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Beginner came in and spent over $6K tonight
- Thread starter MattZilla
- Start date
I will say this.. It was not until I got a nice(ish) bass as a gift from my father that I started to really play, started taking lessons and all.. for me the cheap gear was very frustrating and uncomfortable.
When I got my MIJ Fender, with a neck that is easy to play I could hear the results and that motivated me to try and be better, just because it sounded right and played easy.It made it easy for me to learn.
A nice instrument can do wonders for a beginner, and many nice instruments are way over $2,000.
If you are a beginner, buy the best you can afford ( plus $50 for a setup ). For some of us that means Fender, for others a CV Squier, for yet others a Fodera the point is just to enjoy it and keep playing.
Also.. I bet at least 80 % of the nice, expensive basses never get giged. That means they are played and bought more by hobbists than pros, which is just well and fine. People deserve nice things even if they are not masters.
When I got my MIJ Fender, with a neck that is easy to play I could hear the results and that motivated me to try and be better, just because it sounded right and played easy.It made it easy for me to learn.
A nice instrument can do wonders for a beginner, and many nice instruments are way over $2,000.
If you are a beginner, buy the best you can afford ( plus $50 for a setup ). For some of us that means Fender, for others a CV Squier, for yet others a Fodera the point is just to enjoy it and keep playing.
Also.. I bet at least 80 % of the nice, expensive basses never get giged. That means they are played and bought more by hobbists than pros, which is just well and fine. People deserve nice things even if they are not masters.
If the guy has money to blow on toys he doesn't know how to use, that's up to him. Seems like a waste to me, but it's not my money. Myself, I'm more concerned with learning how to play before I have nice gear. I'm also poor, lol.
I have no issue with people who can't play buying instruments. Compared to what some people pay for atrocious art, a $2k bass on a nice wall hanger is a deal.
If it's a collectible...well, at least it is being taken well care of.
Beginners should have the best they can reasonably afford. The struggle is bad enough. Baby's first shoes should be good quality.
If it's a collectible...well, at least it is being taken well care of.Beginners should have the best they can reasonably afford. The struggle is bad enough. Baby's first shoes should be good quality.
I work at the GC in arlington TX, Demarcus Ware comes in periodically... well he finally made a purchase this time 2000$ PRS.. I asked him how long he had been playing ... he said 2 days... lol I guess if ya got it.. spend it
Dude, he's helping to pay your salary. I'd try to encourage him! Ask him if he has the matching Ludwig drum set, and the Marshall stack, etc.
... doubt I will ever get a crack at the $2000+ instruments of this world.
Here are a few quick tips.
1. Manage your budget so you hit all the essentials first. Mortgage, taxes, food, cars, etc. Once the essentials are taken care of - you might even have some left over.
2. Save something every pay check or month. It adds up.
3. A $2000 bass can be paid for with 20 average bar gigs @ $100 each. Put your gig money aside for more gear.
4. Some credit cards have 0% interest for 6 months (provided you pay the minimums & on time). If you have the income to pay these off, no reason no to use them.
5. You can free up a LOT of money by living frugally and conservatively. Use a pay-as-you-go cell phone, internet at the local public library, pack lunch instead of going out, buy less prepared food at home, buy in bulk, etc.
6. Get out of debt as quickly as possible. Focus your payments on the highest interest debt first, then the second highest, etc.
7. Be on top of your finances. This means tracking EVERY dollar spent. Carry a little notebook in your pocket. After a while, you'll see the $3 coffees or $8 packs of smokes, or $6 pints of beer add up. Once you can track where it goes, you can plan where it goes much easier. And then you can plan & save for a $2000+ bass.
8. Do market research before buying. Buying used from TB classifieds can save quite a bit. There are deals available, and if you know what you want, what you are willing to pay, and keep an eye open, you can snatch up some great deals occasionally.
It isn't easy, but it is incredibly simple.
On another forum, there was a guitarist that I noticed was local. He has quite a few fairly expensive guitars listed in his profile. I asked if he wanted to get together and play sometime. He said that he really couldn't play well enough to play with someone else. He was still looking to buy more guitars though.
To those people you say "let's jam anyway." They'll get better because they feel they need to.
Have you ever noticed that the majority of people who don't have money have no problem criticizing or telling others with money how to spend it? The funny thing is...it should work the other way. Those who don't have money should be taking advice from those with money on how they should spend...after all, would you take dietary or fitness advice from an obese person?
Caustic,
Do it! Go for the Am Special Jazz. I did and have not looked back. That is one sweet neck, not to mention the Grease Bucket circuit sound! I bought used as I can't afford to drop $6K on stuff even though I'm of Vintage Age! Who cares if someone spends that kind of money, good for them and the industry. If MFG can't sell $3K instruments they couldn't afford to offer very nice $900 models like the Am Spec Jazz. IMHO
I have a '95 Fender Strat that I can't play. After reading this thread, I am now concerned about being uncool as well as being unprofessional. Should I be worried?
I worked at a Marina years ago and we sold many boats in the 30k to 100k to first time boat owners who had never owned or operated one. Most came back quickly with major issues and damage.
You all know what they say about fools and money.
You all know what they say about fools and money.
