But do I DESERVE a "nice" bass?

[DrMole]

Basses are just like golf clubs, anyone can attempt to play them, but you there's no rule of how good you must be to own them. Own what makes you feel right, if you are happy, that's all that matters. That's why there's a ton of people on here that will tell you not to go down that "rabbit hole" of upgrading or trying every brand other the son.....sometimes it gets pointless. I personally like trying basses, but that's me. The one who's going to like the bass (or basses) you own most.....is you!

Perfect.

If the rule held true for golf clubs, there is no set of clubs, no matter how inexpensive- even if someone paid me to use them - that I would deserve.

 

[Admiral Thrawn]

Who cares if you "deserve" it?

If you want it, and can afford it, GO FOR IT!

 

[factory presets]

If you think you want the bass for whatever reason, then buy it. Plenty of very mundane players got nice gear.

Having got that off my chest, if it was me, I probably wouldn't. Reason being, I don't think better gear gonna do anything for my playing. I don't own anything particularly flash. But what I got works well enough for any situation I'm gonna find myself in from here on out. I've owned 8 basses in my life. And played the poopie out of all of them. I can do new toy syndrome. But GAS does nothing for me. I used to go to music shops and fill in time trying cheap basses. Don't even do that anymore.

I see people here talking about their 40 basses and if that makes them happy then they definitely deserve them. I'm just putting my story up to say you don't have to have GAS if you don't want to. Just get a bass that feels good to play and rings and zings unplugged. Replace electronics as necessary. If you can't love a bass like that, maybe you don't deserve one after all.

I'm joking of course. Buy the bass you want.

 

[QweziRider]

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

So? Go enjoy yourself. Do what you've saved so hard to do.

 

[lizardking837]

My girlfriend and soon-to-be fiancee put it this way, "If you're going to appreciate and get the full value out of it and can afford it....why not?"

I say go for it. I'm in your position as well and saving up for a Spector Euro. Whether I'm involved in a project when that time comes or not, I'll reevaluate, but I'll probably talk myself into it.

 

[bassballs27]

Perfect.

If the rule held true for golf clubs, there is no set of clubs, no matter how inexpensive- even if someone paid me to use them - that I would deserve.

You are correct. The word "deserve" (in a positive sense here, because negative means punishment) by definition means "to have earned or to be given something for the way you have behaved or qualities that you have". This is purely subjective. If the OP feels he doesn't deserve a "nice bass" he doesn't deserve a "nice bass", and if he does.....well......he can have it if he's got the money.

With regards to justification of why you own something, well....that's a question for yourself only, not others.

It's a wonder why Tibetan Monk's own nothing.....possessions at the end of the day do carry weight on people.
Be careful of the things you own as they can own you.

 

[Rabidhamster]

If you played music full time you’d probably be too hungry to buy this bass, or heck maybe even shop for this bass.

This bass is for people who can afford it. Sounds like that’s you because you worked hard! Nice job go get it, make sure you pick a good one

 

[davec]

If it will inspire to play more, buy the bass. If not use the money for lessons.
That is if your goal is to move beyond intermediate, if not....
It’s your money, you can put it in a bass, you can use it to go buy legal weed, you can put it a 401k... freedom baby! FREEDOM

 

[diegom]

Oh, man. I'm a master at that! "Do I deserve it?". "Have I EARNED it!??"...

Only YOU, can answer that in a meaningful way.
This is what works for ME:
"Do I deserve it?"
Well, if I have paid my bills, fulfilled my societal obligations (gone to work, school, etc), I have taken care of myself physically and mentally to the best of my current abilities, then I would say, YES! An interesting caveat, getting a "nice" bass will contribute to my "self-care", so, DOUBLE YES!

"Have I EARNED it!??"
What works for me is to set goals. Have I 'outgrown' my current basses? Is there a certain feature the "nice" bass have, that none of my current ones have? Do I NEED this bass to further my growth? Then, clearly, YES!

Of course, an outstanding deal would trump all other reasons. You would get it for WHEN you achieve the aforementioned goals.

I hope it makes sense...

Diego

 

[steve_ss]

Buy what feels good in your hands when you play it, buy what makes you happy, buy what you want. The only thing you should do is post a picture of your new bass with a smile on your face.

 

[Jack Butler]

Always get the best-feeling, playing and sounding instruments you can afford.

I know many guys with $10-20k invested in firearms who couldn't hit a moving target, maybe even a still one at 100 yards and it is, as "they" say:
All good.

Get the bass you have wanted and saved for. Expensive things are not reserved for the professionals in any field.

Yep. I hope I'm not one of those firearms guys you mention. I think I can shoot pretty well, but I have some pretty expensive firearms($2k+) that are probably beyond what I could justify based purely on my abilities. Same with basses, and guitars.

 

[bassdude51]

Of course you deserve a nice bass! You might not be a pro or an active musician but bass is a love, passion and a hobby. You deserve a nice bass!

As for us TalkBass members, I've often thought about how many of us are mere bass enthusiasts, bass "noodlers", wanna be bassists, non pros. Although I don't know the answer, I bet the majority of us fall into those categories. So don't be comparing yourself in a negative way to TalkBass members. Most of us aren't that great, I'm sure.

Great choice for a bass!

Do it!

 

[DrMole]

Yep. I hope I'm not one of those firearms guys you mention. I think I can shoot pretty well, but I have some pretty expensive firearms($2k+) that are probably beyond what I could justify based purely on my abilities. Same with basses, and guitars.

To be fair, i say many cant shoot- a couple who have 10k plus cannot shoot well- most of the guys I know who are gun crazy are decent but no better than me and I haven't practiced seriously in decades but put thousands of rounds into various targets in my youth- my dad shot small and large bore handguns competitively and we had a 50ft range for rimfire in the basement. Never could keep up with Dad- but conversely he can't carry a tune with a handle

 

[Jack Butler]

As I've seen said on these forums before, especially when talking about electric bass, our hobby is a relatively cheap one. My brother just bought a boat for fishing in the great lakes(Michigan). Used it was north of $30k, which does not even include docking, fuel, and maintenance, all of which are expensive as well. And a $30k salmon fishing boat is not extravagant in the grand scheme of what's out there, the one he really wants is $80k new. So by comparison, even dropping $10k on a Ritter or Fodera is getting off cheap.

 

[bmusic]

Not a pro, but I'll chime in, despite the fact that all this other advice is good. (In fact, I have followed all of this other advice in my travels.)

1) There is no "deserve." It does not exist—and even if it did, who would be the arbiter, and how would we access his/her/its judgment? So forget about that. The only considerations beyond your desire are your finances and your wife's approval, and it sounds like you have both those boxes checked.

That said...

2) Chasing gear is a trap. It sounds like you love making music with your Squier. If it's a dream to play, then what are you looking over your shoulder for? Forums like this, ads that pop up when browsing the web, music videos—but ESPECIALLY forums like this—are going to make you start thinking life could be better if you just had that other bass. In my humble opinion, based on experience, the worst case scenario is not that you upgrade to the Fender and feel like it was a mistake; it's that you love the new bass and start thinking "Would I love it even more if it was a Custom Shop? Or a Masterbuilt? Or a real '62?" That kind of spiral will cost you not just money, but also peace.

I suppose the core question I'm getting at is this: why is the deserving important to you? And could it be chipping away at your contentment with an instrument that is already serving you perfectly? In your hesitation to buy, you may already find the answer.

 

[Groove Doctor]

To ask it another way....

Why do I deny myself what my heart truly desires?

 

[Leonid Nidis]

Deserve?I had a nightmare once where there were tests to determine your level and let you buy a bass based on the test
Do what you feel,you dont need to be a pro to buy great gear,at the same time a real pro wont always get great gear.

 

[alaskaleftybass]

By all means-- get the bass of your dreams regardless of price. Just don't let the wife find out!

 

[WardEarth]

If you can hear or feel the difference, then you are worth it

 

[pappabass]

Saved up your $$ heck yes! Don't play out? That is ok too. But, I have a couple of nice basses, I bought the latest version of the Sterling ray4 on sale for $270 new as a knock around bass. Now it is my main player! So don't discount what you currently own.