But do I DESERVE a "nice" bass?

[Doug R]

Whenever I am considering a major purchase, I remember what my dad told me back as a teenager when I was looking to purchase my first bass. He said simply "If you buy the best you'll never regret it later".
I still have that '63 Fender Precision.
His advice still resonates today when I am comparing products to purchase. Whether it's an instrument, a tool, a car or furniture, I try to buy a "good one". Better to buy a slightly used top quality item than a cheaper new one because it's a bargain. You won't feel like you need to upgrade to something better later on.

 

[HOIXIOH]

I have yet to figure out just what makes someone consider asking such a question.

Much less inspiring 18 pages of comments.

I think we are all validating the urge and expressing pleasure we take individually, and encouraging the same behavior in others, thus adding further validation to our own behavior!

 

[Miles_ONeal]

Whenever I am considering a major purchase, I remember what my dad told me back as a teenager when I was looking to purchase my first bass. He said simply "If you buy the best you'll never regret it later".
I still have that '63 Fender Precision.
His advice still resonates today when I am comparing products to purchase. Whether it's an instrument, a tool, a car or furniture, I try to buy a "good one". Better to buy a slightly used top quality item than a cheaper new one because it's a bargain. You won't feel like you need to upgrade to something better later on.

I totally agree. And it's far less likely to fail when you need it.

My dad-in-law gave us a hard time for buying an "expensive" mower ($350 in ~1984?) "I can get a mower for $99!" And he did. He usually had to every 2-3 years. Whereas this one was our primary mower for ~15 years (on a lawn 5x the size of his), and has done duty where the riding mower can't get since we moved into a home on a bigger lot two decades ago[1]. Sure, it's had work done on it, but maybe $200 worth in all that time. Still a LOT cheaper. It's probably close to needing a rebuild. Looking seriously at alternatives because of the environment. But it served us well.

[1]We tend to live out past suburbia... My wife is a country girl.

 

[Gibson Victory]

I totally agree. And it's far less likely to fail when you need it.

My dad-in-law gave us a hard time for buying an "expensive" mower ($350 in ~1984?) "I can get a mower for $99!" And he did. He usually had to every 2-3 years. Whereas this one was our primary mower for ~15 years (on a lawn 5x the size of his), and has done duty where the riding mower can't get since we moved into a home on a bigger lot two decades ago[1]. Sure, it's had work done on it, but maybe $200 worth in all that time. Still a LOT cheaper. It's probably close to needing a rebuild. Looking seriously at alternatives because of the environment. But it served us well.

[1]We tend to live out past suburbia... My wife is a country girl.

Totally Down with this! Amen x 2!!!

 

[Green Knight]

I know I'm echoing the sentiments of others, but does someone deserve a nice car if they're not a professional driver? A nice knife set if they're not a professional chef? A first edition if they're not a professor? I've owned two or three basses in the low upper range, basses that, as someone who doesn't gig, I really did not need, but I derived a ton of pleasure from playing them, and my playing improved accordingly. Eventually I decided I wasn't comfortable with having thousands of dollars tied up in basses, but I always have at least one nice one at any given time. How nice depends on what the budget permits. Trying out a wide range of famous makes is a real joy so long as you know your limits and don't get carried away. Ask yourself: how many expensive hobbies do you actually have? If you're me, the answer is ... one.

 

[Nebadon2000]

"There was no insult meant in my comment"

Comment;
"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." [used word 'could' as proof of innocence of insult]

New words day-- 'Self Deception' or 'Misunderstood'

Most of use grow ''old' not 'up' I am OK with that

 

[GravyGoodness]

Well, for what it's worth I did buy a "nice" bass yesterday. I just couldn't force myself to Shell out the bucks for an American Originals Precision Bass, so I got what I think is the last brand new Classic 50's Precision Bass Lacquer left on planet Earth. It came from a camera shop in NYC. It should be here next week and I'm some kind of excited.

I thank everyone that chimed in. I know y'all are a bunch of Gear Hounds anyhow, but it's nice to get some support from the community!

 

[GravyGoodness]

Oh, and touching on the people that talked about buying top quality tools:

I was a Machinist for 15 years, setup programming and quoting - was a supervisor for the last 9 but still cherry picked the cool parts to make. Anyhow, I NEVER had a problem buying top shelf machinist tools and measuring devices - but it was easy to justify as it made my paycheck. If I gigged regularly I'd of had a Custom Shop by now. Anyhow, thanks again!

 

[BadSanta1281]

My golf clubs could score a round of 59 in the right hands.

With me swinging them the score will be closer to 99.

Do I deserve my nice golf clubs? Heck yes I do!

 

[clickclack]

My take on it is that although a 50's precision might be a nice bass, I don't think it would be as nice as it's dollar value. Get something you won't care after as your first born child and play the heck of it. It's some wood n' strings some people give too much credit for.

 

[Kevin Colt]

buy it. I've been saving for some time to buy a Martin acoustic guitar, just to play for myself. the so called pandemic put the kibosh to that plan. I ended up having to pay the rent with it. I have enough basses right now. but I sure wouldn't mind having that Martin. if you can afford a nice bass, go for it.

 

[equalizin]

Well, for what it's worth I did buy a "nice" bass yesterday. I just couldn't force myself to Shell out the bucks for an American Originals Precision Bass, so I got what I think is the last brand new Classic 50's Precision Bass Lacquer left on planet Earth. It came from a camera shop in NYC. It should be here next week and I'm some kind of excited.

I thank everyone that chimed in. I know y'all are a bunch of Gear Hounds anyhow, but it's nice to get some support from the community!

Oh man you are going to love that Classic 50s. Its my main player. Got rid of my stingray and jazzes cause I never wanted to play them after I got the C50. Funny thing is my MIA PJ with Geezers is the backup. It was suppose to be the other way! The stock C50 is all I ever want to play.

 

[brgtr3]

Get the best you can reasonably afford... you'll play it more, and the resale will be better if/when you bow out of playing.

 

[jbhaugh]

I played a Classic 50s P-Bass at a music shop a while back and I think about it a lot. I should have bought it. They wanted $600 for it and it was a steal at that price.

 

[brushfirewolf]

Interesting topic and it’s a question I ask myself a lot. I’ve been playing for over 20 years and haven’t played with a band in 10 years. I doubt I ever will again.

But I will continue to treat myself to nice gear because it’s my favorite hobby and brings me great joy in life. At the end of the day that’s all that matters.

 

[verycoolname]

One of the things a mental health professional told me a few months ago, which has really changed my worldview, is that you don't need to deserve something. "Deserving" something is kind of a myth, and when my feelings surrounding what I "deserved" or "didn't deserve" were challenged I realized how restrictive it was.

I have gone through pretty abysmal cycles of micromanaging every decision I make — especially financial decisions. And that's not just expensive things, but things as trivial as deciding whether or not to buy name-brand food at a grocery store for a few cents more. People are quick to praise my spending/saving habits, but it is certainly exhausting having to justify every purchase to myself.

I agonized for months before buying my last bass (used! for a good price!) because I wasn't playing with a band at the time. But then I remembered that I work hard for my money, and I hadn't made a big purchase in awhile...and I wanted it!

At the end of the day, even if you're not playing out, if you want something and can afford it...why not? That's my advice with most things hobby related. If you're actively saving up for something that you want, that's more than enough reason to get it. If it makes you happy, that's more than enough reason to get it. Hobbies are allowed to just be hobbies, you know? You don't have to be a professional or semi-professional musician to have nice gear.

Like, my younger brother builds models (mostly gundams and other robot stuff) — there is no reality in which those models are netting him money. He is not professionally tied to this hobby. But he likes them; he likes building them and displaying them and finding rare ones as they come out. I think, as we grow older and become more serious, we also have to remember that not everything has to be "practical." Let yourself have fun and get something you want. Buy the bass if it's not going to mean you're behind on your bills.

 

[TN WOODMAN]

Well, for what it's worth I did buy a "nice" bass yesterday. I just couldn't force myself to Shell out the bucks for an American Originals Precision Bass, so I got what I think is the last brand new Classic 50's Precision Bass Lacquer left on planet Earth. It came from a camera shop in NYC. It should be here next week and I'm some kind of excited.

I thank everyone that chimed in. I know y'all are a bunch of Gear Hounds anyhow, but it's nice to get some support from the community!

You made a sound choice. I have a couple boutique jazz basses in the $3500 range and a total of 18 basses , but my 2006 MIM Classic 50s p (in black FYI) is one of my favorite basses I own and one of the best playing and sounding p basses I’ve played from any vintage.

The lacquer model nor white was out yet when I bought mine. I hope you were able to get the white blonde. I love that color. I have a matching Fender Custom Shop Tele and a Custom Shop Strat as well as a Fender lap steel and Squier 50s p in white blond. Maybe add a p and j to the collection one day as well.

Enjoy your new bass. Remember: YOU DESERVE IT.

 

[chris_b]

. . . . . . . . what I have is "good enough" for me and my purposes.

IMO there are more pro players earning a living with Fender basses than any other make. What makes them better bassists isn't the gear they use, but the bass lines they play and the way they play them.

I was once told, "You can always find something better. The wisdom is knowing when to stop looking."

 

[by_gaslight]

Im exactly the same. Not been playing all that long but in that time enjoyed 'rescuing' several too, getting to experience playing them and then selling on to try the next on my list.

I actually saw your PJ mustang in another thread and that one looks so great. I'd love to do something like that! If you were ever considering selling and didn't mind shipping internationally I'd be all over it!

I didn’t take up bass playing until I was 59 years old. I’m 65 now and currently own 6 basses but have owned 25-30. I enjoy “rescuing” basses from pawn shops, yard sales, FB Marketplace, Craigslist among other sources. By using this approach, I have been able to acquire a couple of basses that’ll end up being passed down to my children. Ones a Warwick Bleached Blonde Thumb and the other is an EBMM Special 5H. My other basses are a Reverend Decision 4, a blinged out MIM Jazz 4, a MIM Mustang I’ve taken modification liberties with, and a UAS Peavey T-20 (surprisingly great) that I’ve made better than new. I’m not a bad bassist and am able to keep up pretty nicely with the folks I play with. Nearly every bass I’ve ever owned was more capable of being played than I’ll ever be of playing them! I suspect many of us can make the same or similar claims. Bottom line, buy what you want that you can find a way to afford and have fun!View attachment 3810105

 

[Marky83dam]

Exactly if you can afford it and you want it your not gunna put the family on the streets then go for it ive been a guitar pkk ok Ayer nearly 20 years but playing bass seriously only this year even tho I’ve had a few basses over the years i seen this on EBay here in the UK and had to get it the price was way to good