I have a few basses annd i have found that thru touch and technique I can make them all sound great. My MIM P bass sounds great even compared to my 63 American P. The older P basses are a bit muddy thats whu I stop playing mine when I got into slapping in the 80s. Dont slap much now but I figured out how to "touch" the P to make it work.
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But do I DESERVE a "nice" bass?
- Thread starter GravyGoodness
- Start date
This is my custom made bass. I paid almost 2 grand for it. And you know what? I still suck. Buy whatever feels good and is easy to play. With this damn virus around, it might not matter anyway. Stay safe and healthy.
I say buy it. Use it. And sell it if you feel like you can be just as happy without it. Your Squire and Yamaha will still be there. Even if you take a loss, you will have experienced the P, and you can stop wondering about whether you should or shouldn't do it. You saved the money, make the move.
I've got a 1947 Kay bass, plywood. But, I had to get a hand carved wooden bass. I spent a lot of money on the carved bass, but the humidity is more easily controlled in the bedroom so it sits there and I do nearly all of my playing on the Kay. I recently switched to gut strings for the d and g. I love that bass.
I still say, "Get the P".
I've got a 1947 Kay bass, plywood. But, I had to get a hand carved wooden bass. I spent a lot of money on the carved bass, but the humidity is more easily controlled in the bedroom so it sits there and I do nearly all of my playing on the Kay. I recently switched to gut strings for the d and g. I love that bass.
I still say, "Get the P".
"Deserve" has nothing to do with what you can afford to play.
What bass you play is not merit based.
What bass you play is not merit based.
Dude...nobody " deserves" anything. I'm sure you like the rest of us work hard for what you have.
If it makes you happy...feel good...feel better...whatever.
Go right ahead. Joy is joy. EnJOY yourself.
If it makes you happy...feel good...feel better...whatever.
Go right ahead. Joy is joy. EnJOY yourself.
The way I see it there are three categories of instruments:
1) Entry level.
2) A good value tool to provide the results you are looking for. Schecter, Epiphone, some others.
3) Vintage collectible. Most likely to hold or increase in value. Mods may decrease value.
If you can afford to go beyond entry level do it. Entry level is annoying. You spend too much time tuning, upgrading and trying to get a better sound out of something that wasn't designed for it. I'm an active bass player, about 6 to 12 small to med gigs per year for the past 35 years. I always look for number 2. A good value tool that will play and sound the way I want. I was playing a Ibanez SR-885 for 30 years and had a Schecter Damien-4 for a backup. Last year I bought a 2019 Geddy Lee Fender Jazz MIM. I absolutely love it! You can get that mid growl when you dig in. I would advise the same for amps and processing gear. Go for good quality and value. It's worth it.
I also spend significant money on other instruments that (like you) I question weather I can justify it because I'm not a gigging guitarist, drummer, keyboard player. Guitar: Schecter Banshee with Line-6 floor POD. Love it. Now my squire sees 100% closet time. I have no use for it. Drums: Roland TD-30 VDrums. Love these big time! I can play in the basement at 2:00am through headphones without bothering anyone. They sound great for playing and recording. Keyboards: Behringer Deepmind 1200. Love this as it can get just about any sound you can think of for a reasonable price. Recording: Focusrite Saffire Pro 40, Presonus Eros 8's with sub, and KRK Rockit 5's and whatever mics, cords, snakes are needed. I also own the main mixer and processing gear for my band, 16ch Allen and Heath.
I have no regrets with any of these purchases. I don't have a boat, Harley, muscle car or play golf. Don't care to travel much. This is my one expensive hobby and I enjoy it fully. I wrote and recorded a few solo originals about 15 years ago, (www.johnband.com) and looking to get back into writing/recording soon. Honestly if I add up the meager amount we've made from gigs over the years my hobby has probably paid for itself. Most other expensive hobbies don't do that. Except maybe hunting or fishing. Not my thing.
Buy the bass and enjoy it. I also highly recommend one of the Tech21 amp modeling pedals. Great sound and totally worth it. Have fun!
1) Entry level.
2) A good value tool to provide the results you are looking for. Schecter, Epiphone, some others.
3) Vintage collectible. Most likely to hold or increase in value. Mods may decrease value.
If you can afford to go beyond entry level do it. Entry level is annoying. You spend too much time tuning, upgrading and trying to get a better sound out of something that wasn't designed for it. I'm an active bass player, about 6 to 12 small to med gigs per year for the past 35 years. I always look for number 2. A good value tool that will play and sound the way I want. I was playing a Ibanez SR-885 for 30 years and had a Schecter Damien-4 for a backup. Last year I bought a 2019 Geddy Lee Fender Jazz MIM. I absolutely love it! You can get that mid growl when you dig in. I would advise the same for amps and processing gear. Go for good quality and value. It's worth it.
I also spend significant money on other instruments that (like you) I question weather I can justify it because I'm not a gigging guitarist, drummer, keyboard player. Guitar: Schecter Banshee with Line-6 floor POD. Love it. Now my squire sees 100% closet time. I have no use for it. Drums: Roland TD-30 VDrums. Love these big time! I can play in the basement at 2:00am through headphones without bothering anyone. They sound great for playing and recording. Keyboards: Behringer Deepmind 1200. Love this as it can get just about any sound you can think of for a reasonable price. Recording: Focusrite Saffire Pro 40, Presonus Eros 8's with sub, and KRK Rockit 5's and whatever mics, cords, snakes are needed. I also own the main mixer and processing gear for my band, 16ch Allen and Heath.
I have no regrets with any of these purchases. I don't have a boat, Harley, muscle car or play golf. Don't care to travel much. This is my one expensive hobby and I enjoy it fully. I wrote and recorded a few solo originals about 15 years ago, (www.johnband.com) and looking to get back into writing/recording soon. Honestly if I add up the meager amount we've made from gigs over the years my hobby has probably paid for itself. Most other expensive hobbies don't do that. Except maybe hunting or fishing. Not my thing.
Buy the bass and enjoy it. I also highly recommend one of the Tech21 amp modeling pedals. Great sound and totally worth it. Have fun!
That really is a fine looking bass....good pickups too.I took my G&L ASAT up there (state dealer) to try side-by-side with a 4004 & what impressed me was that the 4004 was as bright as the G&L with the Treble-Boost switch on.
The clarity was great, so I started thinking I want that sound ALL the time!
Turns out the RIC neck is not for me, and the thing was heavy.
I started a thread about it when I was thinking of switching to a cheap Yamaha. (thin neck & lightweight)
GAS - I've officially lost my mind - downgrading (almost) everything
Some thought I was manic-depressive, but that is the circle of life for me.
Years later I found a bass that sounded like I wanted a RIC to sound, AND it's comfortable to play AND lightweight:
You can find similar for only about $700 USD (pre-owned).
I always loved Ibanez and their quality has always been excellent
I started with a nice 4 string but really wanted a 6 string. I found a demo 6 string at Sweetwater Sound and I have been a happy camper ever since. You purchase the best quality instrument you can afford to do what you want to do musically. With any hobby, you do the the avocation because it makes you enjoy it.
Upgraded from a Squier Vm to a Fender mij this month and played every night and recorded two new ideas. So what is being said above is true.
Yes. If you pay for it it is your choice of what to do with your money.
Want to see some seriously nice bass porn: Custom Gallery – Mallia Lutherie
If you buy a high end bass it is a job for someone building that bass. I would only hope you would play it and enjoy it. Personally I take a replaceable USA Fender Jazz Bass and a Squire Jazz bass as a spare to gigs.
Things happen at gigs. There could be a fire, fight, stage invasion, things get stolen, vehicles crash etc. I never take anything to a gig I couldn't afford to lose.
Want to see some seriously nice bass porn: Custom Gallery – Mallia Lutherie
If you buy a high end bass it is a job for someone building that bass. I would only hope you would play it and enjoy it. Personally I take a replaceable USA Fender Jazz Bass and a Squire Jazz bass as a spare to gigs.
Things happen at gigs. There could be a fire, fight, stage invasion, things get stolen, vehicles crash etc. I never take anything to a gig I couldn't afford to lose.
I lost almost all of my gear in a fire about 12 years ago. A BUNCH OF GEAR. among the ashes was the prototype of the Alembic Orion 4 string. (My favorite bass ever) after weeks of playing friends basses to continue gigging and figuring I would buy something cheap to get me by, I realized that basses make me happy. Life is short. Have what makes you happy and DON’T feel guilty about it. I don’t really like Ibanez basses, some people love them. They should own them. I like Leo’s designs from his entire career. If I see one i think will make me happy, I’m going to buy it.
I have yet to figure out just what makes someone consider asking such a question.
Much less inspiring 18 pages of comments.
Much less inspiring 18 pages of comments.
If you really don't know, you should be grateful. It could mean that you've never had to put anything other than yourself first.
Maybe he is secure and doesn't need others affirmations and for that he should be grateful.
As humans many of us welcome the chance to help but as the 18 pages show we bring our baggage and bias; dismiss the OP's original post [in all not just this one] and what he/she is asking for or needs info on.
Sharing our personal opinions based on experience that has value to OP is part of why a Forum exist [sans baggage and bias]
What a millennial comment. Insult when you don't understand. You should be grateful for the blessing of knowing everyone's life and business. Grow up.
(doncha love being admonished when the OP asked "Do I deserve..."?
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After admitting you have no empathy for what the OP said or any of the 18 pages of replies, you thought my comment was "millennial"?
There was no insult meant in my comment. Just an observation that you've been blessed to not have to experience the conundrum. I didn't assume anything about your life at all, hence the choice of "could mean". And thanks, I'm all grown up. Waiting for you to do the same.
