But do I DESERVE a "nice" bass?

[snworks]

I've been saving my spare monies for the last 2 years or so with the explicit purpose of buying a nice American Originals 50's Precision. I have a extensively upgraded Squier VM PBass that is a dream to play as well as an Older Yamaha that belonged to my Grandfather.

Here's the thing though: I am a solid Intermediate player. I don't play full time with a band, I play mostly with songs at home that I enjoy sometimes with a Guitarist I've been playing with for 15 years.

I see other players here discussing intricate details of what works for them and what does not, people that play with bands or are a hell of a lot better than I am and it does not make me feel inferior - but like what I have is "good enough" for me and my purposes. Might seem a silly question, but I'm just curious as to your thoughts, especially from the pros out there.

Sure, no reason not to get something you want, but maybe revisit the WHY. Your current bass "is a dream to play," so I suggest you try the American Original before you buy, using your amp if you can. Years ago I was in a folk rock group that traveled a bit and then I was in a bar band for a few years. Since then it has been playing with friends and the occsional gig. Over the years I have occasionally tried "better" basses, but they didn't feel or sound better to me. Another time I was all hot for an amp I'd been reading about, was ready to go for it, but when I sat down with my bass and plugged in, I realized it didn't really do anything that my current amp couldn't do, at least for my needs and preferred sound. If you have the "gotta have it" feeling when you are playing it, then there's your answer.

 

[Lovetoslap]

I've been saving my spare monies for the last 2 years or so with the explicit purpose of buying a nice American Originals 50's Precision. I have a extensively upgraded Squier VM PBass that is a dream to play as well as an Older Yamaha that belonged to my Grandfather.

Here's the thing though: I am a solid Intermediate player. I don't play full time with a band, I play mostly with songs at home that I enjoy sometimes with a Guitarist I've been playing with for 15 years.

I see other players here discussing intricate details of what works for them and what does not, people that play with bands or are a hell of a lot better than I am and it does not make me feel inferior - but like what I have is "good enough" for me and my purposes. Might seem a silly question, but I'm just curious as to your thoughts, especially from the pros out there.

i can def relate to the weird guilt about having a high end instrument in comparison to my playing level, but it’s like having a nice car, you don’t have to be a professional racer to own one. If you saved the cash, do what you want with it bro

 

[cbbassman51]

Absolutely! Everyone deserves the best instrument they can play masterfully and can afford. Now since you’re on the search- play every single bass you can get your hands on and listen to the instrument in other peoples hands- if you get a lot of resounding “this is amazing” or “wow!” And you like the instrument- Get it. If not, hold off... you’re in a buyer’s market so if you have the cash means you have a lot of power negotiating. Good luck!

I've been saving my spare monies for the last 2 years or so with the explicit purpose of buying a nice American Originals 50's Precision. I have a extensively upgraded Squier VM PBass that is a dream to play as well as an Older Yamaha that belonged to my Grandfather.

Here's the thing though: I am a solid Intermediate player. I don't play full time with a band, I play mostly with songs at home that I enjoy sometimes with a Guitarist I've been playing with for 15 years.

I see other players here discussing intricate details of what works for them and what does not, people that play with bands or are a hell of a lot better than I am and it does not make me feel inferior - but like what I have is "good enough" for me and my purposes. Might seem a silly question, but I'm just curious as to your thoughts, especially from the pros out there.

 

[MontanaGuy]

I'm 71 years old and haven't played in a band in decades but music is still one of the main things that's important in my life and I'll bet you have a similar feeling. Yes, buy that bass and get the nicest one you can afford! I have lots of high end guitars that I've collected over the years but I can see that a lot of the people on this website never get tired of adding to their collection and have lots of great instruments. Go for it!

 

[Eric Kjelstrom]

Yes! Everyone deserves a "nice bass". Pay no attention to reviews by nay sayers. Find the one you want. Try it out on varied amps. Voila! You have the nice bass you have always wanted.

A basic Precsion bass, single pick-up, tone control and volume control will do anything you want. Buy it.

 

[Womber]

I started out with a MIM Jazz bass years ago. I wanted a nicer bass and bought a Warwick Thumb bass and a Peavy Cirrus, both of which play great. They induced me to pick up the instrument and play more. But I still gravitate back to my original Jazz so don’t sell your Squier! You will probably miss it if you do.

 

[PhillipHolbrook]

I've been saving my spare monies for the last 2 years or so with the explicit purpose of buying a nice American Originals 50's Precision. I have a extensively upgraded Squier VM PBass that is a dream to play as well as an Older Yamaha that belonged to my Grandfather.

Here's the thing though: I am a solid Intermediate player. I don't play full time with a band, I play mostly with songs at home that I enjoy sometimes with a Guitarist I've been playing with for 15 years.

I see other players here discussing intricate details of what works for them and what does not, people that play with bands or are a hell of a lot better than I am and it does not make me feel inferior - but like what I have is "good enough" for me and my purposes. Might seem a silly question, but I'm just curious as to your thoughts, especially from the pros out there.

Playing a bass you want and love will make you a better player. There isn't much better argument for getting an upgrade instrument.

 

[Acorn to Oak]

I've been saving my spare monies for the last 2 years or so with the explicit purpose of buying a nice American Originals 50's Precision. I have a extensively upgraded Squier VM PBass that is a dream to play as well as an Older Yamaha that belonged to my Grandfather.

Here's the thing though: I am a solid Intermediate player. I don't play full time with a band, I play mostly with songs at home that I enjoy sometimes with a Guitarist I've been playing with for 15 years.

I see other players here discussing intricate details of what works for them and what does not, people that play with bands or are a hell of a lot better than I am and it does not make me feel inferior - but like what I have is "good enough" for me and my purposes. Might seem a silly question, but I'm just curious as to your thoughts, especially from the pros out there.

I faced the same dilemma. I always wanted a big tube amp and long wished for a G&L but wrestled with my ability and wants over needs. I now own a lovely BTA 400 and a 2018 L1000 and play away to myself quite happily and most importantly 100% content.
HAAPIS. ‘Oink, Oink’

 

[Eric Kjelstrom]

I've been saving my spare monies for the last 2 years or so with the explicit purpose of buying a nice American Originals 50's Precision. I have a extensively upgraded Squier VM PBass that is a dream to play as well as an Older Yamaha that belonged to my Grandfather.

Here's the thing though: I am a solid Intermediate player. I don't play full time with a band, I play mostly with songs at home that I enjoy sometimes with a Guitarist I've been playing with for 15 years.

I see other players here discussing intricate details of what works for them and what does not, people that play with bands or are a hell of a lot better than I am and it does not make me feel inferior - but like what I have is "good enough" for me and my purposes. Might seem a silly question, but I'm just curious as to your thoughts, especially from the pros out there.

 

[PhillipHolbrook]

I've seen thousands of high performance sports cars but I don't think I've seen one with a professional racing driver in it. It's not about how well you play, it's about how passionate you are about playing. What does a new bass mean to you? For me it meant a new lease of life to my playing, new energy, new ideas, new inspiration. I've been a pro and expect to be a pro again but if I wasn't it wouldn't stop me buying something I loved.

Very well said...

 

[LLD]

As said by others, if you want it and can afford it, then buy it. Everyone has their own story but mine is that I've bought and sold too many basses, thinking "this" will be the one that feels and sounds perfect. They all sound good in my house or the store but only some worked well with a band or playing along with loud (reasonably so) recordings. Over time I ended up with all $500 or less basses (some used). I've upgraded the pickups in most of them and I like them as much as any of the costlier basses that I've had.

 

[David Lakin]

Go for it!!! I know many people who can barely play a note on either bass or guitar and they have some really nice instruments. A really nice bass will inspire you to play it more often. And like they say “practice makes perfect”. Like the parable some people are given more talents than others. It’s all in what you DO with those talents. I fall in the three talents camp, so I have to really work on my craft. Having a quality instrument to help hone your skills is paramount. Go for it, you deserve it!

 

[zon5string]

I asked myself this same question in 1996. I am competent on both drumset and bass. I had basically quit playing drums (at least I was not going to join any band as a drummer), sold my kit and started buying nice bass stuff (Trace Elliot rig, custom-built jazz-style bass). I decided I wanted a 5 string and went to NAMM to look at all that I could. I didn't find "the one" so I was just about ready to have a 5 string built that would match the 4 string custom jazz. THen I wandered into Guitar Center and played a Zon. It instantly spoke to me, and was clearly the best bass I'd ever played. However, it was about $2700, and I had a hard time justifying that. Here I am, just a dude playing covers in bars...why am I even thinking of dropping that kind of cash on a bass? Well, I went home and explained it to my wife (not yet married at the time). Her questions were quite simple: "Well, do you like it?" My answer was to the effect of, "Of course I like it. It's the best feeling and sounding bass i've ever played." "Well, if you like it, go get it." I tried rationalizing that I was "undeserving" and "didn't need anything that nice", etc etc. She convinced me to do it and I thank my lucky stars every time I play that bass. It quickly became my "#1" and has stayed there for over 20 years.

Just do it.

 

[Gene Wright]

Nothing but the best! When my Dad grew weary of my determination at age 17 to play my green Silvertone Hollow Body Bass (a Sears special that I loved which included what I believe was a 6 X 9 speaker amp built into the carrying case-anybody remember those?) he shocked me by bringing home a New 1971 Fender Precision Bass with hardshell case and it wasn't my birthday or Christmas or anything special-it was just a Dad who understood his son should have a great bass-no we were not rich by any means. At the time I had no idea how special the instrument was and I traded it in several years later because it had a little crackling noise in the volume knob for a stereo type bass (figured out later it was just a very simple repair maybe twenty dollars). From shear frustration I finally bought a 1993 American Jazz Deluxe (trace sensor pickups which were pretty cool at the time). But now I have a 2019 American Fender Precision Elite-the BEAST! I could never justify getting an elite because I deserved it. I JUST WANTED IT! And now I justify it with the facts and the benefits. We buy what we WANT and justify it with the features. The Nicest Bass deserves to have you!

 

[B String]

If it hasn't already been said.... The only way great bass makers stay in business, is by people buying their basses, no matter what skill level. Maybe great luthiers like Nordstrand or Sadowsky, or "insert name here"
can only stay afloat by people like you who appreciate a great instrument and buy these basses. If you like it and it brings you pleasure..... BUY IT! jmho

 

[Dave Neal]

You deserve 30 nice basses .. if the wife will let you ..lol

 

[woolybass]

Wow' a first. A post that all responses were in agreement with each other. Rightly so ,I might add. Good job.

 

[dan foster]

If you can afford it, it doesn't matter what level you are at, if it makes you happy, just buy it, enjoy it, enjoy life. Dudeman says "we're not here for a long time, lets make it a good time".

 

[Simon Fretless]

I've been saving my spare monies for the last 2 years or so with the explicit purpose of buying a nice American Originals 50's Precision. I have a extensively upgraded Squier VM PBass that is a dream to play as well as an Older Yamaha that belonged to my Grandfather.

Here's the thing though: I am a solid Intermediate player. I don't play full time with a band, I play mostly with songs at home that I enjoy sometimes with a Guitarist I've been playing with for 15 years.

I see other players here discussing intricate details of what works for them and what does not, people that play with bands or are a hell of a lot better than I am and it does not make me feel inferior - but like what I have is "good enough" for me and my purposes. Might seem a silly question, but I'm just curious as to your thoughts, especially from the pros out there.

You play (and occasionally in public and for pay), so you have absolutely earned the bass you want. You may want to confirm that the bass you have your eyes on really is a better bass than your tricked-out Squier.... if it is that's great - but it might not be, since you have modded, upgraded, and tweaked the set-up on the Squier to get it right for you. In a band I played in (initially bass, but then later taking the lead guitarist slot on electric fiddle and electric mandolin), I loaned a new guy a Frankenstein P-bass to get started with us, then he bought himself an American P-Bass of some description. Both the rhythm guitarist and I felt my Frankenstein P-bass actually sounded better, for whatever reason..... (SX body, Squier neck, MIM Fender electronics, flatwound Fender strings) So.... check out the upscale bass; and if you love it, buy it! You've earned it!

 

[Sebastian79]

I've been saving my spare monies for the last 2 years or so with the explicit purpose of buying a nice American Originals 50's Precision. I have a extensively upgraded Squier VM PBass that is a dream to play as well as an Older Yamaha that belonged to my Grandfather.

Here's the thing though: I am a solid Intermediate player. I don't play full time with a band, I play mostly with songs at home that I enjoy sometimes with a Guitarist I've been playing with for 15 years.

I see other players here discussing intricate details of what works for them and what does not, people that play with bands or are a hell of a lot better than I am and it does not make me feel inferior - but like what I have is "good enough" for me and my purposes. Might seem a silly question, but I'm just curious as to your thoughts, especially from the pros out there.

hey! I’m a newly fresh 40y/o creepy beginner and I bought a Fender American Original 60s Jazz because I just liked it. I deserve it? Of course I deserve it, it motivates me to play and learn. My opinion is, if you can afford it and no one gets hurt, go for it. It’s time like these when we deserve extra motivation and enjoyment just to keep us on moving.