I'm Cheap!

[Dr. Cheese]

For the first time in a long time, I will have enough money to get a fairly high end bass. If it is a good deal, I see me spending over $1,500 cash and maybe a trade. That said, I find myself not wanting to actually spend that sort of money. I like expensive basses, but I have come to really like a lot of basses in the $200-$700 range with $300-$500 as my sweet spot. I also really need an amp and that takes precedence over a backup bass. The only way I can see me getting around $1K would be if I got a Carvin that I wouldn't totally pay for until
June.

The bottom-line is that I just like having money in my pocket or bank account. Between a bass and another $1K in savings, the money just looks sweeter.

 

[TRichardsbass]

No problem. The truth is that the gap between high end production and price point is not what it used to be. A better amp is usually a better buy in the long run, maybe a nice rack mount preamp.

If you are interested in say a MTD Kingston KZ5 I have one I will give you a deal on...

 

[Bassquest]

I like money in my pocket too. Last night I played an ibanez GSR200 and Behringer BX600 at a small local blues bar gig and it sounded great. Left my Fenders, GK's at home.

 

[wolfmancharlie]

Dr. Cheese,
You have already told us in your post what you need. Get yourself a good amp.Put the rest in the bank.Save up.Buy a bass

 

[spade2you]

Fine n' dandy, but I still get the impression that you and SteveC are trying too hard to justify stuff.

 

[Shawn Luckman]

Same here now I prefer having money in my pocket against buying high price basses. My MIJ/MIM Precision does it for me now plus I finally got a nice sound with the Ampeg BA115 combo.

 

[pacojas]

invest that cash, Dr. Cheese!

i want some very expensive gear that will have to wait until my money multiplies by itself. i recently put $1550.00 in my stock account. as of Friday, it is up to $1890. in 3 months. as it nears $3k i will plan my exit.

(of course, due diligence and lots of luck and patience are required)

 

[Relayer71]

That's ok Dr. Cheese, you're not alone. I'm cheap as hell, too. Well, not so much cheap but I sometimes just can't justify to myself an expensive purchase of something that is really just not NEEDED. Having a wife and kids has made that way of thinking much worse for me.

And along with that I have this habit that if for example I have $500 to purchase ONE thing, I end up getting SEVERAL things that total $500 instead. But then days or weeks later I start to feel buyer's remorse and wondering if I should have just spent the money on the one thing I wanted in the first place!!!

In your case I'd probably WANT to spend $1500 on one bass but then end up getting TWO basses, a nice small recording combo, and whatever is left on CDs and then kick myself in the morning

 

[rust_preacher]

I have THOUGHT I have lots to spend, splurged on bass gear, and then, next month had to scramble to pay the bills... It is much better to retain a buffer on your bank account. Wisely done, I would say.

 

[Dr. Cheese]

Fine n' dandy, but I still get the impression that you and SteveC are trying too hard to justify stuff.

My situation is not Steve's. In the past, GAS was an issue for me. In the last few years, the economy and the need to more careful with my money have been bigger issues for me.

The irony is that I have come to truly love a lot of mid priced gear. I've been in the situation of buying that cool bass only to sell it because that money was not as good as I thought it was. I'd rather have a $500 bass than have to sell a $2,000 bass for $1,200. If I actually love the $500 bass, it's even better.

 

[addylewis]

If you need an amp, get a reasonable amp...if you need a bass, get a Fender Jaguar (only about half your budget...) pocket the rest

 

[phatbass]

Hookers 'n' Beer 'n' a Wishbass sounds about right to me...

 

[Darkstrike]

Heh, price has never equaled quality. Sometimes a cheaper piece of gear just fits, or sounds right.

 

[Dr. Cheese]

The bass I am using at the moment is a Peavey TL-5. It was not cheap at all when it was new, but used they can be had for very little. It has killer playability and tone. Heck the treble even works as a tone control when I go passive!

When I can get cheaper basses with features I want, why not just pocket the money?

 

[Dr. Cheese]

I want a light amp because my current combo is about 80 lbs. but my current combo is loud as all get out! I might just leave the old amp at church and get a smaller amp for home.

 

[addylewis]

Ibanez Promethean kicks arse amp-wise (seriously loud, seriously nice tone...)

promethean - YouTube

Edit - and its within your budget...

 

[jasper383]

invest that cash, Dr. Cheese!

i want some very expensive gear that will have to wait until my money multiplies by itself. i recently put $1550.00 in my stock account. as of Friday, it is up to $1890. in 3 months. as it nears $3k i will plan my exit.

(of course, due diligence and lots of luck and patience are required)

I would caution you against putting money you might need sometime in the next 5 years into stocks. The risk of loss is far too high. Unless it's money you don't mind losing.

 

[Dr. Cheese]

No problem. The truth is that the gap between high end production and price point is not what it used to be. A better amp is usually a better buy in the long run, maybe a nice rack mount preamp.

If you are interested in say a MTD Kingston KZ5 I have one I will give you a deal on...

Actually a Brubaker Brute JJ/5 is something that interests me alot too.

 

[Rune Bivrin]

I think I'm spending too much on TB. I read the title and thought: "That's Dr. Cheese". I find I'm doing this a lot, with annoying precision.

Anybody's got a life too sell?

 

[MyMusic]

I know how you feel about the money in the pocket. I saved for two years for my bass and almost had second thoughts about the purchase. All I can say is, I'm glad I got my bass. It was well worth it.