Unless you stole the money to pay for it, yes you deserve it. The better question is, should you spend you money on an expensive bass considering your skill level.. the simple answer is, of course you should. Bass playing is awesome. You’re asking a bunch of bass players if you should spend your hard earned money on a bass. 10 out of 10 answers should agree with me..
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But do I DESERVE a "nice" bass?
- Thread starter GravyGoodness
- Start date
I ordered a custom made bass just before the covid-19 pandemic hit. Given that live performances are not happening for the near term, combined with the possibility that the acts with whom I work may want to start performing again before I feel it's safe for me may mean I will have scant opportunity to perform live much anymore at all. Still gonna get the bass. Hopefully it will meet my expectations. I have purchased a number of basses over the years that haven't. Still, I say GO FOR IT!
If you really want it then get it. But, it sounds like maybe you’re not 100% sure. Go play one and play a Standard and figure out what you really want. I totally get it if you don’t want to put down that much money for a hobby. It makes sense. Just don’t think about it in terms of what you deserve but instead of what you really want.
I believe you should do what you will, so long as it doesn't harm or restrict the liberty of another, and I don't endorse any super ordinate "order" of the universe that you should be expected to conform to beyond your own freedom. I can't imagine a context in which your choice to purchase an instrument would harm anyone else, no matter what the price. If anything, it supports the laborers who produced it, which I'm certain is welcome in these unusual times. Sure, other people may say things about your level of ability and your choice to buy certain instrument, but their claims are largely the projection of their own disavowed feelings and have little to do with the circumstances themselves. I'm glad for you that you have found yourselves in the circumstances that you can afford to do it, and I hope you are able to savor every aspect of it. By the fact that you have the resources to purchase it, you have earned it. I'm not even sure what "deserve" really means in this context. Good luck...
A old boss of mine who was a SoCal beach bum for years, always told me, “ you can’t have too many Basses or surfboards.” Great advice to live by.
Marie Kondo it. Does it bring you joy when you pick it up? If the answer is yes, then sure as hell buy it and get rid of the things that don't bring you joy.
First, if you can afford it you can buy it. 2nd, we buy basses that inspired us so if it's a bass that inspires you to play better and play more, buy it. 3rd, vintage instruments are a great investment. They appreciate, that's if you buy the right ones like late 50's pbasses and they are a tool to be used to generate income. Plus you get a great utility factor of playing them. Always puts a smile on my face when I pick up a '57, '58, '59 or '60 pbass. Hell just watching them hang on the wall gives me great pleasure and neutralizes my stresses.
That was a great question that can be apropos to so many musicians (bassist, guitarist, uke-ist?, beginner, hobbyist, recording artist, etc., etc.). I am in a similar place as you, my friend, and I embrace my GAS! I strongly believe that my guitar collection (and I just purchased my first bass, but that is a whole other story and might even validate my claim...) has kept me strongly interested in the guitar and the never-ending quest towards greatness (or in my case, goodness). I do not recommend this, but when my interest starts to wain, I buy a new piece of gear; sometimes, it can be a new set of special strings or a needed part (I customize and mod guitars as an extension of my hobby and a way to connect guitar and pro in the same sentence) a vintage guitar or a new body and sometimes just a small metal sheet or plate to eventually become a part or accessory on a future project or simply an upgrade down the line.
I have rambled on quite enough... great question, comment and some insightful replies. Thanks to all.
- Craig (PRO GUITAR... creator?)
To quote my musician father "You have to pay your dues" and he was not talking about union dues. That said, when it came to getting a nice instrument I did not have to struggle to play, I completely ignored his advice. Sure, my first bass was a junker loaned to me by Ray Brown, but as soon as I could afford it, I bought a brand new 1975 Jazz Bass. It wasn't six months later that I traded it in on a used Alembic Series I. So I went from the bottom of the pile to the top of the heap all within a year or so.
I never regretted moving on to an instrument that worked better for me and helped me become a better bassist. There will be plenty of opportunities for you to "pay your dues" on gigs, sessions and tours, so why add to the pain by handcuffing yourself to a dog instrument and harboring thoughts that you are unworthy? No matter how good you get at your craft, you are always going to feel like you could be a lot better, and that is coming from a 40 year professional.
I never regretted moving on to an instrument that worked better for me and helped me become a better bassist. There will be plenty of opportunities for you to "pay your dues" on gigs, sessions and tours, so why add to the pain by handcuffing yourself to a dog instrument and harboring thoughts that you are unworthy? No matter how good you get at your craft, you are always going to feel like you could be a lot better, and that is coming from a 40 year professional.
If you're happy with the bass that you have, consider buying something else, like a recording device, bass effects, etc.
I know people who don't even play that collect fine guitars and basses. You certainly don't have to be a bass god to own one. Having said that my friend you may be disappointed in your purchase. I have been playing for a very long time. I have had every great bass there has ever been. None of them have made me a better bass player. I still have some expensive basses. Some American Jazz and P-Basses and some insanely expensive boutique basses like my Alembic Stanley Clarke so what do I play most of the time? My Squier Vintage Modified Jazz and P-Basses. Honestly they both play like butter and for my money sound better than the Americans or the Alembic for that matter. When I go in to the studio those are what I take. Yes I do get some smirks from elitists but those get wiped off their faces quickly after the first few notes. I have had a lot of buyers remorse buying expensive basses that sounded and played no better than what I already had. A lot of improvements have been made on these Vintage Modified's and out play everything I have and I don't worry if I should put some wear on them. Just remember. Expensive does not mean better by any means. In fact I have firmly come to believe that expensive=SUCKER!
Good day! What you describe equals being in the perfect groove. Me and my ‘82 jazz (bought new in ‘82 for $400!) stayed right there for over 20 years. It wasn’t until I actually had discretionary disposable income that I even thought about buying another bass, and then bought a close copy of Page’s Les Paul! I own 11 Basses now and until last month had never spent over a grand on a bass. Special necks, pickups, and hardware are all wonderful if you want to pay for them-you have if you’ve modded you Squire as you say-but if a bass doesn’t feel right in your hands all the upgrades don’t matter.
The short answer is of course you deserve a nice bass. But don’t buy until you find the one that actually feels as good as, or better, than the great groove you’re playing now!
It’s a feeling that I’m sure many of us get, I know I do! I’m not full time. I’m not a star player, now I play with a couple of local bands. Few gigs here and there ( before they shut all the bars lol!) I’m 53 now but I enjoy it as much as when I was 16. There no difference. Since I was a kid I’d dreamt of having a EBMM Stingray and recently I was able to buy a nice used one after having some cheaper options. It gives me so much pleasure even to own it let alone play it with friends that it’s worth every penny. when I open the case it makes me smile... you know what I mean I bet, like your Ibanez. Life’s way too short. For some it’s a nice car or music system or clothes. Enjoy your new bass, you’ve earned it. ( oh and those BTB basses look great!)
Seems to me that the issue here is not " do I deserve it " but rather can I afford it, does it meet the criteria I want in a bass ( or is it a matter of shiny and new which won't last ), and will an expensive bass cause distress if it's not quite what I expected or it gets a little dinged up. Best wishes on your decision.
Just go for it! A quality instrument can inspire and motivate you. Obviously, it won't replace talent or applying yourself toward improving, but it can sure provide motivation. Godspeed!
I would suggest how much fun you can have testing your ability to find a really nice P Bass that sounds better than you thought, is cooler than one you were considering and get it for less than you thought you would have to pay.
Then...
Turn some newer player on to your current axe for a good deal and gets some good karma in the mix!
Also, don't be too caught up in the "name game!" There are MANY real nice P Basses out there that don't have the original designers name on it...but, if you find one that does, that's cool too.
This is where I found mine of all places...
