5 k minimum for starting carved bass?

[Libersolis]

Sorry could find it on search... Should I expect to pay around 5k minimum for a starting carved.. Im only 24 and in music school so as you can imagine I usually make my money waiting tables and various gigs so 5 k is a bit much...Is there anything of good quality for lesser value? I think one of the problems for me buying a bass is that they seem to appreciate in value as time goes on, countering what usually is the case in our society..

[KSB - Ken Smith]

I would suggest a Carved Willow Shen. Good bang for the buck.

[John Sprague]

$5k is the general starting area for the low end of new carved basses. You can also do what Ed KungFuqua recommends and tell everybody, and I mean everybody, and their sister, that you are looking for a bass. Good deals pop out of the woodwork (or attic) that way.
G/L!
John

[lowphatbass]

Originally Posted by Libersolis

I think one of the problems for me buying a bass is that they seem to appreciate in value as time goes on, countering what usually is the case in our society..

Not only that, but with the US$ getting weaker and prices going up basses aren't getting any cheaper. The "starter" model carved bass that I got 15 years ago for $3k shipped to my door with a great padded bag, decent set-up, etc. would easily run around $6-$8k today. I don't think MY bass has gotten that much better but the dollar and the market drive the prices, not always the quality of the instruments.

[anonymous0726]

You can't count on foreign currency exchanges for anything other than temporary price differences: down today and up tomorrow.

There's a bass in the classified right here at TB that looks like a good deal. It'd be worth checking out, anyhow.