Unintended Good

[Dr. Cheese]

An unintended benefit of staying at home so much is that I have lost a lot of the urge to go places, especially stores, for no good reason. I almost went to GC today and Saturday, but stayed home because I don’t want or really need anything musical. If I had gone to GC, I would have probably plugged my Geddy Lee into a MarkBass of some kind and then checked for any cool used basses. I am not in the market for either, so why bother? On top of it, the coronavirus has not gone away.

At another level, I just thought about how many perfectly good basses I have let go because there was something, no better than what I had, that caught my eye at a store. In the next eight or so years, both of my kids are going to college starting this Fall. I may as well get used to walking past gear, because the party is over! If anything, when I retire, a retirement hangout back South and probably another motorcycle will come before another bass, assuming my health is good. To paraphrase a Bible verse, there is a season for everything, but my GAS season may be passing away.

I am not claiming to be over GAS, the money just won’t be there for GAS unless something really changes. Fortunately, my gear is way more than I need.

 

[buldog5151bass]

I still like looking at shiny things, but I have my Lull P4 (25 years), my Fender jazz/p neck (35 years), and my fretless jazz (1 year). It's going to be tough to find something better, an I'm not touring, so what do I need, other than more time playing with a good drummer?

 

[two fingers]

An unintended benefit of staying at home so much is that I have lost a lot of the urge to go places, especially stores, for no good reason. I almost went to GC today and Saturday, but stayed home because I don’t want or really need anything musical. If I had gone to GC, I would have probably plugged my Geddy Lee into a MarkBass of some kind and then checked for any cool used basses. I am not in the market for either, so why bother? On top of it, the coronavirus has not gone away.

At another level, I just thought about how many perfectly good basses I have let go because some there was Something, no better than what I had, caught my eye at a store. In the next eight or so years, both of my kids are going to college starting this Fall. I may as well get used to walking past gear, because the party is over! If anything, when I retire, a retirement hangout back South and probably another motorcycle will come before another bass, assuming my health is good. To paraphrase a Bible verse, there is a season for everything, but my GAS season my be passing away.

I am not claiming to over GAS, the money just won’t be there for GAS unless something really changes. Fortunately, my gear is way more than I need.

Seems like a healthy perspective, Doc. Enjoy what you have. I've done a lot of buying recently. Some will stay. Some won't. It's about time for a sell down myself. I broke all of my own rules (mainly one-in-one-out). But it's not too late to go back to a number of basses and amps that makes more sense. Like you, I got a fretless. That'll keep my ears busy for a while by itself.

 

[MMiller28]

Do you take your basses into stores to mess around with amps?

 

[Clark Westfield]

Once I have a Sadowsky that I have had my eyes on for a while, my GAS will be gone.

Found all the gear I need.

Doc your not alone.

 

[nonohmic]

Do you take your basses into stores to mess around with amps?

Good question.

I couldn't see myself doing this unless there was a specific amp I reeeeeally wanted.

 

[Dr. Cheese]

Do you take your basses into stores to mess around with amps?

Yes, for me, my own bass let’s me know if I really like what I am hearing.

 

[Dr. Cheese]

Good question.

I couldn't see myself doing this unless there was a specific amp I reeeeeally wanted.

I enjoy checking out gear. That is why I have a YouTube channel of me playing several hundred basses and amps.

 

[nonohmic]

I enjoy checking out gear. That is why I have a YouTube channel of me playing several hundred basses and amps.

That's fair. And I enjoy your videos. It's always great when people make content. My comment was introspective, if anything.

 

[Killing Floor]

Maybe you could still trade? C’mon. Don’t give up. GAS is real. Maybe you could redirect your GAS to focus on pedals or something smaller?

 

[Dr. Cheese]

Maybe you could still trade? C’mon. Don’t give up. GAS is real. Maybe you could redirect your GAS to focus on pedals or something smaller?

Seriously, I use an octave pedal, a good outboard preamp, and an envelope filter. We’ll see what happens.

 

[Killed_by_Death]

Thou doth protest too much, it seems.
I have no GAS, but I don't post about it, because I'm not dying to buy something.
In the past I've tried posting about not having GAS, it went over like a lead balloon, but somehow your threads about it go on for 10 pages within 12 hours.

 

[Dr. Cheese]

Thou doth protest too much, it seems.
I have no GAS, but I don't post about it, because I'm not dying to buy something.
In the past I've tried posting about not having GAS, it went over like a lead balloon, but somehow your threads about it go on for 10 pages within 12 hours.

I think a lot of people can identify with my struggles. To be clear, I make no claim to be over GAS. If I could blow $15,000, I could easily think of at least two really cool basses and a dream rig I could buy or a really nice recording set up. For that matter, I could buy a brand new, and really cool motorcycle with that much money too. I just Know that this not is going to happen, and I have to get my kids through school.

 

[40Hz]

Since I stopped going out unless I have to I realized just how little I actually do need to go out.

Other than a little pub/restaurant my SO and I liked to hit once a week or so, I can’t really say I miss anything all that much. About my only regret was the Justin Hayward concert we had tix for that got cancelled.

One thing that did improve was my education. We’ve got subscriptions to MasterClass, Babbel, The Great Courses+, SBL, and Truefire along with accounts on Udemy and Coursera. I’ve picked up some new knowledge and skills since the lockdown. And I’ve finally gotten serious about becoming more fluent in French.

It’s all good.

 

[ejaggers]

Thou doth protest too much, it seems.
I have no GAS, but I don't post about it, because I'm not dying to buy something.
In the past I've tried posting about not having GAS, it went over like a lead balloon, but somehow your threads about it go on for 10 pages within 12 hours.

Well, what else would you expect???
He's Dr Cheese!!!

057912

 

[Mastermold]

I enjoy checking out gear. That is why I have a YouTube channel of me playing several hundred basses and amps.

I would think playing with a lot gear at the store the way you have might have the opposite effect in that you’re not having to buy to try. Just play it and leave it.

 

[Dr. Cheese]

Since I stopped going out unless I have to I realized just how little I actually do need to go out.

Other than a little pub/restaurant my SO and I liked to hit once a week or so, I can’t really say I miss anything all that much. About my only regret was the Justin Hayward concert we had tix for that got cancelled.

One thing that did improve was my education. We’ve got subscriptions to MasterClass, Babbel, The Great Courses+, SBL, and Truefire along with accounts on Udemy and Coursera. I’ve picked up some new knowledge and skills since the lockdown. And I’ve finally gotten serious about becoming more fluent in French.

It’s all good.

True, all of us had gotten in the habit of going places because we could. This evening I found out that I could have gotten myself in trouble for going out. Just before sunset, I got on my bike and rode to St. Louis, to see the damage from the trouble last week. I saw one boarded up gas station and went home. Just a few minutes ago, I saw that St. Louis is still under curfew! I could have gotten myself in trouble this evening over just being nosy!

 

[Dr. Cheese]

I would think playing with a lot gear at the store the way you have might have the opposite effect in that you’re not having to buy to try. Just play it and leave it.

I am a bit of collector/hoarder by nature. My natural inclination is to want more stuff.

 

[arbiterusa]

The only thing I leave the house for is work and gigs, and I suspect the time for gigs may be over. I’m starting to look at my music room and figure out what’s going to leave. It may end up being quite a bit.

Doc, the last piece of gear that I bought was in 2018. Went on a bit of a rampage starting in 2015. Revamped my whole amp rig (twice) and bought some beater fretlesses for gigging. Hadn’t bought anything since 1990 when I was working at a guitar shop (I’ve worked at four). After a while, you realize the gear has nothing to do with what you’re trying to get accomplished.

 

[41hzthunder]

I've enjoyed the time at home, even though working 3 days a week. Going out hasn't been a big thing for me for a while, so not too much of a change there. Feel comfortable with the rig and started building basses, winding my pickups. Its relaxing and soooo much cheaper! Will build a couple more and then, just focus on playing. Its what really matters. Approaching 60, but when playing, feel like I'm 20! Can't explain it. Still enjoy learning, still in good health and finally losing that extra 15 lbs, so should have a few more good years. We all know the slow down is coming, but still enjoying the ride. Just don't need to buy gear now.

Only difficult part is the kids grew up, finished school, got their own lives and one moved to the UK. Time with them is priceless! Enjoy it.