Machines

Wow, getting some wildly differing opinions here ! It's great to hear other people's thoughts on this as it adds factors I had not considered. Something else I think to bear in mind is that owning basses is generally a fluid thing for me, so there's nothing to stop me selling something hoping to get another one if I fancy it in the future (be that 1, 5 or 10 years, i've got plenty of years left !). Whilst my Dad bought it, he accepts it's not the best instrument in the world and actually initially bought it for himself before passing it on (I expect he played about 10 mins on it). Since a couple of these are not ones I can easily replace I think I would kick myself if I let them go (Peavey/Lakland). Precisions are ten a penny so I think this one will likely face the chop. It's a good MIM but it doesn't ignite as much anticpiation as when I plug the others in. The Lakland can do the P sound if I put flats on it and I happen to have an extra longscale set of Chromes on the RBX currently. I expect the G&L could join it as they're also not too hard to come by and underpriced for their quality/ability, and i'm considering that the Variax may be able to cover it sonically. A side by side test is planned for this.

Yes, my Dad is cool. He's a GASoholic but with guitars, and finds the occasional bass bargain ! Thanks for the views so far. I'm not expecting anyone to give me a solution but am interested in hearing your reasoning.

Hi chaps. I was wondering if the GAS and bass collecting afflicted can help me apply some sense and logic to my situation. I'm due to be a father in 2 months time, and I cannot mentally justify having 6 basses taking up so much space and a having few hundred quid tied up we're likely to need in a few months time when the missus is on maternity pay. Some background - i'm in a laid back rock/pop covers band and we gig fairly infrequently (4-5 a year). I like having lots of versatility but am unlikely to take more than one bass to a gig. Outside of this I play a lot at home and love swapping instruments around and hearing the differences between them and for this, my collection is great, but I know there are some overlaps. So my issue is not should I sell something, but what should I sell ? Below i've written a brief description of each instrument, what I love about it and what I don't, and how much i'd let it go for, in order of aquisition. I want to try and sell at least 2. What would you do ? [b]Yamaha RBX775F[/b] - Gift from my parents on my 21st birthday (10 years ago nearly). Converted to fretless and refinished in a unique red leather binding. I don't play it a lot as it needs a new nut and setup and it wouldn't ever get used in my band but has much sentimental value. [b]G&L L-2000 [/b]Tribute Carved Top - Bought from BassDirect in 2010. HUGE sound and cuts through the mix, does everything I need itto. Stunning looks and I know it's a great piece of kit. G&L are very underrated and I like having something that's a bit of a 'well kept secret' in the bass world. [b]Peavey T-40[/b] - Great looks, uncommon. I like it's underdog reputation and this thing is from 1979 and thus older than me. It's too heavy for a 3 hour practise but bearable for a 2 x 45 min set. The pickup types and switching mean there's lots of sounds in this (Stingray tones possible with the outboard preamps on my Zoom B3). One i'd keep as an 'antique' and hope to hand down one day. [b]Lakland 55-60[/b] - Ltd Edition Metallic Teal Green (more of a sea foam really). Bought from GuitarGuitar last year when I wasn't even looking to buy but was pondering over 5 strings. Tried it on a whim hoping I wouldn't like it to extinguish GAS but it was petrol on the bonfire. Bought it 3 days later ! Amazing passive Jazz sound and utterly perfect setup. Gigged a couple of times and has excelled each time. Unique looks and very rare. [b]Fender Precision[/b] - 2005, MIM. Gift from my Dad last year, fitted with flats. So smooth to play and sounds awesome. Setup is perfect - but one dimension sound and unlikely to make it to a gig with the competition it has. [b]Line 6 Variax[/b] - Gift from my Dad last week. Taken to practise and a revellation. Played solo it doesn't overwhelm me with it's J/P models but in the mix it's great and the Rickenbacker (sorry for the profanity) models are very convincing. I know this is one that can replace a couple of others if I sell. It'd be an awesome gigging instrument and fun at home due to it's versatility.

I just got a Variax and it's left me in a quandary. It's a lot better than I thought and makes a couple of my others redundant. My first thought is not to sell them and pocket the cash, but what else could I get from the proceeds ? For me new basses are something I always want and the research and pondering over what to do is half the fun. My problem is not selling the ones I play less as I have extreme attachment and don't want to 'lose out' on something even if another bass can do the same thing. I like collecting basically. I may try hiding them in cases for a few weeks and seeing how I feel, if I didn't pine for it a lot then it'd ripe for sale.

Why do you though ? Isolate what it is and seek that out if it bothers you. I rotate all of mine.

I'd like to but can't be arsed. Too much bother with 2 cases, then I need 2 stands etc etc.

The mid switch on a TRB4 is definitely either mid boost or scoop, 3rd position is flat.

Ytse Jam can be done on a 4 too.

My L-2000 and T-40 both have lacquered necks. The latter is 35 years old and the neck is clean as a whistle.

My Dad has a natural TRB4 (original) with the cutaway on the lower horn and 2 single coils. I can't find any similar ones to try and work out a value.

Bass Direct had one in 2010 for £700 I think (I nearly bought) it so maybe a little OTT.

I found Podrick to be very reliable.

Are flats any good for metal ?

I have a T-40 and an L-2000. Neither to me can do all of Precision/Jazz/Stingray sounds but they are as close. If I wanted something to do it all (as close as possible) in one instruments I'd get a Lakland 55-02 (again !).

http://bit.ly/1iuyhSQ

I tried a Sterling SUB yesterday. It gets very close to the Stingray sound but it felt a cheap bass as the body was very light. I'd stick with the versatility of the BB.

I'd love a Stingray 5 HH but would have to sell most of my current stock to do so. One day I expect

Cash Converters are usually quite smart on their pricing, often being very optimistic. I'm surprised they let that go so low.

Novax fret system.

A 2nd hand Yamaha TRB1006 should be about that price and definitely a better instruments. If you can find one.

Only way I think for an 'official' answer is to look back at the original brochures from when they came out. But I have mine pointing directly up parallel with the neck.

Most of their stock is 2nd hand though.