Saying goodbye to my girls.

[bluesbassman]

Well, all good things must come to an end. They'll be gone but not forgotten.:cry:

My Worhorse


My Babe


My Thumper


My Fat Bottomed Girl


My Slip Sliding Girl


Sweetness


The Earthshaker


The Tone Meister

[crim son]

1. Why must you say goodbye?

That's awful.

[bluesbassman]

4. Sign of the times. I'm not playing out anymore,

and I can't justify them all collecting dust.

[crim son]

16. The decision is a hard one, then.

I'm sorry.

[Jamastiene]

19. They can burn the dust when they cremate my guitars with me.

and that's only after they pry them out of my cold, dead, hands with the middle fingers up and pry that sneer off my face for the viewing, assuming I don't meet a horribly violent demise, in which case, they can just dump my body in the crematorium with my guitars and my amp and go to town with NO viewing and let me keep my sneer. ;)

[FKA MNChimpH8R]

31. My current Alembic bass and any other Alembics

I may come to care for in my lifetime will all be returned to the Mothership - the Alembic works in Santa Rosa CA - upon my demise.

[Bassic]

50. You lucky, lucky man.

I would kill to have one of those.

[old mark]

26. BB: I don't play out anymore either, but I still have

2 basses and 5 guitars, plus a basket full of harmonicas. I play a little every day, have my beat up old strat, my Chinese SG and my homemade tele stashed around the living room, plus 2 acoustics I hardly play, but just like to have around.

My hands can't take any long term playing but I still try to get time in every day - I miss it too much if I don't.

FWIW, Les Paul still plays every week at a club in NYC, and he will be 94 this June. (He's still a wiseass, too-I love that guy.)

mark

[bluesbassman]

32. Thanks mark.

I still play from time to time. Got to do a birthday party last summer. I'l be keeping an Ibanez bass, a Yamaha acoustic and my treasured Aria, so I'll have instruments to keep up on. I plan on getting back in a band someday when I have more time, it's not something you can ever truly get out of your system.

LP is amazing. Unbelievable that he still plays at 94. I'd love to be able to see him live.

[old mark]

48. Go to youtube. There are a lot of clips of him with his trio playing

in NYC, including some with guest players like Keith Richard.

He was also inducted into the inventors version of the hall of fame for his work in nearly every phase of music/sound recording.

He has been playing in public since 1928.

mark

[Bake]

65. Not only that ... the dude can still PLAY!!!

He is freakin' awesome.

Bake

[FKA MNChimpH8R]

71. Les Paul has ALWAYS been a wiseass.

When you are that good - and he is, was, and always will be - you can get away with damn near anything. And Les long ago earned the right to do any damned thing he wants to do. He's fucking Les Paul. Deal with it.

[Bake]

55. Dude. Seriesly. Keep them.

They need no justification for being there. They just ARE.

:hi:

Bake

[GOPisEvil]

2. Your girls are beautiful.

Can't you save one? It's sad that you have to let them all go.

I sold a bunch of guitars once, and ended up declaring bankruptcy a few months later. Stupid. I could have done the same thing and kept the guitars.

[bluesbassman]

6. Thanks. They've been loved.

It's all about cash flow right now. Guitar strings are too tough to chew.

[GOPisEvil]

8. I hear ya...

Still sucks for you though. :pals:

[DarkTirade]

3. They're lovely.

Why do you have to part?

[CaliforniaPeggy]

5. My dear bluesbassman...

Please reconsider!

Keep one, your favorite...

I'd hate to see you regret having gotten rid of all of them!

Just so you can noodle around, and continue to play...

Please?

:hug:

[bluesbassman]

9. Thanks Peggy!

I am keeping a low end bass and an acoustic. Can't quit cold turkey.:)

[CaliforniaPeggy]

11. Ok, that's better!

I'm relieved to hear it!

You need your artistic outlets, you know...

:hug:

[Redstone]

7. I know how you feel. I had to stop playing about 15 years ago, but I could not

part with the handmade D-45 style Yairi. Everything else could go, but not that guitar.

I feel for you.

Redstone

[bluesbassman]

10. Thanks Redstone.

I'm also keeping an Aria A-160 that has MOP inlaid up the neck. Bought it overseas, I don't think they ever imported them to the US.

[ThomCat]

12. I'm sorry they have to go.

That's heartbreaking to hear. :(

This economy is killing us all by inches. x(

[bluesbassman]

14. Thanks Thom.

You know, they're just things, and are certainly replaceable. I'm fortunate to even have had them in the first place.

That's a great line though. You're right, the economy is killing us all by inches.

[GoddessOfGuinness]

13. I'm so sorry....

That would kill me... :hug::hug::hug:

I'm glad you aren't quitting completely.

[bluesbassman]

15. Thanks Goddess.

I hope to one day be back in a band playing for people. It's something that's really hard to stay away from.:)

[GoddessOfGuinness]

37. Well if you're ever out this way...

Mr GoG is a kick-butt guitar player, and he loves blues and jazz. He hasn't been in a band for quite some time. Teaching 5 days a week for 7 hours a day doesn't leave too much time for a band. We've been thinking of doing some stuff together, so we could play house concerts and the like and see a little more of the world.

[harmonicon]

17. oh man, not the Rick

keep that one at least

[bluesbassman]

24. Thanks harmonicon.

Unfortunately the Ric will probably generate the most value, so it's a pretty simple decision. I'll be keeping my Ibanez SR800. Nowhere near the bottom end that the Ric puts out, but it's a fairly versatile instrument.

[Iggo]

18. Pawning or selling?

You know what? Either way, it hurts. Those are some beautiful pieces.

[bluesbassman]

21. Thanks Iggo.

I'm going to be selling them. Pawning is just borrowing money, and if you don't pay it back, you end up with pennies on the dollar.

[VenusRising]

20. That is so sad,

I'm sorry you have to get rid of your instruments. :hug:


My husband says...."DO NOT GET RID OF THE RICK!!!!"

He can't help it, though. He's had his Rickenbacker since he was a teenager. It's like his first love.

What year is yours?

:hi:

[bluesbassman]

22. Thanks Venus.

The Ric is the hardest to let go of. Although when I was playing I generally used the P Bass Deluxe, when I really wanted to make a statement I played the Ric. She's a 1992.:)

[VenusRising]

25. Rics make such a pretty statement, too.

Have you thought about putting videos up on YouTube? My husband had basically had it with trying to find a band in Columbus. Too many bad experiences and all that. One day, I sat my camera down in front of him while he played and hit record. He then used the standard Windows Movie Maker that comes with Windows to edit the video. And 100+ videos later, he's happier than he's ever been playing music. I'm not saying it's for everyone, but you should maybe try it before you sell them ALL.

Here's his YouTube channel.
http://www.youtube.com/user/zodiakironfist

He's always happy to talk bass/music.

[bluesbassman]

30. Thanks for the link Venus.

That's some cool stuff. I dig that Fireglow Ric too.:hi:

[Dystopian]

41. Freaky. Now that was a nice trip....

Firstly, I think Les Claypool when I think bass because that's who I'm into right now. ...So I couldn't believe what I was hearing....just awesome! I was just 'exposed' to Primus with my older son...you know, the music coming out of the bedroom noise ;-) He's 36 now...but was introduced to Les Claypool and Oysterhead by my baby, the guitarist....

You know your husband really rocks when the cat sits there to listen!..thanks for posting the video:hi:


peace~

[VenusRising]

44. Glad you enjoyed them!

Leave it to Sebastian Kitty to steal the spotlight. :crazy:

Zodiak's been playing Les Claypool for a long time, and has been listening to Primus since the 90s. It was the first thing he ever played for me. It's not something I was used to, and all I could think was "this guy has NO idea what he's doing!". :rofl: It took me a bit to figure things out, and now I'm his most trusted critic. :rofl:

And my husband is 37, so I know exactly what you mean! :hi:

[Dystopian]

54. I refuse to get old : )

:hi:

Oh yes, not many 'cool cats' like Sebastian Kitty! Too funny....
I can imagine your reaction of Zodiak's first tune for you...:o
Watching the videos gave me a blast from the past...And he's really got it down...
Being married to an awesome musician has got to be nothing short of heaven...
Love and music...you've got it all.:)

So very cool...the people and things we find here...

peace~

[VenusRising]

58. Well, it's not always heaven.

There are many weekends that I would like to do something and I've lost him to his music. It's usually just one day, but it can be frustrating. I always told him that Priscilla was his first girl and I would never begrudge him time with her. He loves to play so much it would be like taking part of him away. I just end up spending a lot of time on DU, cooking, crocheting, or knitting on those days. :)

[Dystopian]

68. Very sweet...

Priscilla was his first, but you're his forever girl...the three of you are entangled just the way it should be...

Sweet love....

:loveya:


peace~

[FKA MNChimpH8R]

33. Your hubby is a pretty damned fine player,

Venus. That Ric sounds like a million bux even through a computer speaker on the Cherry Poppin' Daddies tune. What's it's vintage? Toaster neck pickup? He'll know what that means if you ask him!

[VenusRising]

38. What I know....

It's a 1974 Rickenbacker 4001 model (named "Priscilla") with all original hardware. I'll ask about the pickup and get back to you. ;)

I'm so glad that he played the CPDs song. I know that Brown Derby Jump is on his "to play" list. I really love to challenge him. :evilgrin:

[FKA MNChimpH8R]

42. You are a world class sweetheart!

and your hubby should thank the gods every day for you.

Only on DU would we bump into each other!

Please feel free to PM me w any info! Bassists rule!

[VenusRising]

43. Aww, thanks.

He did start a thread about me today.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=105x8520003 :rofl:

Bassists do rule! I'm very happy with mine. :D

[FKA MNChimpH8R]

45. If Prissy has checkerboard binding, I am officially in love!

You and he deserve each other just in terms of general coolness!

[VenusRising]

57. No, no checkerboard. Solid white.

Or rather a creamy off white due to age.

I can't believe we fooled another person! We're not cool at all, just two goofy freaks that happened to find each other. ;)

[FKA MNChimpH8R]

23. I am with California Peggy

Do not let them all go. It's too hard to replace instruments that have become an ongoing part of one's life. So few do and they're so hard to find.

I've had cash flow issues myself lately and just sold off my 1970 Hiwatt DR103 amp. It had gotten to the point where it was too valuable to play anymore and I got $2300 for it on eBay. I can replace it with a nice used GK 700 for 500 clams and come out way ahead. Some goofball with lots more money than sense also paid me $910 for a 1974 Maestro Bass Brassmaster fuzzbox that sounds like nothing so much as a gigantic, wet, elephant fart with lots more sustain. That was pure found money and will go to a new Bergantino AE410 cabinet.

That is a beautiful collection of instruments; I have a real fondness for old Rickenbackers, having owned a '71 4001 from '73 to the late 1990s. You don't see that many MapleGlos around. The red PJ is a pretty sweet lookin' li'l gal as well. Either of these babes would look awfully nice sitting next to my '97 Alembic Stanley Clarke Signature Standard (which I nicknamed 'Sophie' shortly after I became her first custodian - Alembics don't have owners). Too bad I am basically broke, too.

(For non-bass people, Alembics are roughly the bass guitar equivalent of Stradivari, Amati or Guarnerius violins.)

[bluesbassman]

28. Thanks for the encouragement.

I've got an Ibanez SR800 that I'm hanging on to. It's a serviceable axe, and will get me by until I really need the fat sound again.

The P is actually prettier in person. The red just didn't translate in my photo. She's a party gal too, never ever let me down. I was playing a little festival one time, and she broke an E string in the middle of a song (naturally it was the middle lol). She didn't even go out of tune. After the set, this guy walks up to me and says "man, I thought your sound was pretty thin until I walked up and saw your E hanging off the neck. You're a pretty bad ass bass player". :rofl:

[PaddyBlueEyes]

27. That sucks man

I hope it works out for you..

[bluesbassman]

29. Thanks Paddy.

It will. We're all just going through a time where you gotta do what you gotta do. Sucks yes, but that which does not kill us, makes us stronger right?:pals:

[PaddyBlueEyes]

34. Thats true bro

If ya ever need anything..dont hesitate to ask. :fistbump:

[mcctatas]

35. Oh sweetie...

that sucks the big one! Are you keeping any?

[bluesbassman]

36. Yes,

I've got a pretty good lower end bass I'm keeping, a Yamaha acoustic, and an Aria electric that I bought when I was in the Army serving in Germany. It's just temporary. I'm in an industry that was incredibly hard hit by the economy tanking. I've been putting together some other options, but until they pan out I just have to make some sacrifices.

[Dystopian]

39. Sorry, bassman...

I understand how difficult this is....my son plays guitar. I know the music runs through your veins, and the guitars are an extension of your soul. It's got to be sad...it's not like letting go of regular 'stuff'...more like a part of your being.:hug:

Jonas has gone through many guitars... when times were rough, and he's only 26. The one he'll never give up is the Washburn acoustic electric ...and that's because I bought it for him with the promise that he'd keep it forever because it came from me....that's when he was a little kid.

I scrolled down, and it made me sad looking at them....
Your girls...isn't life strange...that one can and must put a price tag on something priceless....
And life goes on... :hug:

Keep on keepin on, bassman...


peace~

[bluesbassman]

40. Thanks for your heartfelt words Dystopian.

It's funny, although each of those instruments is just a collection of wood, metal, and wire, they each have their own "soul". While some may view an instrument as an inanimate object, let me tell you each of these "girls" got very animated when it was their turn on stage. They have their own unique history and were in no small part participants in my life, and for that I am grateful.

Life does go on, and I hope that whoever ends up with these beauties receives a portion of the joy they have given me over the years.

:hug:

[Dystopian]

53. I underestand....

These pieces of your life carry on with their history intact....a never to be known wonderment for the next bassman...and yet still within for you....

In giving them up, know the joy that you had with them will turn about into a sea of joy for others...
In the end...it's all good.

Bittersweet.:hug:

peace~

[WilliamPitt]

46. I don't know what to say.

Keep one. Just one. Please?

:hug:

[bluesbassman]

59. Thanks Will.

I will be keeping an Ibanez bass, Yamaha acoustiv and Aria electric. Got to have something to noodle on. :)

[WilliamPitt]

69. God is love.

:toast:

[momto3]

47. My husband went through this a couple of years ago.

It was too hard to move all of his equipment when we moved, since he was no longer playing. He did keep a few of them though.

Sorry you have to do this.

[bluesbassman]

60. Thanks mom.

Glad your husband kept a few too. You can't ever really give up music.:)

[Bassic]

49. That head, is it an old SVT-3 ?

I got an SVT-3 pro with a 4x10 cab. It loves my Jazz Bass V

[bluesbassman]

61. Hey Bassic.

Yeah, it's a SVT III, about two years before the Pro came out. Had a SVT Classic with an 8 10 cab prior, but it was just too heavy to move around. This set up is a 15 bottom with a 2 10 top. Works great for blues. Tons of bottom and just enough mid.

[Bassic]

70. Pretty sweet rig.

I've been looking to buy a 2x12 or a 15 to supplement my 4x10, but I just can't seem to justify the expense :D

[RetroLounge]

51. I understand.

Only kept the black Les Paul



:hug:

RL

[bluesbassman]

62. Thanks Retro.

Just temporary.:)

[NuttyFluffers]

52. keep at least 1 or 2 of your favorite.

unless you end up living in a closet or shoebox, you can always cherish a beautiful memory, even if it sits there gathering dust.

[bluesbassman]

63. Thanks NF.

I will be keeping a few instruments. Always want to play!:)

[Bake]

56. And why the hell aren't you gigging anymore?????

You know you want to.

Bake

[bluesbassman]

64. Thanks Bake.

I do sit in now and then. I hope to get back in a band down the road, just isn't in the cards right now.:)

[Book Lover]

66. These things, they come, they go

You can only play one guitar at a time. And (the inner nag comes out) how many guitars did ever Robert Johnson have? Let them go. You'll be fine.

[bluesbassman]

67. Thanks Book Lover.

That's pretty much the way I'm looking at it. :)

[crimsonblue]

72. did you really need 6 guitars anyway?

[bluesbassman]

73. If you don't play, I can't explain it to you.

If you do play, you wouldn't have to ask.

However, I will say this in response to your question. One is a five string, and one is fretless, each producing a unique sound. In addition, the other three are constructed in entirely different manners, again producing a unique tone, range and sustain. The last guitar is actually a six string, and I sometimes played rhythm guitar when I sang instead of playing bass..

Look at it this way. I used to be a heavy equipment mechanic. I have in my toolbox approximately fifteen different flat blade screwdrivers. Why not just have one? Because they all have a slight to enormous difference in what they are used for. Make sense?

[DFW]

74. Wow, do you live anywhere near Dallas or Charleston SC??

I'd love a shot at the Rickenbacker or the Precision!!

I don' play much any more, either, but I have about eight guitars made for me
by the legendary Bozo Podunavac (12 string fanatic here, though used to play
bass in rock bands way back when), and it would kill me to lose even one of them.
They are all different, sound different, and I use the, for different tunings
and action settings. I even had him make me a 12 string with an extra-long neck so I
could tune it low and still maintain good tension for bottleneck playing.

I realize that bass strings are of limited nutritional value, but in this case,
parting can't be much sweet sorrow.