Buying a bass money ideas??? Any help wanted

mcnaire2004 · #1 12-02-2008, 12:34 PM

I am in almost desperate need for a good bass. At this point, I feel I should invest in one that will last me the rest of my life.

My current Juzek is riddled with problems, and riddled with bad repairs has another problem that has made it temporarily unplayable. That is fixable, but it has enough problems that I have been quoted at around 3-3500$. It is like an old beat up car where you have to move the air-condition things around and set everything perfect for it to run. My bass sounds wonderful when I do the weird 'right' things before I play. On top of its problems, it has an unusual 45.5 inch string length. Which, I have gotten used to and feel comfortable, but I have been told by many professionals, that down the line it will bite me in the ass.

Now, that I have told you my problems, here is my question. Am wondering what loan options that a 19 year old with little credit (don't know much about credit) could get. If I have to spend the next 5 years paying off my bass, that is ok. I don't know, and I am a little confused in this area. Any help or suggestions will be taken.

philip sirois · #2 12-02-2008, 01:02 PM

I would say that 3500 bucks for a great sounding juzek would be a good deal.
I would fix it. Maybe see if you could find a way to shorten up the string length a bit( i'll let the luthier types get into that. Then if you want to upgrade you have a good bass to trade up with. The last thing I'd want to do is buy something on credit, if in fact you could get credit in this economy.

Heifetzbass · #3 12-02-2008, 06:18 PM

McNaire,

You would probably need to ask your parents to help at least co-sign a loan at this point. Some of the music stores offer financing through outfits like American General, etc...

I would hesitate to recommend borrowing money for a bass, but you have to do what you have to do.

The first thing I would do is pack up your bass and go see Ron Sachs in ATL. Show him your bass and let him look it over. I have had several students purchase basses, including a couple of Shen Willows for very nice prices. He has been a really good guy and easy to deal with. I highly recommend him. He can do major restorations, so I would get his opinion on trading in or doing the work on your bass.

Good luck,