Do I Deserve a Boutique Bass?

[jfh2424]

Is the bass worth the amount of time you put into amassing those thousands of dollars? To answer this, you have to divide the bass’ cost by your hourly wage.

Would you get more pleasure from those thousands of dollars if you spent them on something else? Or saved your money?

Those are the real questions, I think. If you really know how to value the work you put into your job vs the joy you get from instrument ownership/music playing, you will know the answer.

And the answer is different for all of us. But the questions are worth asking and thinking about.

 

[punchdrunk]

Deserve? Probably not... Entitled to purchase one? Certainly. Get the bass you want if you are in a position to do so.

 

[chris_b]

Forget the "boutique" label and always buy the bass that inspires you to became a better player. Any bass that can do that is worth owning.

 

[ModuMan]

My only real confidence stems from the fact that other people want me to play for them.

What's better than that?

Buy the bass.

 

[MotorCityMinion]

Deserve's got nothing to do with it.

 

[el murdoque]

I have studied the law and did not find the passage where it states that the cost of gear has to correlate with the ability of the player.

I'm glad I did not find any mention of this, because I do own some gear that is worthy of worldclass players and the last time I checked, I was not in the top 100 (not even the top 1000).

If you're a mediocre player and a pro (as in you're making a living playing bass), you don't have to worry. You won't be able to afford boutique gear.

If you're a mediocre player and a hobbyist, you don't have to worry. You're doing it for your own enjoyment and if you enjoy it more with a boutique bass, go for it.

 

[Katoosie]

If you can afford it and it will inspire you and make you happy, go for it!

 

[lug]

Collectively, the more basses we buy, the more employment there is for bass makers. the more employment, the healthier the tax base is. The healthier the tax base, the better the government can afford to feed the hungry. In essence, buying that bass is your way of feeding hungry poor children. You'd be a monster NOT to get it!

 

[equill]

Take a look at the Official Crappy Bassist with Expensive Gear Club, and stop worrying

 

[chadds]

Sometimes a boutique instrument will be hard to replace a non boutique instrument. It just depends on how you feel for the instrument, sometimes low quality can outclass the high end instruments and I’ve heard it many times throughout players I’ve met in college and out in the gigging world!

Also, deserve?! Comes off a bit self entitled to put it bluntly..

“Deserve” is more of a Puritan ethic. It continues into death because you many never “deserve” anything. It’s a loop. The ability to deny desires is a strength but denying desires is useless. The exercise is the thing.
I had an employee who liked running. She wouldn’t buy running shoes because she said that the purchase would take from someone else. Her belief negated that her purchase employed numerous people.

So get what you want. A well made instrument exposes technique issues. It improves your ear and touch. Justification enough? This is a world where we pay too much attention to what other’s think. Let it go.

 

[Marc DLarosa]

Collectively, the more basses we buy, the more employment there is for bass makers. the more employment, the healthier the tax base is. The healthier the tax base, the better the government can afford to feed the hungry. In essence, buying that bass is your way of feeding hungry poor children. You'd be a monster NOT to get it!

You're making me hungry...

 

[bearhart74]

I am the ultimate judge so if your asking me if you deserve it I say no.. You don't practice enough. You don't know all your scales, modes and arpeggios in every key. You can't double thumb like Vic, play harmonics like Jaco, play in a trio like Anthony Jackson, improvise on the fly like Tim Lefevbre or play as fast as Billy Sheehan. Once you get to those standards and can shred Elgar Cello Concerto from memory only then can i give permission for the purchase.

 

[Oddly]

I'm a bit surprised nobody's raised the big question here about whether you deserve a decent bass.
Are you a Patriots fan?

 

[Raoul_Duke]

It’s not a meritocracy. Play what you can afford and enjoy.

 

[godofthunder59]

Life is short buy the bass. As long as you don't have other financial responsibilities I say go for it.

 

[75Ric]

I bought a Lull pbass this past year. This was my first (and only) boutique bass, which I got used but in pristine condition. When I got it, my two thoughts were, "Wow! What a beautiful instrument" and "This is a better instrument than I am a player." Both were true. While I've been playing for a while, getting this bass motivated me to finally take the lessons I've long put off. I found a great teacher via Zoom and have been improving my playing ever since. And, with a great bass, I enjoy playing more than ever. So if you can afford it, get it. Buying used let me get a great bass for about the same cost as a new high-end Fender (non-custom shop). For me, it made total sense.

 

[Durham52]

Collectively, the more basses we buy, the more employment there is for bass makers. the more employment, the healthier the tax base is. The healthier the tax base, the better the government can afford to feed the hungry. In essence, buying that bass is your way of feeding hungry poor children. You'd be a monster NOT to get it!

Oh, if only that was how most governments operate.....

 

[4dog]

If you have to ask us, then you don't.

But, if it makes you happy, you don't have to ask us.

i was just gonna say this almost verbatim..glad i read the replies.

 

[Durham52]

Where did this "deserve" idea come from? This is the second such post I've noticed in a couple of weeks.

What, is it like if you've got a record deal, or have got your Berkley diploma, now you are allowed an up to $5,000 bass. Have two sell out major tours under your belt, or get a million followers on youtube and you can upgrade to a $10,000 bass. But only play in a local covers band and it's a Mexican Fender for you, max.

If you want it and can afford it, get it. Maybe just be realistic about the why you want it part?

 

[REV]

If you can't hear a difference stop spending money.