BigBadDom Posted February 3, 2015 Posted February 3, 2015 I'm in my 30's and I first picked up a bass 3 months ago. I instantly fell in love with becoming a bassist. I practice almost everyday, probably more than I should on some days. The thing is, I work in the Middle East for 5 months at a time and only have 4 weeks at home before I have to come back here. The first bass I bought was in the Middle East and it was a cheap Chinese copy of a Fender Jazz, as that was all that was available. I have just received my sparkly new Yamaha 5 string which I ordered from the States. I'm still getting to grips with the Yamaha, but it sounds so much better. So, the question is......Should I buy another bass to practice on at home? Is 4 weeks too long to be away from the instrument? Will it be like starting from scratch after 4 weeks away? If I do buy another bass at home, should I bother spending money on another cheapy? I'm going home at the end of this month, and I don't want to lose the (very few) skills I have worked so hard learn over the last few months. What do you think I should do? Quote
Weststarx Posted February 3, 2015 Posted February 3, 2015 If the ever you question whether you should by a new bass the answer is always yes.... The GAS will prevail... Quote
tredders Posted February 3, 2015 Posted February 3, 2015 When I was first learning and travelling away with work, I bought a 2nd hand Hohner cricket bat bass to take with me. Full scale neck but without a bulky body to carry around. They're not silly money, either. Quote
Happy Jack Posted February 3, 2015 Posted February 3, 2015 For £200-ish you can get a ridiculously high-quality pre-owned bass. My choice would be an SGC Nanyo Bass Collection, but there's no shortage of choice. At that price point, it's hard to see how you'd lose much if you choose to re-sell it later. If you're particularly keen to buy new, then any entry-level Chinese bass these days will do an adequate job for you. You're looking at nearer £100 for one of those. Unless you're impossibly skint, the amounts are so tiny that there's nothing to lose by having a bass lying around your home unused for 11 months of the year. Quote
ras52 Posted February 3, 2015 Posted February 3, 2015 [quote name='Weststarx' timestamp='1422980846' post='2679117'] If the ever you question whether you should by a new bass the answer is always yes.... [/quote] Yes. Quote
BigBadDom Posted February 3, 2015 Author Posted February 3, 2015 Thanks guys, I think my mind is made up. I will have a look at what is available when I get home as I don't want to take either of my basses on an aircraft with me unless I absolutely have to. Quote
BigBadDom Posted February 3, 2015 Author Posted February 3, 2015 As a side note. I didn't know what the acronym GAS stood for until just now. It tickled me, I think I am beginning to develop that condition. Quote
MikanHannille Posted February 3, 2015 Posted February 3, 2015 [quote name='BigBadDom' timestamp='1422981951' post='2679132'] As a side note. I didn't know what the acronym GAS stood for until just now. It tickled me, I think I am beginning to develop that condition. [/quote] Welcome to the club. As for the question. If I am in that situation, I would buy a similar but cheap bass(not particularly the same) to your "main" one and have it where you are going. I sort of did that. Every 2-3 years I go for a holiday to the country I was born in for 1-2 months. I purposely left a cheapo bass there for me to have a doddle whenever I feel bored when I'm there. Quote
Annoying Twit Posted February 3, 2015 Posted February 3, 2015 I keep a spare bass at work for the occasional lunchtime bash. If i lived part of the time in another country .... Quote
Bobthedog Posted February 3, 2015 Posted February 3, 2015 The first lesson to learn when taking up bass is that the correct number of basses to own is always n+1 where n is the number you currently own. Alternatively, if you are married, the correct number is D-1 where D = divorce. So yes, in all seriousness. Quote
neepheid Posted February 3, 2015 Posted February 3, 2015 I work a 20 minute drive from my home and I've got a bass in my office at work Quote
hairychris Posted February 4, 2015 Posted February 4, 2015 I'd look at keeping a cheapish bass at home too, then. A couple of hundred quid can get something reasonable 2nd-hand (per Happy Jack) as I know that 4 weeks of enforced not playing an instrument would wind me up! Quote
Happy Jack Posted February 4, 2015 Posted February 4, 2015 [quote name='neepheid' timestamp='1423006374' post='2679614'] I work a 20 minute drive from my home and I've got a bass in my office at work [/quote] You and me both ... Quote
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.