Buying expensive gear then regretting it

[bolophonic]

I'd only regret it if I didn't use it.

I owned several firearms once, when I got married I didn't go shooting so much so I sold them.

Made out OK.

Like above, just chalked any losses up to a 5yr rental!!

I don't buy high-end instruments, but any time I make the decision to liquidate any type of gear/tool/auto, I run an ad hoc algorithm in my head to factor what I paid vs what I want for it/holding costs and whether I can amortize the difference as a decent cost of ownership.

 

[ricfunk74]

I had a lot of money invested in gear, but I didn't completely realize just how much until I tallied the cost. I've been slowly selling off pieces and it has been really nice freeing myself of unnecessary gear.

I've been doing that myself!

 

[RustyAxe]

I've never regretted a purchase because of cost ... I knew that going in. I HAVE regretted buying expensive gear that didn't perform as expected, or wasn't quite suited to the task.

 

[beans-on-toast]

I tend to buy what I need, not what I want.

One problem with computer based equipment such as DAW related boxes is obsolescense. It can be offputting when you buy something only to find that a new model is released a few months later. That can cause regrets.

 

[REV]

Another aspect of buying expensive gear is that in this business equipment is going to get messed up. Gigs mean transportation, set up and tear down. Stuff gets banged into and dropped, it's a part of what we do. For some of us this is called MOJO but I'm not sure if we'd see it the same way if our $5000.00 Fodera suddenly got some MOJO. I had a Fender Roadworn P bass for awhile. I really liked it but the neck was really too wide for me. One of the great things about it was I didn't worry about it getting hit or anything.

 

[Laurent]

Talkbass tend to over hype some pieces of equipment which tend to result in disappointments once people buy them.
Differences between amplifiers are obvious but once I am in the mix playing live, what's amplifying my tone becomes pretty secondary. I can play (and sound) really well with my Orange 200 watt tube amp or my Aguilar TH500. For that matter, the amp itself could be pretty much anything. So when one gets into the realm of super expensive gear, what you are paying for is refinements, small differences that come at a high cost and that does not always translate in live music. Bicycles are that way too, the difference between a $1,500 and a $10,000 bicycle is obvious but over a 50 miles ride, I don't think it would make that much of a difference on my riding. At least at my level.

 

[jthisdell]

In 2015 I spent a few $$ on a new pre, amp and three different nice cabinets. Yes, I could have done it cheaper but the net result is that my tone is much better and my playing has improved dramatically.Not because of the gear but because I joined a second band playing much more demanding charts. I use my gear often, gigging with the two bands and it is a rare case when I am not happy with my tone. I think it is especially worth the money to buy a high quality cab, that is the biggest factor in your tone. I went through a period when I was gassing for a Roscoe and then I thought that I really needed to spend more time practicing instead. Now this is all a hobby and I don't earn enough to justify this much gear. But I use it often and it makes me very happy. I spent a lot less than the guy down the street who has a boat in his driveway that he uses a few weekends a year.

 

[engedi1]

You and your instruments should be a good match. If you have the budget and the taste for a Fodera, by all means buy a Fodera. Personally, I'm not thrilled with the sound of Foderas, so I would never buy one just because they're high end. My Yamaha BBs suit me just fine (both sound and feel) and I find no reason to look elsewhere; I'd rather spend my time being the best bass player I can be with those instruments.

Good point Bob. I bought a really cool Yamaha BB5000 20 years ago when I was just out of high school and felt I had to have a five string. That was my only electric bass for 10 years. Then I sold it for Modulus, which I sold for Lakland, which I sold for a Sadowsky, and then so on and so forth. However, I am 100% convinced that if I had just stuck with the BB-5000 that WHOLE time, my musical life would have been exactly the same lol. However, each of my basses was loved at the time, and got a lot of use on stage or in the studio so I don't regret them. I did finally buy a Zon 5 string which is something I have wanted for almost my whole playing life as a bass player, so that is exciting. I am falling in love with this bass and I may have found my voice. I don't play to ever part with this one, but that is what I said about the Sadowsky lol....

 

[engedi1]

Also, I want to add that the BEST investment I have made in musical gear has to be in cabinets. I didn't really sound like me until I got my Thunderchild cabinets. I think a lot of players put their money in the instruments and amps but neglect how huge a role the cabinets play in their live tone. I have about $1300 in my cabinets and its the best money I've spent.

 

[jthisdell]

Engedi1 - Also, I want to add that the BEST investment I have made in musical gear has to be in cabinets.

Agreed, I recently bought two Bergantino cabs and a Barefaced. Three different form factors for different gigs and different sound but all three really nice. The higher level of engineering in the more "boutique" cabs makes a huge difference. A really expensive bass through a muddy cab is going to sound... muddy. At the end of the day it is really about the sound you are creating, and that comes out of the cab.

The only gear purchase I really regretted was an inexpensive combo amp purchased mail order. Return shipping on even a 1-12 neo combo can be quite expensive. But I had a lot of confidence in buying my Barefaced from overseas without demoing it because of the reviews and comments from experienced players on TB.

 

[muggsy]

When I turned 40 I decided to splurge on an NYC Sadowsky. Did a custom order to get everything I wanted, but when the bass showed up I just never bonded with it. I also came to feel, after a while, that it was silly to have all that money tied up in a great bass I didn't love. Ended up trading it for a US Lakland, which I still have, plus cash. I don't regret buying the Sadowsky, because I learned a few things and ended up with a kick-ass Lakland that's a better fit for me. It was an expensive lesson, though.

 

[Relsom]

I tend to be more satisfied with instrument purchases than with amp purchases. Other than a couple of exceptions, have more remorse over selling an instrument than selling an amp. Like the time in the '90s when I sold my Kramer USA NS-2 to fund a SWR Redhead....total regret. The Redhead wasn't even that great sounding, weighed a ton, and ran hot. That was the most expensive gear purchase I had ever made at the time.

 

[bassbully]

For me its always been about budget and ability. Can I afford to spend more for my basses and equipment? Yes. I always choose to match the equipment to my needs, ability and a budget.
I prefer old school bass tone so flats and P basses are my bread and butter. So why whould I buy an Fodera with a fancy preamp? I like light weight, and simple voiced amps, so no tubes or other high end fancy's.
I do regret if my equipment sits and brings me nothing in return especially if its expensive. I do enjoy chasing a good, high quality sound out of budget or mid priced gear and saving the money many spend to chase it.
I know a guy who has an expensive custom Corvette in his garage. He loves to show it off in pics etc but drives it maybe two times a year. He is happy this way...I would not be. I need my gear to be practical in its use and value. I'm not one who wants to say I own this or that but never use it, or need it.

 

[bassbully]

I've never regretted a purchase because of cost ... I knew that going in. I HAVE regretted buying expensive gear that didn't perform as expected, or wasn't quite suited to the task.

I'm with you here. In fact most of the higher end gear I have owned in allot of ways never satisfied me or off set the costs. This is not only with bass gear but other gear as well. When you pay more you expect more.

 

[Liam Wald]

I am sure that this is not true for everyone, but it seems to me that very expensive gear is often purchased by players who are hoping that it will somehow be a quick path to better musicianship.
Of course there are no shortcuts to musicianship and that quickly becomes obvious to those who are looking for the magic bullet.

 

[lfmn16]

I have had FAR more buyer's remorse over inexpensive gear I've bought than expensive gear I've bought.

 

[BobDeRosa]

Good point Bob. I bought a really cool Yamaha BB5000 20 years ago when I was just out of high school and felt I had to have a five string. That was my only electric bass for 10 years. Then I sold it for Modulus, which I sold for Lakland, which I sold for a Sadowsky, and then so on and so forth. However, I am 100% convinced that if I had just stuck with the BB-5000 that WHOLE time, my musical life would have been exactly the same lol. However, each of my basses was loved at the time, and got a lot of use on stage or in the studio so I don't regret them. I did finally buy a Zon 5 string which is something I have wanted for almost my whole playing life as a bass player, so that is exciting. I am falling in love with this bass and I may have found my voice. I don't play to ever part with this one, but that is what I said about the Sadowsky lol....

Great to hear from you, man. Glad you found the bass of your dreams. Hope the BSX is still serving you well, too.

 

[chaosMK]

Is it just from people having excess money?

I don't shop boutique or custom, or even new for that matter. But used Mesa/Boogie... IMO that is a sweet spot of Made in US value and performance. Try out your Recto (I own a 90's Tremoverb) or whatever at a good price and you won't regret it. Mesa holds value pretty well.

My only buyers remorse experience- Getting into supposedly fancy pedals. The newest coolest thing is always coming out and it's $2-300 or even $400 now (like a Darkglass). I explored that world for a minute and sold my way back out of it.

 

[Siggy]

I've done it a few time. It's a lot like meeting someone and having that hormonal rush and develop a major crush without getting to know the person. So I have some guidelines for myself.

Don't buy on impulse. Do your research on the item. Is it quality, good price point, how much loss is acceptable if I decide to sell it?

Analyze why you want it. It's sexy. Will make me sound better? Will it make me a better player (only if it makes you want to practice more). Is the deal too good to turn down (re read the first guideline). Will it make my butt look smaller?

Take time to cool-down. If after a few days of ignoring the item does it still make your heart hurt?

Don't buy it if it will irritate your significant other. It will just p.o. them every time you pick it up, also this will negate the "Will it make me a better player (only if it makes you want to practice more)" factor.

Don't by it if you can't pay cash. I know this ones a bitch and there are a couple of exceptions (It's your first bass and not stupidly expensive) or by it on lay-a-way (do the still offer that?) or put money in a coffee can until you can buy it. It's a terrible feeling when you're still paying on something and your GAS isn't satisfied.

Which ties into the last guideline

Buy used whenever possible. You won't loose 30 to 50% of the initial cost if you sell it.

 

[ShadowImage]

Been there. Spent $400 on a GA pre73 preamp. Does it sound good? Um... I don't know, I guess? Does it sound $400 good? Probably not, honestly I can't tell.

Short answer, that money would have been better spent booking studio time for an album session with a skilled tech. There is a threshold of value vs quality where the price exponentially increases for marginally better quality.