Did you ever "downgrade"? By choice or situation?

[DanBass]

Been contemplating this for a few weeks.. and while hard, it makes sense, at least to me.

I think.

So honestly, I have not been playing any where near as much as I had been. This is for a myriad of reasons. And I am kinda ok with that at this point of the journey.

I have a 2004 USA Fender P that I love, but given my lack of playing and the fact that I could use the money, (wife out of work, car issues, other general crap) I am toying with the idea of selling it and getting something of lesser value. These lesser-value basses, are not all that shabby these days. I am in one band, nothing crazy, certainly not professional (although I have pride and sound is important obviously lol)... that said, it is not so terrible to me to play something "cheaper".

Bigger picture I guess.

Do I want to keep it? Sure. It is a really nice bass that I've had for a considerable amount of time, holds it's valve, or even increases from what I am seeing.. Upgraded pickups, originals still retained.. It's well cared for and loved, but sometimes, life says "um, other plans pal.."

I guess my reason behind this thread is to inquire if others have been down this road.

Thanks for reading.

 

[lug]

Not been in your situation but just remember that when times change you can always buy another one for about the same cost, 2004 is not particularly rare. If it were a much older/rarer bass, the decision would be much harder.

 

[Haans]

I bought a Sterling Ray34 and then got the real thing a bit later. I ended up selling the Music Man and keeping the Sterling because it sounded just as good and was actually much more stable than the MM. No regrets. I'm sure you can find a Squier that plays as good as your Fender, though it may not be the first one you pick up. A decent instrument can be upgraded with a better pickup if and when you can afford it.

 

[DanBass]

Not been in your situation but just remember that when times change you can always buy another one for about the same cost, 2004 is not particularly rare. If it were a much older/rarer bass, the decision would be much harder.

Good point, thank you. Something to keep in mind for sure.. the anxiety and stress I feel daily would be alleviated a bit... When the ship is "righted" it or something of similar caliber can be certainly acquired again.

 

[DanBass]

I bought a Sterling Ray34 and then got the real thing a bit later. I ended up selling the Music Man and keeping the Sterling because it sounded just as good and was actually much more stable than the MM. No regrets. I'm sure you can find a Squier that plays as good as your Fender, though it may not be the first one you pick up. A decent instrument can be upgraded with a better pickup if and when you can afford it.

 

[DanBass]

I bought a Sterling Ray34 and then got the real thing a bit later. I ended up selling the Music Man and keeping the Sterling because it sounded just as good and was actually much more stable than the MM. No regrets. I'm sure you can find a Squier that plays as good as your Fender, though it may not be the first one you pick up. A decent instrument can be upgraded with a better pickup if and when you can afford it.

I definitely need to rid myself of the mindset that I am doing myself a disservice as a player (or lack thereof these days lol) by making this move. You are spot on with upgrades when I am able.. these are done at my leisure / ability and can elevate a bass considerably. Thanks for taking a moment.

 

[sleddogn]

I currently have a 4003s, new gibby sg bass, 2 sereks, love them all for different reasons. I just bought a new squier mustang cv 60's. Put hipshot tuners, curtis novak fat pickup, cts pots, switchcraft jack, and now i haven't pickup up those others since....hmmm

 

[JRA]

it is not so terrible to me to play something "cheaper"......my reason behind this thread is to inquire if others have been down this road.

i tossed an expensive, custom, luthier-made ax and replaced it with several parts axes: they're cheaper, lighter, better, and i have more fun with them.

but it's an issue if you'd consider 'moving on' to be a "downgrade." there are so many great options these days for players. my advice: play some axes, see what you like --- and don't be surprised when you find something you like better than your P-bass --- for less money!

and check out this 'sister' thread: I think I committed a Talkbass sin,

good luck with your self-consciousness! and with your current situation...this too shall pass!

 

[etoncrow]

Bought an Allparts Jazz unlined fretless neck, Hipshot tuners, Warmoth P ash body finished with Tru-Oil, Bill Wilde P-46 pups (less than $100), Fender bridge and ashtray cover. It was inexpensive, plays well and sounds as good any American Fender P I've ever encountered. Just a thought.

 

[perfektspace6]

I would ask yourself whether the money from the sale of the bass will make an appreciable difference financially. If it does, then the argument to sell is strong. For example, you can cover a costly auto repair for a vehicle that you need to get to work. If the sale income isn't going to change anything, like it goes toward a 100k debt that will become a 98k debt, then maybe keep the bass and look at other solutions.

Money stress is the worst and I wish you the best.

 

[lfmn16]

You have to make the decision whether or not the amount you would be able to pocket is worth it.

I've played less expensive basses, a CIJ Geddy Lee and a G&L L1500 that I picked up for $500. I love high end basses, but I also recognize that a good bass is a good bass.

 

[dalkowski]

Sell if you need the money. Who knows, you may find yourself as happy as a clam with a Squier CV P.

 

[MultiScaleMale]

By the time you pay for listing fees, transaction fees, shipping and such you probably won't have as much as you think to repurchase another bass and have money left over. Put the original pickup back in and sell the upgraded pickup separately. Replacement pickups usually offer little to negative resale value.

 

[2strings2frets]

Basses are like golf clubs in that it helps to be happy with the way they look as well as how they sound. I have an Ibanez that is easy to play and sounds good but I don't like the color so it spends a lot of time in the gig bag without being played. I also have a SUB which is a go to because it sounds and looks at least as good as my more costly instruments. The question is will the sale make a real financial difference and are you going to be happy playing a lower cost axe? Only you can decide. All the best.

 

[dbsfgyd1]

Been contemplating this for a few weeks.. and while hard, it makes sense, at least to me.

I think.

So honestly, I have not been playing any where near as much as I had been. This is for a myriad of reasons. And I am kinda ok with that at this point of the journey.

I have a 2004 USA Fender P that I love, but given my lack of playing and the fact that I could use the money, (wife out of work, car issues, other general crap) I am toying with the idea of selling it and getting something of lesser value. These lesser-value basses, are not all that shabby these days. I am in one band, nothing crazy, certainly not professional (although I have pride and sound is important obviously lol)... that said, it is not so terrible to me to play something "cheaper".

Bigger picture I guess.

Do I want to keep it? Sure. It is a really nice bass that I've had for a considerable amount of time, holds it's valve, or even increases from what I am seeing.. Upgraded pickups, originals still retained.. It's well cared for and loved, but sometimes, life says "um, other plans pal.."

I guess my reason behind this thread is to inquire if others have been down this road.

Thanks for reading.

Sorry for you situation. It's tough spot to be in. I have sold instruments for the sole purpose of taking care of other obligation and responsibilities, but have been able to get the tools I needed down the road. Case in point, I had a Rick 4001 that was sold shortly after I bought MIM JB subsequently modding the pickups which it made it eminently usable. Light, played well, and had a great sound. No, it didn't have the spit and polish of the Rick, but it was one heck of an instrument. My son still has it and uses it often.

So keep the faith. Take care of your family. There will be other basses. Take care.

 

[Ben Esparza]

I bought an '89 MMSR from a person on another, now defunct bass player discussion board who ran into some hard times and lost his job. It was a sweet bass that played like a dream, had a beautiful bird's-eye maple neck and fingerboard, translucent red finish, sounded beautiful, and was lightweight. I loved playing that bass and considered myself very lucky to have it.

Fast forward a couple of months later. He posted having found a new job, his situation was improved and the new job paid better than the one he lost a few months prior. Knowing the reason he sold it in the first place, I contacted him offline, congratulated him on the improvement of his situation, and offered him to buy the bass back for what I bought it for. He was elated at the offer and jumped on it. While I knew I would regret losing that bass, I knew it was the right thing to do given his initial circumstances.

Not bragging...just know that circumstances change usually when you least expect it. Hang tough for a little longer. I had a situation a little over a decade ago that devastated me, temporarily. I soon learned that rejection usually leads to redirection. I'm hoping that simple act of generosity will get me into heaven!

 

[JW56789]

I've told this story previously, but here you go, as this is pertinent:

I owned a pair of Alembic fives, a Spoiler Five in a Series shape, which I updated with Alembic FatBoys from the original AXY pickups. I later had a custom Elan Five built, with Alembic's PJ Activators and Signature electronics. Utterly King of the Hill, monstrously fabulous and wonderful instruments.

My wife had to have spinal fusion surgery in an attempt to cure her long-running back trouble and pain. It didn't go well or as hoped. She had to stop working. So we had a sudden drop in income, and after it was said and done, I sold both Alembics. Kept us going for about 6 months till we could get re-arranged financially, and I basically played them for free. No complaints.

I was faced with the choice of holding on to them and getting behind on bills, the phone ringing, all that, or selling them and keeping us easily solvent and providing for my wife. That was a no-brainer to me, she comes first, and I've never looked back, as I didn't want to keep them and have to look at myself in the mirror. There's literally thousands of basses I can buy later, but no place to get another her. Done deal.

So then, for the first time since the 70's, not a single axe here in the house. On a whim, I bought a Squier James Johnston Jazz, as I was a sucker for that matching Lake Placid Blue color scheme, and I got to customize it a little, which was the original intent. It NEEDED nothing, but I wanted to personalize it a little, and I really enjoy it.

I'd played fives exclusively since the late 80's, so I later bought a Squier Precision Five, and after that, the Contemporary Active Jazz Five. So I'm in all three of them for a little over a grand, and I utterly enjoy the hell out of them.

So, I went from Alembics to Squiers. I can tell you . . .

They are remarkable values for the money, and in light of how things had gone for me, I'm very fortunate as my 'mad money' budget shrank considerably. For the money, they're well built, need nothing really to be ready to gig with, sound fine, stay in tune, hold a setup, just no problems at all.

But the real revelation is that I sound like me on both. Granted, a better me on the Alembics, but I still sound like me on the Squiers, so it has been a BIG eye-opener in terms of what I used to think was important.

Could I buy 'better' basses? Sure. I can see where they saved money on these, but it doesn't really drag them down at all, or dent my ego that I'm playing 'cheap' basses. If anything, I probably enjoy the Squiers a little more than the Alembics as I was always scared of bumping into something with one, etc. It was like going from a tailor-made suit to my favorite faded Wranglers.

But I'd dare say it depends on the person. I was more than willing to realize where I was at, and with as good as 'cheap' basses have become, I'm very happy with them. I'd suspect not everyone here would be willing to jump as far as I did, and that's fine. To me, the playing was way more important than the name on the headstock.

And who knows, maybe I'll have another Alembic one day, but if I don't, you know, that's OK too. But I do know I'm gonna buy more Squiers, I have a ball with them, and that's what matters to me.

 

[BassNugget]

Yep. For a bunch of things. For bass, I let go a bunch of nice basses (Moon, MTD, Bacchus, etc) for a Sterling by Music Man SUB 5. But, I still have my USA MM Stingray for 4 string. I just don't play professionally anymore. Good enough is good enough. Plus, I am not worried about a $2500.00 bass getting wrecked at a jam.

Downgraded from a Baldwin grand piano to a Yamaha digital grand. Lots more space now and never needs tuning (but I do miss a real acoustic...but I have a kid....and space is a necessity)

I ditched a Mercedes Benz AMG for a Mazda family sedan and SUV. Never been happier. No more worry about low profile tire bubbles, wrecked rims, $200.00 oil changes, and $2,000.00 paint chips when the soccer mom on the phone with three kids hits your car with her door at Starbucks (true story). Plus, 4 cylinders is kinder on my wallet for my hour-plus commute.

I sold all my nice trumpet gear (Callichio, Schilke, Phaeton, and Bach) and downgraded (sort of) to an Olds Ambassador Bb...a student horn that can hold its own with pro horns. Since I sustained some nasty, work related injuries to my face, I can barely play anymore.

Although I have some nice watches, I no longer go after Rolex, Panerai, Breitling. I wear Longines and Hamilton, or some unknown brands from China. I don't miss the Rollie. No one cares about these things like they used to. It's a liability rather than a luxury.

I also downgraded my stereo system. I went from high dollar Acurus, Arcam, Alon, B&W, Elac, and Conrad Johnson stuff to a pair of Bose 901s, a Crown amp and a mixer. Why? #1, I have an inquisitive kid (sticks fingers and crayons) into everything. #2, I no longer listen to music as I used to. I used to sit and listen critically. Now, I'm doing other things around the house and the music is background, at best. Plus, the system can now function as a PA when needed or a monitor system for jams. Everyone just plugs into the mixer.

I kind of enjoy simplifying as I get older and my priorities change. Good luck on your journey.

 

[Bill Murray]

I haven't been in your exact position but I have definitely sold more expensive basses and bought less expensive ones as a result of the sale. With a P-bass it's pretty hard to mess up, it's a simple design and today's machine work and QC have come a long ways.

Best advice I can offer is test drive a few and find one that you dig. Put down a deposit and then sell your bass. Otherwise you could end up chasing a bass that you already owned.

 

[buldog5151bass]

How much money are you really going to net after selling and buying? Upgrades seldom get you more. You might get $900 for your bass. If you have more than one, put everything up for sale until you are down to one.