see how it feels, perhaps.
Once your wife said to keep everything it was time to stop asking questions.
I’m a p bass guy myself, and I sort of subscribe to the so-called ‘studio bassist’ mentality. 2 p’s, 1 with rounds and one with flats, and then owning 1 of something Different. I’ve got a p with flats and a Japanese zemaitis copy made by tune( the guys who made the bass maniac) that is currently at my parents house half the country away. just gotta get me a p with rounds now! But really, I’m totally okay with just having the p with flats. I play it all the time, love the sound and the real upside is that I know that instrument so well, every nook and crannie. The intonation, the feel, the dents, where it sounds best with the tone and volume pots. Really small details that one only knows with living with it for so long. And it’s kind of liberating in a way to just have the one instrument. I can always get to the most important part, which is practicing the damn thing! I can’t tell you what’s best for you, and sometimes I do
Miss having a collection. But it makes me no less of a player just having the one, and helps me to focus on the joy of making music. Good luck with your decision and congrats on the move!
Miss having a collection. But it makes me no less of a player just having the one, and helps me to focus on the joy of making music. Good luck with your decision and congrats on the move!
One other thing you may want to consider is if the market for your gear is going to be better in CO or CA. I'd have to think you would do better selling what you decide to sell in CA. I know that I'll do better selling my stuff here than there.
Your collection isn't that big. I'd keep it all. If you really must, then keep no less than two basses and the amps.
Keep one bass and amp/cab. You'll regret selling everything!
The motivation for selling is usually - a. You need money or b. You've run out of space.
You have the space, you don't need the money, you like the gear you have, and the old lady isn't on your back. So why would you consider selling anything?? Simmer down and take a step back. Sell nothing. This phase you're going through will pass.
You have the space, you don't need the money, you like the gear you have, and the old lady isn't on your back. So why would you consider selling anything?? Simmer down and take a step back. Sell nothing. This phase you're going through will pass.
The closest I see to redundancy in that collection is between the two 4 strings. However, if you find yourself going between P-ish sound and J-ish sound then it kind of makes sense, given that you prefer 4s over 5s.
I like having a fretless, two fretted 5 strings for gigging, and a 4 for occasional gigging and just because. I don't find your collection excessive. However, if you really want to simplify a compromise might be the burgundy mist 4 and the fretless 5. Those two cover a lot of sonic bases. (Personally I'd pick the teal 4 string since the nick pickup solo'd usually is close enough to a P sound for my ears.)
If you plan on gigging again after the move I wouldn't sell anything.
I like having a fretless, two fretted 5 strings for gigging, and a 4 for occasional gigging and just because. I don't find your collection excessive. However, if you really want to simplify a compromise might be the burgundy mist 4 and the fretless 5. Those two cover a lot of sonic bases. (Personally I'd pick the teal 4 string since the nick pickup solo'd usually is close enough to a P sound for my ears.)
If you plan on gigging again after the move I wouldn't sell anything.
He just hasn't found the right music yet... So long as he doesn't end up wanting to be a jugalo it's all good
If you can sell them for about what you paid, I'd go ahead, if not, I'd keep them. Used market is in (and has been in) the crapper for a long time.
Since divesting is not an immediate need, I fall to the side of, "Not now."
Consider also that these are not just instruments, but modern wood sculptures. Look again at the photo you posted, and the care with which these are displayed. In this collection, there is beauty for the eyes as well as the ears.
Consider also that these are not just instruments, but modern wood sculptures. Look again at the photo you posted, and the care with which these are displayed. In this collection, there is beauty for the eyes as well as the ears.
