Evil Undead Posted June 12, 2011 Share Posted June 12, 2011 ...and it comes down to needing to sell gear, what I want to know is, how do people decide which instruments to sell? For example, you have two different basses, similar resale value, and you're seriously attached to them both. But if you need to sell one to keep a roof over your head, how do you choose? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
waynepunkdude Posted June 12, 2011 Share Posted June 12, 2011 [quote name='Evil Undead' post='1266700' date='Jun 12 2011, 10:13 PM']...and it comes down to needing to sell gear, what I want to know is, how do people decide which instruments to sell? For example, you have two different basses, similar resale value, and you're seriously attached to them both. But if you need to sell one to keep a roof over your head, how do you choose?[/quote] Which one do I gig more. I have some really pretty basses knocking around but my MIM Jazz is my gigging bass so that stays. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
leschirons Posted June 12, 2011 Share Posted June 12, 2011 [quote name='Evil Undead' post='1266700' date='Jun 12 2011, 09:13 PM']...and it comes down to needing to sell gear, what I want to know is, how do people decide which instruments to sell? For example, you have two different basses, similar resale value, and you're seriously attached to them both. But if you need to sell one to keep a roof over your head, how do you choose?[/quote] Probably some sort of mid-way decision between, which one I gig most and which one I could buy again for the same money I'm selling it for, when times get better. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roland Rock Posted June 12, 2011 Share Posted June 12, 2011 Set fire to your house and see which one you rescue from the blaze Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ficelles Posted June 12, 2011 Share Posted June 12, 2011 [quote name='waynepunkdude' post='1266704' date='Jun 12 2011, 10:15 PM']I have some really pretty basses knocking around but my MIM Jazz is my gigging bass so that stays.[/quote] Exactly - keep the one you actually use, sell the eye candy. ficelles Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Evil Undead Posted June 12, 2011 Author Share Posted June 12, 2011 (edited) I see you all these answers, and raise you... What if your favourite to play isn't necessarily the one that gets the most gig time? Edited June 12, 2011 by Evil Undead Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
waynepunkdude Posted June 12, 2011 Share Posted June 12, 2011 [quote name='Evil Undead' post='1266766' date='Jun 12 2011, 10:53 PM']I see you all these answers, and raise you... What if your favourite to play isn't necessarily the one that gets the most gig time?[/quote] Then I'd be asking myself why the one I enjoyed playing most wasn't being gigged. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Musky Posted June 12, 2011 Share Posted June 12, 2011 [quote name='Evil Undead' post='1266766' date='Jun 12 2011, 10:53 PM']I see you all these answers, and raise you... What if your favourite to play isn't necessarily the one that gets the most gig time?[/quote] Still keep the one you gig. Presumably there's a good reason why you gig it, and on the assumption that reason isn't about to change any time soon that's the one you should keep. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gjones Posted June 12, 2011 Share Posted June 12, 2011 I've not got to that stage yet but in these uncertain times anything could happen. The keepers would be my old mightymite P/J, because it has very little resale value but great sentimental value (my 2nd ever bass) and my Japanese Squier, because of it's versatility, great sound and also lack of resale value (early 90's Squiers don't fetch much on ebay). Although I would be sad to see them go, the others would all be expendable. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ficelles Posted June 12, 2011 Share Posted June 12, 2011 Actually thinking about it, if the favourite I didn't gig was a '51 Precision that had been played by Elvis at Woodstock or something maybe that would make me think twice... but then again selling it would probably mean I could keep the house and have change left over for a nice '63 Jazz in arctic white that had gone all creamy and streetmap from age so still no contest... ficelles Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Evil Undead Posted June 12, 2011 Author Share Posted June 12, 2011 [quote name='waynepunkdude' post='1266768' date='Jun 12 2011, 10:55 PM']Then I'd be asking myself why the one I enjoyed playing most wasn't being gigged.[/quote] Value of the instrument, Erm... "quality" of the places we gig, and lack of faith in insurance companies! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cat Burrito Posted June 12, 2011 Share Posted June 12, 2011 I'm in exactly that position now I have a couple of things that are not worth selling as they are worth more to me than the resale value - cheap acoustics and my 70s parts bass. However the stuff that doesn't get played so much or has a value is what goes. I can see my all original 1978 bass going (it's museum quality) but needs must. I'm holding on but.... I don't believe there is such a thing as a keeper. If you have to, it goes. Ultimately there are loads of good instruments out there so you just have to be sensible. I could sell a load and still have a bunch left so not all bad Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
munkonthehill Posted June 12, 2011 Share Posted June 12, 2011 [quote name='Evil Undead' post='1266789' date='Jun 12 2011, 11:16 PM']Value of the instrument, Erm... "quality" of the places we gig, and lack of faith in insurance companies![/quote] Why have this lush bass if you aint gonna use it? Seems silly to me unless of course its an investment. I have a bass so it WILL get gigged. I cant see myself ever being in a position where I would be scared to gig a bass. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blademan_98 Posted June 12, 2011 Share Posted June 12, 2011 Sell what's not being used I would keep my fretless as it only cost £100 and I play it every day. The orange 50w combo as it's small and has a DI. The rest (bass wise) can go.... My trusty Fender 50th anniversary acoustic will be buried with me (or the bailif can prise it from my cold dead hand!) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Crikey! Posted June 13, 2011 Share Posted June 13, 2011 I either use everything i own, or its of no value to anyone because it just doesn't work any more... Ive been in this position a few times but ive always needed all the gear I own, and had to find other things to sell. If i thought i could get any money for them, i'd sell my first few basses. The ones with pickups missing, no paint dodgy fitting hardware... The pedals could go before anything else. Then the 810... and i'd borrow cabs... if it got worse, the orange amp could go, DI the bass. If not, i'll sleep on the street and use my hardcase as a roof. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WarPig Posted June 13, 2011 Share Posted June 13, 2011 Apart from my guitars, ive sold everything instrument related that i could. Will never sell my 75RI or Highway One. My amp isnt worth selling, no point selling the cab and my 3 pedals are what ive wanted. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cycrowave Posted June 13, 2011 Share Posted June 13, 2011 amps are much easier to part with than basses, and much easier to borrow in my experience Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris2112 Posted June 13, 2011 Share Posted June 13, 2011 Which one would be easier to replace. Alternatively I just sit things out for a couple of paycheques and then all is right with the world! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mcgraham Posted June 13, 2011 Share Posted June 13, 2011 [quote name='Evil Undead' post='1266766' date='Jun 12 2011, 10:53 PM']I see you all these answers, and raise you... What if your favourite to play isn't necessarily the one that gets the most gig time?[/quote] I never thought I'd be in this position but I realise I am thinking about this issue at the moment. My favourite to play is my W&T fretless, but for gigs I've returned to using my W&T fretted as I am inherently more relaxed on the fretted than I am with the fretless, just by virtue of not having to think about intonation. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RhysP Posted June 13, 2011 Share Posted June 13, 2011 If the choice I had was having nice bass gear or somewhere to live the bass gear would be gone in a flash. It's a question of priorities & in the grand scheme of things basses are pretty unimportant. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gafbass02 Posted June 13, 2011 Share Posted June 13, 2011 It's taken a huge amount of soul searching and a few dewy eyes for me to list my stingray for sale. But it was the last in, and essentially an expensive luxury. I'm trying to be philosophical about it. My jazz bass goes in the ground with me tho. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Evil Undead Posted June 13, 2011 Author Share Posted June 13, 2011 [quote name='gafbass02' post='1267476' date='Jun 13 2011, 04:17 PM']It's taken a huge amount of soul searching and a few dewy eyes for me to list my stingray for sale. But it was the last in, and essentially an expensive luxury. I'm trying to be philosophical about it. My jazz bass goes in the ground with me tho.[/quote] Hey Gaf! How's it going dude? It's horrible isn't it? My dilemma is this. I have my much treasured Warwick Corvette $$ (in avatar) - it's the best playing, sounding and most comfortable bass I've ever owned or played. When I first played it, it was almost like meeting my wife for the first time all over again! But it is, like you say, an expensive luxury. I don't gig it because I can't stand the thought of anything happening to it (lost, broken, stolen, whatever). So it seems like a waste to just play it in the house. I have my Squier Precision (also in avatar!) which I really like a lot, and is good enough for a talentless amateur like me But I can't bring myself to sell the Warwick. Even though I really need the cash. I know I'd never find another EXACTLY like it in a million years. I know all its quirks and curves. Argh! I wish I didn't get so attached to things that are essentially just pieces of wood! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gafbass02 Posted June 13, 2011 Share Posted June 13, 2011 Hearin ya there! It's so easy to do!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Earbrass Posted June 14, 2011 Share Posted June 14, 2011 Everybody seems to be focusing on which bass they'd prefer to sell or would mind selling the least, but if, as the original question suggests, I was short of cash and needed to sell a bass, I'd also be looking at which one would be most likely to sell quickly and for a good price. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
neepheid Posted June 14, 2011 Share Posted June 14, 2011 [quote name='Evil Undead' post='1267756' date='Jun 13 2011, 07:19 PM']Hey Gaf! How's it going dude? It's horrible isn't it? My dilemma is this. I have my much treasured Warwick Corvette $$ (in avatar) - it's the best playing, sounding and most comfortable bass I've ever owned or played. When I first played it, it was almost like meeting my wife for the first time all over again! But it is, like you say, an expensive luxury. [b]I don't gig it because I can't stand the thought of anything happening to it (lost, broken, stolen, whatever). [/b] So it seems like a waste to just play it in the house. I have my Squier Precision (also in avatar!) which I really like a lot, and is good enough for a talentless amateur like me But I can't bring myself to sell the Warwick. Even though I really need the cash. I know I'd never find another EXACTLY like it in a million years. I know all its quirks and curves. Argh! I wish I didn't get so attached to things that are essentially just pieces of wood![/quote] If you're not using it much beyond playing in your house then it's a bit of an expensive boat anchor as far as your household finances are concerned. You'd be better off making it earn its keep, take it on the gig. Then you'll feel better about it sticking around. Look after it and you'll be fine. If it does pick up a nick or two here or there then at least they've been caused by you getting out there and playing music. I really don't get this "scared to gig bass X" thing - I have hopefully joined a band and I'm looking forward to going round all my collection at practices and gigs. Not only are they tools, but they're damn pretty tools and I'd be kidding myself if I didn't acknowledge the showing off aspect of owning interesting basses. I'm proud of my collection. I want to get tongues wagging. I like people coming up and asking me about them. No, they're not getting a shottie, unless I know them When it comes to sin, I'll take pride over avarice Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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