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

[eheveronsmith]

Wow guys, thanks for all the input!

"Don't do credit card debt" seems to be a very common theme, both from posters on here as well as from family and friends. I'm happy to say that I have none (we use a credit card and pay it off just about monthly).

I'm also happy to say that yes, this family is priority number one for me. And I'm totally content to live with my bass for a while. I'm sure I'll be more than content once I do get it in to the shop and get some nice strings put on it.

It's very inspiring to hear about all of you who saved up for years to be able to afford your basses. At age 27, I suppose I finally am growing in to the foresight that it requires to save like that. Hopefully the baby will help with that foresight too, as well as with me and my wife getting our heads straight on financial priorities.

Really interesting how many people just said "I saved up for a long time to get my bass!" I was expecting more stories of debt or parental help. I guess I know too many young guys with awesome basses. But they're all better bass players than me anyway...

 

[Robin Ruscio]

I lived on the cheap in my mom's basement for a few years after college and saved a ton, and definitely had some small chunks of help from family along the way. My current bass reflects over ten years of trading up and much of my savings, and I've had it for 9. I did borrow a bit from a family member at 0% for a few years as well and never minded writing that check since I loved my instrument so much.

It's definitely relevant whether you're doing this for a living or not, though. I didn't mind spending the money on the bass as it's paying my mortgage now, and having lived with a high quality bass through the growth stages of my career has convinced me it absolutely influenced how things went.