Couple reasons. One. IRL I work for manufacturers that do a lot of C&C work and (of course) assembly. These manufacturers cross train people to be able to do multiple jobs. That way the show can go on if someone is absent/sick/whatever. In most cases they also have these folks trade around jobs to keep from getting too burned out on just doing one thing over and over. I think that's my mentality on gear. I have (in my opinion anyway) good gear that serves me well, as well as a fine bass tone. Most of the time if I trade pedals around it's to fit a specific need, or to better accommodate one of my basses. Sometimes tho, to entertain myself, I trade pedals around just to have a new knob to twist or switch to flip. Part learning process on what works what doesn't, part just, why not?... Also, when something you think is good pops onto your radar, who can resist something new and shiny....
Enjoy the benefits of a premium membership!
Upgrade Account
-
TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
Join free Log in
Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.
Why do you buy gear?
- Thread starter Dr. Cheese
- Start date
I have got go to gear i love, so when i'm looking at new gear i'm really looking for inspiration, when my playing gets stale.
Normally in the form of pedals, but sometimes basses. I'm pretty set on my amp.
Normally in the form of pedals, but sometimes basses. I'm pretty set on my amp.
Nearly this.
I've had my EB line up pretty stable for a number of years but that work's dried up as of late. The bull fiddle is another story entirely.
Thanks to the TB classifieds, I've been slowly and carefully constructing my doghouse rig for the inevitable plug-in gigs we'll have. I'd never be able to afford any of the stuff I've found new.
Mostly need-based, bang-for-you-buck here, but I have been mulling over advanced loopers for about a year now, and couldnt say they are a need, except in the context of developing a loop based show.
I am proud of having no duplicate "voices" , (and nontheless admire the collections of similar and identical basses some of you enjoy). A P/J, a hollowbody short, an ABG, a 6-string. My next bass will be fretless. But needs come first: a crossover and small subwoofer for the PA will allow me to dial in the tone better for the acts I do sound for and myself.
I am proud of having no duplicate "voices" , (and nontheless admire the collections of similar and identical basses some of you enjoy). A P/J, a hollowbody short, an ABG, a 6-string. My next bass will be fretless. But needs come first: a crossover and small subwoofer for the PA will allow me to dial in the tone better for the acts I do sound for and myself.
For me it has always been the never ending search for the perfect bass. The one with the right sound, weight, string spacing, color, neck. The one Swiss Army bass that covers every potential playing situation I might encounter. The one bass I regard the way a Samurai warrior regarded his sword, as an appendage of his body and personality. Of course, the search is never ending for the same reasons the search for Big Foot is never ending.
When I was in my GAS phase, I could always think up a reason/rationalization as to why I "needed" to buy something. It was a deal, it was rare, it allowed me to create a tone that I might need, it was cool, etc. In the end, it was really just because I was super interested in trying all kinds of different things and I easily afford to buy whatever interested me. At some point, I had at least 18 different instruments alone. Then, just like that, I was over it, and I began to rationalize down to what I have today which is one bass, one amp and one preamp/OD pedal. This is probably too much of a rationalist view, but to me, the main thought was that I could do it, so I did.
Either adding a tool, upgrading, fixing, or replacing....currently I have no money to be buying anything just because I see it and want it.
I like options and some things just seem really cool so I need to test them out. Right now I don't have anything that is redundant, a very modern 5-stringer that is ridiculously versatile with rounds, a very versatile 5-string P-bass/stingray bass with flats, a fretless 5-string, an EUB, a decent guitar, a "project bass" that I can tinker around with and essentially break without feeling too bad and a bass ukulele. I could literally reduce it to 1 Bass and a guitar (and maybe the EUB which would also kinda serve the fretless role), but it's fun to be able to just pick up an instrument that fits a specific role.
Alternatively, because I don't have a wife who is stopping me from doing it.
Alternatively, because I don't have a wife who is stopping me from doing it.
Last edited:
I'm done. Just strings. Occasional backup tubes.
Marcus Miller once said get your gear together and get on with playing music. Now I'd say get on with music and you will necessarily find the gear you need.
Why?
I once was a younger cat and I'd get the idea that I'd better have a stadium rig in case the gig came along. No gig of that size was imminent believe me. So I'd sell perfectly good stuff and spend time putting this thing together. It was fun but didn't make me a better musician. Carrying a Marshall 4x15 cab up stairs to practice with an acoustic guitarist is .........
Now that I've matured I've had the resources and time to have rigs that fit almost every call.
I use to wake up and get the idea "I need 15"s or 12"s." Then go on this search mission. Again waste of time and money selling and driving. Thing was the tone idea was an idea not reality. Perhaps a few minutes tweaking knobs I could have arrived at that sound.
Anyway. Some of us find that bass and we are done because it's speaks to us and for us.
In full disclosure I do believe in getting backups if your sessions/gigs schedules don't allow for any gig downtime.
Marcus Miller once said get your gear together and get on with playing music. Now I'd say get on with music and you will necessarily find the gear you need.
Why?
I once was a younger cat and I'd get the idea that I'd better have a stadium rig in case the gig came along. No gig of that size was imminent believe me. So I'd sell perfectly good stuff and spend time putting this thing together. It was fun but didn't make me a better musician. Carrying a Marshall 4x15 cab up stairs to practice with an acoustic guitarist is .........
Now that I've matured I've had the resources and time to have rigs that fit almost every call.I use to wake up and get the idea "I need 15"s or 12"s." Then go on this search mission. Again waste of time and money selling and driving. Thing was the tone idea was an idea not reality. Perhaps a few minutes tweaking knobs I could have arrived at that sound.
Anyway. Some of us find that bass and we are done because it's speaks to us and for us.
In full disclosure I do believe in getting backups if your sessions/gigs schedules don't allow for any gig downtime.
Right now, I'm having G.A.S for a Jackson JS2 for two reasons:
1) I don't have a bass with two humbuckers.
2) I've always wanted a white bass.
In reality, I don't need it. I just want it so I'm not going to buy it as of now. (That could change any minute)
1) I don't have a bass with two humbuckers.
2) I've always wanted a white bass.
In reality, I don't need it. I just want it so I'm not going to buy it as of now. (That could change any minute)
There might still be good instruments and amps and pedals and straps and cables and picks I don't have yet!
Here are my gear buying guidelines:
1. It its it a bass AND i don't already have "one of those "those" - AND its cheap <$150.00
2. If its a bass AND I've always wanted "one of those" BUT its not cheap (but VERY select here).
3. If its amp AND its really old AND really cool AND if it still works AND if its cheap <$150.00.
4. If its an amp AND and I've always wanted "one of those" AND its really old AND is really cool AND if it still works AND was made by Ampeg AND has a bunch of tubes in it.
5. For everything else, if its is really old AND really cool AND cheap.
6. For everything else, if its is really old AND really cool AND has tubes in it (like the Conn tuner I just bought on ebay ... yep ... tubes!).
1. It its it a bass AND i don't already have "one of those "those" - AND its cheap <$150.00
2. If its a bass AND I've always wanted "one of those" BUT its not cheap (but VERY select here).
3. If its amp AND its really old AND really cool AND if it still works AND if its cheap <$150.00.
4. If its an amp AND and I've always wanted "one of those" AND its really old AND is really cool AND if it still works AND was made by Ampeg AND has a bunch of tubes in it.
5. For everything else, if its is really old AND really cool AND cheap.
6. For everything else, if its is really old AND really cool AND has tubes in it (like the Conn tuner I just bought on ebay ... yep ... tubes!).
I will admit that I may not be "all there."
I maintain a spreadsheet with my wishlist of instruments. I make a point of regularly searching various online music shops, Reverb, GBase, TalkBass Classifieds, etc. I make a note of the lowest current price for each item on my wishlist and I save the link to the item. It's more or less my shopping list if I ever win a major lottery. lol
I apply a more advanced method with my DVDs/BluRay collection. My collection became so great that I need Collectorz software & their CLZ iPhone App to keep track. Otherwise I would frequently come home with a DVD I had already purchased.
I maintain a spreadsheet with my wishlist of instruments. I make a point of regularly searching various online music shops, Reverb, GBase, TalkBass Classifieds, etc. I make a note of the lowest current price for each item on my wishlist and I save the link to the item. It's more or less my shopping list if I ever win a major lottery. lol
I apply a more advanced method with my DVDs/BluRay collection. My collection became so great that I need Collectorz software & their CLZ iPhone App to keep track. Otherwise I would frequently come home with a DVD I had already purchased.
