how much would you pay for a bass

[2cooltoolz]

I can get the bass I want for about $1500. Anything beyond that, at my skill level, would just be lipstick on a pig.

[Wallace320]

But it's a Custom Shop option only so I really think worth more
than what you wished
Attachment 279547

Cheers,
Wallace

[Baird6869]

My max to date has been in the $2000-2500 range, but I have likely owned 12-15 basses in this range.

If I found the perfect Fodera or vintage Fender for under $4500, I would likely pull the trigger.... But it would have to be perfect....the inclusion of a very hot genie that would be willing to do crude things would be welcomed at this price!

[Roscoe East]

Originally Posted by JimB52

At some point in the future I will buy a {insert make/model of fantasy dream bass here}. So, whatever they are going for then is the most I'm willing to pay for a bass.

Pretty much ^^^This.

For any other instrument, some number between $0 and $5,000 feels about right, but I'm not sure I can be any more specific. There just isn't a concrete threshold for me, it all depends on context.

[Brad Johnson]

$1250.

[fuzzy beard]

Max to date $250. Max i could see ever maybe 500 or 600. But dont ask me about amps!

[jbossolo]

Anything beyond that, at my skill level, would just be lipstick on a pig.

Dude, I've put lipstick, done a mani/pedi, and a full makeover on the proverbial piggy. It's all about being happy. There are worse addictions. At least I keep telling myself.

Oh, and I'd probably draw the line at $5-6K. I think.

[SteveC]

Hard to go past $3,000 for me. I spent $2,850 on a Roscoe 6 string and may spend it again to get a "matching" fretless. I have spent a couple grand more than a few times. I've also been happy enough with a $750 bass. Anything much less than that does t really donut for me. I've tried, but I'm back to the "boutique" stuff.

[Dr Greenthumb]

Most I've paid is 2K for my Stingray. I'd be willing to pay 6K for a Wal or a Sadowsky..

[ChetChetney]

The most I spent was $3,500.00 on my Lakland 55-94. I was a bit nervous about that purchase, but I have no regrets at all. That's the best bass I've ever played nd I'll have it the rest of my life.

But from here-on-out, my spending limit for basses will be $1,500.00. I believe this will buy a very very great bass. (i.e. my 2012 Am. Standard Jazz Bass)

[xUptheIronsx]

since I am GASsing for a pre-CBS P bass, or an early 70's era Ric 4001, it would be whatever those would go for...whicih is probably more than my salary

Since I make shite for a salary, i don't consider that...it is more like what can I do without utility or food wise to pay for the bass.

[scottfernandez]

This is will be my second time paying about 5k for an instrument but I vowed to myself that I will never purchase another price at anything more than cost. I made this promise to myself and my wife because I never want to put a financial strain on our lives. Since we don't have kids yet, it's been ok... but won't be that way for long.

[Blankandson]

Just remember it's YOUR money so do what you want with it. Me? I've played many of the basses hanging in my local Nashville SA store. Most sound so-so but then they probably haven't been set up yet. Anyway, one that amazed me a few months ago was the $800 MIM 5-string Jazz bass. The electronics on that baby are pretty good. They are probably equally good on the MIA one selling for $1,800. But honestly, the MIM sounded pretty good. I'm sure I could find someplace to spend the $1,000 difference.

[mazareth]

2K for me. I think the law of diminishing returns starts to kick in around $1500-2000.

[scottfernandez]

Originally Posted by Blankandson

Just remember it's YOUR money so do what you want with it. Me? I've played many of the basses hanging in my local Nashville SA store. Most sound so-so but then they probably haven't been set up yet. Anyway, one that amazed me a few months ago was the $800 MIM 5-string Jazz bass. The electronics on that baby are pretty good. They are probably equally good on the MIA one selling for $1,800. But honestly, the MIM sounded pretty good. I'm sure I could find someplace to spend the $1,000 difference.

I agree, wholeheartedly. My concern runs a little deeper. I don't really like owning anything but the things that I want are normally so specific that I kind of have to spend a lot. I'm not famous or anything so I was paying list on everything.

[P. Aaron]

Since I can't seem to get past the Fender tone and they are making the off-the-rack stuff so nice these days, I am locked in at about $1200.00.

That ain't so bad.

If I ever won the stinkin' lotto, well, I'd buy some stuff like an idiot.

[Stilettoprefer]

$500. Not much of a difference between higher priced models, and cheaper instruments can be modded/setup to play and sound like more expensive ones. I like parts builds and squier overhauls more than off the rack $1000+ instruments.

Acoustic guitars though.... My limit is $1000.

Good Uprights cost as much as a used car, so they aren't included in either of those categories.

[gkbass13]

I'm one of those guys who bought a Fodera. Before that, my max was around 2000. but, I had always dreamt of owning a Fodera Emperor 5, and so I sold all my basses and bought one....no regrets. I also don't think the law of diminishing returns applies when the thing being purchased is in my budget at the time, will hold its value, helps me express myself artistically, and makes me absolutely giddy every time I play it. All IMO of course!

[Espresto]

For a retail bass I probably would not go any higher than $2500, and that's really pushing it. A custom bass on the other hand I would probably spend whatever I felt like it would be worth to me, regardless of how high the price is.

[MrLenny1]

I paid $2100 for a custom made bass.
That's the limit for me.