Shinybass Journal entry 03/02

I am going to open the can of worms. 

I can survive with just one bass guitar.  

There. I said it. 

It’s true. I can have ‘the one’, make it mine, crush it on every show, record with it, cherish it while I quietlypractice. I can have it be my Bass of Doom, my Funk Machine, my (insert clever name here). My problem is not the bass, my problem is, well…me. 

I’m currently downsizing my collection. The realization that I own instruments I have fallen out of love with and won’t use again (think baggy carpenter jeans from the 90’s) was tough, because the collective thinking is that ‘more is better’. Then we sell things with regret, maybe, later, maybe now? I will say that the ONLY bass I regret selling is my very first one. I haven’t seen one like it since. But selling that funded the next, which helped fund the next, etc., so everything does have its place and purpose.

Musicians are funny. I don’t know if there has been a ‘deep dive’ into our psyche and how we approach the ridiculous amount of instruments we seem to acquire. Some of it is true function. Some of it is collecting, and some is status. Some is just suppressed rock star fantasy. 

First, let’s talk function. We have a tone we like. We have a body shape, color, feel, electronics, comfort level that helps us be the best we can be at that moment. The last thing we want to think about is the instrument. We just want to play and let the instrument be an extension of who we are. I had a bass once that had a slight imperfection in the neck, and I found myself gravitating toward that during the show. It was so odd – my hand kept want to feel if it was suddenly fixed. Well, that one went to the auction block. Surprisingly (or maybe not), we the LAST thing we want to think about it is our instrument. 

Collecting – We (again I use that term in a broad, sweeping stroke implying that everyone in the western world is included, which, of course, is not the case) like to collect things. We see baseball card collections, car collections, stamps, saltshakers, and clocks. Again, I don’t really know what makes us want to gather lots of similar things in one place, but we do, and then we have to dust, store, maintain, polish, and fix all these things we collect. With maintaining throngs of instruments it’s downright exhausting just changing strings on these things. 

Status – Nothing says ‘I’ve made it as a musician’ like a whole bunch of really expensive guitars lining the wall of the kids’ bedrooms like extended trophy cases. I am guilty of this to some degree. (There are no guitars in the bedrooms. Bathrooms, maybe…) I like to walk in to my studio and say ‘look at what I’ve got’, but sadly anyone with disposable income can do the same thing. (See ‘Doctors and Lawyers that play guitar’).

So what makes my stuff, well, worth keeping? 

For the uneducated, I shall let you in on a secret: Each guitar sounds and feels different, and inspires in different ways. So we need a different guitar for country music AND rock music AND pop music AND… in a word, yes. But really, no. Again, I can play one guitar for all these styles and it will be just fine. Here’s the can ‘o worms…I can absolutely play one bass on all these records. Which one? That’s the big question. And what if I love the instruments I have? 

So maybe you are in the same boat as I and are looking to streamline your stuff, whatever that stuff may be. Maybe you have a streamliner and are looking for boats. I dunno. Either way, maybe this can help. 

Money. First of all, I occasionally make money with my instruments. That is a big factor in keeping a healthy arsenal of tools. If someone calls for a specific tone, I’d like to have it covered. Having 4 of the same instruments isn’t the best idea. That just gets a little silly. 

So let’s assess your stuff. When was the last time you used it?  I had basses in storage for 4 years, which means I didn’t see them, use them, or remember I had them. Dumb. If I had sold them instead of storing them and invested in Apple stock years ago, we’d be taking the kids to Paris this year. So get rid of those old purses (NOT YOU HONEY I’D NEVER SUGGEST SUCH A THING), or shoes or whatever you simply don’t use or need. You may THINK you need it. You don’t. 

Joy – This is a big one. Marie Kando that stuff. For real.When you pick it up, does it bring you joy? I have a bass that I used for the bulk of my King Konga days, and it was my first ‘big boy’ bass. I won’t let it go. I have some instruments that truly inspire, truly make me happy when I pick them up. I won’t let them go. I have special gifts that remind me how fortunate I am to have music be a huge part of life. I don’t need gifts to feel special, but I would very much like for those to go to my sons. The other stuff – eh. It’s cool, but not necessary for living. 

The argument to just play and own one bass is compelling. I choose to not just use one for a couple reasons. First, if I only had one, it may be expensive and vintage (of course, I haven’t really thought about this so I’m just speculating), and therefore I would be concerned with its safety on planes and the road in general. Second, if I only have one, what am I going to do with all that space in my studio? 

So can I do it? Sure. I know cats doing all the work with just one bass. Are they smart? Stubborn? Streamlined? Yes. Yes to all. Do I want to do it? No. I love having these amazingly crafted chunks of wood and steel at the ready. So where I may be selling some, I won’t be selling all. And I won’t sell THE ‘shiny’ bass. Not until I move to Italy and have to only take one with me. That will be the true test…

Good luck and let me know when you have your yard sale. 

See you on the road!