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How much is too much for you?

#21
My upper limit changes. First, I set the bar relative to the bass that I like. Then, I compare to how much actual money I have saved up. That lowers the bar. Then, I have a pretend conversation in my head with my wife. That lowers the bar even more. Then, I look around for another bass. When I find something in my price range, then, I'll talk to my actual wife about it. The limit could go down further. Very fluid.
But to answer your question, $4,000 is my dream limit. $600 is my reality limit.
 
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#23
My limit new is around $3k USD because in my considerable experience with gear beyond that price point it's cosmetics, prestige, or make-believe "vintage" mojo.

I have basses that cost far more than that new, but I didn't pay anywhere near that much. FWIW, I do gig them regularly and treat them like the tools they are.

Go to any gig you care to, from dive bar to stadium, and the chance of you seeing someone playing a bass costing more than maybe $1500-2000 new is near zero. If they do have a more expensive bass, the chance of you being able to tell in a mix is arguably absolutely zero. (And by "you" I mean the average person, not the average pedantic gear-obsessed argumentative TB'er who spends far more time posting, often from "work", than they'll ever practice or gig).

Also other than multi-platinum selling gear hounds, most of whom can't outplay the average 22-year-old jazz grad on a Squier, the amount of gear owned and its cost is usually inversely proportional to the number of paid gigs.

Do what you want with your money, however it's worth keeping that in mind.
 
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#25
StayLow said:
My limit new is around $3k USD because in my considerable experience with gear beyond that price point it's cosmetics, prestige, or make-believe "vintage" mojo.

Go to any gig you care to, from dive bar to stadium, and the chance of you seeing someone playing a bass costing more than maybe $1500-2000 new is near zero. If they do have a more expensive bass, the chance of you being able to tell in a mix is arguably absolutely zero.

Also other than multi-platinum selling gear hounds, most of whom can't outplay the average 22-year-old jazz grad on a Squier, the amount of gear owned and its cost is usually inversely proportional to the number of paid gigs.

Do what you want with your money, however it's worth keeping that in mind.
Click to expand...

CFDwOZrWMAAAHtA.jpg


They let this n00b play with James Taylor on this bass you can't hear in the mix.
 
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#26
^ Whatever. Troll. As if James Taylor would sell less records or tickets with an unknown kid on a MIM Fender.

In any case, your post does nothing at all to counter what I wrote. If anything, it supports it.
 
#27
StayLow said:
My limit new is around $3k USD because in my considerable experience with gear beyond that price point it's cosmetics, prestige, or make-believe "vintage" mojo.

Go to any gig you care to, from dive bar to stadium, and the chance of you seeing someone playing a bass costing more than maybe $1500-2000 new is near zero. If they do have a more expensive bass, the chance of you being able to tell in a mix is arguably absolutely zero.

Also other than multi-platinum selling gear hounds, most of whom can't outplay the average 22-year-old jazz grad on a Squier, the amount of gear owned and its cost is usually inversely proportional to the number of paid gigs.

Do what you want with your money, however it's worth keeping that in mind.
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BTW, even though I follow this philosophy myself (except for the can't tell in a mix part), it's simply not true that you don't see working bassists playing expensive basses. I see a whole lot of working bass players playing very expensive basses that cost over $2000. I can probably name 10 off the top of my head in a hundred mile radius to me.
 
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#28
StayLow said:
^ Whatever. Troll. As if James Taylor would sell less records with an unknown kid on a MIM Fender.

In any case, your post does nothing at all to counter what I wrote. If anything, it supports it.
Click to expand...

LOL, if you think I'm trolling, please report me to the mods. FWIW, they have some expensive basses and might not share your views.
 
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#30
JimmyM said:
BTW, even though I follow this philosophy myself (except for the can't tell in a mix part), it's simply not true that you don't see working bassists playing expensive basses. I see a whole lot of working bass players playing very expensive basses that cost over $2000. I can probably name 10 off the top of my head in a hundred mile radius to me.
Click to expand...

You're probably correct since I just noticed a new 5-string Stingray is pushing $2k. The spirit of my post stands, and if also depends what genres of music to be fair. The typical pop/rock/metal/etc. shows you're unlikely to see anything very fancy or expensive. Jazz, maybe funk or gospel, and working pros in major cities vs. rural areas, much higher instances. Heck, I'm often one of them. Again the spirit stands though.
 
#31
I start getting itchy at the thought of $2k. $2,500 might be the absolute top. It's gotta be worth it.

I'm currently looking down the barrel of $1,900 and it is giving me pause. If I didn't already have 3 basses I really like, it'd be an easier choice. For the amount I play, adding a 4th at that price just feels uncomfortable.
 
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#32
spade2you said:
LOL, if you think I'm trolling, please report me to the mods. FWIW, they have some expensive basses and might not share your views.
Click to expand...

I couldn't care less if they share my views or what anyone else owns, and I trust the mods don't moderate based on personal biases.

I own and gig several basses costing over $4k, I've played from dive bars to sold-out arenas in the headlining act, and I attend a *LOT* of gigs in almost every genre. I'm sharing my experience, and your post did nothing to refute what I wrote.

Quibble all you want about a few dollars on the price point or exceptions that actually prove rather than disprove what I stated, however the vast majority of pros with more expensive gear, like me, if you ask them will say they'd be just as functional and get the same gigs on a less expensive bass or rig. And it isn't unusual to see the boutique owners eventually return to an off-the-shelf 4-string. I know several who have. Me included on some gigs.

Then there's ones who believe in magic cables, literally, like Victor Wooten. Regardless, he'd sound fantastic on virtually any bass using any cable. Oh, sorry, let me clarify "functional bass with reasonable set-up and using a functional instrument cable".
 
#35
pedroims said:
One day I spent $3,500 in a beatiful Dingwal Super J, I sold it few weeks later because I was not satisfied with the sound, my DJ5 that costed me less than half that price delivers tone in spades :)
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That's funny, there's always chasing for something that happens and I am completely guilty. Had two perfect DJ5's with East pre amps that I stupidly sold. Then went through a half a dozen other things until I circled back to another DJ5 with an East preamp! It's still wonderful. I will say though that the DW Combustion that I have (ye, now with an East preampo...) does make me happy, for now. But, there's always the DJ5 now, in the case, just in case.
 
#38
For me it depends on what my financial status is when and if I want something else. I love Rics and my purchase of my 4003s this past summer was done on 0% credit and a 15% discount coupon. If either one of those factors were missing I would have waited until my on hand cash was in a better position. But realistically I probably wouldn't go above 1500.00. Besides my Ric, I'm quite content with much lower priced instruments. My CV Squier Pbass is amazing and I got it for 200.00. Put about 150.00 in upgrades into it and it's one of my all time favorite players. But for me, who currently isn't playing anywhere but on the couch, that Squier is all I would have needed for this period of time. But you know hanging around on Talkbass, the GAS kicked in and, well you know how that goes!
 
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#39
It depends on the situation, and the bass. Since I'm a lefty, sometimes I've had to pay what most righty's would consider way too much, for something I wanted. But, if the choice is buy that one, or most likely never see another (like my Gretsch)? I just consider it as The Lefty Surcharge, and live with it. After the Fender Rascal bass came out, I really wanted one; it would have filled the solid body short scale spot in my herd nicely; I really like the lipstick p/u tone; and I loved the color. I was perfectly willing to pony up the $10K that Fender's Custom shop told me it might cost - but they couldn't be bothered. So I built a Warmoth instead... Several months ago, Reverb.com had a lefty Rick 4005 factory custom 8-string bass. Very, very rare; pristine condition - and marked down to $16K. I thought about it very seriously (and I had the cash money, too); but decided against it because 1) for me, something that rare is really a museum piece - or close to it; and 2) it was a Fireglo 4005 - and I dislike Fireglo a lot... So, how much is too much for me? $16K, I suppose...:cool:
 

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