How do so many people afford so many nice basses and amps?

Killens84 · #1 10-26-2010, 07:27 AM

I've been curious about something since being on Talk Bass the past year or so. I see many people on here talking about all of the nice basses and amp rigs they have, and I'm wondering how the average joe affords all of this stuff. It seems like it's very common on here for someone to own 3, 4, 5 or more expensive basses. And then it seems that they also have a couple of super-nice amp rigs at the same time.

I know personally, with me just being a high school teacher, that I certainly can't afford the bass setup that I REALLY want. I'm happy with what I have, but it's not my ideal setup. I currently own an '08 Fender American Standard 4-string Jazz Bass and a Peavey Cirrus 4-string bass. My amp setup is a Markbass TA503 head and a Markbass 104HF 4x10" bass cabinet. I don't think that's a bad setup at all, but it's nothing extravagant.

My ideal setup would be to own a Sadowsky vintage 4-string bass and a Lakland Deluxe 55-94 5-string bass. That's around $8,000 just for those two basses alone. And then I would want an Ampeg Heritage Series HSVT-CL Amp Head and an Ampeg Heritage Series HSVT-810E 8x10" Bass Cabinet. That's about $3,700 for that amp setup. Between $11,000 and $12,000 for the whole package.

I know that as a high school teacher (who is paying off student loans), it would take me years to save enough to buy that entire setup that I want. And that would be with me going without buying ANYTHING outside of necessity for a few years. So I'm just curious how a lot of people on here manage to afford such extravagant bass and amp setups. I'm guessing they either have jobs that pay way more than a teacher's salary, and/or they spend all of their money on bass equipment. Any thoughts or insight on this? I'm just bringing this to the table as a friendly conversation.

bassgod0dmw · #2 10-26-2010, 07:31 AM

Save money, acquire gear. Pretty simple for me.

jwr · #3 10-26-2010, 07:32 AM

I haven't been a member here long but I think I've seen a topic just like this before.

For me it's all about having money at the right time or selling other things to fund my gear cravings. I can't outright just buy a 2 k bass (and probably will never buy one that costs more than that. Unless it's a WAL).

Birthday's, Christmas...those are the times I'd be able to get large ticket items. My parents have money and buy me nice stuff for these two occasions. Not always that big, but it doesn't hurt to ask!

Other than that, I remember reading other guys on here saying they spend every dime they have on gear. Or they buy gear with the money they get from gigs. Sounds reasonable to me.

brettson · #4 10-26-2010, 07:32 AM

buy used

corinpills · #5 10-26-2010, 07:34 AM

you just have to prioritize and forego some of the other niceties in life like health insurance and retirement accounts...seeing the dentist, thing like that.

jwr · #6 10-26-2010, 07:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Killens84

I know that as a high school teacher (who is paying off student loans), it would take me years to save enough to buy that entire setup that I want. And that would be with me going without buying ANYTHING outside of necessity for a few years. So I'm just curious how a lot of people on here manage to afford such extravagant bass and amp setups. I'm guessing they either have jobs that pay way more than a teacher's salary, and/or they spend all of their money on bass equipment. Any thoughts or insight on this? I'm just bringing this to the table as a friendly conversation.

I'll respond further because I missed the last part.

I am in the Fire Academy right now, so I feel your pain about the job thing. Teachers, Fire Fighters, Police...these people are very underpaid for the amount of work they do. If I relied solely on firefighting for money, I would NEVER be able to buy new gear. I have two kids, a mortgage and a wife in school as well. You can't swing that many things on a 30k job. It's just not possible.

Most people in career paths like ours have multiple jobs. That's the unfortunate truth.

I hope you find what works for you

c_thur · #7 10-26-2010, 07:36 AM

I'm sure people make that work in a number of ways.

Bachelor/Masters/PhD in an engineering discipline probably comes with the tech-hoarding personality and salary to indulge it.
I'm sure quite a few people have more expensive rigs than the used cars they tote them around in.
Life choices- dual-income, no-kid families
Inheriting parents' house, no mortgage = disposable income
Networking for high quality used gear or ties to luthiers
I think the average age is probably older than you might think, as well. This would reflect in peoples' rigs. You might squeeze new gear into either the gap between paying for diapers and paying for college or being on the cusp of retirement, when things like house, cars and college are paid off.
It depends on choices and patience?

I'm sure there's a few flavors of trust fund kids out there too, or stipend or scholarships or endoresements.

Rumblefisher · #8 10-26-2010, 07:36 AM

Well, I worked and saved every penny I could for years (school, part time job) until I could finally buy some nicer gear that I had wanted. Since then, I've been doing the talkbass revolving door of gear trading, being careful to trade for things that are of equal value to what I was trading. Add to that small injections here and there of some cash (for pedals, tubes, etc) and it helps quell the gear lust. Be careful though, those small purchases can add up. In the end, the BEST thing I ever did was stick it out with my Squier for a couple of years until I could SAFELY afford the exact gear I wanted. That gave me the platform for the rest of my acquisitions/tradeaways.

Obey the 5P's (six if you're a Precision guy

)

1. Patience
2. Perseverance
3. Penny Pinching
4. Preparation (research)
5. Perusal of TB classifieds

chicago_mike · #9 10-26-2010, 07:36 AM

Or buy those nice basses used FROM your dentist.

davidgoldman · #10 10-26-2010, 07:37 AM

I have worked non-stop since 1972, married off my girls, and now, get what I want. Hard work, education and good luck. I am glad I am 60 and don't have to start over in this economy.

I feel bad for you youngsters!!!!!!

frianbisher · #11 10-26-2010, 07:38 AM

Simple answer is they just make more money than you do and that is how they choose to spend it. Or maybe they pass up having a really nice car and buy nice gear instead. Maybe they don't have kids or too many expenses. Maybe they buy on credit.

dje31 · #12 10-26-2010, 07:38 AM

1. Being single
2. and/or Being childless
3. + Good paying job
4. + Good health
5. + Minimal bad habits/vices
6. + Not racking up tons of debt

= (Potential for) Lots of disposable income...to spend at your discretion. But don't be stupid, and save some of it.

Or win the Lotto...or inherit from a rich relative...

amimbari · #13 10-26-2010, 07:38 AM

you did kinda answer your own question ya know...

but for conversation, I use my band money for band equipment, the more shows I play the more money I make the more I have to spend on equipment. multiply that by 20 years, and well...it turns from necessity to collectibles

Tampabass · #14 10-26-2010, 07:39 AM

+1 on buy used ... and don't get too hung up on what others view as "the best."
IMO, you can find plenty of 5-strings that sound, feel and look amazing & won't cost you an arm and a leg. For instance, a used 55-02 on TB will run you in the neighborhood of $800 to $1,000.

hachi kid · #15 10-26-2010, 07:39 AM

used gear FTW! also, two Sadowsky's for 8 freaking thousand dollars?!!?!?!?! are you kidding me?!?!?! wow, that's insane. also, a good SVT alternative would be getting an LDS cab (or other independent cab builder making an 8x10, or something similar) being driven by a Carvin X100B. I know it's a guitar amp, but it makes a pretty damn decent bass amp, and sounds freaking glorious when overdriven.

ericw · #16 10-26-2010, 07:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Killens84

I currently own an '08 Fender American Standard 4-string Jazz Bass and a Peavey Cirrus 4-string bass. My amp setup is a Markbass TA503 head and a Markbass 104HF 4x10" bass cabinet. I don't think that's a bad setup at all, but it's nothing extravagant.

That sounds like a GREAT setup for a gigging musician! Personally, if I had a bass worth more than around $1000 I wouldn't take it to a live gig (I usually play bars/clubs/lounges). You can always have more basses for different sounds/styles but you've got a nice quality setup man!

dokazaado · #17 10-26-2010, 07:40 AM

I work lots of overtime.

ericw · #18 10-26-2010, 07:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dje31

1. Being single
2. and/or Being childless
3. + Good paying job
4. + Good health
5. + Minimal bad habits/vices
6. + Not racking up tons of debt

And this is me too, but I don't have high-dollar basses, just multiple $700 basses...

Fuzzbass · #19 10-26-2010, 07:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by c_thur

Life choices: dual-income, no-kid families

(raises hand)

dalkowski · #20 10-26-2010, 07:43 AM

A Harley. A Camaro. A boat. A ski condo. Season tickets. A Sadowsky.

It's all about different strokes -- if it's your passion, you find a way to indulge it. With hope, you don't leave your dependents to subsist on ramen and fried bologna.