It’s not about if you are deserving or not. It’s a question of if your current bass is giving you the experience you desire, assuming you are taking care of your responsibilities.
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But do I DESERVE a "nice" bass?
- Thread starter GravyGoodness
- Start date
It’s not about if you are deserving or not. It’s a question of if your current bass is giving you the experience you desire, assuming you are taking care of your responsibilities.
In this world of more than seven billion people, I have yet to find a correlation between having nice things and deserving nice things.
1) Basses are cheap. My parents paid $1500 for an intermediate level trumpet, only for me to abuse the poor thing. Music is pretty cheap. It’s not like you’re buying a boat! If you worked and saved, then it’s yours.
2) you’ve set an intention to buy this instrument. If you don’t get it, You’ll probably go to your grave wondering if you should have gotten it.
3) if you buy used, you can most likely flip it for the price you paid; if you don’t like it. (But you’ll probably like it.)
4)
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All of this ^
I especially like the boat analogy. Boats cost way more than basses, kill you in storage, maintenance and fuel costs, and unless you live on it you use it a lot less than your bass.
And buying a nice P bass is an easily reversible decision; if at some point you decide you prefer your old Squier or whatever, it's easy enough to sell or give away to a family member. Way less complicated than a boat.
OK, look, @GravyGoodness , first, Yes. Of course you deserve a nice bass. Not just because you've been playing for years and have saved your money and play your grandfather's Yamaha or whatever. You deserve a nice bass because bass playing brings you joy. So if you have a sum of money earmarked for a bass you totally deserve one that brings you joy. Secondly, don't downplay your abilities. Here's the thing, there is always somebody taller, faster richer, dumber, poorer, plays arpeggios faster, whatever. You be you. It's been 7+ weeks of stay-at-home for some of us and what we really need is some optimism. I'm pretty sure after 15 years you're probably better than many. I also bet a new handle feels good in your hands and lands a big 'ole grin on your face. And that sounds exactly awesome.
Plus, it's a wide world with a lot of options b-b-b-but every player needs a P. You should be tearing yourself apart from the inside worrying about what color to get.
Plus, it's a wide world with a lot of options b-b-b-but every player needs a P. You should be tearing yourself apart from the inside worrying about what color to get.
Color is the easy part, I know exactly which one I want!
I appreciate the feed back folks. The money I saved from this is specifically from when I broke a 20 or if I had a few bucks left in my wallet. Trust me, my wife has tried to get to to go ahead and get one in the last year so I quit talking about it (I'm sure). I just have a difficult time buying something exclusively for "me." This is a special circumstance, but for the reasons in the first post. Thanks again for your insight
I appreciate the feed back folks. The money I saved from this is specifically from when I broke a 20 or if I had a few bucks left in my wallet. Trust me, my wife has tried to get to to go ahead and get one in the last year so I quit talking about it (I'm sure). I just have a difficult time buying something exclusively for "me." This is a special circumstance, but for the reasons in the first post. Thanks again for your insight
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I didn't want to impose. But, yeah, that's the one. That guard looks really good on the white blonde.
As an aside to this thread, KBD, I have always loved that bass from the first time I saw you post it. If you ever change your mind...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).
Everyone who can pick up a bass, no matter what level of a player they are, and truly enjoy playing it and the roll it fills, is deserving of a great bass. When you find one that just really talks to you, no matter what “tier” of a bass it is, just get it. Don’t cause yourself a financial problem though, some of these things get stupid expensive. But the right bass in your hands will make the experience even more enjoyable.
I guess my take on it is : not any of our business if another wishes to mortgage their house or future for something they want.(Not criticizing your take, dbs. It is sound advice)
We all lament and comment on how much we spend on bass gear which for many of us, is a hobby. In the grand scheme even 20k invested in musical gear pales in comparison to, as others have mentioned: sports cars, motorcycles, four-wheelers, guns, boats, a grand piano, a professional-level violin, ad nauseum.
One seldom needs an expensive instrument as posited by @killedbydeath
But one's hobbies and how they are financed is none of my concern.
Edit: oh, and to list of hobbies: Horses
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Do you need to spend a lot of money? Probably not. But do you deserve it? Yeah you do, if that’s what you want!
There are some nice basses in the under-$2000 range, and many well under that. One of my favorites to play only cost me $650, and it sounds just like a 60’s P Bass should. It just doesn’t have the logo on the headstock that some people prefer.
There are some nice basses in the under-$2000 range, and many well under that. One of my favorites to play only cost me $650, and it sounds just like a 60’s P Bass should. It just doesn’t have the logo on the headstock that some people prefer.
Yep. You deserve it.
For that cash you could buy 3 MIM 50s Precisions that are extraordinarily well made and visually identical to their American counterparts. But maybe that's another thread...if the USA model will inspire you then get it.
For that cash you could buy 3 MIM 50s Precisions that are extraordinarily well made and visually identical to their American counterparts. But maybe that's another thread...if the USA model will inspire you then get it.
I don't deserve any of the nice gear I have but it doesn't stop me lol
DESERVES GOT NOTHING TO DO WITH IT
Did anybody say this yet? didn’t read the thread
Did anybody say this yet? didn’t read the thread
Whatever you want to do with your money is your choice! Treat yourself, as long as you're being responsible with your money. The idea that you have to be "good enough" own something that is acquired through money, not skill, is a toxic idea to me.
I've seen guys with more money than talent buy an expensive instrument only to have it sit on display in a cabinet, or in a case under the bed. Real musicians understand that musical instruments need to be played, and are inspired to play more when they begin to understand what the instrument can do under their hands.
Judging from your post, I think you are worthy of being a caretaker of a fine instrument.
Edit: Some of the finest musicians I've had the honor of knowing came from third world countries playing on substandard instruments, and they sounded great. True talent will overcome many of the luxuries we take for granted.
Judging from your post, I think you are worthy of being a caretaker of a fine instrument.
Edit: Some of the finest musicians I've had the honor of knowing came from third world countries playing on substandard instruments, and they sounded great. True talent will overcome many of the luxuries we take for granted.
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if you have a marketable skill and you can manage your money such that you can afford it, then you deserve it.
Yes, but I never specified whose poverty it should be.
Deserve it? Do you want it and have the money? Then you deserve it. It's no guarantee you won't still prefer a cheaper bass, and a really good bass is no guarantee that you'll play better, but it's your money, and you can buy it for any little reason you want. Personally, I prefer better made basses. I don't buy $2000 basses or anything but better made Fenders always feel better in my hands than Squiers or more low budget Fenders.
