Sadness of Pandemic induced selling.

[jazzyvee]

It looks like after the lockdowns and restrictions are lifted around the globe, there is going to be a lot of alembics in new hands appearing on stages.
Whilst I have seen on-line, on here and other social forums, a large number of bassists acquiring new and used alembic basses for the first time over the past year, I do feel a sadness for those sellers for whom this pandemic put them into positions of having to reluctantly sell these basses and other things to get through it. I hope the sale eased their circumstances. I do fear the repercussions of this pandemic will be with us for a long time to come.
Stay safe.

[gtrguy]

That is kind of you. I hope we all can help each other out.

[edwardofhuncote]

It makes me queasy to see it, because I've been there... sold every instrument I had except the one upright I had for gigs. That was a little over 20 years ago, but I remember that sick, defeated feeling like it was yesterday. And the wise folks know, it could absolutely happen again. Can I live without them? Sure. There is a very real and looming possibility I'll be physically unable to play music in a few years, so always in the back of my mind is the idea of liquidation. Maybe not emergency, still not fun thinking about.


I really feel for musicians who have lost out in this mess. I personally know a bunch of bluegrass players are really struggling. The festival circuit, which is their meal ticket, is a done deal for another year. It's happening in their circles too... lots of very high-end and vintage instruments on the block. No gigs to play them at.

[DaveD]

Truth. Having acquired a used Series 1 from its original owner (via a local shop), I wondered if his decision to sell was motivated by necessity rather than choice and I do hope it was the latter. I fear it will be years before live music truly "recovers". In my scene, the same folks who only stopped gigging when the state put the kibosh on it (and many of them got Covid right before that) were the first ones to jump back in and at some really sketchy places which were in no way Covid compliant. I'm a full-timer too so I get it, but I'm not about to jeopardize my health.

Now let's just hope that those of us on the receiving end are able to hold onto our new instruments long enough to enjoy them on stage!

[StefanieJones]

DaveD, my last band is back playing and I saw a video where not one person was wearing a mask.  I quit after a sketchy gig during covid and am glad I did now.  Things may be better, but we have a newborn living here (daughter's baby) No way I want to bring covid home.

[keith_h]

DaveD, my last band is back playing and I saw a video where not one person was wearing a mask.  I quit after a sketchy gig during covid and am glad I did now.  Things may be better, but we have a newborn living here (daughter's baby) No way I want to bring covid home.

Sounds like we are in a similar situation. My younger daughter and her baby who just turned 6 months live with us. I'm also the daytime caregiver for the little one (as an aside never thought I'd be raising another kid in my 60's). So between her and me being higher risk keeping COVID out of the house is a priority.

[pauldo]

DaveD, my last band is back playing and I saw a video where not one person was wearing a mask.  I quit after a sketchy gig during covid and am glad I did now.  Things may be better, but we have a newborn living here (daughter's baby) No way I want to bring covid home.

You are wise.