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Double Bass How did you afford your bass? (DB forum thread)

#41
I borrowed the money for my first real bass from my in-laws, who let me pay it back monthly. After that, I saved until there was money for the one I have now. I've upgraded my backup bass twice by selling the old one and adding $1000 to the amount the old one sold for (usually exactly what I paid for it) to afford the upgrades.
 
#42
I'm somewhat ashamed to say I finished my degree without ever buying a bass. The school had a nice Pollman and a nice Juzek and there was just no way for me to afford a better bass than what I had at my disposal.

My current bass isn't much but it took me a long time to save for it. The girlfriend and I moved to Louisville after college so she could attend law school so it was just me working for a few years. I don't make very much money so it took me about a year to save up enough to get a bass.
 
#44
I saved for a long time, had about 10g lined up for my dream bass and spent on my dog who got sick and needed to be hospitalized for a week. It's funny the way things turn out. The hospital wanted half upfront or they wouldn't treat her. If I hadn't saved 10g she wouldn't be here today.

Then it occurred to me that it might take me 5 years to save for an other bass. What is five years with a nice bass worth? The way I saw it taking a chance with 0% introductory rates was certainly worth it to me.
 
#48
It seems to get an affordable bass to start works and continue to upgrade as you need (bring some cash to the table as well). Borrowing is good if you are disciplined to pay it back.

Plus, for myself it is spending money on the things that you really want that will pay off in the long run. A bass is a great investment even for an amateur like myself b/c it will retain it's value, I get a paid gig here and there, and the hours playing/practicing I am not wasting money on other things.
 
#50
I played guitar before bass. So switching instruments when I was 13 wasn't too favorable to my parents.
I had to babysit, shovel snow, paper route to get 1/2 the $$$. The parents seen I was trying and matched me.

35 years later and I wish they could still match me :p
 
#57
Want to give my opinion on high-end basses.

1. Have your current bass set up great. New endpin, bridge, even fingerboard. New sound post will make a huge difference if needed.

2. Don't buy a bass on credit card!

3. Carved bass is not necessarily better than plywood. A good German plywood bass from the 60's will probably sound awesome when set up correctly. Just rented one that sounded amazing.
 

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