My question is for those that started on lower-end basses and eventually made the jump to a more serious instrument (Fodera, Zon, anything in the 4 figure range). If you didn't have that much disposable cash lying round, how did you make the financial commitment to upgrade, and when you did, how did your playing change? What was the experience like for you playing a high-end bass for the first time?
thanks in advance....
basshead5, I really don't know what most of the other members here are talking about. This is the only question I see posted here. I for one would like to offer an apology on behalf of talkbass for their douchebaggery.
I've always lived on an average income and have managed to eventually get a nice collection of basses over the time because of my frugality. I don't ever think I'll be in the tax bracket to purchase a new Fodera, but if I ever manage to "let go" a bass or two I'm sure I could pull it off.
Here's what I usually do.
First, I usually don't even think about buying a bass unless I have at least some disposable income that will pay for a portion of the bass. My first $2000.00+ bass was done mostly in saved gig money. I would take half or more of my gig money and put it in my mattress, coffee can, or what have you. The rest went on a credit card. Now a note on using a credit card before anyone here loses their mind and gives their best lecture on why using a credit card is a bad idea. Remember, I'm "frugal". Simply figure out what the balance is and see if you can swing the payments in as short a period as possible. It's easy to keep yourself out of trouble if you have some discipline. I've always looked at a credit card as more of a convenient "personal loan" and never use it for daily purchases other than the occasion online purchase. Most of the year I have a zero balance on my credit card.
Second bass was more of what John Turner mentioned. It was a semi-custom bass in which I had about 6-8 months before it was finished. I had enough for a down-payment and socked away the rest of the cash before it was done. Mater of fact, the balance, which was the majority of the purchase price went on a credit card simply because it was quicker and convenient. It was paid off quickly because of the money I put aside during the build time.
My last purchase. I used the classifieds here at talkbass and sold off a bunch of stuff I was no longer using, then purchased a very fine used Sadowsky. Only a couple hundred came out of pocket. Whenever money is an issue, there are some great deals in the used market. Selling off surplus, bass equipment or otherwise works out well and I'll bet you'll be surprised on what you may have hanging around.
How did my playing change?
First let me add that the first two basses that I cut my teeth on were of lower quality to what you see in a Fender MIM or Squier of today. Anyone that started playing bass in the late 70's to early 80's I'm sure are familiar with the Japanese copies of Fender instruments. Nuff said.
Looking back, I'm actually a little grateful for starting off on a POS. You do learn to make a bass sound better by technique alone. The good thing is you will bring this lesson over to a better bass. You already have learned to squeeze different tones out of your instrument and you will benefit from this on higher quality bass. Playability, well, that's a major improvement. You can set it up to have buttery low action, if that's what you want. Simply put, it takes less effort to pull off difficult passages. When laying down a simple groove I find I'm able to project a bit more nuance in the bass line that otherwise may have been lost on other basses. Overall, I don't think "my playing" has changed all that much. It's just easier to articulate what you were trying to pull off on a lesser quality instrument.
Happy hunting!
