Why Do People Sell " The Best Bass They Ever Played" So Often?

[Liam Wald]

Same reason they dump the best girlfriend/boyfriend/husband/wife/significant other/best friend with benefits or partner in crime that they ever had.
Fickelishous human behavior.

 

[Coolhandjjl]

The best bass I ever played.....aside from my other five.

 

[dbsfgyd1]

1. they are fickle
2. they need cash
3. they are lying (or being "optimistic")
4. they found some new shiny object
5. they don't like some aspect of the bass
6. see #1

I’m a # 5, not so much I don’t like an aspect of a bass as much as I needed a different voice. I’ve only owned 4 basses that I used professionally since 1970, and Istill own two of them, so I’m not exactly fickle. I have bought and sold instruments that were purchased for resale.

 

[Old Garage-Bander]

Another phrase that gets me is "It sounds as good as it looks!" Kind of meaningless as looks are subjective.

As is how it sounds. So kind of a double whammy.

 

[Old Garage-Bander]

"The only bass I've ever played."

 

[DavC]

isn't the grass always greener ... blah , blah , blah ....

cars , basses, houses , girlfriends , etc , etc ...

sometimes we wise up and grow out of that behavior ... which takes many decades ..!!

 

[brianrost]

I've only sold killer basses when they were something I no longer needed...in my case fretless and 5 strings are no longer of use to me.

 

[Bass Viking]

Another explanation for why people sell their best bass ever is that gear forums make you feel like you're missing out on something. No matter what you have it's never enough.

 

[ColonelZulu]

FOMO

 

[Bunk McNulty]

I sold the best bass I ever played and then bought it back again. I may be an idiot, but I’m consistent.

 

[StevieM]

That's the exact same burning question I've had for years, too. I've been playing the exact same instruments since the late 1990's. And, before that, I'd played the same bass for probably a decade, although I had other basses that I'd use as trade bait, to trade UP on for an even more pointy-shaped bass, or weapon , back during my hair metal years. I treat an instrument kinda like a tattoo, it's with you for life. Lol. My last bass purchase was in 1999!!!

 

[SactoBass]

G.A.S.

 

[higain617]

This Olympic White P-Bass is the finest I've ever played, but I've found another in Shell Pink.

 

[twinjet]

Read that all the time here...

For me, a 2015 American Standard Precision Bass was the best sounding I had played. It went because of finances and ergonomic difficulties. My L-2000 has since dethroned the Fender, being my #1 player for two years.

 

[electracoyote]

I have personally simultaneously owned several "best basses I've ever played." Contrary to common sense logic, it is possible.

I have sold the "best" bass and hung on to the "bestest" a few times.

I have also owned one "best bass I've ever played" and needed cash worse.

 

[twinjet]

I have personally simultaneously owned several "best basses I've ever played." Contrary to common sense logic, it is possible.

I have also owned one "best bass I ever played" and needed cash worse.

Yep. In a similar situation, my American Fender proved to be quick cash.

 

[QweziRider]

So the babies would have a Christmas. Every time. Only reason. It was worth it.

 

[EatS1stBassist]

Every time after I realized I’ve made a mistake.

1. they are fickle
2. they need cash
3. they are lying (or being "optimistic")
4. they found some new shiny object
5. they don't like some aspect of the bass
6. see #1

 

[Member8675309]

Because Reasons.

 

[Mastermold]

Bobby Vega said in an interview I saw that he regularly had to pawn his basses because he needed the money. Later when he could he'd go buy them back ... if they were still there.