Who Here Is In Debt Because of Basses and Equipment?

[SGT. Pepper]

I am! About $????.00

[Tony G]

me....

I don't want to say how much...it's embarrassing...

[Son of Magni]

Never been, but I can see how it can happen

[Juniorkimbrough]

I would never do that.....but of course I've seen both my parents go through problems over debt and I swore I'd never have a credit card.

If I can't pay cash for it, then I don't need it. That's my motto.

[Tony G]

Originally Posted by Juniorkimbrough

I would never do that.....but of course I've seen both my parents go through problems over debt and I swore I'd never have a credit card.

If I can't pay cash for it, then I don't need it. That's my motto.

And it is a good motto to have, I just need to learn to abide by something like that. Obviously that won't work for a house or a car, but pretty much everything else should be covered under something like that.

[vroc38]

If I can't pay for gear from gig earnings, I won't buy it.

[Drifta]

Not me, i got my 1 bass, and until i have enough cash it will do me just fine.. if ya already got a bass and rig to play why put yourself into debt for more?

[blister-fingers]

im out £130 thanks to my desparation. i scrounged and got my bass but i still owe

[RAM]

Not because of gear, but I'm in debt because of my divorce. I'd rather be in debt because of gear...and for that amount, I'd have a TON more basses AND a nicer home...

[knuckle_head]

Originally Posted by RAM

Not because of gear, but I'm in debt because of my divorce. I'd rather be in debt because of gear...and for that amount, I'd have a TON more basses AND a nicer home...

Do I know you, stranger?

[Pennydreadful]

Originally Posted by Juniorkimbrough

I would never do that.....but of course I've seen both my parents go through problems over debt and I swore I'd never have a credit card.

If I can't pay cash for it, then I don't need it. That's my motto.

+1 to all of the above.

[Chronicle]

I was afraid when i got my credit card i would spend it on bass stuff... but i'm keeping my G.A.S surpressed :P

[TrooperFarva]

Originally Posted by Juniorkimbrough

I would never do that.....but of course I've seen both my parents go through problems over debt and I swore I'd never have a credit card.

If I can't pay cash for it, then I don't need it. That's my motto.

I have 3 credit cards. One that I used to get books for college a few years back, that I share with my parents. I haven't used it in years, but my mom continues to use it. One that I use for gas, because I get a 5% discount. And a corporate card, that I use for corporate travel and such. While I can understand that credit cards could be a problem, they're also a great way to build up your credit, which is very useful later, like when buying a house.

But no, I'm not in debt because of gear, and I never have been.

[Flintc]

Well, I put a bass on a credit card and paid it off in two months. Does that count? Technically, I suppose I was in debt for a month (I paid interest charges). I could have paid it all at once, so I never owed more than I had.

[Dr. Cheese]

Originally Posted by Flintc

Well, I put a bass on a credit card and paid it off in two months. Does that count? Technically, I suppose I was in debt for a month (I paid interest charges). I could have paid it all at once, so I never owed more than I had.

To paraphrase Brad Johnson, there is nothing wrong with using a credit card if you you understand how it works, and you have a plan, that you stick to, to pay it off in a timely fashion. What I have come to realize is that there will always be another bass, another cab, another amp, etc. Buying stuff to end GAS is like pouring kerosine on a forest fire. Sometimes, I have to slow down and take stock of what I have, more often than not, I love my gear at any given moment.

The other thing I have come to realize is that I cannot base my purchases on other's situations. I can't buy gear like a gigging musician or a wealthy person since I am neither. I may do some paying gigs again soon for the first time in twelve years or so, but even then, it would take me forever to get anything genuinely highend. I know I need to stay in the $1,500 and under area (really $750 and under.)

The reason I mention this is that some folks here read posts about an MTD, Warrior, Fodera, etc. and they feel they have to have one too. The irony is that most great players will tell you that a highend bass will not really make any difference 90% of the time for any given player. It is better to play a $300 bass and enjoy music than play a $2,000 bass while you pray your car holds up another month.

[MikeBass]

Originally Posted by Juniorkimbrough

I would never do that.....but of course I've seen both my parents go through problems over debt and I swore I'd never have a credit card.

If I can't pay cash for it, then I don't need it. That's my motto.

I don't even have a credit card.
When my wife and I first got married we had about $12K in debt. And bad credit as a result.
Today, AAA credit ratings and $0 debt (I don't consider a car payment and rent/mortage debt).

But to answer the OP question, I've never been in debt, but man GAS had a hold of me something fierce at one point and I almost was!

[ibanezcollector]

I have been there, big time.. Trying to buy happiness.. Being alone alot of my time with work and what not leaves me somewhat depressed and its a nice natural high to get something new.

Until recent I would put my self in situations that would leave me screwed till next payday.. Now I actually am cutting back to basic stuff. One bass, one small combo a 1x10 and a cord.. Its all I really need for what I do, learn some tunes, play with some cds, and make a video here and there.

[ehque]

I am. Underestimated shipping costs, so im down couple of hundred SGD. That's about 100-150 USD.

[rjny36]

The most debt I've ever been in for gear was borrowing the last $300 I needed for an amp from my brother on a Wednesday, and I paid him back that Friday.

[Jim Carr]

No debt here, except my mortgage payments.