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do you think 2000 is alot for a bass?

#41
It really depends on knowing exactly what you want, and whether that can be had at a lower price point, and not least if you'll really be happy without that $2000 item.

If it's just a substitute for the thing you truly desire, you'll just be wasting your money taking an intermediate step.
Better then to just save and get what you really want when you can.

If you're lusting after something unique, then only that will really do.
If it's just a really nice Jazz or P you want, then that can be dealt with at a lower cost with just as good results.

I've spent $2000 (considering all the incidental expenses) on a new 4003 almost two years ago and have no regrets. I have three vintage Ricks, but have wanted a new one for years.
I'd do over it again, no hesitation, even if I knew that waiting another year and a half for the MF sale would save me a lot of money.
The money's spent, it doesn't matter now.
 
#42
I have/have had a lot of basses over the last 35 years. I've never felt the need to spend that much even though it wouldn't really hurt me financially. I just can't justify it when there are so many excellent sub-$1k basses available, particularly used. Heck, I think my new Squier Jag SS ($145 Christmas present) is a wonderful instrument. No snob appeal or collectability factor but that doesn't keep it from being a joy to play.

YMMV.
 
#43
For some people, yes. For some people, no. For some basses, yes. For some basses, no.

At 17, unless your parents are rich and don't mind spoiling you, I'd say $2,000 is a bit much. You can get perfectly nice basses for under $1,000, and good, playable basses for under $500.

Basses at $2,000 and up start to return less bang for the buck. A $5,000 F Bass doesn't play or sound ten times better than a $500 Fender. Not even twice as good. Expensive basses are more for ego massage than better performance. (Take this from someone who owns a lot of very expensive basses.) I own several Fenders that were under $1,000, and they still see plenty of gig time.

Anyway, to me, the expensive basses are "worth it." But I acquired them at a time when I had sufficient income to buy them with no effect on meeting the needs of my family. If the sacrifices you have to make to buy an expensive bass affect others in a negative way, then you really shouldn't spend that much.
 
#45
It's all relative.

It depends on the bass. Would I spend $2000 on a bass? Yes, and I have. Would I spend that if I was 17 years old and had very limited income? Probably not, but I wouldn't frown upon somebody who did if that's what they really wanted.

Like many have said, you can get a lot of good stuff and the $600 - $1300 range can get you a lot of value for the money, especially if you look for something used.
 
#46
bolophonic said:
Very true. I would not advise the OP to spend $2,000 on a bass. I have been playing for 25 years and I have never spent that much on an instrument.
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+1. TB has many that spend money on instruments like its a bodily function, and plenty that are always saying "I'm broke" when they own 7 of the same exact model of Sadowsky. A lot of people on this forum have dropped so much money on instruments in this forum that it's easy to forget that $2000 is simply a lot of money. Many people take some time to accumulate that much to save, let alone save for an instrument.

Personally, I think it's an investment that you should certainly really want before you purchase. The most I ever spent on a bass is $900.
 
#47
ggvicviper said:
Personally, I think it's an investment that you should certainly really want before you purchase. The most I ever spent on a bass is $900.
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I also have to say that I'm a big believer in bass "value" finding a maximum around $1000. I only have one bass that I paid more than that for. Most are below $1000 and sometimes well below. For example my six SX basses cost about a grand total. Think of it as ONE bass: Fretted, fretless, 5 string, 6 string! Hows that for some "range" out of "a" bass? :) Typical killer value: My Carvin AC50 semihollow acoustic was about a grand. The recent used GNL L-2500 was $900 (plus shipping etc.) And so on.

The $2000 bass? Well it's my 6 string, blank plank, fretless Alembic Epic. What can I say? I was in LOVE! I bought it new. And it's been a great investment not only as an instrument but by the fact that even used it's still worth what I paid! So you can consider the "investment" aspect. But let's face it. This is NOT about investing. It's about LOVE! Once you get over a grand for a bass, I think it always has to be about love. Why do people drop $250,000 on some paint on canvas by some guy? Sure, there may be an investment side, but that's not really it. If I spent $8000 on a Ritter, it's not gonna be because I think it will sound 8 times better than my GNL. It won't. It's just like the painting. It's that the artist is saying something to me. And that is what makes it worth the money TO ME! To you, that may or may not be true. And I think that is the important point as you go above the price where the instrument tops out and the "art" takes over.

As for the musical side of a bass, I've said this before: Tone is where you find it! You might find it with some expensive Fodera or with a $20 garage sale find. EITHER may be capable making a hit recording. Musically it's all about your ear and your imagination.
 
#48
I was in the OPs shoes, I saw a bass online and basically said "I need to have that bass" and was crushed to see the 2000GBP ($3200CDN) price tag. But It started to drive me to work a few (or more than just a few) extra hours at work. Because of this drive, I ended up getting a raise, and now, about 8 months after I first saw it, My dream bass is being made to my specifications as we speak, while I remain financially comfortable.

So basically, if this truly is your dream bass, let it be a driving force in improving your financial situation to one where its practical.
 
#49
Ive been playing for almost 20 years, $2000 is a lot of money for a block of wood. Theres some real nice instruments out there and I understand why some are so expensive but I would never spend that much. $1000 is my limit and I find it hard to spend that much. I would never buy new either.
 
#50
Of course $2,000 is a lot of money to spend on a bass, unless you have no concept of the value of a dollar. In my world, two large is a lot of money, period.

Should you spend $2,000 on a bass? Only you can answer that question. I never have, and for me to even fathom the idea, it better be a damn good bass built exactly to my specs.

I agree with others who've said $1,000 can buy a really nice bass.
 
#52
steamthief said:
Of course $2,000 is a lot of money to spend on a bass, unless you have no concept of the value of a dollar. In my world, two large is a lot of money, period.

Should you spend $2,000 on a bass? Only you can answer that question. I never have, and for me to even fathom the idea, it better be a damn good bass built exactly to my specs.

I agree with others who've said $1,000 can buy a really nice bass.
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Yes. I'm not saying you shouldn't. I'm just saying it is a lot of money period, and you should really want it before you plop the cash. Many here drop crazy money on expensive gear without thinking, and act like it's nothing. I've seen people that always GAS over stuff, have $25,000 of gear, and complain they are broke.

With the current state of the US economy and living costs of New York, I'm lucky that I can afford to save over $1000 a month. I get my bouts of GAS (see my past & current gear list), but my savings are going towards my future, and I either manage to keep a lid on my GAS or balance it out.
 

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