G.A.S - Gear Addiction Syndrome

[primesuspect]

I've heard of this terrible disease on music-related websites. It is a mutated version of CAS, which I'm sure many of you are all too familiar with.

It started when I got this bass. It needed some strings. No biggie.

Then robby started his short-media band idea. Cool.. Of course, I need something to record with. No biggie.

I start doing some research online. Ten minutes after my "Research" started, I had spent $150 on a mixer and a PCI-based hard disk recorder.

Then, today, I went to Guitar Center. I hate guitar center. I hate slimey commissioned salespeople. That's fine. I'm a guitar shop veteran, I know how to say no. I walked in with a $50 budget - i needed those strings and I wanted a new cord for my bass.

Okay, I spent $50, I got a cord, some lemon oil for the fretboard (it was very dirty) and they had Dean Markley strings on sale for $20. That's a really good deal for bass strings. I needed a 6-string set (duh) and they had a pile of 7-string sets they were trying to get rid of (who plays a 7-string?) and they sold me one for $20. Not bad.

I was smug. I was proud.

Then the G.A.S. kicked in.

I brought my sons with me. They wanted a guitar. I said "oh jeez, yeah right, whatever". They wanted to see it.

I wanted to be cosmopolitan musical dad. So I let them jam on a junior acoustic for a while. Then my four year old says he really wants it, for real. I say no, in my firmest dad way.

Then we are leaving. My 6 year old spots a Fender Squire Bullet junior electric for $99. (You see where this is leading)

I walked out today $200 poorer. But man, I feel like a cool dad tonight.

[Shorty]

Now thats awesome!

At his age, he is gonna learn fast.. real fast.. and get good (with a little help and encouragement) quick :D

You are a cool dad mate :rockon: I wasn't allowed to have a guitar till I was 16.. started late :(

G.A.S. just happens, there aint nowt you can do about it ;D

7 string BASS strings?

[Camman]

hahaha awesome prime! get 'em started early! I might have to check out that short media band thread.... I can play a mean alto sax ;)

[Shorty]

hahaha awesome prime! get 'em started early! I might have to check out that short media band thread.... I can play a mean alto sax ;)
Serious?! We HAVE to find a use for that somewhere :D

[primesuspect]

7 string basses do exist, but aren't very common... Guitar center locally has a stack of those 7 string sets. I'll probably buy another set for my sixer just to have.. Can't beat $20.

[GnomeWizardd]

I hate guitar center too! I go to georges music. Thats where i got my bass. I am loving it tho! Prime you are right! i went in with a 450 limit for my bass I ended up with a 300 Ibanez Bass witha 300 peavy amp. THEN i had to get a bag, Strap, Stand, Cord. By the time i walked out it was 700 on the credit card! and in 2 weeks I am going back to west palm beach to georges to get some more stuff for my bass.

Its just as addicting as my pc and g/f!

[Norge]

About how much would a decent 4 string bass cost? Is the $300 Gnomewizard spent on his the normal running price or is that one of the more elaborate models? I've always kinda wanted to learn how to play guitar and all the talk lately about it has me interested again. I've messed around with regular 6 string guitars before and I have a problem hitting only one string. My fingers always seem to hit two strings at a time. It looks like the strings are spaced out more on a 4 string bass so I was thinking that might be easier? I really don't know. Oh and what kind of music can you play with a 4 string bass? Can you play full songs with them or is it mainly an instrument to compliment a regular guitar? Sorry for all the dumb questions but I'm a newb on this subject.

Norge

[primesuspect]

You can get a starter bass for between $150-$200 or even cheaper for a used one. I would recommend the cheapest bass possible for a starter, since your first bass will be used to teach you physically how to play - get your finger muscles stretching, your hands stretched out, and your fingertips toughened. After you have been playing the starter bass for a year or so, you will be more educated about the instrument and its capabilities, and you can make an informed decision about your first "real" bass.

Another thing: Don't fall into the trap of thinking that the bass is "guitar lite"... It's a totally different instrument. Bass can be used as the foundation of a whole band (In early jazz, it WAS the rhythm section), it can be used harmonically, and it can also be a melodic/solo instrument.

[Camman]

wow, for some reason I thought guitars were crazy expensive..... didnt realize you could get starter ones for like a few hundred dollars...I guess cause I know like more "student/starter" traditional band instruments are closer to like $1000. My starter alto sax was $1200, I want to get a soprano, but I cant bring myself to drop the coin on it.

[GnomeWizardd]

Yea the only reason i went with the ibanez was the price. Its originaly 350 I got it for 275 Plus tax. BUT i have played bass before just never owned one. I used to go over my friends house and play all the time. Grant it I still suck but i am progressing VERY fast. Heck I can already play church songs ( I played on the church band on sunday ) I cant seem to ever get used to a rael electric guitar thats why i went bass. i am not THAT coordinated!

[CB]

Yea, we've got a Willis Music in the mall nearby, and they're always cool. I just got my Classical guitar restrung. They guy recommended a set of strings that were only $7, and which he thought were better than the more expencive ones anyway, then he offered to restring the thing for me for just a couple more bucks, which was nice. And then, when I came to pick it up, he'd thrown in a couple of piks that were the same brand and type as the ones that were already in my case.

On top of all that, his cute assistant flirted with me a little, while she waited for my credit card to proccess... That place has a new loyal customer. I can see why they're doing well if they treat everybody like that.

[Norge]

You can get a starter bass for between $150-$200 or even cheaper for a used one. I would recommend the cheapest bass possible for a starter, since your first bass will be used to teach you physically how to play - get your finger muscles stretching, your hands stretched out, and your fingertips toughened. After you have been playing the starter bass for a year or so, you will be more educated about the instrument and its capabilities, and you can make an informed decision about your first "real" bass.

Another thing: Don't fall into the trap of thinking that the bass is "guitar lite"... It's a totally different instrument. Bass can be used as the foundation of a whole band (In early jazz, it WAS the rhythm section), it can be used harmonically, and it can also be a melodic/solo instrument.

Thanks a lot for all of the good information. I am really considering buying one now. I'm going home this weekend so I might see if my dad can suggest a good starter bass. He plays regular guitar but he knows the guy at the local music store and also knows the name brands better than I do. I like the whole thing with being able to use it as a solo instrument too. That is what I would mainly use it for since I'm not in a band.

Oh and I forgot to say earlier that getting your kid a guitar should definitly get you cool dad points. Besides, when he becomes a rock star you have an instant pension plan for when you get old!

Yea the only reason i went with the ibanez was the price. Its originaly 350 I got it for 275 Plus tax. BUT i have played bass before just never owned one. I used to go over my friends house and play all the time. Grant it I still suck but i am progressing VERY fast. Heck I can already play church songs ( I played on the church band on sunday ) I cant seem to ever get used to a rael electric guitar thats why i went bass. i am not THAT coordinated!
I'm not coordinated with 6 strings at all. I suck pretty bad at a normal guitar. Before I buy a 4 string bass I wanna see if they'll let me play around with it first. It would kinda suck to buy a guitar and figure out I don't even like it.

Norge

[primesuspect]

Excellent samples of artists who really push the instrument. Take a listen if you are interested to see how far the instrument can really go:

Michael Manring
Victor Wooten (From Bela Fleck & The Flecktones)
Marcus Miller
Jaco Pastorius

[GnomeWizardd]

Norge Just to let you know The bass isnt something you can pick up and play takes time. Takes dedication. I know many people that cant play the regular guitar like me but can play bass.

[Norge]

Whoa! I found some samples of the Marcus Miller guy and he is a beast! That was sweet sounding! Definitly a master musician. I know I'll never be that good but there has to be simpler stuff I can learn. It is hard to find music from modern rock songs for a bass?

Yeah I know it takes time a dedication to learn it. That is still why I am debating whether I should get one or not. I really need to start doing some more research on the topic I guess. It is something I want to do but I'm afraid I'll sink all that money into it only to learn that I am horrible at it.

Norge

[primesuspect]

If you want to learn it, and you are dedicated, you can't possibly be horrible at it. It's just like anything - you'll need to make a small investment in the beginning, but if you stick with it, the rewards are bountiful and last a lifetime.

hahah yeah, don't worry about sounding like any of those guys. I've been playing for 12 years and I don't sound even close. Those guys are insane. I just wanted to throw that out there so that people can see the full potential of the instrument.

[GnomeWizardd]

yea I am not even close to prime! I can play churchs songs now and i am happy with that!

[celcho]

wooten is amazing. just amazing...

[kanezfan]

eeehhhhh, you forgot the man, Les Claypool?!?!??! wtf prime! I'm sure you've heard of a little band called Primus. The shame, you of all people!!!!!!

[kanezfan]

btw, you have any need for a trombone player? I can jam in B flat pretty well. 1st and 3rd position, it's easy.

[keto]

Ya, I have G.A.S. REALLY bad right now, tho I know it as Gear ACQUISITION Syndrome, it is yet another reason (busy at work, sick, learning recording console) that I haven't been around here much. Been hunting for an amp upgrade and spending a ton of time on the Fender Discussion Page (FDP) Forums (http://fenderforum.com/forum.html) the past few days.

Background: I started late, had a guitar and amp when a teenager but never learned anything. Started again in 1993, bought a good guitar (G & L S-500, basically a high end strat made by Leo Fender's last company) and took some lessons. My big GAS problem has always been more about amps and pedals than guitars themselves. I still have the G & L, along with a pawn shop Japanese made '60's cheapie and an Epiphone bottom of the line Les Paul. But I have gone thru amps like crazy. From what I can recall:

Fender Chorus 25 (not great, all transistor) which I traded to
Peavy Classic 30 (shoulda kept, nice amp, all tube) which I traded to
Marshall JCM800 which I hated, a Marshall does 1 thing REALLY well at MAX volume and sux at everything else. Which I traded to

66 Fender Pro Reverb (Blackface). Oh, now THAT was the amp of a lifetime. I got really stupid and a little short of cash in the summer of 2000 and sold it off on consignment. Ever since, I have wanted it back or another blackface. Now, I am in position to do something about it - maybe.

Got a Vox Cambridge 15 when I did that transaction, tube preamp and OK for what it is, but eh, just a weak ass practice amp really. Now that my boys are playing (nods at prime) we need another amp around the house.

Problem is, a) Blackface's are scarce as hell b) they've doubled to tripled in value in the last 3.5 years. I'm going to try and be patient and keep looking but if all else fails, I might just get a Deluxe Reverb ReIssue 65. I haven't been able to find a single negative comment about the little beast. And I just love that rich, sparkly clean Blackface Fender tone. Can use pedals to get the crunch. They say that, though it's only a 22 watter, it's big enough sound to handle club size gigs unmiked.

Hey prime, wanna take a trip to Lansing and visit Elderly Instruments for me? :vimp: I saw a couple vintage Fender amps on their site today :drool: Anyways, I keep making excuses to head out to the local music shops and will be doing so again tomorrow. One of them has a '59 Bassman ReIssue that's been a rental unit and might be had fairly cheap but I dunno if I want to go that big of an amp right now. Another place has a Prosonic, which is a lesser known but very well liked Fender model that only ran for about 5 years - it takes some tweaking to get it right but apparently can be EXTREMELY rewarding with a few fixes. Think they want to much for it tho.

And never know when I'll find a neat pedal. Used to go pounding pawn shops a lot and did find a few bargains. Paid $30 for a Roland Bee-Bah Fuzz that goes $200-250 (since sold), paid $20 for a really nice old no-name phaser.

Must restrain myself. GAHHHHHHHH

[primesuspect]

eeehhhhh, you forgot the man, Les Claypool?!?!??! wtf prime! I'm sure you've heard of a little band called Primus. The shame, you of all people!!!!!!

Les claypool is also a truly extraordinary bassist, and probably one of my top three favorite players of all time, but I wouldn't call him a soloist. He's more of a "bass percussionist"... He invented his own unique style of playing, that's for sure.....

[primesuspect]

Hey prime, wanna take a trip to Lansing and visit Elderly Instruments for me? I saw a couple vintage Fender amps on their site today

If you pay gas and buy lunch for 4, I'll take the family for a sunday roadtrip :rockon: :mullet:

[Norge]

Sorry to bring up an older post but since I talked about getting a guitar in this one I thought I'd bring it back to let ya know that I actually did go get a guitar. About two weeks ago or so I went out and bought a Fender Squire. I'm not very good with it yet but I'm still learning. Today I went over to my dad's and he taught me some some things. I can now play "Smoke on the Water" and some other song my dad came up with. It is slow going but I'm starting to catch on little by little.

Norge

[profdlp]

Smoke On The Water just might be everyone's first song. The best thing to do is to keep learning new chords at a steady pace. Find a song that is mostly made up of chords you already know plus one or two new ones.

Music is one of those things like learning a foreign language. It can go really slow at first, then all of a sudden something clicks and suddenly everything becomes much easier. Stick with it!
:Rocker: