Deals VS Dollars

[juancaminos]

I have never spent over $1200 for an instrument, and that was only once. Generally my max is in the $800 range. And I have enjoyed many different instruments since the 60's. I've never been into opulence in my homes, cars, bikes, women, etc. Simple and useful is all I need.

 

[J-Bassomatic]

What do you do when you find something that you’ve wanted for years, which provides a couple tones not already in your arsenal, for an excellent deal — but the price is still so (relatively) high it feels like a punch in the stomach with a possible sweep the leg to follow?

Do you grab that deal now knowing it will likely cost you more down the road to buy it then, if you get the opportunity?

Or do you heed that reluctance to spend so much money and talk yourself into saving the cash? You have other instruments, you can just be happy with them.

Or done another way: do you get that single instrument you want, or instead grab a number of other things for your “home studio” you don’t have, but that are also less challenging to obtain, and have some cash left over?

Been there. Done that. Probably totally stupid but I always wanted a Danelectro Longhorn and when Sweetwater had a batch come in and the catalog arrived on payday, yes, I bought one. No regrets. Totally cool bass.

 

[Yummy Notes]

I voted. If you have the $, get the bass. If you wanted something for years but passed on deals (assuming you had the funds then), the joy of obtaining this desired bass will likely cancel out any ill feelings about relatively overpaying. Besides haven't you paid enough (in lost opportunities by waiting so long).

 

[Bourbongangster]

I have two synths and at least one bass that I figured out a way to be able to afford pretty much because they were very much priced to move. The bass is my favorite bass and has been my favorite since I bought it about 3 years ago.

On the other hand, a few years ago I saw a very unique bass on Reverb in an amazing color that was a brand and model that I've never heard of and will possibly never see for sale again. It wasn't terribly expensive but it was early on in our marriage and we had a lot of work to do on budgeting and communicating, so I didn't even try to buy it. I think about that bass a lot. It's kinda like "the one that got away". EDIT: I just found a link to the bass that got away from me. Why do I do this to myself

Lodestone Primal Instinct Green | Danny's Gear Garage | Reverb

 

[mikewalker]

I've been at this bass-playing thing for more than forty years, and I only regret the ones I didn't buy...

 

[chadface]

What's the ratio of bassaycheck? If low enough, go for it.

Another consideration: can you sell it for more than you are paying for it (net of selling fees) ? Or can/would you offload some of your current things to pay for it?

 

[Rojd]

I have two synths and at least one bass that I figured out a way to be able to afford pretty much because they were very much priced to move. The bass is my favorite bass and has been my favorite since I bought it about 3 years ago.

On the other hand, a few years ago I saw a very unique bass on Reverb in an amazing color that was a brand and model that I've never heard of and will possibly never see for sale again. It wasn't terribly expensive but it was early on in our marriage and we had a lot of work to do on budgeting and communicating, so I didn't even try to buy it. I think about that bass a lot. It's kinda like "the one that got away". EDIT: I just found a link to the bass that got away from me. Why do I do this to myself

Lodestone Primal Instinct Green | Danny's Gear Garage | Reverb

Here you go....

[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

 

[elgranluis]

If you can afford it , go for it.

I talked myself out of buying a guild starfire II because I’m not playing in a band right now... and I have 10 other basses that have seen 0 playtime in the past four months .

but , to cure the cravings, I’m buying a bronco bass anyway. I don’t mind blowing a 100 dollar bill on that one !

 

[pie_man_25]

You could save some money on an expensive bass, or save all your money by playing the basses you have.

Doesn't sound like a hard choice to me.

 

[Richard Martin]

How is your retirement account looking? If you're going to spend big money on an instrument, then you should have money to spare. As I am at retirement age and am just waiting for my employer to find my replacement, I look around at friends that I've had my whole life. Some of them have done well and others, not so much. I really do feel bad about the ones that didn't put anything away. A couple of them won't even get social security. They always worked cash jobs because they couldn't afford to have taxes taken out. They barely had enough for cigarettes and beer as it was. DON"T MAKE THEIR MISTAKES!!

End of PSA...

 

[lomo]

This is a question of relativity. It all depends. How important is the money and how badly have I wanted the bass? It's like asking, if you were on a diet and someone offered you your fave candy bar would you eat it? Well, if I was trying to lose an extra 10 lbs to look good at the beach and had already lost 9 lbs, and I wanted the candy, I'd eat it. If I was obese and losing weight to increase my chances of surviving a coronary bypass...........

 

[dbsfgyd1]

What do you do when you find something that you’ve wanted for years, which provides a couple tones not already in your arsenal, for an excellent deal — but the price is still so (relatively) high it feels like a punch in the stomach with a possible sweep the leg to follow?

Do you grab that deal now knowing it will likely cost you more down the road to buy it then, if you get the opportunity?

Or do you heed that reluctance to spend so much money and talk yourself into saving the cash? You have other instruments, you can just be happy with them.

Or done another way: do you get that single instrument you want, or instead grab a number of other things for your “home studio” you don’t have, but that are also less challenging to obtain, and have some cash left over?

I would walk unless the acquisition is going to make me more marketable as a player, hence making more income that will pay for itself and then some. As far as my creativity being thwarted by not having said piece, I still haven’t explored all the possibilities of a basic Fender bass 4 string bass, and that’s after 50 years of playing them.

 

[dbsfgyd1]

I value things by appeal vs cost.

This is why I'll probably never own a Ric for instance.
They look pretty cool but cost too much for what you get.

I can appease myself pretty easy, so I'll buy something where appeal >= cost,
or buy cheap and mod the hell out of it.

Perfect example: I'm too cheap to buy a Gibson SG, so I made one out of a Epi EB0.

057912

Cost-Benefit analysis. Well put.

 

[buldog5151bass]

I don't buy a lot, but when I needed something, I got it. Right now I'm on the other side - I'm 55, and not gigging like I used to. The last few years I've been starting to sell off stuff I no longer use - a Guild electric guitar I had for almost 40 years and a keyboard I had almost as long. I have two basses I'm looking to sell as well.

 

[Ghastly]

Though expensive, will its purchase actually put you in a bind? If buyers remorse sets in, if it's such a good deal you could always resell it without much money loss, right?

 

[Runnerman]

I did something similar.

I sold 2 basses to fund the other.

This is my approach too. I don't feel comfortable having too much money tied up in instruments, amps and effects. But it always tends to be on an upward trend.

 

[dbsfgyd1]

How is your retirement account looking? If you're going to spend big money on an instrument, then you should have money to spare. As I am at retirement age and am just waiting for my employer to find my replacement, I look around at friends that I've had my whole life. Some of them have done well and others, not so much. I really do feel bad about the ones that didn't put anything away. A couple of them won't even get social security. They always worked cash jobs because they couldn't afford to have taxes taken out. They barely had enough for cigarettes and beer as it was. DON"T MAKE THEIR MISTAKES!!

End of PSA...

This is coming from a retired financial advisor: Thank you. To your point, life is expensive. Be prepared. Only insure what you can’t afford to lose. Only borrow money for things that will improve your financial situation greater than the amount of interest paid.

 

[Diminishedfilth]

I was looking for an American Precision last winter. Found one locally, priced exactly at what I wanted to pay. Took a week to decide, and the day after I pulled out the cash, they pulled the ad.
As luck would have it, though, a Craigslist ad posted that same day for a 2012 Precision Select. Was $200 more, but man, it was more than worth it. Was definitely an impulse buy, but I sure lucked out. The guy I bought it from was still receiving offers while I taking it for a test drive.
Taught me a lesson about buying used... you can’t just sit there holding your Charles Dickens, thinking nobody else is interested.
With my more recent used Jazz bass purchase (from out of state), I didn’t beat around the bush. Seller had a great rating, description sounded good, and now it’s my go-to bass.

 

[logdrum]

Talking or asking about financial sense in a gear forum is hopeless. Some will enable you and some will guilt trip you.

It's really up to you OP. If still confused, sleep on it for a day or two. Play what you have now as well.

 

[baileyboy]

Lots of questions here... in general, if I see an awesome deal, like a vintage Fender at a yard sale for $50, I'll grab it, no questions asked. Since I already own two great basses- a Precision and a Jazz- to cover my gigging needs, I'm not on the lookout for anything. I've played lots of great basses out-and- about, but nothing that would make me pull out my wallet on impulse.