Why?

[songwriter21]

I have been sitting around letting some extra money coming my way burn a hole in my pockets thinking about what I can buy, and now I am thinking why? I could use a fretless upgrade, but I don’t need one. I certainly do not need another fretted bass. Why do I always want something else?

More and more, for me, having less gear AND having less debt is nice. I can actually splurge on food and drinks, not really having to worry about what bills are due next. I'm content with one or two basses, max, that aren't stupidly expensive (under 2K, imo), get the job done with my gigging and original/studio band, and won't make me cry if they get banged up.

Good tone, solid build, and low financial footprints...all of that can easily start to kick GAS' ass over time.

 

[Michael Stanley 2112]

But I hunger for effects. I have so many, and some really incredible ones on the way.

I canNOT say enough good things about the Boss GT1-B.

 

[LLD]

When the thought arises of something I think I want I spend time running through my mind as if the item was already in my hands. Am I satisfied? Do I have space to store it? In other words I imagine actually owning the thing that often results in a decision that I don't need it and it won't increase my happiness. It's a challenge to battle consumerism mentality.

 

[west al]

I did that, until I acquired the Epi EB-0. The EB-0 stayed, and everything else went.

 

[Michael Favata]

@west al are those the Rotosound trubass 88 black flat wound strings that McCartney used on his Hofner? I’ve been thinking of trying them on my short scale fender American performer. If so how do you like them? Beautiful bass btw

 

[Jack Deth]

Why do I always want something else?

TLDR: without naming your desire in order to understand it, you will aimlessly seek to fill it until it gets pacified or replaced with yet another desire. YMMV in that theory.

Anything based on something subjective, where the next thing seems like something that would complete you, or fills a void that you perceive but can’t quite define, or, grants you something you think you’ve been seeking yet remains out of reach simply because it remains undefined, will always nag at you until you scratch the itch. The problem is, after the initial luster is gone you search again because of the perception or feeling something is still missing. The age old “grass is always greener on the other side of the fence” comes into effect every time. I’ve fallen ill with this many, many times.

Now, I seek only things that provide a very specific capability that I lack. Just this week I scored a short-scale, multi-scale, headless bass and am waiting on it. The capability I looked for before I decided to get it is increased speed in solos, which means I have a specific “name” for why. I am seeking that capability to provide me with the ability to play faster notes than I can currently achieve on a 34”, 35” or 37” scale bass when doing arpeggios. If this new bass fails to provide that, I can only surmise it is entirely me that is missing the ability, and no bass will produce better results since I will finally know I’ve tried the best possible setup to achieve my goal. Knowing the capability you seek in this way allows you to home in with laser focus to the gear that can (may) provide what you need. Or, perhaps I’ve simply lost my mind and am using another crutch to explain GAS away. Either way, YMMV as always. At least now I know what to specifically look for rather than feeling like a kid in a candy store.

 

[JohnWessels]

I have been sitting around letting some extra money coming my way burn a hole in my pockets thinking about what I can buy, and now I am thinking why? I could use a fretless upgrade, but I don’t need one. I certainly do not need another fretted bass. Why do I always want something else?

OMG, you have a serious GAS addiction. Just like the most of us

 

[Dr. Cheese]

TLDR: without naming your desire in order to understand it, you will aimlessly seek to fill it until it gets pacified or replaced with yet another desire. YMMV in that theory.

Anything based on something subjective, where the next thing seems like something that would complete you, or fills a void that you perceive but can’t quite define, or, grants you something you think you’ve been seeking yet remains out of reach simply because it remains undefined, will always nag at you until you scratch the itch. The problem is, after the initial luster is gone you search again because of the perception or feeling something is still missing. The age old “grass is always greener on the other side of the fence” comes into effect every time. I’ve fallen ill with this many, many times.

Now, I seek only things that provide a very specific capability that I lack. Just this week I scored a short-scale, multi-scale, headless bass and am waiting on it. The capability I looked for before I decided to get it is increased speed in solos, which means I have a specific “name” for why. I am seeking that capability to provide me with the ability to play faster notes than I can currently achieve on a 34”, 35” or 37” scale bass when doing arpeggios. If this new bass fails to provide that, I can only surmise it is entirely me that is missing the ability, and no bass will produce better results since I will finally know I’ve tried the best possible setup to achieve my goal. Knowing the capability you seek in this way allows you to home in with laser focus to the gear that can (may) provide what you need. Or, perhaps I’ve simply lost my mind and am using another crutch to explain GAS away. Either way, YMMV as always. At least now I know what to specifically look for rather than feeling like a kid in a candy store.

Why would a multi scale Bass increase your solo speed?

 

[Jack Deth]

25372515[/URL], member: 39659"]Why would a multi scale Bass increase your solo speed?

Ergonomics, and specifically when doing arpeggios.

 

[Dr. Cheese]

Ergonomics, and specifically when doing arpeggios.

OK.

 

[Texaspandj]

I thinks I'd be in the same boat as the OP but I have a Fender P-bass, Fender J-bass and a Fender P/J bass that "Completes Me".

There's a lot of people who have said it but I like Bruce Lee's version best. "In every object pursued, the pursuit counts more than the object".

 

[Dr. Cheese]

Since this thread is still active, I will mention that I decided a bass I already have is nice enough:
How is this tone?

An objective listen on my car stereo blew away with how much bottom this bass has.

 

[west al]

@west al are those the Rotosound trubass 88 black flat wound strings that McCartney used on his Hofner? I’ve been thinking of trying them on my short scale fender American performer. If so how do you like them? Beautiful bass btw

Thanks. The Nylons on the EB-0 are, D'Addario ETB92S Nylons. I've used the D'Addario ETB92 series Nylons on everything for years with, with no issues, and great tones.

 

[David Silva]

Because money is evil and must be disposed of

Yes it's evil, send it my way. I will dispose of it properly.

 

[Dr. Cheese]

That was something I really liked when I visited parts of Africa. It’s not people didn’t want stuff, but they truly know how to be happy with what they have, from what I could see.

I will repost my earlier post in relation to my last comment on this topic. Wanting things is normal and can be very positive. Wanting should not, however, should keep you from enjoying life and enjoying what you have.

 

[BasEd]

TLDR: without naming your desire in order to understand it, you will aimlessly seek to fill it until it gets pacified or replaced with yet another desire. YMMV in that theory.

Anything based on something subjective, where the next thing seems like something that would complete you, or fills a void that you perceive but can’t quite define, or, grants you something you think you’ve been seeking yet remains out of reach simply because it remains undefined, will always nag at you until you scratch the itch. The problem is, after the initial luster is gone you search again because of the perception or feeling something is still missing. The age old “grass is always greener on the other side of the fence” comes into effect every time. I’ve fallen ill with this many, many times.

Now, I seek only things that provide a very specific capability that I lack. Just this week I scored a short-scale, multi-scale, headless bass and am waiting on it. The capability I looked for before I decided to get it is increased speed in solos, which means I have a specific “name” for why. I am seeking that capability to provide me with the ability to play faster notes than I can currently achieve on a 34”, 35” or 37” scale bass when doing arpeggios. If this new bass fails to provide that, I can only surmise it is entirely me that is missing the ability, and no bass will produce better results since I will finally know I’ve tried the best possible setup to achieve my goal. Knowing the capability you seek in this way allows you to home in with laser focus to the gear that can (may) provide what you need. Or, perhaps I’ve simply lost my mind and am using another crutch to explain GAS away. Either way, YMMV as always. At least now I know what to specifically look for rather than feeling like a kid in a candy store.

“Or, perhaps I’ve simply lost my mind and am using another crutch to explain GAS away”... this one ;-)

 

[BasEd]

I canNOT say enough good things about the Boss GT1-B.

Totally agree. I replaced all my MXR pedals with this. I still have a separate tuner even though the GT1-B has one built in. I thought analogue pedals were the way to go but the GT1-B is just as good IMHO and far more versatile. All you need is a J, a P and GT1-B (and a 900W head with two 2x10 cabs of course).

 

[Michael Favata]

Everyone seems to love their 2x10” cabs. Am I the only one who still loves their 15” cabs?
Back in the 70s I had a band mate who had a Traynor Mono Block B (400 watt head) with the matching cab. That cabinet was dual front facing ports, a 20” speaker facing towards the back coming out of the scoops and the baffle between the two scoops had twin 8” speakers (or was it twin 6” I forget it was the 70s and there were a lot of drugs around) anyway till this day never heard anything as good as that cab/head combo. Of course it weighed a million pounds but I’m just saying. I still prefer what a 15” speaker can do…..

 

[foxadn]

Bikes are so expensive, GAS is much less severe because buying one requires a long term commitment.

They don't have to be, I like this analogy with bikes.

I've been riding them for 17 years, had 7 ranging from 125cc to 1200cc. At some point I was contemplating always more expensive ones, thinking "I need one with a bigger engine/more power/more grip/etc..."

Then I took a 5 year break when I had my daughter. Believe me I still wanted a bike bad but held strong to my commitment.

Finally moved back to Europe last summer and got a bike again. Did I have the cash to get a shiny $30k one from a dealership? Absolutely. But thinking I would only use it a couple times a month, I decided it was not a good way to spend the family budget.

Instead I researched what could give me maximum fun with minimum temptation to go fast or get in trouble. Ended up with a supermoto, best choice ever.

Decided to get a used one in need for TLC, gave me a project to wrench on, opportunity to get to know her inside and out. Ended up spending $3800 + $1100 in parts. This thing puts a smile on my face every time I ride it.

--

Now when it comes to basses, I wrench mines as well, setup, fret job etc... I also feel like developing a relationship with the instrument this way is extremely rewarding, and you get to improve it at very low cost.

My current basses are:
- a 5st Sire M7 2nd gen, this thing has so many tones, and is the most comfortable bass I've ever playing (rolled fretboard edges)
- a 4st Sire V7 first gen. Getting the M7 really spoiled that one, didn't like the neck feel anymore, occasional fret buzz was boring me. Decided to put it for sale, no one wanted it for a decent price. In the end I rolled the fretboard edges myself, leveled the frets, put flats on it and now it plays like a million dollar. Intuitive, inspiring... finding myself grabbing it more than the M7.

Since I've had these 2 basses I am no longer wanting anything else.

My next bass will be one I build hopefully.

 

[avi]

I thinks I'd be in the same boat as the OP but I have a Fender P-bass, Fender J-bass and a Fender P/J bass that "Completes Me".

There's a lot of people who have said it but I like Bruce Lee's version best. "In every object pursued, the pursuit counts more than the object".

Yes! It's about the chase!!! It's about the game! Doesn't matter if it's basses, comics, or bikes. There is a rush.
Lately I like being suprised. Like "Oh. I've never had one of those. Let's see how it plays. Nah or let's go! "
I've owned a lot of stuff over the years so not really looking back. Though if I came across a BC Rich Innovator or a Kubicki Factor I would play it again and see if it still made me happy. Problem is all the stuff I owned that I would buy again I can no longer afford! Hence - look for surprises.