I know little about basses being a keyboard and guitar guy...only what I learn from the experts in here....just getting into bass right now at 50+ years old. However I do know a couple of things from prior purchases of used and new guitars and keyboards....for the most part I bought used. Way back in the day I, by chance, bought a good quality guitar formerly owned by a known musician. Not a rock star but a solid music man known regionally. He was much a better guitarist than I was (or am today). I got a great price on it and when I recieved the guitar it had some knicks and dings...nothing terrible, normal stuff/wear and tear. The finish had aged some to that, you guys know, that slightly aged mature look that only age and PLAYING can give. This thing had SOUL. Much more soul than I had. I RESPECTED that guitar and LOVED picking it up because it was BETTER than I was and I knew the only thing holding me back was ME. New? Eh, so what, its shiny I guess. Thats about it. Buy used....respect the instrument even if you don't know whether it was played by a rock star. If it was played by a newbie and you are the rock star then so much the better. It will respect YOU! It's about your relationship with the instrument. You will most likely be able to buy a bass that is WAY beyond what you or your mom are willing or able to pay for quite a while. The other moral to this story is that you should get used to the fact that no matter how high a price level you or anyone else sets, you will ALWAYS want the one that is 25% higher!!! If your mom said $2000 you'd be looking and wishing for $2500. No sin in that. You sound grateful to me, just frustrated and that I understand...! As for you guys kickin the kids butt.. shame on you! I bet if we do a little search we will find a GAS thread dedicated to each of you!!! NO DIFFERENT!! Good luck!
