Talk me down, man...

rfclef · 08-27-2009, 01:10 PM

... or tell me it's ok...

I have 5 basses. Except for my beloved Birdsong Cortobass, they are all cheapos.

-My first bass was the Epiphone Viola. I still like it. But since the Birdsong came along, I just don't play it. Played it at church Sunday. Wished I had my Birdsong.
-Applause AE-40 acoustic/electric. I bought this to take to camp with me so I could practice without dragging amps and stuff. But I can't bear to spend a week without the BIrdsong, so I wind up taking both and a little cheap practice amp. I still take it outside to fool around with it but I could probably live without it.
-Then I have the ZZ Ryder "antibeatle". Looks unique (like a cool metallica-beatle fusion), sounds alright, decent backup. I never play it. I used it as my cheap "ball game bass" until I got the
- Epiphone EB-0. Modded the heck out of it, and it looks ridiculous.

I am thinking of selling the acoustic, the ZZ Ryder, and (never thought I would even THINK of selling) the Viola bass. The only one I really want to play all the time is the Birdsong, but after seeing my guitar player snapping strings at our gigs, I KNOW I should always have a backup axe.
Why keep the EB-0? Though I like the Epi Viola better (it's the best of the 4 cheapos), and the ZZ Ryder looks kinda cool, the EB-0 feels closer to the Birdsong than the others. It is painted up to look like a Viking and with school colors because I use it at ball games with my pep band (I am a band teacher), so playing it on a COS band gig would look weird (though I would still play it), and I really would not want to play it at church on Sunday morning, but the string spacing, etc is closer to the BIrdsong than any of the others. And, at least with my skills, I don't play as well on an axe that feels different... Eventually (way down the line) I would like to get a second Birdsong as my backup. I would like a bass that feels just like my main bass as my 2nd bass...

Should I sell the Viola, the acoustic, and the Anti-beatle? WIll I be sorry? Will Grant learn that Chase is really his half brother Montague??

Thanks for listening...

**thesteve** · 08-27-2009, 01:37 PM

I'm a big advocate for keep what you like and sell when in need. I have a couple guitars that have sentimental value and aren't really worth what I can get for them, so I keep them. I have considered "trading down" my MIA Fender Jazz V for a mid-range (Fender USA or better) four-string, but I haven't quite decided if I can go without the low B...

That being said, based on the way you describe your basses, I probably wouldn't have an issue with selling the Applause or the ZZ Ryder. I would probably hold onto the Viola for sentimental reasons, though FWIW, I still have my first electric (Fender Jagstang), but I sold my first bass (Fender Standard Jazz). I could see being in a position like yours and considering the Birdsong to be my first "real bass". I do also know it's a lot easier to replace an Epiphone Viola than it would be to replace a Jagstang, so future replacement potential might also be worth consideration.

rfclef · 09-12-2009, 04:32 PM

Well, sold the acoustic Applause today... the guy almost took the ZZ Ryder too... I have not posted the Viola, but I am increasingly thinking about it... Good decision, I think...

rfclef · 09-21-2009, 11:51 PM

had a student buy the ZZ Ryder today... 2 down, one to go... No nibbles on the Epiphone Viola yet, but I feel pretty good about letting it go...

Alfie56 · 10-07-2009, 10:31 AM

I am looking for a ZZ LO RYDER VIOLIN BASS. If you sell your, please let me know. Thanks in advance.

rfclef · 10-07-2009, 09:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alfie56

I am looking for a ZZ LO RYDER VIOLIN BASS. If you sell your, please let me know. Thanks in advance.

Sorry, pal... SOld it to one of my beginner band students a couple weeks ago... I mentioned it was for sale and he brought in a wad of cash and a note from his parents...

BTW: Sold the EPi Viola last week,,, so I am down to 2 basses... The Birdsong, and the Epi EB-0 for my backup and to play at ballgames with my HS band... The plan is, eventually, to get another Birdsong... Then I will be happy and content. (I am already happy and content, but would be cool to have another Birdsong for my backup... Just feels so much better than the EB-0... I am so much faster on the Birdsong)