For those with high end basses/gear

[B-line]

This is totally off-topic, B-line, but I love your avatar pic! Great-looking bass. I was at the ophthalmologist today for an annual checkup wherein they dilate my pupils. Not sure if it has anything to do with that, but the bass in your avatar has almost a 3-D look to it!!

As for the actual thread topic, I had a decent job, but I'm now retired. But over the years, I accumulated and sold a lot of basses. Most of mine were not high-dollar items (ie., Foderas; Roscoes; etc.), but I have had a whole lot of American Fenders, a few Rics, a few 'Rays, etc. I've also always had pretty nice rigs. But I started out modestly, and built up a nice collection over the years. A gradual thing, and it never took food off the family table...

Wow. Thanks!
Hope all went well at the Eye Doc. I just had some eye issues my own self, but anyway.....

The 3-D effect, if not from your pupils, may be the finish. It's a half-nitro/half-urethane Blue Sparkle Metallic, and the gold p/g kinda deepens things.
Bigger pic:

Still 3-D?

From Japan, it's built by TRUTH, Model T4-004 from master builder Norifumi Fukuhara straight outta Aichi Prefecture.

Truth TO4-004 - Truth Electric Guitar
Link Removed

The hottest pups I've ever heard w/coil split for each pickup X2!!
The rest is 3-band eq w/ master volume and standard V-V-T. Pretty amazing & unique build, also in a J-Style as well.

Enough hijack
(great range of tones too!)

 

[Lesgo]

One of my friends is a professional photographer. Another is a scuba instructor. Compared to those, our gear is relatively inexpensive.

It's amazing what some of my buddies spend on hunting gear and golf.

 

[FirewalZ]

Not reading through all 5 pages, but i'm sure like what most have said......A good passive Fender and a solid amp is all I need to get "My Sound", I have a decent paying day job and save up gig money to use for gear and such. I could afford more expensive stuff, but I simply don't need it to get the sound i'm after.

 

[Plutonium244]

When I realized I had the means, and I hadn't acquired a new bass in 25 years, and hadn't bought an amp/cab in 10 years, (married 10 yrs at that point and w/ a 5 and 3 yr old, about 5 years ago) and I decided it was probably time. My Smith, G&L, and SWR gear had lasted a long time, and helped me earn a fair amount of money. Once I gave up the touring thing about 10 years ago for a permanent home, local gigs, and day job, I didn't need to walk that edge so much. As-is, it's gig money that buys the gear because I don't have to pay the mortgage with it.

 

[Coolhandjjl]

You never knew anybody with a boat?

 

[bucephylus]

Uh huh. So, at this point, I've paid for four college educations, a house, and four weddings; and I don't feel it necessary to explain myself to anyone.

But, I will offer this perspective. Music is entertainment. The entertainment world has an income structure that is a pyramid; where those tiny fraction at the peak make ridiculous amounts of money, while many of those in the income bracket just below that are barely putting food on the table, even though they may be just as talented or even more talented. Think carefully about that opportunity structure when considering music as a primary profession.

There are other professions, such as engineering or health care, which will provide a more accessible income structure. With education and hard work.

Also, playing as a dedicated semi-pro, meaning that I play for pay which is not my primary income, for, oh, 47 years still provides a fair degree of experience to draw from; even if I'm not a "pro."

Life happens in shades, not black and white.

 

[Jonithen]

I have spent far, far less on my really nice ones than I ever spent churning through lower cost instruments chasing something I never found.

I have a pretty decent paying day job, I'm kind of dumb with money and could stand to part with about half of my instruments. I'd love to play out, but I'm not holding my breath on finding competent cool people to jam with. In the meanwhile, what the hell. I get more enjoyment out of holding the instruments than I would looking at a few more shares bouncing up and down on the 401(k).

 

[GreyBeard]

My problem is that I like cameras and motorcycles too. Compared to photography, bass guitars and amps are very reasonable.

 

[eigentone]

I just have a high paying job. I don't write songs or entertain as part of that job, but my background in music and audio recording has certainly helped me in my career working in this field. I'm a software engineer. I've spent a fair amount of time writing audio and music software over the years. I haven't spent every year there simply because I like to branch out sometimes …and the noncompete agreements in the US are just

I did the band and studio scene for over a decade. Hours at the studio are long. Hours programming are often longer but they pay much better. I'm glad I found something I like which I'm good at. Looks like studying music and recording paid off after all

And, uh, no kids.

 

[Groove Doctor]

• High paying non-music professional

• Save up for a long time

• Slush fund of music related income separate from wife's (this is me)

• Make it a priority.

• Shop for used bargains (esp boutique).

• Trade up. Buy bargain & flip for $$ profit.

• Don't drink (too much), don't smoke, don't gamble, don't do drugs.

• Don't buy coffees, don't pay full price for clothes/essentials, don't waste groceries, don't overeat, don't buy new cars (depreciation is a killer).

Basically, be smart with your money & you'll be healthier, slimmer, richer & hopefully happier.

 

[Groove Doctor]

You never knew anybody with a boat?

The two happiest days for a boat owner are when you BUY a boat and when you SELL the darned thing.

I have spent far, far less on my really nice ones than I ever spent churning through lower cost instruments chasing something I never found

I wish everyone could discover this too!

My problem is that I like cameras and motorcycles too. Compared to photography, bass guitars and amps are very reasonable.

A friend is shopping for a new $9,000 Lens for her photography business.

 

[bassman10096]

I think you're going to find:

• High paying non-music profession

to be the most common answer. Not even high paying really...just making a decent middle class living affords sufficient disposable income for a $3k instrument. This is not particularity expensive and compares with what people commonly invest in motorcycles, golf, shooting sports, cycling, etc...

Edited to add that the fact that a run of the mill corporate job pays more than the average music career is what keeps most of us in the weekend warrior ranks.

Fits me...and I don't play golf.

 

[chris_b]

Most of my gear was owned by someone else first! That's the only way I can afford the gear I prefer.

 

[Grylls]

I'm in the "save up for a long time" club. A person in my income bracket has no business owing the axes I have.

 

[Smelly]

Sellin thangs....*que curtis mayfield*

 

[matthewbrown]

Speaking only for myself, i make enough as a semi-pro to cover the costs of my equipment. My musical "career" now is essentially a hobby that pays for itself. Way cheaper than golf, although since I play mainly jazz, not much of a topic for conversation. It's not like most people really care what type of instruments I play, or that I economize on cars so I afford to buy them.

 

[83_Silberpfeil]

I'm sure these Beat Farmers are with fine high end instruments play out to make their living...

The fancy houses around me are mostly owned by wealthy beet farmers.

 

[Clef_de_fa]

However, both Victor Wooten and Ryan Martinie used the instruments they had before they were "famous" and stuck with them. There are other guys in bands that are only famous within their genres that have some pretty expensive basses. Since a lot of these guys, like the deep bench of tech death metal players Warwick has, may have come from money since they clearly have a deep musical education already.
On the other hand, a guy like Mike Manring could only have his hyperbass with the clout and money being a pro musician offers.

but he doesn't seem to have more than one of those and he is known for his solo act but you never see his name anywhere else. He doesn't seem to do cover, nor play in studio nor replace the bass player that couldn't make it for big act.

 

[Got2SadowskyNYC]

The following is not me bragging. It's just a glimpse at how I have what I have.

I have 2 Sadowsky NYCs I bought from Roger. I also have a powered Bag End 4x10x. I did own 2 Curbow IEP 6 strings that I ordered from Greg. ALL my basses were bought while I was working normal, average paying jobs. In fact, I've never made more than $35,000 a year.

The first Curbow while I was music buyer for a large independent Christian bookstore making $12 an hour. The second while I worked in customer service for EMI. I think I was making $20 - $25,000 a year at the time. My first Sadowsky was bought during this time as well.

The Bag End was bought while I was a working musician. Although I wasn't officially endorsed I did get "artist" pricing on it. This is essentially what a store would pay. (FYI: Sadowsky doesn't offer this. EVERYONE pays. I was on Roger's artist page for a several years and paid the same price anyone else pays.) Another secret very few full time, professional musicians make a lot of money. My best year during this time was about $20,000.

My 2nd Sadowsky was bought just a few years ago. I work a average paying job. I've own a house. I have 2 cars, a pickup (1998 that I bought new) and a 2011 BMW Z4 35is (used, last year, cause I wanted a fun car). I only put emergencies on credit cards. What CC debt I have I'm paying off (I don't pay minimums). Most of this is left over from the "lean years" and from a time I was living on unemployment. Which I did a couple of years.

4 years ago I started recording my own CD. It cost me about $17,000, took 2 years complete and was paid for almost entirely with cash. (I didn't internet beg for it either. This annoys the hell out me.) Although some things were put on a card, they were paid off very quickly. Sold both Curbows to fund the record as well as some lesser gear.

When I've bought gear I've either sold gear or saved up. Generally saved up. I'm very good with money. I waste very little on things I don't need. You'd be surprised who much money you can free up if you trim the fat from your budget and live within your means. (Everyones got fat that can be trimmed. Even me.) For example, I haven't had cable TV in 10 years. I have the small internet package because it's all I need. I'd like a really big HDR 4K TV. I could put it on a card right now, but I won't. I don't smoke and rarely drink. I watch what I eat, especially portion size. It's good for your waist, but just as good for your budget because I'm buying less food.

3 months ago I had laser eye correction. $3800 paid in cash. Saved up for a year.

I guess the best category I'd fit in is "saved up for a long time", but this isn't really true. I've saved, but only a year or so. I sacrifice less important or temporary things for things I REALLY want.

 

[jalapejoe]

Zzounds is great for middle class who want to pay gear off fast, larger payments with low limit keep a guy out of debt trouble.