Connie Z Posted July 24, 2003 Share Posted July 24, 2003 I keep seeing people referring to GAS, and I cannot figure out what it stands for!!! I did a search, but can't find an answer. Please help me! What he heck does it mean? ... connie z "Change comes from within." - Jeremy Cohen The definition of LUCK: When Preparation meets Opportunity! http://www.cybergumbo.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rog951 Posted July 24, 2003 Share Posted July 24, 2003 Gear Acquisition Syndrome. Now, go buy something! None more black. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dcr Posted July 24, 2003 Share Posted July 24, 2003 I believe the term you're looking for, Connie, is "La Stupida." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
_Sweet Willie_ Posted July 24, 2003 Share Posted July 24, 2003 As stated, GAS is an acronym for "gear acquisition syndrome," and a synonym for "gear lust." It arises from the downward death spiral that the vast majority of bass players succumb to known as "the quest for ultimate tone." Some players temporarily treat the syndrome by becoming reliable, honorable, and regular "gear turnstiles" (e.g., Peter J. Romano and Steve Carriere), buying, selling, and trading gear with great regularity. Others suffer and persevere with the disease for long stretches of time, and periodically thwart it soundly with a major purchase (see: "The Ballad of Capasso and Kinal"). Lastly, some of us self-medicate with periodic small purchases or upgrades to currently owned gear (e.g., my own poetic adventure, "Bartolini, My Carvin, and Me" or the oft retold tale of adventuresome experimentation, "Fretless Conversion: Ripping Metal from Wood in Search of the Magical Mwah"). I hope that this helps. If you'd like more examples, there are plenty of folks here who could provide them! spreadluv Fanboy? Why, yes! Nordstrand Pickups and Guitars. Messiaen knew how to parlay the funk. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kooky Mogessi Posted July 24, 2003 Share Posted July 24, 2003 All about GAS i know its now what you asked for but in a way it is so enjoy "Cliff Burton (the "Major rager of the 4-string mother f***er", from Metallica)" Direct quote from Wikipedia (censored out of respect for the forum) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Bear Jew Posted July 24, 2003 Share Posted July 24, 2003 Yeah... Now you know what the acronym means.. but have you experienced it? Lemme describe it: You walk into a music store and see a cool bit of gear. Your eye twitches. Your eyes go dull and glassy. You start to salivate wildly... All of your good sense abandons you, and you find yourself whipping out your credit card and spending roughly twice your mortgage payment on something you don't really need but merely want... Excessive explanations/apologies to spouses/signifcant others usually follow. It's bad. \m/ Erik "To fight and conquer in all your battles is not supreme excellence; supreme excellence consists of breaking the enemy's resistance without fighting." --Sun Tzu Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
_Sweet Willie_ Posted July 24, 2003 Share Posted July 24, 2003 Originally posted by CMDN: Excessive explanations/apologies to spouses/signifcant others usually follow. It's bad.It's even worse when you feel the need to hide the new gear at a band member's house, never admit to buying it, and make sure you intercept the credit card bill each month before your spouse/partner/significant other/etc. does! (I still haven't fallen that far, but I do know someone who has! ) GAS can be triggered not only by a random trip to a music shop (see Erik's excellent description above), but also by a visual-digital stimulus: http://www.fruduaguitars.it/img/gfjb_part.jpg spreadluv Fanboy? Why, yes! Nordstrand Pickups and Guitars. Messiaen knew how to parlay the funk. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jeremy c Posted July 24, 2003 Share Posted July 24, 2003 It's even worse when you feel the need to hide the new gear at a band member's house, never admit to buying it, and make sure you intercept the credit card bill each month before your spouse/partner/significant other/etc. does! (I still haven't fallen that far, but I do know someone who has!I've hidden gear in the garage for a few days while waiting to get up the nerve to tell my wife that I bought another instrument. Free download of my cd!. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
_Sweet Willie_ Posted July 24, 2003 Share Posted July 24, 2003 BTW, Jeremy, I posted that pic of the blue Frudua especially for you. Did I trigger a Pavlovian response? spreadluv Fanboy? Why, yes! Nordstrand Pickups and Guitars. Messiaen knew how to parlay the funk. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Bear Jew Posted July 24, 2003 Share Posted July 24, 2003 Jeremy can't post right now... he's curled up in the fetal position, drooling and crying with his credit card in his teeth... \m/ Erik "To fight and conquer in all your battles is not supreme excellence; supreme excellence consists of breaking the enemy's resistance without fighting." --Sun Tzu Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
_Sweet Willie_ Posted July 24, 2003 Share Posted July 24, 2003 spreadluv Fanboy? Why, yes! Nordstrand Pickups and Guitars. Messiaen knew how to parlay the funk. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pernax Posted July 24, 2003 Share Posted July 24, 2003 Hi. My name is Pernax, and I'm a gear-a-holic. I've been clean for almost six months now, although I had a little incident with a pack of Elixir strings a few weeks ago. I thought I had kicked the habit, but it looks like I've fallen into another GAS-induced spiral of doom. Also the bi-weekly paychecks seem to act like a catalyst for the flames that burn inside me, making me go through the various sites on the net filled with loads and loads of expencive gear that I could fit into my rig. My most recent obsession has been to turn my rig into a more modular one, consisting of a separate pre- and poweramp instead of the head I currently use and abuse. As the days progress, the 750 watts that my trusty SWR head produce seem to get smaller and smaller by the minute, and I find myself gazing for hours and hours at various several-thousand-watt diabolic constructions of cold metal casings and lightning-like output circuitry, not to mention the preamp tubes of the 1U miniature miracles of the modern world, glowing like the eyes to the devil in the depths of hell, calling me, whispering to me with a round, just slightly overdriven sound. I fear that all hope is lost, will there be no end to my suffering !?! -Pernax (up to 200 characters) You may use UBBCode in your signature. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chest Rockwell Posted July 24, 2003 Share Posted July 24, 2003 quote: -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Originally posted by CMDN: Excessive explanations/apologies to spouses/signifcant others usually follow. It's bad. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- It's even worse when you feel the need to hide the new gear at a band member's house, never admit to buying it, and make sure you intercept the credit card bill each month before your spouse/partner/significant other/etc. does! (I still haven't fallen that far, but I do know someone who has! ) GAS can be triggered not only by a random trip to a music shop (see Erik's excellent description above), but also by a visual-digital stimulus: Dammit! Sweet Willie, you had to post that blue bass pic again. Now I have GAS all over again Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
... Posted July 24, 2003 Share Posted July 24, 2003 G.A.S. Greatly Abnormal Serendipity Guns And Sausage Gifts Around Silt Gear At Sea Green Algae Stew Grand Albatross Slayer Goofed Again, Sorry Getting Another Stout Get A Stereo Gaffers Anonymous Stoppers Golden Aardvark Spam Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom Capasso Posted July 24, 2003 Share Posted July 24, 2003 Yeah - I've recited the Ballad of Capasso and Kinal to a few folks here over the phone. The phone company revenues go up, because it's a three year story with some amazing characters. These include my father and my father-in-law - I'd say "I'm thinking about buying a bass for $1000 - 2000", and they'd say "you should do it". Usually not in my wife's hearing, but they'd say it, which never helped. I've been able to control it enough so my purchases are sanctioned by the Minister of Finance (I think somebody on the Dudepit coined that, but it may have been someone here). Connie, you may not recognize the person that first answered your question, because rog951 is an infrequent poster. But I know something about him that might really get you. Along with being a musician, his other hobby is his Porsche. Talk about serious gear issues. My son also has an old Porsche, and he's constantly plotting what part he's going to fix/replace/upgrade for "better performance". Sound familiar? Oh - by the way, do you like this picture? http://www.readcustom.com/bass2.jpg If I had the funds, it (or another Read Custom) might be my next "journey". Tom www.stoneflyrocks.com Acoustic Color Be practical as well as generous in your ideals. Keep your eyes on the stars and keep your feet on the ground. - Theodore Roosevelt Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JDL Posted July 24, 2003 Share Posted July 24, 2003 http://www.fruduaguitars.it/img/gfjb_part.jpg http://www.k9domain.com/cartoon_dog_panting2.gif JDL on Purevolume Bird\'s Eye View on Purevolume Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JDL Posted July 24, 2003 Share Posted July 24, 2003 Well...you get the idea. JDL on Purevolume Bird\'s Eye View on Purevolume Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SteveC Posted July 25, 2003 Share Posted July 25, 2003 I'm not sure if I should feel honored or check myself in for treatment at being mentioned specifically in this post. My reputation is well earned. In my defense, I now have only 3 basses, and I am very happy with them all. Each different, each being used and none collecting dust. I must say though, the thread about preamp/power amp vs head is making me think again....... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
martianrebel Posted July 25, 2003 Share Posted July 25, 2003 Now I know what GAS is, I can admit to being freakishly addicted to gear of all descriptions. I just shed a tear of happiness to know that there are others out there afflicted with this same terrible disease... Wen I bought my Godin A4, I took it home and put it on a stand with the other guitars... It took my wife about 2 months to say "What's with the new guitar??" I also have been very guilty about hiding gear. I got a Tama Rockstar 5 piece drumset (complete with hardware, cymbals, Pearl throne etc.) for $500 and kept it at the guitarist's house. Didn't tell my wife for a year and a half. I also bought a Marshall Valvestate head for the guitarist about the same time... She still doesn't know about that. Now I need a good gigging bass amp set up.. Any suggestions?? Oh, and a PA and mics and home recording studio gear and a fretless 5 string and a Fender JBass and...... If it was only the music gear, I may be able to forgive myself, but alas.... Although it is no Porsche, I bought my '79 Continental MarkV in November of 2001 and didn't tell her until March of '02. (You try hiding one of THOSE!!) And since then, she has not been consulted on all of the upgrades, or informed of the cost of repairs. Thank god for VISA -{m}- What's these knobs for? http://www.martianrebel.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
doc taz Posted July 25, 2003 Share Posted July 25, 2003 As far as my GAS goes, interestingly enough, it usually doesn't happen with bass gear. (Well, not much anyway. ) It's with the DRUMS! I used to think Mike Portnoy's kits were the shiznit, but Terry Bozzio's stuff just puts me over the edge! http://www.terrybozzio.com/images/kit/fkit.jpg sevenstring.org profile my flickr page Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JDL Posted July 25, 2003 Share Posted July 25, 2003 That is one sweet set, I see why'd you drool over that beast! JDL on Purevolume Bird\'s Eye View on Purevolume Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
music-man Posted July 25, 2003 Share Posted July 25, 2003 Originally posted by tazzola: As far as my GAS goes, interestingly enough, it usually doesn't happen with bass gear. (Well, not much anyway. ) It's with the DRUMS! I used to think Mike Portnoy's kits were the shiznit, but Terry Bozzio's stuff just puts me over the edge! Drummers says to wide-eyed singer-songwriter as he tightens the last cymbal down: "... I WILL play every one of these things tonight!" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Invincible Posted July 25, 2003 Share Posted July 25, 2003 I think this is one of the few reasons for be to be sort of glad that have so little money, it stops me buying new equipment so I can't fall into the trap . But also there's that other little problem, it means I have no money. Damn. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jode Posted July 25, 2003 Share Posted July 25, 2003 Another thing about GAS - it's like having diabetes. You can never be cured; you can only have it under control and live as normal a life as you can. "I had to have something, and it wasn't there. I couldn't go down the street and buy it, so I built it." Les Paul Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Graham56 Posted July 25, 2003 Share Posted July 25, 2003 CMDN posted: Excessive explanations/apologies to spouses/signifcant others usually follow. It's bad. It's a good argument for buying second-hand. If the instrument/amp/gear looks a bit tatty, it's harder for a spouse to realise how much it's worth. So as I arrived home with my newly-purchased 1970's P-Bass: "What, THIS tatty old thing? Don't worry dear, it's just an old heap that my mate at work was getting rid of. I took it off his hands for a few quid..." Although the shop owner did offer to do me a fake receipt with a much lower price on it. Apparently it's a common request. Lies, half-truths and evasions - the solid foundations of marriage... Graham www.talkingstrawberries.com - for rocking' blues, raw and fresh! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Connie Z Posted July 25, 2003 Author Share Posted July 25, 2003 ROTFL (Rolling On The Floor Laughing)! NOW I understand what GAS is! And I can fully grasp it's hazardous ramifications to family and finances. I shall do my best to recognize the warning signs! And the "fart" site is priceless! Thanks to all for your informative and humorous explanations and examples! ... connie z "Change comes from within." - Jeremy Cohen The definition of LUCK: When Preparation meets Opportunity! http://www.cybergumbo.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rumpelstiltskin. Posted July 25, 2003 Share Posted July 25, 2003 this is what i have GAS for: http://babs.cs.umass.edu/~schmill/fbb/pages/basses/007-98/007.jpg something similar to that. i guess there's enough options that i could change, but that is the maker and body shape that i want. robb. because i like people. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jeremy c Posted July 26, 2003 Share Posted July 26, 2003 I hope that picture isn't from Wishbass. Free download of my cd!. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
_Sweet Willie_ Posted July 26, 2003 Share Posted July 26, 2003 Originally posted by jeremyc: I hope that picture isn't from Wishbass.I think robb.'s pic comes from FBB custom based in Mass. Glad to see that you're no longer in fetal position, Jeremy! (If you're confused at all, check one of CMDN's posts above.) spreadluv Fanboy? Why, yes! Nordstrand Pickups and Guitars. Messiaen knew how to parlay the funk. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bassingeorge Posted July 26, 2003 Share Posted July 26, 2003 hey JDL what brand is that bass that you posted ( the cool tealish blue quilted bass)? Got bass? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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