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A genuine question for bassists...

#41
I'm 46 and I gig a couple times a month - some paying gigs, some not.

I love gear. LOVE it! I bought a whole lot of gear when I was younger and working a good job and had no big responsibilities.

Now that I'm older and paying a mortgage, I have to be much more careful, but I still buy gear. I always look for bargains on Craigslist and at pawn shops (and always have) and I have found a lot of really great deals. I trade up older gear that I don't use anymore and find things I like better.

I have a decent day job and I earmark some of that income for toys, but I limit the amount I spend and NEVER run a credit card balance.

Should I have been more careful when I was younger? Yeah... probably. I could probably retire earlier if I had, but I'm having an awful lot of fun using and/or trading the toys I bought when I had money to burn. How many basses do I really need? Just one more.... :)
 
#42
I don't think there's any one story to how various TBers acquired the great masses of gear they have. Some have just been playing for decades and accumulated a lot over the years - one new bass every 2 years is going to be 15 basses if you play for 30 years. Some are regularly gigging musicians who invest a lot in tools of the trade. Some are kids with rich parents who buy them nice things. Some are guys with very good pay at their day jobs who can afford to buy whatever toys they like.

Myself, I've only been playing for 4 1/2 years now and I don't have lots of money. But it shocks me sometimes (and my wife, much more) how many basses have passed through my house. Most of them were not very high end, two were gifts, and generally I've sold one thing when I buy another.

The main moments in my GAS history -
Started 4 1/2 years ago buying a used cheap Gio Ibanez off CL for about $100.
Got my first 5 string and giggable amp a few months later as a joint birthday/Xmas gift from my parents - a Washburn Taurus T25 and an Ampeg BA115HPT. Sold the Ibanez.
Bought and sold a couple of other basses over the next year without keeping anything.
The following Xmas, got a Yamaha BB415 as another gift.
Not sure if it was the following summer or a year later, but picked up a custom John Toon bass while in Kansas City. His basses usually go for $1500ish, got it used for $800. I sold a lot of books, the Washburn, and brought in some gigging money over the rest of that summer to cover the dent that put in the bank account.
Eventually got tired of lugging the Ampeg combo around and got an ultralight Carvin MB210 combo. The money from selling the one pretty much covered the other, at least within $50-100.
Some additional gigs and bookselling and I got my ABG, a Washburg AB10 for $300 used.
Last year, got on Jeopardy, didn't win but won $2000 for second place. About $1200 of it went into a Carvin SB4000.

Bottom line is that, though I don't have a lot of extra income, between gifts, selling off old books and things I'm not using, occasional paying gigs, and a windfall like the Jeopardy money, I've wound up with a modest stable of four basses (and two guitars) after four and a half years of playing. I'll probably never be one of these guys with seven Foderas and twelve Rics in my basement, and don't intend to be. But I think I'm doing pretty well.
 
#43
I'm 30, and i play in a band that records and does smaller tours on occasion, while playing multiple tri-state shows each month. I also do some session and musical theater work.

I have a job that i love, working for a Clinical Research Organization, and i am a part-time college student (applied statistics).

I recently got engaged and the whole "family thing" is starting to bloom.

So, my disposable income is not what it was when i was an early 20's bachelor!

Ironically, i have much higher profile gigs than i did 10 years ago, so that disposable income would be very nice! However, i know far my means stretch, and i adapt accordingly. I pride myself on being a 'smart' shopper. I do extensive research on all types of gear (i.e. - total gear-snob tendencies) and i know exactly what to look for on the used market. I am also a proponent of the D.I.Y. mentality. So, beyond knowing what gear i should/shouldn't buy; i also know how i want the gear to sound and so i have learned how to upgrade parts accordingly to get the most out of my small-ish budget.

So, that's how i do it! :bassist:
 
#47
Family and the job that pays the bills comes first. I've been very fortunate to have the disposable income to buy the gear that I want (and a very supportive wife). I have lots of top end gear and basses all based on "want" rather than "need". The money I make from gigs really doesn't cover my GAS (Gear Acquisition Syndrome) but it comes close.
 
#48
I pay for most of my gear with selling other gear or from a worship retreats, DJ job, Graphic design freelance job, ect.
I have a full time job as a college administrator and my wife is in Mary Kay. We have left over money every month after the bills that we end up saving. So she lets me spend my odd job money on gear.
I am blessed but if anything changes, I will be find with what I have.
 
#49
I came from humble beginnings and have been "down and out" more times than I can remember. I sold my instruments at times so I could eat! Broke & busted.

I worked hard, learned hard, and worked hard some more.

Today I am a jeweler and have my own business. I work 7 days a week and haven't taken a vacation in 8 years or more.

I'm 65 and besides working 80 to 100 hours a week, I still play in 2 Rock bands, and gig out every chance I get.

Playing is my recreation. My basses are the equivalent of my toys. They provide me with untold pleasure and fun.
I can still take care of my family and afford these toys because I am willing to do the work necessary to do all that.

Some people collect cars, or guns, or whatever.
Me? I work hard and play hard. It's all good!

:hyper::cool::bassist:
 
#51
I've got 10 basses, and a multitude of other instruments and equipment.
I was a studio cat for a few years, and a working band musician, too. I presently still play in local bands, and a church band.

I purchased my equipment mostly with disposable income, but back in the day (late 60's-early 70's) I purchased 3 of my bases on "lay-away". Some of you younger guys might not know what that is. Back in the day it was possible to go to a music store, select an instrument, and have them hold it for you until you could pay for it.
You'd give them a down payment, and then so much a week or a month, until you paid it off. When you did you could take it home.
I purchased a Hofner, a Gibson EB3, and a Rick 4001 that way. All the rest have either been cash, or gifts from my wife, or my kids.

My first 2 basses were paid for by my parents, as was my cello.
 
#52
Dude,
it's a big, diverse world. I know KILLER musicians getting by with the minimum amount of cheap gear possible and gigging on a regular basis. I also know a guy who can barely play (not in any kind of band) whose high end and vintage guitar collection doesn't fit in one big closet full. I just embrace the diversity, and don't really spend time wondering why the differences. Does it really matter? I do what is right for me, in my world, and figure others are equally free to do the same. Obviously income has a lot to do with it, but it isn't a straight line correlation by any means. I also know guys with boats worth more than their modest houses. Some people limit their "stuff" so they can travel extensively. It is what it is.... a crazy, but very interesting world.

By the way, what makes a question "genuine"??
 
#53
The serious stuff started for me about 12 years ago. I have been playing (not too seriously) for years before that so I had some stuff laying around. This included a 100 watt yamaha guitar amp , an old beat to death ampeg B 25 cab and an $89 cort bass that I somehow inherited from an old friend. A guy I worked with had a band and they needed a bass player. I got the job. My income from my regular job pretty much all goes to the home and family maintinance but I decided that gig money was going to be stashed in a tin in the basement. I held my own for about a year with this band with the stuff I had. Nothin for about 6 months, then I discovered Craigslist.. Found another band there. Needed more equipment , so after a couple gigs , I took the money made from both bands and upgraded to a real bass rig and an Ibanez bass. This band got pretty busy and before too long I got my first 8 10 cab. Dang, this was starting to sound pretty good. Back on the list I found a P Bass for $200. It was in crappy shape but with a setup , some strings and a little cleanup , it turned into a great bass. (I still gig with it today.) Over the years , just from band money I have picked up an Ampeg classic rig , a wireless , a couple practice amps and cabs ,and a screaming 1963 Pontiac Lemans , all from Craigslist. I don't buy anything unless it seems to be a really good deal so the costs are not too bad. It's been a 12 year ride and right now I have just about everything I have ever wanted (so no GAS) and about $1200 in the tin. :hyper:
 
#55
I really respect the question you are asking. I've reflected on the same thoughts the last few months, but from the other side of the table.

I am 25 years old. I was in different, regularly gigging bands from age 16-22. During that time, I worked mostly full time for just over minimum wage, played the same Ibanez bass, and went through a couple giggable full stack rigs.

I joined the Navy when I was 22. I sold the amp and gave away the bass just before leaving. I wanted a change in lifestyle, and boy howdy I got one.

Over the last three years, I've not been in a band or gigged out. I started out at the lowest rank, making less than I was before the military. I've advanced quickly in my rate and my expendable income over time has increased.

I've purchased three serious instruments over the last three years. My Warwick was bought here in the classifieds; my '71 Precision and '73 Rickenbacker I got on craigslist for $350 and $900 by lucky coincidence.

I'm now in a position that my instruments are of a higher caliber than ever before, despite the fact I'm not as active a musician as I once was.

My justifications for my current gear roster include, but are not limited to:
1) 15% of my income goes directly to retirement
2) 25% of my income goes to savings
3) 60% of my income goes to living expenses and pleasure. This includes rent, utilities, food, phone, fuel... and what's left I either spend on equipment or add to savings.

I'm a bachelor with an income. I'm planning for the future, but I am not supporting anyone but myself. I only buy equipment second hand. If I had to sell it all off, I would make a profit due to deals I got on some big ticket items.

I'm only playing by myself these days. I've gotten into effects, especially my looper, because it allows me to compose and layer music on my own. Playing bass by yourself for years gets lonely...

Sorry that was long winded. I buy gear because I can, and it inspires me to continue exploring the instrument on my own.

P.S. My Navy travels sent me to Townsville for a couple weeks. I've never felt so welcome, or had so good a time, ANYWHERE as I did during that brief visit to Australia.
 
#56
Bills and family obligations always come first. I have purchased gear and sold it at a profit to buy other gear.

Sometimes I wonder if people who post pictures of lots of gear really own what they claim to own.
 
#57
My rate of gear acquisition was quite slow for many, many years. I bought decent stuff, used, and held on to it, the end result being a closet full of basses and guitars, though very little redundancy - one 6-string, one fretless, etc. I'd go through phases where I was playing/writing/recording a lot, and phases where I wouldn't touch an instrument for months. But I never gave up on music, and never sold down my stock.

More recently, I have a family to support, but I did a good enough job of managing my day career and my finances that I can afford to splurge on gear, and, as I'm in a band these days and have an excuse to use new equipment, sometimes I do - but I still try to follow the rule of not duplicating gear. If you think my EBS stack duplicates my SVT, you've never played - or moved - either of them. ;)

I may deserve to get flamed for saying this, but while I find TalkBass to be a wonderful community of like-minded (or at least similar-minded) people, I think that TB participants are more gear-obsessed than the average bass playing population. Serious musicians don't spend time just talking about their equipment. Serious musicians spend their time playing it. Which reminds me, I've got some songs to work on...
 
#58
I agree with the above post. I remember when the bassist of Staind would brag about how great he could make any bass sound. He also had an unlimited gear budget as he was a platinum artist. The everyman's gigging bassist is not so lucky.

If you're into an instrument, play it hard. She won't mind.
 
#59
I am a 42 year old father of three (6 year old and 3 year old twins- all beautiful girls). I have been playing longer than I haven't. I don't fish or golf, I play music-. By all accounts, I am blessed with a great life. wonderful family- good job (corporate- could use more money- our place is tiny, but we live in a CA beach town...first world problems) But, I have to play music to be true to myself and be happy.
"I heard poppa tell Momma, Let that boy boogie woodie". It's on him and it's got to come out" - John Lee Hooker.

Now that I have a family, mortgage, etc - I only spend money on gear that I earn from gigs. I have taken cover gigs that I didn't really want to play when I had my eye on gear I wanted - and it felt great. Totally satisfying to save up- and earn it from your playing, and I stopped buying unneeded stuff.
I also learned how to set up basses and put in pick ups. Now my favorite basses are two Mexican p-bass deluxe s. upgraded pick ups on one and the fret work and action on both. I get constant compliments and I don't sweat it if they get dinged , etc.
Having a family hasn't diminished my love for gear at all- it made me more intimate with gear and less of a consumer swayed by marketing.
Best of luck with yours.
 
#60
I'm married with 2 kids. Were not wealthy by any means, I'm a surgical technologists and my wife is a school counselor. Basically I get money to spend on gear a few different ways.

1) For one I have a gear fund. I put a minimum $10 a week into the gear fund. Even if I only put $10 a week in it, that would add up to $520 a year. I also tend to take part of my gig money, birthday money, and xmas money and put it in the fund also. it adds up over time. BTW i do not take money out of the gear fund for strings and batteries.

2) Buying/selling I often sell gear I'm not using and put that money in the gear fund. most of the money i've spent on basses in particular has come from selling other basses. I can't tell you how many times I've walked into a music store and put a bass on layaway, went home and put a bass or two on ebay to help pay the bulk of the cost of the new bass.

3) budgeting and financing, you'd be surprised how much money people spend on non gear stuff they don't need. How much money people spend on alcohol when could have a had a few less beers and had just as much fun. When people buy a house they get approved for a set amount. For example $250,000. A lot of people these days go out and buy a house thats within $10,000 of the amount the bank approved. We spent 1/3 of what we were approved for, on our house. People buy new cars because they want, but . Here's an example of how to get A LOT of money for gear fast once your in the right situation. for example my car payment is $450 a month, when my car is paid off I could put $8000 in gear on a interest free credit card and have it paid off in 18 months, before any interest kicks in, by paying the same amount of money as my car payment. Why do I know that. Because the custom bass I want is $8,000 ;)
 

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