GAS is an acronym (sort of) that doesn’t refer to fuel but is a word that every dedicated guitar owner eventually learns; it’s Guitar (or Gear) Acquisition Syndrome.
You’ll note that I said guitar and not specifically bass guitar, because when you’ve got GAS, well then, you can’t just stop at bass guitars, can you? Oh, no. You’ll start picking up all sorts of stringed instruments. A bunch of electrics, acoustics, oddball stringed instruments that have way more than 4 strings or way less than 4 (GAS sufferers have been known to own 2-string and even 1-string instruments,) and so on.
What causes GAS?
Everything; it usually starts with a 5-string.
“Hm. I’d love to have that low B…”
Then the 6-string.
“Well, as long as I have the 5, I might was well get a 6…”
Then to ‘match the set’ you specifically find the same instrument in a 4-string version even though you didn’t need it.
“Cool! I now have all 3!”
Then, of course, you need cases for all 3 of those – all matching, of course.
“I’d sure love to get tweed cases for these these 3 pretty things.”
Then the manufacturer comes out with a ‘special’ edition of the same bass, now with gold hardware.
“Damn. Now I have to buy another 3 bass guitars.”
It’s like I said, everything causes GAS. Number of strings, color of finish, color of hardware, special editions, special edition cases, etc.
You can see how this can get quite ridiculous in a really short period of time.
How does one stop the GAS?
The best bit of advice on concerning GAS is to try the guitar, meaning that instead of running away from GAS, you face it.
If all you do is admire the whatever-it-is on a shelf or rack but don’t work up the nerve to try the instrument, that will make you want it even more. You just need to get that lust for that bass guitar, electric, acoustic or whatever-it-is OUT of your system; the only two ways of doing that are to either ignore the instrument completely, or actually play the thing for 10 minutes plugged in.
Believe me, the feeling of holding and actually playing the expensive instrument for a few minutes really works for getting the GAS out. After playing it, you’ve satisfied that gear lust for free and you didn’t have to spend a dime to do it. Once you’ve played the super-expensive whatever-it-is, you’ll find the GAS quickly diminishes. Why? Because you “faced the enemy,” so to speak, and won because you get to go home with no new monthly payment to satisfy.
CHALLENGE: Try that “bass you’ve always wanted” in the store to see if the GAS goes away.
Have you stepped up to the challenge, played the expensive in-store bass and did the GAS go away? Post a comment or two with your experience(s).
Remember: Owning expensive bass guitars is not a bad thing. Not at all. It’s when you have too many of them due to GAS that it becomes a problem.
(And not to put too fine a point on it, but part of the reason our store even exists is for those “defeat the GAS” and switch over to building instead of acquiring. More fun to build than buy? Absolutely.)
In order to try the stuff, it has to be in store. Easy if you’re a Fender guy. Not so much if you’re into fanned frets, true temperament and stuff.
I did buy more gear than I needed but I think I finally found what’s right for me. Still curious about stuff and willing to try anything you can throw at me… but I’m mostly set.
I’m bad for this, basses, guitars, cymbals, pedals, but I’m getting better at playing them and selling what I won’t actually use.
I made a committment. I must sell gear before I buy. It also must address a need, not a want
He who dies with the most guitars wins!
That´s the ANSWER !!!
Down here in Australia, it is very hard to try anything outside of the basic range by some manufacturers…. I’ve found the easiest way to STOP GAS dead is to stay off internet forums and simply practice or play rather than read, drool or lust over gear I don’t need, but suddenly “have to have”.
Sorry folks, there is NO cure, I allmost always play first, but: Three 4 strings, 1 frettless, 1 accoutic bass, 2 flattops, dobro, electric, lap steel, banjo, ukulele, cello, and some african 2 string doo-hicky… I wont even list what I still want :0)
we want everything we cant have, but nothing we can obtain, gotta have it all with some room to complain -psyche origami
Too late for me. I’m certified sick. I have 14 basses and 7 guitars.
freaking ebay will be the death of me. i own five basses and I am waiting on a guitar to be delivered. they mak it too easy to buy anything I want.
Waddaya mean? GAS is my hobby. I’ve got 6 basses and 8 guitars and a ukelele (my wifes, she had to have it). I started making them…now I have baritones that are awesome!
Wow. Should I feel like a loser for only having two 4-string bass gits (one electric, one acoustic) and two 6-string gits (one of each as well)?
The only thing that cured my gas was finding a bass and amp combination that gave me the sound in my head. Sadowsky Metro PJ5 with Aguilar OBP-3, Genz Benz Shuttle 9.0 into an Epifani UL410S1. After playing this combination I hardly ever visit TalkBass anymore 😀
I saw a Warwick Thumb 6 string on t’internet, wanted it but tried to ignore it, that didn’t work. Thought “I’ll go and try it, this will get the GAS out of my system”, well, as I write this, said Warwick bass is straring right back at me.
Sorry, but even Guitar Center discovered that by letting us play the gear they become the “Dope Man”. First taste is free……