Trading "Down"?

[LCAirPasta]

Ok so my current bass is a 2014 Gibson Thunderbird 120th anniversary edition. It was my first "real" bass purchase, and I really only bought it cause it looked awesome. Still does, and it's gotten me through many a gig two years later, but it just doesn't FEEL that great to play. I had convinced myself I loved it because of the price and the compliments I get on the bass itself... but theres just little things about it that bug me. It's F***ING HUGE and I'm constantly bumping my headstock into my singer when I try to move around. Really bad fret access on the G string, and I just can't slap on it comfortably (I think because when I go to pop the huge humbuckers get in the way). It's a nice bass just not for me. So anyway, I go into my local GC and see this awesome looking washburn Taurus t24 on the wall. I pick it up, I play it. And it felt AMAZING, it fit me like a glove. All of this is to say, am I crazy for considering selling my T-Bird and buying the washburn? Has anyone ever had sellers remorse about going from super expensive to moderately priced gear?

 

[JimmyThunder]

When I started playing I went from a Rickenbacker 4003 to a Squier Jazz and never regretted it. Why stick with an instrument you don't enjoy playing just because it cost a lot of money when you bought it?

 

[bassbully]

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Has anyone ever had sellers remorse about going from super expensive to moderately priced gear?

LOL this is Talkbass! You think the masses will admit this? But yes I have done this in the past. Most of us here make mistakes with gear or change our styles and music we play. Sometime the bass or amp just doesn't cut it. Finding one that will forces us to sell off, trade, or store away the bass not working for us for one that will.
If you found the bass that works for you don't worry about it and go get it. Regardless of price its a tool and it needs to fit you and your playing style.

 

[jlepre]

Recently I sold my beloved EBMM SR5 because she just wasn't me anymore. I loved the tone and bite that bass gave me in a band situation, but since buying my Sire V7 5, she just sat home. I tried to bring her to a gig before selling her, but she just didn't feel like the V7. Plus I got a nice cash off of $900 for a 2001 bass. Jury's still out if I've made the right decision, but I did order another V7 that arrives tomorrow, so that must say something.

 

[Killed_by_Death]

I had a relatively pricey G&L ASAT that I got rid of & almost immediately bought a bass in the $100 range, which I'm fine with.
I still retain my RIC 4004 Laredo though.

 

[msb]

Over the years I acquired a bunch of classic basses and yet somehow my go to bass turned out to be my Dano Longhorn . I'm still not quite sure exactly how it happened , but I'm ok with it .

 

[Gaolee]

At one point, I had a couple 4003s. I bought one and traded an amplifier stack for the other. Each one was worth more than any bass I currently own. I thought about keeping one of them, but didn't and don't regret it.

 

[blmeier7]

Earlier this year I sold a Fender US Precision so I could get two Squier CV P basses. No regrets here. I've bought and sold almost 40 basses now and I always make sure I'm comfortable with letting a bass go before I decide to sell it. Before I sold my US Precision I bought one the CV Squiers so I could play them side by side for a while.

IMO and IME, there are some great budget basses out there right now. You don't have to spend tons of money to get a good bass.

 

[SteveCS]

Ok so my current bass is a 2014 Gibson Thunderbird 120th anniversary edition. It was my first "real" bass purchase, and I really only bought it cause it looked awesome. Still does, and it's gotten me through many a gig two years later, but it just doesn't FEEL that great to play. I had convinced myself I loved it because of the price and the compliments I get on the bass itself... but theres just little things about it that bug me. It's F***ING HUGE and I'm constantly bumping my headstock into my singer when I try to move around. Really bad fret access on the G string, and I just can't slap on it comfortably (I think because when I go to pop the huge humbuckers get in the way). It's a nice bass just not for me. So anyway, I go into my local GC and see this awesome looking washburn Taurus t24 on the wall. I pick it up, I play it. And it felt AMAZING, it fit me like a glove. All of this is to say, am I crazy for considering selling my T-Bird and buying the washburn? Has anyone ever had sellers remorse about going from super expensive to moderately priced gear?

My only remorse is what the expensive bass I sold in 1990 (Wal Probass) would have been worth now had I kept it. The bass I kept cost me £130 a year or two earlier and is still my main player. If I had the Wal today it would cover a brace of new Stingrays or a Pentabuzz with change for the bus fare home. As for the bass itself, I don't miss it because it had horrendous neck dive, meaning that although it sounded great I was not able to play it live.

 

[bassbully]

I have had 4 70's Fenders from 73'-78', a few 2000's MIAs, a few MIJ Fenders and Several Squiers from MIJ, SQ, to CV and E Series.
Today my main bass is a Frankin Fender made from MIK and MIA Fender parts. It plays and sounds as good as any good vintage P bass I have played and I modded it myself.
Along with that are three USA Peaveys, a Fury, Foundation and Patriot. I'm one proud papa with my basses today Grand total in all 4 basses about $500.00.

 

[LadyLoveStingRay5]

The price , where it's made , or the name on the headstock doesn't matter.

If it works for you, then play it.

Play what you like and like what you play , otherwise the joy of playing is lost.

 

[Beavisplaysbass]

I went from a schecter stiletto studio to a mim j. Do what feels right.

 

[NightW0lf]

Choose based on what plays best for you, not by how much you can brag about it.

 

[pbass2]

I custom ordered a Dingwall and after about 6 mos decided it just wasn't for me. My USA Glaub is my most pricey bass these days and while I love it, it's a beauty, etc., I could see another P taking its place someday, and certainly a cheaper one if it felt right (I wouldn't mind a thinner nut width for starters, and as long as I can slap some Fralins in it, it would do what I need).

 

[pbass2]

I have had 4 70's Fenders from 73'-78', a few 2000's MIAs, a few MIJ Fenders and Several Squiers from MIJ, SQ, to CV and E Series.
Today my main bass is a Frankin Fender made from MIK and MIA Fender parts. It plays and sounds as good as any good vintage P bass I have played and I modded it myself.
Along with that are three USA Peaveys, a Fury, Foundation and Patriot. I'm one proud papa with my basses today Grand total in all 4 basses about $500.00.

I had a Franken P made with a Tokai body and a Warmoth(I think) Jazz profile neck. Old EMG pu's. Had some hideous spray paint on it. I let it go for I dunno, $150. When I listen back to recordings it's possibly the best sounding P I've ever owned.

 

[Nev375]

Maybe you need a headless bass?

 

[MD Stingray]

Sold my 7k Fodera, got a (Euro) Spector and never looked back to the ton of money I lost.
It takes time and money to find your perfect bass.
In my case it took a lot of both.

Still searching by the way...

 

[InhumanResource]

I had a really nice Foto Flame P-bass that I traded (eventually) for a Lakland 5501. Definitely should have kept that P-bass, it suited me better (btw the 5501 is posted as a Trade if anyone is interested!).

 

[Celtic59]

I went from a 73 Rick to an 85 MIJ Squire P-Bass, no comparison in sound and play-ability. To hell with other people's opinions about the brand on the head-stock, etc. Play what feels and sounds great and it's all good. Edit: tis a 1984 Squire P Bass

 

[Dr. Cheese]

I am old enough to remember when Stanley Clarke made such a big splash with his Alembic. In 1977, it seemed that every touring bassist who came to town that year had an Alembic. Even Larry Graham and Marvin Isley had Alembics when I saw them. Guess what? They all went back to Fender the next year. The old long scale Alembics had great tone, but were not ergonomical at all.