Time to sell it all?

[bassicg]

Might I add, it’s OK to let things go even if you have to re-purchase them another day and time. Because That’s exactly what it would be, another day and time. Each day warrants it’s own. Answer each accordingly. If this day warrants downsizing then avoid confusion by simply respecting it. The future will come with it it’s own instructions.

 

[looper]

I am sure you will figure out a happy medium. I used to live in Colorado. More than any beautiful piece of gear I have ever parted with, I miss being outside enjoying the mountains... Hope the move goes smoothly.

 

[Gizmot]

Whenever I’ve sold gear, I’ve been happy that I did it. However, I’ve had some seller’s regret months and years later. Lately I’ve been contemplating thinning my collection a bit, but I’m carefully considering what to keep and what I can live without. I’m a lot less of a slave to fashion now, although I still play quite a bit. I’ve got at least two basses and probably three guitars that I’m going to kiss goodbye. If you really like an instrument and play it frequently then I’d keep it; if not make it go away

 

[klejst]

Don't do anything you'll regret later. Sell only if you absolutely must I say. If you are able to come to a happy medium of it, I'd keep at least your favorite bass and favorite guitar out of the bunch. Perhaps one amp and cab (or combo) config for each otherwise most times you can buy new, most times the same however basses and guitars are a little harder as no one is the same.

 

[lostpoet2]

You would save the most weight by selling the Mesa combo and buying a Helix or Axe-FX! Saving weight is the best thing to do when moving, lol.

 

[HD007]

I read half the pages so sorry if this has been mentioned, but: nice choice of keeper guitar! Is that a Starry Night version?

 

[Jared Lash]

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?

I'm now on the wrong side of 40, I'm the only one who plays, (my wife plays piano and flute) and I currently don't make any money playing.

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.

I'd like that. Even if I'll always be a Niners (and Kings) fan.

I am sure you will figure out a happy medium. I used to live in Colorado. More than any beautiful piece of gear I have ever parted with, I miss being outside enjoying the mountains... Hope the move goes smoothly.

So far I'm in love with Colorado. Hard to leave California given that I was born and raised here but change is good.

I read half the pages so sorry if this has been mentioned, but: nice choice of keeper guitar! Is that a Starry Night version?

Yep, it's a Starry Night Cutlass.

 

[Stumbo]

They're art. Hang'em like you do pictures.

 

[superheavyfunk]

Eight pages in, but I'll state my opinion on the original post... If it's not being used, then give it to someone who will use it. There's too many collectors in the world and we're losing players by the dozen - one of those instruments connecting dust right now could be the instrument that helps someone play their absolute best.

Let them go if they're not being loved.

 

[Kerem Koseoglu]

I recommended having one main + one stunt bass (as backup or for the road etc.)

 

[madmaskbass]

I can see enough difference in your collection to warrant them...whilst there is some aesthetic most are practical/ I have about the same number and am trying really really hard to keep it at that number

 

[1bassplayinfool]

I feel your pain. I moved from Atlanta to LA and sold or gave away a bunch of gear. Most went to a friend that had a Rock and Blues camp for kids.
I kept my favorite bass and one amp. Hope all goes well for you.

 

[Gianni "Orlandez" Orlati]

What are your goals? Gigging, jamming, playing by yourself?

If it's any less than gigging, I would think one of each would be fine. I'm pretty minimalist myself; I have 2 gigging basses and I'm still getting used to that!

Precisely...

 

[dgrambo]

Youre lucky that you still have to ask yourself. When you know you have an instrument(s) that youll never part with, there is no question. And thats when its tough. I dont see anything irreplaceable (of course, I may be wrong)

Shed as much as you can and try to stay out of trouble.

 

[godofthunder59]

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

I think you've suffered enough. Btw I'd hard call that a lot of gear.

 

[NeonVomit]

My 2 cents - I'd keep the Mesa head and one of the cabs. Unless you're gigging a lot there's not much reason to have 2. Bass, I'd sell the lot and get something timeless and classic - Fender P or J, Stingray or something like that. You can't ever go wrong with them and they hold their value.

Good luck with it all!

 

[jmceachern36]

Looks like a reasonable collection to me. Especially if there’s no money issues.

 

[matthewbrown]

I think you'll find yourself just as free -- more free, really -- with fewer things than you have now. It's liberating to manage with fewer needless things.

 

[bassmanrocke]

The unfortunate truth is that it's hard to get what you invested when reselling, especially since you are faced with a timeline. What's even more true is that you probably won't be able to replace them without paying a great deal more.

Since you are having such a hard time deciding to let them go, I think the answer is obvious, don't. You don't have to feel guilty about keeping them. You know you have your wife's support in keeping them, so she obviously knows how important playing is to you. The expense in shipping them is not great as you are already shipping your other possessions. You have a relatively small collection of high quality pieces that you have put together over several years. You deserve them, stop beating yourself up about it.

 

[BobDeRosa]

That's a tough one and I feel your pain. Lots of reasons to keep all those axes. But also a couple pretty compelling reasons to sell them. First, boutique basses don't come cheap, and you could use revenue from them for the kids' college fund. It might seem like a long way off, but believe me, it sneaks up on you. And I don't know about you, but I find that choosing among my six basses for gigs is a ridiculously unnecessary cause of stress, which life is already plenty full of. You might find that getting down to that one bass you talked about can ease your mind a bit, which is a dang good thing.