Inflation and are you near your limit?

[dasherf17]

I've been fighting G.A.S. for a FGN Mighty Power (thanks for putting that in my head, LowEndLobster!).
But I keep reminding myself what I really need is more time on the gear I already have, not more gear.

Spons...isn't taking inventory irritating?
I've been building kits and carcasses added to my meager stable of 6 guitars and bass...always kept it low budget, but would love to have had a Warwick or Pedula (those were the ones that caught my eye after the Thunderbird)...

 

[jackietreehorn]

I work for a company that sells meat and seafood to restaurants. So we fly and truck in extremely perishable products multiple times a week. On top of that, our customer base, which has taken an enormous hammering over the past couple years for a variety of reasons, is looking at their bottom line more closely than ever before. The inflation we are seeing in the supply chain is getting worse, not better, and I'm sure it's impacting all industries.
With all that said, I have less to spend on gear. I look to buy used whenever possible. I'm careful about my purchases and I look for sellers with return policies, even if I'm on the hook for shipping, I just need to be more careful.

 

[SamBassPlayer]

5-string Bass Guitars | Sweetwater

Above is a link for Sweetwater’s prices for Spector Euro 5 basses. They are running from $2,899 to $3,999 (the Alex Webster Sig.) When I first joined TB, these were prices more like those for USA Spectors. I was just thinking about rumored production of Czech Peavey Cirrus basses. If that happens, they may very well come in at over $3K because they tend to have more elaborate wood work than Spectors. I wonder how many would buy them at that price, and is the reality of inflation why we are not seeing any? Generally speaking, some production Music Man basses are getting near $3K too. How has inflation affected your options?

It's not true inflation in an economic sense. It is what I would call 'Gouge-flation'. Manufacturers and retailers have targeted infrequently purchased items and raised the prices way way beyond what can be contributed to the higher cost of manufacturing (borrowing, labor, materials, overhead, tariffs). Some things fall into status-symbol land like a Gucci bag or, yes, a $4K bass. Some are overpriced on name alone such as Yeti. But this practice has also targeted things you need but buy infrequently - case in point is Windshield Wipers - you need them once in q while or your car won't pass inspection - they have got from $6 to $29 EACH in just a handful of years.

How can you combat this? Don't buy a $175 backpack just because CNN rated it well. Shop around for windshield wipers (you probably won't find them for $6 but will for significantly less than $29) and other infrequently-purchased items that have doubled or tripled in price. And don't spend your hard-earned money on a $4K bass unless you just want to show off. Other manufacturers will fill the void and provide high-quality instruments at a lower-price point, thus giving you more for your money.

 

[Rubiomj]

I get it, it’s our passion and our hobby. I picked the Bass up again after a 40 year hiatus.
I initially bought a Squier Vintage Modified and teamed it with a fender rumble 25- a typical starter pack!
I got bitten by the bug and after 18 months managed to get a second hand Spector Euro. I started playing in a band so had to beef up the amplification (Trace Elliott Elf, 1x10 +2x8)
I’m happy with my set up. I have no illusions about my ability and the Squier was more than adequate for my needs, I know many professionals use it in less ‘affluent’ countries.
I do look longingly at Fender precisions but have consciously decided to reign in my spending.
I have made a conscious effort to reign in my spending on ‘stuff’. I just try to look at the bigger picture and believe that the acquisitive nature of humans is not healthy for the planet.

 

[Phil Bonk]

Personally, mortality is cooling my desire. I see so many people within ten or so years of my age, in either direction, dying,

I agree with you.
When I look at a bass that I would like to have, I now carefully consider if it is really going to "make things better" in the big scheme of things. Is it going to cost me the Big Two: Time and Relationship, (since money is a given).
Those two are increasingly more important than that beautiful NYC that popped up, or Alembic or Pedulla, etc.

 

[Fat_Bottom_End]

I have been struggling to afford bass strings the last 15 years. Cost of living is putting the final nails in my coffin. I struggle to buy anything... like socks.

 

[MYLOWFREQ]

I have no need or desire to buy any basses, in fact I should maybe sell some. Also, I never buy brand new.

I don't need amplification as I don't play live these days, and every bar in NYC has good backline anyway.

There's a few pedals I'd like to get, but most of them are discontinued.

So in genereal inflation did not affect me much.

 

[Sponson Thrisby]

Spons...isn't taking inventory irritating?
I've been building kits and carcasses added to my meager stable of 6 guitars and bass...always kept it low budget, but would love to have had a Warwick or Pedula (those were the ones that caught my eye after the Thunderbird)...

I'm planning on retiring in a few years, and I promise myself that if I can hold back now, I'll allow myself to order a custom Dingwall as a retirement 'gift'.

 

[Pep]

5-string Bass Guitars | Sweetwater

Above is a link for Sweetwater’s prices for Spector Euro 5 basses. They are running from $2,899 to $3,999 (the Alex Webster Sig.) When I first joined TB, these were prices more like those for USA Spectors. I was just thinking about rumored production of Czech Peavey Cirrus basses. If that happens, they may very well come in at over $3K because they tend to have more elaborate wood work than Spectors. I wonder how many would buy them at that price, and is the reality of inflation why we are not seeing any? Generally speaking, some production Music Man basses are getting near $3K too. How has inflation affected your options?

I’m one bass away from my limit.
4 string Dingwall NG3 in Black Forest Green.

 

[ryco]

If I want it, I'll buy it.
Just bought a nice new GK combo.
However, I never have really gone for high end basses and usually by used.
I've got a pretty nice stable of standard basses now, and LOVE my rigs!!
Getting towards the end of things to justify buying much more.

 

[Low Main]

It's the shipping cost increases that bother me the most.
I do anything I can to control shipping costs when I send something out.
I joined USAA to get a break on FedEx rates. It's not much but every little thing helps.
In the early 2000's, I could ship a bass coast to coast for less than $20.00
These days, the cost of shipping a bass on an unlabeled walk-in basis at a retail parcel service storefront is absurd. I'm glad I set up shipper accounts.
And during periods when gas prices plummet to rock bottom, I still get hit with a fuel surcharge on each shipment from UPS.
The only way to beat the high cost of shipping is by buying stuff from places that offer free shipping, so your overall costs balance out a bit.
That's just how Amazon and MF want it. They're the ones who drove up our shipping costs by negotiating super low rates with the parcel carriers.
Eight years after they started it, Amazon's delivery system is already bigger than FedEx. They will soon overtake UPS and USPS.
If Amazon starts delivering everyone's parcels on a stand alone basis, maybe their pricing will be realistic. Or maybe they'll gouge the heck out of us.

 

[Crispus]

Personally, mortality is cooling my desire. I see so many people within ten or so years of my age, in either direction, dying, and I think I need to be playing and living more in general instead of having GAS attacks looking at websites or going to stores.

Agreed! So often now I can just pick up and play, and any illusions of needing more or different scale lengths, string counts, electronics, etc… that just disappears. And it disappears into the joy of actually playing. Better yet, to play with others and truly connect. Better still to take that happening and put it in front of others, connect and communicate with an audience.

Vibration and frequency are what matters, the rest is window dressing!

But I have digressed. In answer to the OP, if I were in the market I would consider carefully.

 

[PaulSund]

Yes. $1500 is my absolute limit for a bass I absolutely have to have (has not happened yet). Otherwise, I'm looking for a bargain at every turn. Outside of buying back my Korean Spector, I have not bought a bass in years. I just mod/upgrade what I have.

May I ask which Korean Spector you're looking to get back? I have a few and love those things!

 

[mdmarkle]

I've been fighting G.A.S. for a FGN Mighty Power (thanks for putting that in my head, LowEndLobster!).
But I keep reminding myself what I really need is more time on the gear I already have, not more gear.

It’s a great bass. The problem in Japan is not the cost as much as the shipping. Retailers gauging foreign buyers trying to make a buck. If you haggle in Reverb on price, they will meet you halfway on the shipping. Still highway robbery, but Japanese basses are usually as good as American and in many cases even better.

 

[JW56789]

. . . . I was till just now when I see the new Squiers with the new Contemporary Active Precisions in four and five string. Damn !

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[PhatBottomBass1]

Dr. C, I would like to remind you how much of ones health is actually mental. You seem like you possess quite a bit of mental fortitude so I guess if I were you I would just let GAS happen if it was making me happy. I guess either way you would still make videos of your playing so I would still be entertained. Just remember what Blue Oyster Cult said..............

...All praise
He's found the awful truth
Balthazar
He's found the saucer news...!

 

[BadSanta1281]

No matter what things cost nowadays I'm on a mission to be happier with less.

It's already working.

 

[jd56hawk]

Not in the slightest.
I buy from Reverb exclusively lately, used mint basses, and I've yet to buy wrong.
Bass savvy.
I'll never have to buy another bass because everything I have is special.

So, naturally, I just bought another bass!

 

[5StringBlues]

Damn good thing I'm broke, last thing I need is another J bass. Drool.........

 

[Miles_ONeal]

Not really inflation, what impacts me are:

1. Hoarders, because that drives the prices up on what’s left;
2. Flippers, because their whole point. Is to drive prices up.

There’s some older gear I’d love to get that’s just over-priced now.