Why I slowed down gear acquisition.

[Dr. Cheese]

Agreed. I've found that consistency is key for me, whether it's my bass+rig, golf clubs, or my setup at work. The more I can keep the same kit (assuming it was decent to begin with), the better I can get at using it.

That is very true. Constantly changing undermines muscle memory. It is good standardize scale length and string spacing as much as possible or to at least make the changes consistent. Keeping the same number of frets on different basses can be a big help too.

 

[mcrawfordmusic]

It's easy to get caught up in it. I spent a good 10 years chasing tone. 30+ basses later, I've realised I only need a few to cover everything I'm currently doing, and expect to do in the future.

 

[LadyLoveStingRay5]

I don't think an instrument or gear makes a player technically better.

I do think a more expensive instrument could be engineered to a higher degree and that could make it easier to play (example better access to higher frets, lighter, well balanced instrument vs neck diving, etc). I do think a more expensive instrument could sound better (proprietary or top shelf electronics, proprietary or top shelf hardware). I do think a more expensive instrument could look better (have you seen Canadian Dingwall finishes the past few years?). I do think a more expensive instrument could inspire a player to play and practice more.

I wrote could in every sentence above. There are expensive duds out there and other players may be totally satisfied with less expensive instruments. It's all good, for me though I stopped having a ton of gas after I got the expensive basses that I wanted AND they also sound/play great for me. It only took me a decade of trying out and flipping a ridiculous amount of gear to get here though

This about sums it up for me. I always knew what I wanted , but I had to wait for them to start building them lighter. Everything I have now was not made until the past 6 or 7 yrs. I have 7 basses and that all bring something different to the table yet are variations of the same bass. I have enough and dont plan on buying anymore. I have found what works for me.

 

[fhm555]

For years, I would buy a bass, really love it, then sell it. Ultimately, I realized what that I was unhappy because I had so little growth as a player. Studying and learning five or six years has given me joy that gear never gave me. Sometimes, I get frustrated because I am old and may not have time to get as good as I would like to be, but I have also learned to love the process of improving instead obsessing about the result.

I hear you Doc, I started literally at my daddy's knee as a child, but at 14 I stepped away to worship at a two wheeled alter. Next thing you know, I'm past 30 and in dire need of something in common with my family. That thing was music, so I jumped back in but it was too late to catch up, I realized right quick that the years I missed were gone, that the best I could hope for was enough competence to at least not suck when I returned to the family circle. Fortunately I was recently sober (and single) so acceptance was a concept I was acutely aware of so I simply accepted the situation and set out to be good enough for the family circle and be content with that. Had my brother not bugged me to death to join his band, I'd still be content to sit with my fam and jam, and I still am, but there are holes in the lineup that will never be filled again and I sometimes catch myself wondering what might have been had I never stepped away, but when that happens all I can do is be eternally grateful I got as much time as I did in that magic circle when it was complete and in full bloom. If I never play another note, music is still the greatest blessing and gift I've ever received.

 

[Dr. Cheese]

I hear you Doc, I started literally at my daddy's knee as a child, but at 14 I stepped away to worship at a two wheeled alter. Next thing you know, I'm past 30 and in dire need of something in common with my family. That thing was music, so I jumped back in but it was too late to catch up, I realized right quick that the years I missed were gone, that the best I could hope for was enough competence to at least not suck when I returned to the family circle. Fortunately I was recently sober (and single) so acceptance was a concept I was acutely aware of so I simply accepted the situation and set out to be good enough for the family circle and be content with that. Had my brother not bugged me to death to join his band, I'd still be content to sit with my fam and jam, and I still am, but there are holes in the lineup that will never be filled again and I sometimes catch myself wondering what might have been had I never stepped away, but when that happens all I can do is be eternally grateful I got as much time as I did in that magic circle when it was complete and in full bloom. If I never play another note, music is still the greatest blessing and gift I've ever received.

This is a beautiful testimony. Acceptance is a big part of my life these days. I guess that is part of aging and accepting mortality.

 

[Jazzdogg]

The only money expended on gear in the dozen years since I retired has been an amp repair and strings. I still enjoy music and playing immensely, but RVing, grandchildren, boating, kayaking, bicycling, hiking, and spending time with friends are far more important to me these days.

 

[ErikP.Bass]

I found this video and now I can't decide if I need a Jet Phaser, Moon bass or Larry's charisma. In all seriousness, I thought I'd found my way out of this, albeit partially through hiding the TB classifieds, but I've recently fallen back in. I just love music and basses, and all of you.

 

[Thegreatzambini]

My purchasing slow down because everything is overpriced

 

[pfschim]

I've played for decades and have had quite a few different basses and amps. Expensive, cheap, in-between. Couple of things I discovered about myself:
1. I don't like to have stuff I don't use ... this applies to pretty much anything, but definitely to basses and amps.
2. It almost does not matter which bass, or how expensive or rare it is, I generally end up sounding like me playing bass on them all.

I'm in the process of clearing out some gear that I just don't need or use. Hoping to end up with 3: a J, a P and a fretless. All I need, all I want.

good luck Dr Cheese!

 

[Jeff Scott]

You should play whatever helps you make your best music, but believe me, there's no bass, effect, or amp that will turn Clark Kent into Superman.

It's down to you.

My friend's telephone booth might come in handy.

 

[pepj]

Im happy with my basses, amps and cabs.
I can only take 2 basses per gig, and my pre amp and cab.
I try and rotate at home but then that gets in the way of honing in on the finer nuance and therefore playing style of those basses.
And maintaining basses to be in player condition takes time too.
Yep, I should sell some, but then I'm also looking for a 5st P...hmmm

 

[Polfuste]

have also found that while I really like five string basses, I am perfectly fine using fours. In fact, I would often find myself getting stuck in the first position on fives instead using the whole fingerboard. Of course, since I have noticed that tendency, I do it much less on fives now, but my point is that any bass is versatile if you know what you are doing.

I couldn't agree more. I've tried to play exclusively a 5 strings during two years. At this time i've only had this Warwick thumb 5 to play. Great bass. And After two years, i've tried a friend 4 strings and that was a révélation: my playing was immediately liberated. Back to 4 definitely.

 

[Al Krow]

For years, I would buy a bass, really love it, then sell it. Ultimately, I realized what that I was unhappy because I had so little growth as a player. Studying and learning five or six years has given me joy that gear never gave me. Sometimes, I get frustrated because I am old and may not have time to get as good as I would like to be, but I have also learned to love the process of improving instead obsessing about the result.

Great post! When you say you are "old" would you be ok let us know what you mean by that - as an older bass player myself words very much chime about not having time to get as good as we would like to be.

 

[Geogio]

I have edited, therefore I am.

 

[Al Krow]

Amen, but I'd add that this is applicable to just about any hobby or profession.

I've said it before and I'll say it again - I made the most progress as a player when I owned only one bass (technically two, but the second lived under the bed and was only kept because it was a backup/my first bass ever). What made the difference was I was practicing on that one bass for 3+hrs a day, almost every day, for about 4 years. When you put that much consistent time into something and are dedicated to improve then you can't help but get better.

I often joke, but there's a hair of truth to it, that the worst thing to happen to me as a bass player was me joining TB. Before TB, I wasn't aware of all the different brands, gizmos, and gadgets or intricacies of music. I just knew I wanted to play, had "goal" pieces of music to learn, and I put in the time to figure it out without making excuses.

Inspiring post, thank you!

3hrs+ daily practice is a fantastic ambition and one I would love to hit, but it's surprisingly challenging to do on a regular basis - too easy for me to find life getting in the way! Out of interest how long ago was that 4 year period and what inspired you to go for it / how did you stay motivated? And, if you don't mind me asking, what stage/age in life were you then to be able to find the time to do that?.

Fwiw - since turning semi-pro a couple of years back I've found that I've become a net seller of bass gear and being much more interested in what's working well for me when playing live, and also kit that makes the band sound good (e.g. our PA set up), which has had the side effect of some of my kit not getting used much at all and eventually being moved on. I'm down 4 basses over the past couple of years and just have two regular gigging 5 string basses remaining (alongside a few more specialist ones e.g. fretless, EUB, six string).

 

[Lance Bunyon]

First, I slowed down my cash acquisition.
Everything else followed.

Besides, I really only play around 5 of my 11 basses. What I need is a consumer who wants the other 6 so I can consolidate them into bass #6.
Three stooges math...

 

[bassballs27]

I'm sorry but there are instruments in existence that are flat out poor representations of a bass guitar.
It doesn't matter how good the setup is.
And there are lots of instruments that are incredible examples that with regular adjustments, new strings heck even adding different string types: flatwound, tapewound, etc really adds to the experience. Heck, a good fretless that's setup correctly is a ton of fun. All the better reason to justify another purchase.

How many basses did it take for you find what made you satisfied? That's the journey of experience. Now one can tell you when you're satisfied but you. And it doesn't matter what everyone else says.
That's why there are players that find "the one" at their first purchase. And there's plenty that spend their whole life with a new bass every month. Nothing wrong with either, it's your experience. Choose your own rabbit hole.

I've had amazing luck with passive instruments lately. I'll admit that I'm satisfied after 12 years of having a "bass subscription service" and playing the Talkbass classifieds stock market.
Times are also crappy where instrument prices are high just like everything else and some builders are getting out of the game (ie retiring) or scaling back production due to demand. So now's a gre

 

[Vincent Van Low]

When GASSING I leave in "cart" and close the computer and sleep on it, 99 out of 100 times the next day I delete the cart....I have 2 basses, my main P Vincent, and the backup J because I do play pro gigs where a backup is necessary, down from owning 4 basses in my lifetime. My other hobbies of oil painting and long range rifle shooting also require restraint on GAS...so I guess it is all around us....just take the foot of the GAS pedal, walk away, delete that cart

 

[Gopherbassist]

I've always only bought gear that I really, really wanted or was useful to me. Now is the first time I'm thinking about buying a bass "just because" and I'm putting a lot of thought into it. I've given myself three months; I'll save up the money in that time, and if that time comes and I still want the bass, I'll get it.

Really what I need is a good amp, but amps just don't tickle my GAS the way basses do. I'll probably save up for a nice amp and a cab or two after I decide whether or not to get this bass.

 

[jmattbassplaya]

Inspiring post, thank you!

3hrs+ daily practice is a fantastic ambition and one I would love to hit, but it's surprisingly challenging to do on a regular basis - too easy for me to find life getting in the way! Out of interest how long ago was that 4 year period and what inspired you to go for it / how did you stay motivated? And, if you don't mind me asking, what stage/age in life were you then to be able to find the time to do that?.

Fwiw - since turning semi-pro a couple of years back I've found that I've become a net seller of bass gear and being much more interested in what's working well for me when playing live, and also kit that makes the band sound good (e.g. our PA set up), which has had the side effect of some of my kit not getting used much at all and eventually being moved on. I'm down 4 basses over the past couple of years and just have two regular gigging 5 string basses remaining (alongside a few more specialist ones e.g. fretless, EUB, six string).

Hi Al!

I started playing bass when I was about 13-14 years old, so what allowed me to practice so much was simply where I was at in life. I was in my school's Wind Ensemble and Jazz Band, so I got around 2.5hrs of practice just by going to class each day. I was also in a number of garage bands with friends, and one group in particular rehearsed every Friday. We would meet up in class on Monday, discuss however many new songs we wanted to learn, and before or after school each day I would spend another 1-2 hours working on new material for the upcoming rehearsal.

Music was my obsessive, teenage hobby, so I found any and every excuse to play. Depending on your age, you might not have school classes you can take to "force" a practice routine. That said, I think what was most beneficial was just having the structure and other folks who depended on me to learn my parts. I had designated hours of my day set aside to practice and I had very specific musical goals to achieve each time. I had also been in school band for a few years before picking up bass, so I had good study habits like slowing down difficult parts, play it until you can't get it wrong, and then slowly bring it up to speed.

I also used software like Guitar Pro 4 and PowerTabs before that, which, at the time, was just about the best way to learn songs. YouTube wasn't even around quite yet, and the only way to play along to songs was to own the tape/CD or to hear it on the radio, so the software helped give me access to large catalogs of music that I could repeat as often as I needed to learn whatever part I was practicing. Otherwise, it was learning songs by ear/memory.

After high school, I ended up playing with a bunch of bands at my university. We played gigs and had set rehearsal schedules so, again, folks depended on me, I had specific musical goals for each week, and we had events booked. I think those two or three things were probably the most helpful and are applicable to anyone even outside of school or how much or little time you have to dedicate to music.