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do you think 2000 is alot for a bass?

#21
It is a lot of money, but I'd rather have one $2000 bass that I treasure and keep forever than four $500 basses that are simply a wardrobe extension or a symptom of GAS.

Don't get me wrong. There are some great $500 basses to be had. All I'm saying is that I prefer to save up and get what I really want instead of buying something based on price.

Now, if you don't have a bass, then any bass will do. If you have a bass, but it sucks, then any good bass will do. If you have a good bass, then the next one should be one you are absolutely passionate about. That's when spending $2000 makes sense if it happens to be the price of a bass that you know in your heart must be yours someday. (obviously I'm leaving out the case for a good backup bass, but you get the point.)
 
#22
Try looking at it the same way you look at other major purchases - as a % of annual income. So if your question is, is 5% of my annual income too much to pay for a bass I'd say depending on all your other expenses it sounds about what I'd expect the upper end to be. To me 5% is kind of the "hobby" range, if bass playing isn't a hobby but instead is your job then you could go to a higher percentage since it's an investment that can help increase income. I have a lot of hobbies (cars, gardening, bass & guitar, guns, photography) and I use this logic with my wife and kids, so far it seems to be working for us.

So if you make $25,000 a year and play bass as a hobby I'd think that about $1200 is the max you should be looking at in bass related purchases a year (assuming you have other expenses in life). If bass playing is your job you could easily double or triple that number. Likewise if you're a student and living at home with a part time job you might be able to tag a number as high as 50% of your left over income after expenses (i.e. car, gas, booze, dates, gaming, concerts, drugs, speeding tickets, etc.) but that's obviously a different lifestyle than most folks have (hopefully).
 
#23
Back when I first started playing, I couldn't figure out how anyone would ever pay more than $1,000.00 for a bass but then just shy of 2 years ago I got my Music Man basses and now it all makes sense as to why someone would. I have probably invested more into Music Man over the last 20 months than I have any other brand over my 25 years of playing combined. I now own 5 of their basses and want more. I am blown away by so many things they offer. The craftsmanship, the tone, the feel and how the company constantly pushes the envelope to not just put the same stuff out over and over again. I know others put out higher end stuff too that is good but after playing my Music Man basses, I can now very easily see how a person can pay around $2,000.00 for a bass. Some of them are simply worth it.
 
#25
I never look at the price tags until I'm done trying it out. Psychologically it adds a lot of factors of subconscious association with the negativity of a higher price, and it can work equally oppositely.

I'd recommend you try a slew of basses that appeal to you. You'll play it, it'll feel right, if you want it bad enough you'll get it.

In 8th grade I layed down $1500 of my own for the bass I now have. I don't regret a penny. You better believe that every bit of that $1500 came from hard work and mowing a slew of lawns on a regular basis. My MIM Fender Jazz didn't allow me to express myself even after I modded everything up. That bass I bought 5 years ago in 8th grade is still with me and based on that feeling that I had when I played it, it hasn't faded a bit. It surprises me every day and gives me great joy to have stumbled upon it.

I'm 17 too. If you like it enough, you'll get it. No matter what anyone says. If you're in love with a Squier, own it proudly, and don't take s#!t from anyone.

Best regards,

Brooks
 
#26
I just turned 18 and bought my first expensive bass - A Spector Euro 5LX. This was a bass that I dreamt of owning when I began playing (actually in the exact colour I have) and I finally had the funds to do it, so I spent the money. It was a lot of money to spend at once, and it took a while to pay it off, but it was SO worth it. I simply LOVE this bass, and I plan on buying another one eventually when I have the cash. If you can swing it, do it, ever since I got my Spector I've noticed that I've been playing a lot more then I used to, and I overall enjoy playing a lot more now that I have a quality instrument in my hands.
 
#28
maiden1717 said:
Thanks man for the info. Im 17 so its really hard to come up with cash like that. lol But like you say its worth it.
Click to expand...

I'm also 17,and in the process of saving up roughly 2 grand for a bass.Things are looking promising for my band,and I intend to study music at uni,whilst teaching a bit of bass as well.So considering most of my life will revolve around bass playing,I think I can justify dropping the cash on something really nice.
What are you trying to save up for?
 
#31
A lot? Absolutely. An inconceivable amount to spend? Not at all.

But, it's most definitely not a smart idea to drop that kind of cash unless you are sure you need to. My current numero uno cost me $2500. It was the most I ever paid for a bass and I was willing to drop that kind of dough because the bass has small but important (to me) details and features that I couldn't find at a lower price point. Even before getting this bass I had played TONS and I urge you to do the same if you can.
 
#36
Be sure that you have used it and have fell in love with the bass, or else don't buy it. My bass is 300$we online price is 400) and I've played much more expensive basses (jbasses, passes, scheters, gretches,etc.) and I love my bass more than any one of them. What would be really fun, would be to create your own bass. I'm not a luthier, so I don't know how much that costs.
 
#37
LarryO said:
is $20,000 too much for a car? $10,000 too much for a boat?$250,000 too much for a house? $3.45/gal too much for gas?...........life
Click to expand...

Try £1.35 a LITRE (liter) here....that is too much!

I dont think 2k is too much, but for me it would depend on what your getting. I wouldnt spend that much on something that is heavily mass produced/automated, though you would probably need a little more than 2K for a custom.
 
#38
I'm 40 years old, and $2000 is still a lot for me to drop on a bass. I've done it on a few occasions, but I still have to save up and be patient. But it's so worth it when you finally get your hands on that bass that has been causing you sleepless nights.

That said, I agree that you can get a top-notch bass for around a grand. Don't be afraid to buy used... that's where the deals are at.
 
#39
My auto mechanic has over $35K invested in tools.

If you think of your bass as the most important tool of your trade, then no, $2000 isn't a lot.

If you're just sitting in your bedroom thumping along to CDs, it might be a little frivolous.
 

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