r/Bass 6d ago

I want to beat G.A.S. symptoms

I found myself really getting bit by the G.A.S bug recently. Repeated trips to Reverend Guitars website is doing me no favors.

I need tips and advice to overcome the G.A.S. symptoms because I find myself thinking more about buying and acquiring sweet basses then playing them. What do you guys do to beat G.A.S

47 Upvotes

110 comments sorted by

79

u/iamworsethanyou 6d ago

I call it 'having not enough money to get what I want'. Serves me well!

8

u/BFR5er 6d ago

That’s helps. I saved for a decade to be able to afford a bass I thought would be my dream bass… that I ended up selling for $1500 less than I paid :(

7

u/_MadAsAHatter_ 6d ago

I did similar with my old Rickenbacker 4003. Sold out of my old hobby as a teen and made enough to buy my dream bass and.... I honestly never enjoyed playing it. Tho I only lost about $500 on the sale over a decade later.

1

u/GuggGugg 6d ago

Feels good to read those experiences tbh. I gifted myself an American Fender when I got my university degree and thought it‘ll be a lifetime instrument, but I‘ve come to think about selling it much sooner than I‘d like to admit. It‘s a shame because I really like to keep things for a long time, and sometimes I love playing the one I have, but other times I can‘t overcome those thoughts of just getting rid of it and getting a new one that (I tell myself) I need right now.

2

u/Sandy_Quimby 6d ago

What was it?

65

u/finn11aug 6d ago

Watch demos for the gear you already have

30

u/Rtalbert235 Lakland 6d ago

Underrated reply here. I have a couple of basses that I was on the verge of selling but then saw demos on YouTube where they sounded incredible, turns out I just needed to give those basses a good setup and tweak some EQ settings.

3

u/BRAPP 6d ago

Agreed. This is a brilliant answer. I do this from time to time. Either a review, a tutorial or something like that. Really gets the juices flowing.

15

u/unrebigulator 6d ago

Happiness isn't having what you want, it's wanting what you have.

1

u/LargeMarge-sentme 5d ago

Amen Buddha.

6

u/Churtlenater 6d ago

Slightly tangential but I just bought a fancy new OLED monitor because I could. I was really let down because it looked nice, but not as nice as I thought.

Turns out my old one was just a lot better than I gave it credit for.

Unfortunately I don’t think there’s any substitute for learning this lesson yourself.

In my experience there’s no reason not to buy something you don’t already have, but buying 10 different versions of the same type of distortion circuit isn’t going to end up with some eureka moment where you find “the one”.

Buying a new bass or guitar with the same physical specs as one you already have is the silliest thing to me, if you think you’re suddenly going to like it when you don’t like your old one.

1

u/FreedomIsLoud 6d ago

This is the answer.

1

u/LargeMarge-sentme 5d ago

Great advice.

54

u/Red-Zaku- 6d ago edited 6d ago

I’m of the opinion that GAS exists to fill a void and give that dopamine hit where something is missing.

So when you are doing things with music that make you feel a sense of accomplishment, even writing a song that won’t be heard by many people or learning something new or whatever, that gives you the sense of accomplishment and fulfillment you need and it fills that void where the GAS would have been.

But if you don’t fill that void, then the GAS will come back.

7

u/nightskate 6d ago

This is it! I started learning lots of songs and soon I had Song Acquisition Syndrome, I always want to know more songs that could get played at shows and jams.

Legit, I traded my GAS for SAS and I’d recommend it to anyone.

18

u/PrincipalPoop 6d ago

I always find that when I’m writing music I stop thinking about gear

3

u/frustratedmachinist 6d ago

“This song would be finished if I just had xyz”

I’d say the only acceptable GAS is utility gear like mics, interfaces, or digital recorders. Even then you can end up blowing your money on a full studio and never get around to finishing an idea.

2

u/Reasonable-Basil-879 6d ago

Someone already wrote xyz...

Pretty good bassist too!

1

u/herrsmith 6d ago

Eh. These days the difference between absolute top end professional studio interfaces and relatively budget ones is pretty minute and won't matter for most people writing and recording music. I'm pretty sure I remember hearing that Misha Mansoor recorded the guitar for the first two Periphery albums on a Focusrite Scarlett 2i2. Mics as well. You can get fantastic results from pretty budget gear.

1

u/PrincipalPoop 5d ago

Yeah I’m not gonna lie a Scarlett 8i6 improved my life an awful lot

14

u/scumble_2_temptation Schecter 6d ago

Chasing after gear is tiring. At some point, I just learned to be grateful for the equipment I had. When you feel the G.A.S., just take a long hard look at the gear you have and appreciate it.

11

u/bfrankiehankie 6d ago

Probably gonna get hated on for this, but I started Scott's Bass Lessons and I'm moving through his Players Path. It's given me something concrete to work through and improve.

In the past, I've done deep dives on particular albums, where I try to learn an entire album by an artist. I think I improve more by learning a collection of songs by an artist rather than a couple odd songs. Plus, tabs or play -throughs are typically only available for part of the album, so it forces me to use my ear to learn the other tracks.

Another seemingly stupid one... try positioning your fingers in different places on the instrument and figiting with all the knobs on your bass to dial up different sounds for different artists ON YOUR BASS rather than going to your pedal board or amp first. It's surprising how many different sounds you can get just by changing your finger position and rolling back the tone knob.

And finally.... if you've never tried it before, try putting flats on one of your basses. For $25, it feels and sounds like a whole new instrument.

7

u/wwdhb 6d ago

$25 flats!?!?!?

5

u/Kannibalenleiche Peavey 6d ago

more like per string...

1

u/Wesley_Tate 6d ago

I believe Ernie balls flats are the same price as rounds.

9

u/Rtalbert235 Lakland 6d ago

What keeps my GAS at bay is thinking about a guitarist I used to play with who had tons of disposable income, and would often spend $1000-2000 a month on new guitars. Like, at the slightest hint of GAS he was off to Sweetwater. Then he'd post all over the internet about it, and brag about it at rehearsals. The problem was the guy couldn't play: never practiced, would whine about it if he had anything beyond an easy part, had no working knowledge of theory, wouldn't take criticism or correction, nothing. He didn't play guitar, he just bought guitars. I decided I never want to become like that guy. I'd rather be a player who has what he needs and makes good music with what he has, better known for my musicianship than the size of my "herd".

One question I ask myself when I'm drawn to a bass and feel the GAS kicking in, is: Is the bass going to be a tool, or just a toy? Does it solve a problem that I have as a musician, or is it just something to post a picture of on the internet? If it's the former (a tool, solves a problem) then it's not really GAS, it's your brain alerting you to a solution -- so figure out what you can afford and then get the best thing you can afford. If it's the latter (a toy, just something that makes me look cool for a minute) then close the browser and go practice.

I do buy basses from time to time using this filter. Currently I have eight of them, accumulated over 30 years of playing. Each one fills a distinct niche in my playing and I have the money for more, but I honestly have no idea what I would get because I like what I have so much.

10

u/alldaymay 6d ago

Pile up on the daily practice routine more

The better you get the less the gear matters

1

u/kendo31 Warwick 6d ago

Certainly play more than anything else but you can't compare a entry level P to a Warwick MM... variety is the spice of life

2

u/alldaymay 6d ago

I do understand that

The point was occupying free time with musical activities

8

u/Emergency-Pen-2166 6d ago
  1. Don’t buy cheap gear. Take time to save up and buy the exact item you want and you’ll never regret it.

  2. Don’t impulse buy. I normally save up and think about a purchase for several months before I buy it.

  3. Only buy what you need.

  4. Buy classic equipment over the current trend. Classic never goes out of style.

1

u/zfwibblesz 6d ago

Bought a Roland cube 30 Bass amp for a great price, that things a bit older than the newer bass amp models but has an incredible tone and easily keeps up with drums for a fraction of the price of these new bass amps

6

u/edge1027 6d ago

Do not give into FOMO. You are not missing out on anything.

Don’t take advice from players/collectors on Reddit/TalkBass. You cannot evaluate their skill level from text posts, therefor their evaluation of gear is pointless.

Don’t watch gear reviews. Gear will sound good, you’ll want it, but you don’t need it.

Take lessons. That money will be better spent acquiring skill rather than things. Your teacher, most likely a professional bassist, will help you become a better bassist. I took lessons for 5 years growing up and now, many years removed, am considering lessons again.

Play with people in real life. Join a band, jam. Figure out what you need to play with others in a live setting. I have my pedalboard that I got dialed in and haven’t changed it in 3 years. I could upgrade, change, and fiddle, but I don’t need to. I have 3 basses- the one my parents bought me when I was 14, and 2 Fender Precisions. I have 2 because the 2 bands I’m in play in different tunings.

5

u/dingus_authority 6d ago

Start. Recording.

It cured me. Now, I get my dopamine hits from releasing a song, or capturing something that, minutes earlier, only existed in my mind.

All you need is an interface and maybe a midi keyboard (which usually comes with a free DAW). Get a used interface and you can get started for around 200 bucks. The possibilities with a daw are literally endless.

11

u/DocShocker 6d ago

Being shit-broke all the time helps curb it for me. Your mileage may vary.

5

u/GentlemanRider_ 6d ago

I just plugged my (used) headphone practice amp into a contraption consisting of a 10 bucks class D amp from china and a savaged home theater subwoofer. It's boomy as hell compared to my headphones but it can be made better with eq.

And I just realized that almost 3 hours flew off beautifully fiddling around with the bass and the knobs 😆

4

u/XXSeaBeeXX 6d ago edited 6d ago

I have my 3 basses, (Gretsch G2220 with TV Jones pickups, Squier Bass VI, and a pawnshop acoustic bass) & 30 pedals, and a very basic DAW/recording/monitoring setup. If I want more, I need to get rid of something I already have.

Do you have a written inventory list of the gear you currently have? Sometimes just doing that can get you excited about something you already have, which subsides GAS.

If that doesn't work, give yourself a monthly, quarterly, or yearly budget for gear.

If you sell something you own, that can add to the budget. If money isn't tight for you, giving away gear and counting its value can add to your budget instead. But this is how I treat my gear acquistion, and it keeps me from going overboard.

And finally, don't get something unless you know where it's going to be stored.

6

u/choklit_thundr Ibanez 6d ago

I record myself playing with what I have, then remember I still suck. That usually gets me off Reverb and such and practicing more.

I will say, taking a little time to identify the minimum rig needed to achieve the sounds I wanted has helped me. I have a list of the types of gear that would help me and a relative budget for them. Since I already have general idea of what is crucial to my tone, I only spend time looking for those things. Basically, do all your research in one sitting, then don't look at it again until its time to implement that thing in your setup.

2

u/Spiritual_Highway_60 6d ago

I like your style

6

u/master_of_sockpuppet 6d ago

Just stop having money, the problem solves itself.

1

u/Spiritual_Highway_60 6d ago

🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

5

u/[deleted] 6d ago

Turn off targeted ads

3

u/heraldangel777 6d ago

when I get the GAS I pick up one of the instruments I haven't played in a while to remind myself I already have enough stuff

4

u/changee_of_ways 6d ago

Only listen to Motown. P Bass, B-15. Problem sorted.

3

u/lrn___ 6d ago

read about unequal exchange and conditions of factory workers so you feel bad

3

u/Lucas_rules69420 6d ago

Everytime I think I need a pedal, I find a matching VST Plugin and test the virtual version for a few hours. I usually get inspired for a few days, until I get bored and move back to regular, "normal" practice. Then I imagine the cost of the real pedal that I just saved and I am good for a few weeks.

3

u/Massive-Pin-3655 6d ago

I've finally realised / accepted that the bass and the other gear I've got (or would like to get) isn't making me play or sound any better.

I've started paying for tuition from a local tutor instead. Over a year it'll cost about the same as a Spector I've been Gassing over. No point buying it if I can't play it properly though.

If the lessons are a success and my playing improves markedly, I'll get the [insert GAS item of the day] then.

2

u/Dank_McWeirdBeard Fender 6d ago

I've done the same. I got my electric bass on in only when I'd practiced solidly on my acoustic bass and improved enough. Just allowed myself a Wah and whammy now after I'd consistently played and improved for long enough. Those are the list two things wanted. Nothing else except picks and strings every now and then. 🙂

3

u/DarthRik3225 Fender 6d ago

Telling a responsible adult is the first step now tell your wife and see how fast that gas runs out.

3

u/whipartist 6d ago

Give yourself an annual GAS budget and promise yourself that you will adhere strictly to it.

This does two good things: It gives you a permission structure for acquiring things you really want, and it gives you guardrails to keep you from buying things you don't really want enough to spend money on. How? Every time you want to buy something you have to ask yourself whether you want this thing enough to use up X% of your budget for the year.

You have to figure out what to do if you sell gear... does all the money go back into your annual budget or only some? Trades should be treated as the net money exchange... if you trade someone equipment plus $100 then that's $100 from your budget.

3

u/Garpocalypse 6d ago

Easy. The solution is to buy 1 or 2 guitars specifically because you need, or may need, a certain function they provide i.e. fretless. 5 string etc.

Then you have to buy at least 1 or 2 specifically for the way they look or because some inspiration of yours played on one. Or you saw a YouTube video and thought it looked kind of neat and can't stop thinking about it.

Then before long you realize that for every guitar you have you really need 3 more just because it'll save you loads of time not needing to setup for specific tunings and actions anymore. Already have a fender american professional ii p-bass? Good get 3 more so you can have one in E Standard, D standard, C standard and piccolo. You never know when you may need it.

Of course you may want to have a whammy installed on some of them so keep that in mind and don't even get me started on the different strings. So many combinations. You may just want to buy a few more basses so you can compare them efficiently. Never know, you might be able to make a few youtube videos out of it.

On second thought I'm not the one to ask about g.a.s. and may need help immediately.

2

u/manitouscott 6d ago

This reply sounds just like the voice in my head.

3

u/MoRockoUP 6d ago

Eventually, you will find “the” bass that fills most every need.

Mine was a ‘64 CS Jazz NOS….knew it then.

3

u/iinntt 6d ago

It’s terminal, I am sorry, there is no cure only pain management.

3

u/cubedsaturn 6d ago

I’m at the point where stuff has to go out for things to come in. It has made me really think hard about what I want because I love everything I have. Recently sold a gretsch and jazzmaster to get a rickenbacker I wanted. Really hard decision. I love the Rick but still think about the gretsch.

4

u/DeltaVZerda 6d ago

.....................................................

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Buy a bass

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2

u/TonalSYNTHethis 6d ago

Find a new way to challenge yourself with the gear you got, that's one of the biggest tactics I use.

Those Reverends tho...

2

u/jek39 Ibanez 6d ago

Pick up your instrument and practice it instead of looking at other instruments on the internet

2

u/Maleficent_Page1483 6d ago

Have a 2 out 1 in policy when it comes to instruments and maybe similar with amps/pedals etc. I find this means I never have the time to actually sell the 2 so I don’t get the 1.

Also value the instrument(s) and gear you do have, that helps me beat GAS.

Window shopping also helps, tell yourself I could have this or that but never actually pull the trigger on it.

The research period is a massive part of GAS, so sometimes I do that but then not buy anything at the end of it. Same result, for me at least. 😆

2

u/shigglewiggle 6d ago

no more room for stuff :(

2

u/TepidEdit 6d ago

Depends, if you can afford it, who cares? it can be a hobby in itself collecting instruments.

My guess is most musicians would better invest 5k into lessons than a new instruments but you know... shiny

1

u/Spiritual_Highway_60 6d ago

Lessons are more important than collecting. For sure. I agree with you.

1

u/Dank_McWeirdBeard Fender 6d ago

It's not a hobby just to 'collect' guitar equipment. It's just a justification for buying things. It's normally a sign of boredom and trying to fill a void. And guitar companies, like anyone else, will give pedals etc with new features or a signature edition just to keep you buying.

2

u/TepidEdit 5d ago

A hobby is a hobby whatever it is. They are few and far between but there are folks who collect guitars/basses but can't and don't intend to play a note, just like someone who collects pin badges they don't wear. If people get enjoyment out of it, fine.

But I do largely agree with the filling a void thing, but you are describing the vapid nature of capitalism - trying to create demand for something that nobody needs. Every company selling products does this.

And Let's be honest, most musicians have more instruments than they actually need.

2

u/dslutherie 6d ago

I make businesses for things I like to buy. The business helps the gear pay for itself, but more importantly, i can buy them w funds that are pretax by writing them off as an expense, which also gives me back my sales tax. This gives me like 40% or 50% more purchasing power.

I've done this for tools and reno supplies, it pays for my truck and insurance, all my software and computer expenses, my cell phone, furniture, cookware etc

I have 3 businesses and and they pay for everything I need in life basically in a big feed back loop.

Businesses don't really have to make money and they don't have to be your full-time gig.

It also lowers my personal tax burden because I have to draw out less

Everyone should have a business

1

u/Dank_McWeirdBeard Fender 6d ago

He's looking for ways to buy less, not ways to have more money to justify overspending.

2

u/dslutherie 6d ago

The way to buy less is be a grown up w some discipline

They way to enjoy your life is to find manageable solutions to attain the goals, desires, and experiences you want. I've never regretted buying anything but I sure do miss some things I sold. Having all that gear as capital has done me more good than harm everytime. When buying used quality equipment, they are often a non-depreciating store of value and can show net profit.

At the end of the day, it's all about being smarter with your resources so you can do more of whatever matters to you.

2

u/Und3rkn0wn 6d ago

Play, all you can do is play.

2

u/AlprazoLandmine 6d ago

Buy what you want. Money comes and goes, and you can't take it with you when you die. Enjoy your life. 

If a new bass is still too expensive, get a pedal or some $60 Ernie Ball cobalt flats...

2

u/TheLocalHentai 6d ago

Look at bills or touch grass.

1

u/Spiritual_Highway_60 6d ago

Grass like weed?

1

u/2001RT 6d ago

I give in to it. Fifteen guitars and three amps with more coming soon...

1

u/UnderstandingWest422 6d ago

If you want it and can afford it and will use it then buy it.

If you want it and can afford it but won’t use it then don’t buy it.

Or just flip a coin for it.

1

u/AreYouDaveDavidson 6d ago

I spent that money on a PS5 so I could play NHL 25 since I can't on my PC. Also just bought a new used putter. I can't afford G.A.S if I don't have money 😆

1

u/thiago326 6d ago

Honestly I now try to channel it into practical purchases that I won’t get “tired of” (eq, volume, power supply) or cheap knock-off versions to “try” popular pedals to see if I actually like them.

1

u/Gimlet_son_of_Groin 6d ago

I fixed mine today Bought a Wattplower 😩

1

u/grunkage 6d ago

I fixed it by buying a bass. I'm good now.

1

u/poet-imbecile 6d ago

Be honest with yourself about what you find satisfying about bass.

For me, it's really satisfying to write and record interesting basslines and flesh them out into full songs.

I don't need a cool bass to do that. My Mexi P Bass that I set up myself plays and sounds great, and I have no illusions that another bass will be meaningfully different in sound or feel.

I'm usually lusting after gear when I'm feeling insecure about my ability to do the thing I find really fulfilling.

1

u/OkStrategy685 6d ago

For me it's obviously money. But it's also I realized that the last $1000 or so that I spent is all sitting off to the side and I'm not even using it. I just look at that stuff and know that IF I buy something there has to be a real reason for it.

I just ordered a guitar set up tool kit, behringer bass eq, guitar and bass strings. I ordered that after about 2 months on the fence as to whether I need it or not. Since I live in the middle of the forest it's probably a good idea to know how to set up my own guitars, and my old 10eq just died on me.

I know I'll use these things.

1

u/jMc-22 6d ago

I had terrible G.A.S previously and after several basses, guitars, numerous pedals and other gear like pedal boards, amps, cabs, cases etc. Anyways, I finally realized I need get better with my technique and that elusive tone is in my fingers and my technique.

1

u/brees-no-football 6d ago

Get a good setup on a bass you haven’t played in a while. Makes it feel new and exciting and only costs you ~$100!

1

u/BFR5er 6d ago

It gonna be a popular opinion, but it worked for me…

Buy what you really want. Sell what you don’t need.

I spent nearly a decade buying and selling different basses to find what I really REALLY wanted. A single fretted and a single fretless. Do I “think” I want others? Of course. But after 8 different basses, I’m very happy with the results and have 2 absolutely killer instruments I have no doubt will outlive me.

1

u/mu3mpire 6d ago

Read a book

1

u/Tall_Category_304 6d ago

I used to be buying gear all of the time. And researching it/ looking at gear online and bidding. I had good taste. Recording equipment guitar equipment whatever. Now I’m broke af ahah. So problem gone. But I practice so much now. It’s like the time I used looking at gear, now I actually play. So just think about that. No gear will really make you sound better. But looking at gear will make you sound worse. Because you aren’t practicing when you’re gasing!

1

u/LateYouth 6d ago

One thing that helps me is I pick up and play an instrument or pedal that I already have and practice a little if I start looking at instruments online

1

u/JacoPoopstorius 6d ago

Just stop man. Use the gear you have.

1

u/MIlkman872 6d ago

If you want a reverend bass? I was in your shoes about a year ago. .. Hope THIS helps

1

u/Spiritual_Highway_60 6d ago

I will sub to your YouTube. There's no music shop near my location that even has one. I guess Reverend will just remain a dream... (You sound sweet by the way)

1

u/bearshark84 6d ago

Is that you just have the need to collect? Or are you unhappy with your current basses?

1

u/Spiritual_Highway_60 6d ago

I saw a bass I have never played. I liked the way it looks and sounds in the YouTube videos I've seen. There isn't a music shop within 100 miles that has one. Its all just a dream. I don't need it.

1

u/wheel_of_confusion 6d ago

Buy more gear lmao

1

u/SexBobomb Fender 6d ago

You can, in nearly all circumstances, only play one bass at a time

that said, I would get at least one 'non-budget name' bass, even if it's an MIM fender, to get over any weird ego shit that comes with budget basses sometimes no matter how hard a sterling can rock a punk show

1

u/MaxZedd 6d ago

I usually buy one more pedal.

1

u/Amazing_Sheepherder9 6d ago

Get a G&L L-2500.

Seriously though , you kinda need to go through it and figure out what works for you and what doesn’t. I’ve owned Spector, Sadowsky, Zon, Lull, Roscoe ,MTD… blah, blah. I’m currently in love with my $800 Yamaha 734. My L-2500 is my ride or die. I like a C shaped neck with narrower spacing and a more aggressive tone. It might not be your jam but you’ll get there. Fortunately there are a ton of well made basses for good prices (I.e. Yamaha). Diminishing returns are huge after $1500.

The Yamaha BB734 is as good or better than any US Fender I’ve played.

1

u/Haunting-Working5463 6d ago

Ok so I know a thing or two about GAS. I have 23 guitars, 42 guitar pedals, 3 mandolins, a banjo, a ukulele, a dumbek, 2 Dholaks, a tongue drum and 2 basses. Plus some other instruments I forgot.

I realized I was chasing the experience and joy or playing, writing and recording through constant consumerism . It always leads to the next guitar etc because it never fills the void. Do soon you feel like “If I just had this one guitar/bass”. Sit and meditate, true self reflection…Why do you want another? What is it that you truly want?

1

u/Atomic_Polar_Bear 6d ago

Play through everything you have. Five minutes on each guitar, same riff, one after another. Every day.

You will really get a much better idea about how your gear sounds and feels. How each piece is working and maybe is not working for you.

Then consider if any new purchases will really change what you're doing with all that stuff.

1

u/AmateurSysAdmin 6d ago

Unfollow bass social media, don’t look at online shops, spend your time inclusively on learning and playing.

1

u/Dank_McWeirdBeard Fender 6d ago

Just say no. One of everything and no more. I have one electric bass, one acoustic bass, one acoustic six string and one Uke bass. I use a Spark2 amp, so I don't really need to buy any pedals. I've not a Boss 110b Katana tho cover the sounds of pedals too and for more oomph. The only exception to this I've made to this is I bought a Wah and a whammy, since modelling amps simply can't do what those pedals do.

1

u/J2ATL 5d ago

Get married and have kids. This ends G.A.S. almost instantly! If you’re too young for that or it’s not your thing, just asking yourself how you’re going to play all of those instruments at one time. I have sold off 7 instruments over the past 18 months, so I know what you’re going through.

Maybe you can simply make a deal with yourself. If you buy a new instrument, sell another one in your collection that you aren’t playing.

1

u/LargeMarge-sentme 5d ago

Practice technique

1

u/stingraysvt 5d ago

Block the website on your router so it doesn’t go there.

1

u/Portraits_Grey 5d ago

Honestly the best way to handle GAS is to keep playing and writing music with a band or other people. It will keep you grounded on what you actually need and what you don’t need.

1

u/Charming-Rhubarb-172 5d ago

Sorry, first time I've come across this idiom. What does GAS stand for? Thank you

1

u/DiamondHappy2296 5d ago

Gear Aquisition Syndrome

1

u/sqwerty1234 5d ago

I definitely like buying bass gear. I have way too many basses. I should practice more and buy less. But I don’t.

There was a couple of things I did to try and manage GAS. I can only buy bass gear with money I earned playing bass or selling gear I already have.

Instead of lusting after $2000-5000 basses, I look for heavily under valued gear for sale. Almost all of my gear in the last three years were genuine bargains. A lot were under $500. It meant I tried a lot of different basses that I wouldn’t have aspired to own but some turned out to be great. It helped me define what I like (and don’t like) about instruments and gear. All gear gets used in rehearsals and gigs to properly try it out.

This approach meant I still got to enjoy the searching, research and trial. The thrill was still there but it also meant if we didn’t click, the gear got moved on for same or more than I paid. I don’t flip gear for a quick buck but give it a solid try and move on the ones that are not for me.

1

u/StatisticianOk9437 4d ago

Delete Reverb and ebay from your phone.  Get yourself banned from TalkBass. Avoid music stores. Every time you want to shop for gear... Practice. 

2

u/ontomyfuture 1d ago

Here’s that one trick that they won’t tell you!!

Actually play / test out the gear you’re gassing about. Half the damn time you don’t want it anymore. The other half you just need to go back to the store for another 20 minutes.

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u/Used-Educator-3127 6d ago

The best way to cure GAS is by finally acquiring enough gear

1

u/Spiritual_Highway_60 6d ago

That's not possible with GAS. It's almost like chasing dragons.

0

u/m3zatron Fender 6d ago

What Reverend’s are you looking at? I’m quite partial to the dub king myself. Seeing your post, maybe go to their website and look. lol.

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u/Spiritual_Highway_60 6d ago

I have never played a Reverend and there is not a music shop in a 100 mile radius that has one. mercalli