Why do you buy gear?

[Ghastly]

With basses, it has usually been the "oh I just gotta add that to the stable!" impulse. But most of the rest has been as needed... cords, etc. I've only had one amp up til now but am about to upgrade because I need to. I"m tired of maxing everything out just to be heard.

 

[Daniel Piper]

Boredom.

 

[DavC]

i buy gear , ... because it's so much cheaper than sports cars , boats , wives ...

 

[Jakedog]

I'm just trying to fill the massive void left by not being hugged enough as a child.

 

[Korladis]

I was just thinking about my reasons for buying gear. I honestly can't say anything was wrong with what I had before my last few purchases. In the past, I was genuinely upgrading. I want to know where other folks are.

If I like a piece of gear, and can see a use for it, and I can afford it, I very well might buy it.

 

[AshInAmsterdam]

It depends. My TU2 still works perfectly well after all these years, but I feel it's about time I upgraded to the TU3. I've felt that for several years really such is the power of the upgrade, but now someone has expressed an interest in buying my TU2, because he has no floor tuner.

Recently I have bought a phaser, Delay and bass chorus because I thought they'd enhance this band (phaser did, the others ended up in my pedal bin at home).

Otherwise it's a case of that looks cool, I have some spare disposable income that I'd only spend on pizza. So the pedal just has to be cooler than pizza. I don't have many pedals.

 

[M.R. Ogle]

Generally it's a series of refinements.

Yes. This.
I'm mostly looking at gear that expands capabilities or simplifies things.

 

[jhb138]

It depends.

I own four basses.

Hondo P copy. My first bass, n/a for above categories.

94 MIJ Fender P 51RI. My first "real" bass, bought brand new. Definitely an upgrade.

79 MIA Fender P. Kinda fits both categories. I thought it was incredibly cool, it played like a dream, and came to me with an EMG pup which at the time *seemed* like an upgrade. Though just the addition of a split coil P to the arsenal could be viewed as an upgrade.

FrankenTele. I bought a lefty neck on a whim cause it was cool and the price was right. Then found a beautiful Squier Tele body, again super cool and the price was right. Slapped em together and fell in love, especially with the mudbucker. So mostly for the coolness, but again added a different pup to the arsenal.

I guess you can be the judge. Lol.

 

[Wisebass]

Hi Doc

my motivation? GAS coming from TB?

my next will be a P, do I need it?

may the bass be with you

Wise(b)ass

 

[jaybones]

It makes me happy, and because I can!

Since I'm sober for almost 9 years now, its my last way to get a buzz or high.

 

[Deleted member 264575]

I kept upgrading until I had what I wanted. I finally got there last year.

Heaven on Earth.

 

[Soonerbldr]

i shop to bury the pain... i have a lot of pain...

 

[el_Bajo_Verde]

I had one bass and one amp for a long time...then my next two purchases were impulse buys that I made because I was sad/depressed, having a terrible day. Both times I went out and bought myself something to cheer me up.

The first set was a Micro Cube amp, MXR Envelope Filter, and used Boss Super Octave. I don't regret it at all, and barely cost me anything.

The second time, I bought a beautiful Wolf 5-string Jazz with gold hardware. 35" neck-thru bass! Just strung it up with La Bella Gold Flats. I also have no regrets.

I don't gig anymore, so I really only need one bass and amp. My dad told me the other day that he is interested in learning bass. Well, what a coincidence! I have an extra bass and amp he can use!

 

[Neon Blues]

... Because it releases endorphins.

 

[Honch]

I do think when getting lackadaisical of the gear I use, say, if I buy something new I will play MORE and spend more time with the bass, and if the gear I just bought invites you to go creative with new sounds, or new music, I will automatically be drawn to a certain playing style I haven't done before and play a lot more. Of course, that honey moon period will have its end as with most other things. Basically, I will detect new things with my playing that I wouldn't otherwise. By and large: It gives me a reason to play more. Investigate. Drink and swim in it for a while. To see what paths it leads me into. Curiosity. And as the fringe benefit I will - perhaps - come up with some new tunes, and songs, not endless disjointed riffs or licks. But in the end, regarding basses, guitars. It's one in and one out!The don't pile up and collects dust under the bed, or in the closet.

Basically: It inspires me!

 

[jazzyvee]

I think as far as gear goes I have all that I need to fulfill my role as a bass player in the genres I cover. I have enough basses to give me tonal diversity for different types of music, although there is always room for one more. I have a few amps and cabs to choose from, so from this point anything else i may choose to buy is just a want. But there isn't anything I am considering or have GAS for. There is gear I'd like to try out of curiousity like Barefaced, Accugroove and some Phil Jones cabs but thats more or less it.

 

[FerK]

Wishful thinking that it will make me a better player. Failed every time so far.

 

[Spidey2112]

For the most part I only buy gear when I need it. I never really thought about buying gear until I joined TB. So in the 3 years I've been a member I've purchased a Hartke LH1000 w/the hd410 and hd115 to replace a Peavey TNT 115 that weighed a ton, I've added a passive Jazz and P bass as I already had a P bass with an Aguilar OBP 3 preamp, and I purchased a Fender Rumble 100 as a practice amp. I'm a tight wad. I actually wanted a Ampeg SVT 4 Pro but I saw the Hartke and the price difference (although, I recently had the pleasure of playing through that Ampeg and a 410 ampeg cab and it was phat). I also have a Boss RC300 Looper that I love and MXR EQ and MXR Bass D.I.

We feel your pain, GJ...

 

[lbbc]

Whatever I buy has to be "worth it" to me. I always wanted an Alembic but could never justify buying one....until I found a used one at an incredible price. It was a great purchase. Everything else I use when I play out. My last acquisition was simply one out of nostalgia. I purchased an Apollo Beatle bass because it looked like the first bass I ever bought (a 1973 Aria Beatle bass).

 

[Mantis Tobaggan]

I just purchased my 4th bass but I really like my collection.