Time to sell it all?

[Eilif]

-If you're feeling a true desire to downsize then do so.
-If you're feeling self-guilted into downsizing then I'd probably not. If you're effectively downsizing other parts of your life then there' nothing wrong with keeping a bit more in one particular area of your life, in this case music.

Possible solution, what about a trial run...
Case up and put away all your instruments except a guitar and a bass or maybe a guitar and a fretted and fretless. Go with that for a couple weeks and see how if you miss the others.

Don't take this the wrong way but this is what I do with my kids toys and it works.
When I see something they haven't played with in a long time I'll bag it up and put it at the top of the closet. If they haven't asked about it in a few months I give it away.

Also, I have much respect for your willingness to downsize. I went from 11 basses to 6 and I doubt I'll get to less than 5.

 

[tradernick]

There's only one question that you need to answer. When you see the (insert name of one of your basses here) hanging on the wall, do you feel really happy about the fact that you own it?

I have a piece of art here that I paid a lot of money for (a lot of money in my world, which is the cost of a decent framing job in the world of real art). Every time I see it I feel really great about owning it. I know that I will never sell it as long as I live.

If you're asking these existential questions about your bass collection, it's time to ask 'Which of these would I really truly and deeply miss'? Sell the ones that don't make the cut.

 

[daveobieone]

I'm 66, and have been playing bass for more than 50 years. I've gradually added to my collection over all those years. My wife and I would love to full-time RV, which would mean down to 1 or 2, and probably my Mesa D800 and Subway 1-15 cab. I've tried to part with some of these, but I have a "history" with all of them...There's the gigs I did with that one, and the recording sessions I did with this one, and I LOVE to play that one, and I'll never be able to afford another original '64 P-bass like this one. The memories attached to these makes me happy just to LOOK at them! Now, take a look at this picture (which is not everything), and tell me again that you need to pair-down your instrument/gear collection...

 

[beatdatthang]

When I was in the military, I got stationed in Hawaii for my last tour before I “retired”. I had a bunch of basses, guitars, and amps at the time and decided to downsize a lot before we moved out there. I didn’t have any idea what type of space we’d have for gear.

I’m just a hobbyist who likes to jam with friends or rarely fill in with bar bands if they need a guy. I cut down to 2 basses, 2 guitars, one bass amp, and some guitar pedals. I miss some of the stuff I got rid of, but not much. After I moved back to the mainland, I’ve just acquired more stuff all over again. GAS is real. I’m up to 6 basses and 4 guitars and I bought an 8x10 cabinet and 450 watt head because I’d always wanted one...

Seriously, if you do want to downsize go for it. Just don’t be surprised if in a couple years, you’re right back to where you are now.

 

[Optofonik]

One Squier CV Strat, one Squier CV P-bass, a Ampeg B10 bass amp, a Monoprice 15 watt tube guitar amp, and a Line-6 HX Effects. All you need and...

Done!

 

[Tom Gallo]

Dump the amps, keep the basses. If you end up needing an amp, you can buy one. The basses will be much harder to replace.

 

[Two-Spirit]

I'd get rid of a couple pieces just to do your share but try to move as much as possible because selling and replacing is a rip.

 

[DJ Bebop]

I've been wrestling with this lately and would love to get some outside opinions.

Our family is selling our house and moving to Denver. One thing my wife and I agreed on was downsizing. Not really for financial reasons but just to have less and simplify. And for all of us (we have three kids 7-11) to spend more time together outside etc.

And while it's been really easy (and cathartic) to cut down on stuff the one that has been hard has been my gear. I've sold my Baer Valkyrie and ML212 rig, one bass (my Stambaugh hollowbody), and a bunch of pedals etc. Those were all hard to give up, but now I'm okay with it and wondering if I shouldn't be really simplifying.

Right now I have four boutique basses, two relatively expensive guitars, a bass amp and cabs, a guitar amp, a guitar practice amp and a small pedalboard. But how much do I need? There's a part of me that feels like trimming down to a single bass (likely the burgundy mist one) and single guitar (the strat style Cutlass) would be plenty. Or even selling all of my boutique basses and just buying a cheap Pbass would be enough. My wife has told me to keep everything but it feels weird to be simplifying everything else but hanging onto these boutique instruments that are more than I need.

Thoughts?



Here are my basses and guitars:
View attachment 3359534

And my amps:

View attachment 3359535
View attachment 3359536

How old are you?
Does anyone else in the family play also?
Is the endgame just better family time outdoors?
Do you make money playing?

 

[REMBO]

You WILL regret selling stuff ......trust me....

 

[DJ Bebop]

You WILL regret selling stuff ......trust me....

Regret is a part of growth.

 

[rogerbmiller]

Nah keep them. They are already paid for. If you are simplifying, just don't buy any more. You have a reasonable collection and music is something you can enjoy with your family.

 

[5StringBlues]

Keep the burgundy mist (such a cool bass!) and the fretless.



Gotta have a fretless.

 

[Funkinthetrunk]

I've been wrestling with this lately and would love to get some outside opinions.

Our family is selling our house and moving to Denver. One thing my wife and I agreed on was downsizing. Not really for financial reasons but just to have less and simplify. And for all of us (we have three kids 7-11) to spend more time together outside etc.

And while it's been really easy (and cathartic) to cut down on stuff the one that has been hard has been my gear. I've sold my Baer Valkyrie and ML212 rig, one bass (my Stambaugh hollowbody), and a bunch of pedals etc. Those were all hard to give up, but now I'm okay with it and wondering if I shouldn't be really simplifying.

Right now I have four boutique basses, two relatively expensive guitars, a bass amp and cabs, a guitar amp, a guitar practice amp and a small pedalboard. But how much do I need? There's a part of me that feels like trimming down to a single bass (likely the burgundy mist one) and single guitar (the strat style Cutlass) would be plenty. Or even selling all of my boutique basses and just buying a cheap Pbass would be enough. My wife has told me to keep everything but it feels weird to be simplifying everything else but hanging onto these boutique instruments that are more than I need.

Thoughts?

Here are my basses and guitars:
View attachment 3359534

And my amps:

View attachment 3359535
View attachment 3359536

Jared, I'm not even going read all of this thread. Keep everything and when you come out here to Denver, we can hang! Welcome to Broncos Country.

 

[B-Mac]

I've been wrestling with this lately and would love to get some outside opinions.

Our family is selling our house and moving to Denver. One thing my wife and I agreed on was downsizing. Not really for financial reasons but just to have less and simplify. And for all of us (we have three kids 7-11) to spend more time together outside etc.

And while it's been really easy (and cathartic) to cut down on stuff the one that has been hard has been my gear. I've sold my Baer Valkyrie and ML212 rig, one bass (my Stambaugh hollowbody), and a bunch of pedals etc. Those were all hard to give up, but now I'm okay with it and wondering if I shouldn't be really simplifying.

Right now I have four boutique basses, two relatively expensive guitars, a bass amp and cabs, a guitar amp, a guitar practice amp and a small pedalboard. But how much do I need? There's a part of me that feels like trimming down to a single bass (likely the burgundy mist one) and single guitar (the strat style Cutlass) would be plenty. Or even selling all of my boutique basses and just buying a cheap Pbass would be enough. My wife has told me to keep everything but it feels weird to be simplifying everything else but hanging onto these boutique instruments that are more than I need.

Thoughts?

Here are my basses and guitars:
View attachment 3359534

And my amps:

View attachment 3359535
View attachment 3359536

Do what your wife tells you...always
Happy wife, happy life.

 

[Cutter8]

That's something I worry about. Simplifying only works if I can be disciplined afterward. But if I trim down to one bass and then decide that I really need a fiver, or a fretless, or a J or P (depending on what I keep) then I'm just selling stuff now that covers pretty much all the basses only to buy stuff to replace it later.

Baby steps. I would sell one guitar and one bass for now. giving up another third of your collection is a substantial step in downsizing, but won't leave you with any big gaps in your arsenal. If you keep the burgundy mist, burl and 2-tone burst, those three basses cover a hell of a lot of territory:

• 4-string
• 5-string
• Fretted
• Fretless
• Rosewood FB
• Maple FB
• Ebony FB
• Active
• Passive
• J/P/MM/etc. PU's

​

And let go of unwarranted guilt! It doesn't sound like the family will go without or suffer in any way because you have a few thousand dollars worth of basses that bring you joy.

That being said, I have been wrestling with similar decisions and wish that it was as easy for me to make my own choices as it is for me to make yours!​

 

[beatdatthang]

Go Broncos!

 

[Cutter8]

Asking this question on the interwebs is fruitless. Only you and your wife possess the insight and perspective to address this issue. Since you seem a little lost, DO WHAT YOUR WIFE SAYS.

^^^^^^^^^
A dose of truth coupled with timeless advice that you can't go wrong following!

 

[littlebooner]

I have 3 children as well (age 5-8). We moved to a smaller city 6 months ago and have gotten back into a band and loving being able to now that the kids are older. I'm glad I have the gear to do it as well without having to repurchase anything.

We also pledged to downsize and be more active outdoors and it was a great move for our family. I am excited for you and dont think you should feel guilty about keeping it all.

 

[bassicg]

Been there done that! It’s simple man. Keep only what you definitely going to use on a regular basis. It doesn’t matter whether it’s boutique or plain Jane. Make sure that whatever you keep really fits you in comfort, tone and playability. I guess what I’m saying is, whatever you keep let it be for a really good reason and you will be surprised of how you soon forget about the rest! That’s simply simplified simplification! Forsake the the glutinous tendencies and enjoy the freedom! Ahhhh.

 

[Brother Goose]

I tell you what.

I'll sell everything and you can sell me that pair of five strings! Woof!