Right there^ is why you deserve not only a nice bass but a GREAT bass.
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But do I DESERVE a "nice" bass?
- Thread starter GravyGoodness
- Start date
No offense, Gravy, but its a silly question: If having something - be it a bass, vehicle, furry costume, etc - will make you happier then, by all means, get it
I don't think 'deserving' or 'earning' comes into anything.
If you enjoy playing bass, at whatever level, then I think it would make sense to use tools that you enjoy. I am not saying expensive or cheap, I just focus on the enjoyment part. Buy whatever you like best that you can afford.
We live in very good times when it comes to electric guitars: you don't need to spend a lot in order to have a good instrument. I am definitely an amateur. I am normally busy, play a lot, some very decent gigs but I still also play small bars too. I need gear that does the job and is reliable. If I end up playing at somebody's wedding, I have to make sure I do my job well, discreetly, and without technical issues. So my instruments and amplifiers are of good quality and maintained well. My main instrument is a MusicMan Stingray. It's a good instrument, but hardly up there in the high end of the Foderas of this world. It works very well, I love it, and I don't feel I lack anything. I also have a couple of Squier basses that see action regularly on some of my bands (I'm involved in 4 right now, with one being the main and busiest one (originals), and the others filling the gaps (mix of covers and originals))... and they're also more than good enough and I love them.
BUy what you like and can afford if it makes you happier. Just don't make the mistake to assume that an expensive instrument will magically make you into a better player. However, a good/better instrument may make it more fun for you, which may result in your playing more, therefore becoming better... Only you can tell what your situation is.
Don't feel bad if you use an expensive instrument only at home by yourself, or a cheap instrument out there with other people and their fancier gear. As long as you have a reliable instrument that makes the right noises and you can play it well, you've got what is required.
I am by no means a pro. Not even close. I take pride in being able to provide a solid groove.
I play a six string with a 'fast' neck. No slapping, no tapping, no big lead parts. It's like driving 50 in a Ferrari.
So what?
My other bass is a custom made multiscale 5 string with LED fretmarkers
I can groove the same on a Squier or an SX, as long as it sounds halfway decent and the action and the intonation are right.
However, I prefer to play whatever I prefer to play.
There have been funny looks when I pull that single cut six string from my gigbag, but so far I failed in making people unhappy with my performance.
There's a rule of thumb that says that you spend the first 400 dollars for the audience, and everything that comes on top you spend for yourself. So when you can afford it - why not have something nice? When you take good care of it and do not practice 6 hours a day 6 days a week, a bass will last you a lifetime.
A piece of advice my parents gave me was this: If you are interested in purchasing something, go to the store and look it over, try it out, then WALK AWAY, leave the store, don't buy it. What happens is your mind will go through a rationalization process. If you give it a week, you will know if it is something you really, really like and want or not. In most instances when given time to think about it, I decided "meh", not worth it. Other times I couldn't stop thinking about it, and I went back and bought it.
Also, I would try other basses in the genre of bass you are looking at, regardless of price. Sometimes the one that will speak to you is not the one you were looking at originally. Don't look at price, play a bunch of different basses at all prices ranges, it is all about sound and playability you like. That means a trip to the biggest music store you know.
Also, I would try other basses in the genre of bass you are looking at, regardless of price. Sometimes the one that will speak to you is not the one you were looking at originally. Don't look at price, play a bunch of different basses at all prices ranges, it is all about sound and playability you like. That means a trip to the biggest music store you know.
- Sep 9, 2007
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- Endorsing Artist: Eventide, GHS Strings, G&L Guitars, NS Design, Tsunami Cables
YES, you totally deserve a "nice" bass!
If it makes you happy and you aren't going to be foolishly spending money on it (which you aren't), buy the bass you want and forget what anyone else says.
BobDeRosa
Commercial User
- May 16, 2012
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- Owner, Tritone Jazz Fantasy Camps
Do you need it? No. Will it make you happy? I'm guessing yes.
Addendum: For what it's worth, I just found this quote from the great bassist Michael Mondesir in the May edition of Bass Player magazine: "I haven't owned a high-end bass in 36 years of playing professionally."
Addendum: For what it's worth, I just found this quote from the great bassist Michael Mondesir in the May edition of Bass Player magazine: "I haven't owned a high-end bass in 36 years of playing professionally."
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- Oct 18, 2012
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- Endorsing Artist: Fender, Spector, Ampeg, Curt Mangan, Nordstrand Pickups, Korg , Conquest Sound
I'm an admitted gear snob. I like my MIA Fenders, Alembics and Spectors. However, I've always believed that people should play what they like and can afford. Don't feel inferior because of the gear you use. I recently saw a Ringo Starr concert on tv. The guitarist was playing an Epiphone.
If you want the bass and can afford it, buy it.
If you want the bass and can afford it, buy it.
I'll never understand the whole "do I deserve" mindset. Do you deserve nice clothes, or do you feel you should shop at Good Will? Do you deserve good food, or do you buy day old store brand? Do you deserve a nice place to live, or do you live in a slum? Do you deserve a nice car, or do you drive an old rust bucket? Do you deserve a good job, or do you accept whatever you can get? You could ask that same question about everything you purchase.
This. If you want it and can afford it without taking budget away from the essentials, then go for it.
(Any pics of the Yamaha?)
Does a 70 y/o man need a Ferrarie (or other over the top sports car)to drive 15 Mph in the center of London?
If the answer is yes => buy the bass.
If the answer is no => buy the bass.
By saving, you've denied yourself the little pleasures of life, so now you can indulge in a large bass orgy
DO IT!!!!
If the answer is yes => buy the bass.
If the answer is no => buy the bass.
By saving, you've denied yourself the little pleasures of life, so now you can indulge in a large bass orgy
DO IT!!!!
godofthunder59
Life is short, buy the bass.
- Feb 19, 2006
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- Endorsing Cataldo Basses, Whirlwind products, Thunderbucker pickups
...of COURSE you do... I've been playing professionally since the 1970s, and when you come across an instrument that "sings" to you, buy it... beg, borrow, do what you have to... you'll not regret it...
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Sorry. Didn't read all the replies. If they don't agree with me, they're wrong anyway. 
Been playing guitar and bass, empathis varying, over 50 years. There have been times when a sense of obligation to the instrument kept me playing.
I've owned some instruments well beyond my relative skill level, including some actually owned by famous players.
Buy an instrument that inspires you to play. Enjoy the "glow" that only you see when you open the case. It's okay.
Been playing guitar and bass, empathis varying, over 50 years. There have been times when a sense of obligation to the instrument kept me playing.
I've owned some instruments well beyond my relative skill level, including some actually owned by famous players.
Buy an instrument that inspires you to play. Enjoy the "glow" that only you see when you open the case. It's okay.
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imo, when the music stores reopen go play a few of their higher end models and see if any speak to you.
The player wants what he wants. It doesn't matter your skill level.. if you like an instrument enough to spend that kind of dough and have the dough.. I don't see why not. Just don't fall into the misconception that "Better gear = better playing". The bass will probably feel better in your hands, but that doesn't mean it's more or less playable than your Squier.
At any skill level, you can decide to identify any weak spots in your playing and put some effort into fixing it. The better you feel about the bass you own while doing it, the less tedious it is to put those practice hours in imo.
I'm no "Pro" but I play well enough to have gotten some compliments from some rather talented musicians in my area.
Improvement in skill is sitting down with a metronome at 60bpm and doing repetitive exercises every day for 15-30 minutes over a period of weeks/month, until you're doing it at your desired tempo without having to think about it. Having a bass that makes you happy when you pick it up only serves to make the tedious repetition more enjoyable imo.
The player wants what he wants. It doesn't matter your skill level.. if you like an instrument enough to spend that kind of dough and have the dough.. I don't see why not. Just don't fall into the misconception that "Better gear = better playing". The bass will probably feel better in your hands, but that doesn't mean it's more or less playable than your Squier.
At any skill level, you can decide to identify any weak spots in your playing and put some effort into fixing it. The better you feel about the bass you own while doing it, the less tedious it is to put those practice hours in imo.
I'm no "Pro" but I play well enough to have gotten some compliments from some rather talented musicians in my area.
Improvement in skill is sitting down with a metronome at 60bpm and doing repetitive exercises every day for 15-30 minutes over a period of weeks/month, until you're doing it at your desired tempo without having to think about it. Having a bass that makes you happy when you pick it up only serves to make the tedious repetition more enjoyable imo.
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Go for it, man! You saved your money, you deserve it. The kind of Bass you have doesn't have to relate to how good you are. The main point of being a musician is because you enjoy it. You don't have to be the next Geddy Lee to own a good instrument. Get the P-Bass. You'll love it!
This is exactly why I finally gave in and got two US Fender Basses. I haven't played in bands for years. Health reasons. I'm in my 50's. I said to myself... Something could happen to me anyday now, so, I'm gonna get a US P-Bass and enjoy it in my living room, playing along to music and practicing. It's great. A dream come true. I can scratch that off the Bucket List!
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
RE : Horses
An alternative would be to fill a wheel barrow full of $10 bills wheel it to a cliff, get out your leaf blower and.....
Re: OP
You are right, it is none of my business. It’s the financial planner in me showing through. I made a career out of doing financial reclamation projects. To your point, even though what I posted was good advice in a general sense, in practice I would never offer such advice without a through deep dive on one’s finances.
If he saved his own money for it and all his bills are paid... It's a No-Brainer.
I'm a horrible bassist, but I have super nice gear.
For me (being a living room bassist) having nice gear is part of the hobby (i.e. for those like me who are not gigging musicians).
