inheritance sadness

[txhawaii]

a family member passed away recently and I'm sadly surprised to find I'm going to inherit some money. nothing life changing but something that might have me looking at Fender Custom shop basses.

Without asking too much about quality vs American vintage vs modern Mexican vs Japaneses vintage, etc...we mostly know these CS guitars are handmade and worth it to those who are willing to buy them.

However, I have read claims they retain value, increase in value, etc but I am not seeing that reflected on Reverb or other sites. A 2018 custom p sells looks to sell lower than their initial asking prices which gives me the impression they'll end up like new cars that cheapen once you drive off the lot.

But if I am not mistaken, the time machine basses came out in the early 2000s and I don't see many of those orig models pop up for sale often (i've really only been looking recently) but those I have seen are not selling for thousands more like a true vintage (lets say a 70's jazz that sold in the 2000s for $1200 now selling for $2500 today.)

While I intend to buy and play, I might consider selling down the line due to my age but this is an interesting time to buy something I've never been able to afford.

Could I be doing worse?

 

[dalkowski]

Whatever you buy you'll be happier if you don't think of it as an investment. Especially if you buy new. I can't speak for Fender CS but pretty much every bass depreciates once you carry it out of the showroom.

Buy something you'll play and like, whatever the price. If you want to invest, buy Dogecoin.*

* Not real investment advice; heed at your peril.

 

[txhawaii]

Dogecoin? I have a young millennial friend who almost convinced me to buy at like $0.39. I would have been down almost overnight. So thanks but no thanks. Lol

 

[Hummergeist]

Sorry to hear about your loss. I’ve been in that situation of inheriting a modest amount and trying to spend it well. I’d agree with @dalkowski - buy it, play it, love it, and don’t focus on resale too much.

 

[NoiseNinja]

My condolences.

As for your question it's really basic logic and common sense:

Tell me why someone would want to buy a used custom bass made to somebody else's specs for a bigger sum of money than they would have to pay for a completely new one made to their own specs, or for that matter a new custom bass completely identical to the more expensive used one?

The reason why vintage basses, or even just newer but discontinued models, sells for more than they costed from new is that you for one can't just buy a new one exactly alike, and secondly that they further more relatively rare, or at least are definite limited in supply.

 

[Mushroo]

Sorry for your loss. I did the exact same thing a few years back (purchased a Fender Custom Shop using money I inherited from a relative) so you totally have my blessing to go this route. It is a great way to honor your relative's memory.

It's been in the news that Fender had their best year ever in 2020. There have never been more Fender basses in the world, than there are today, and therefore logically, there has never been a worse time to buy a Fender bass as a financial "investment."

If you want to actually invest and grow your windfall, there are lots of good ways to do that. This page has some really good advice on managing inherited money: Invalid Link Removed

What I did in my case, and what I would advise for you, is to give 10% to charity, spend 10% on fun stuff (so for example if you inherited $50k then you can afford a $5k Fender Custom Shop bass) and do smart things with the remaining 80%. Then you don't have to think of the bass as an "investment" and you can just call it what it is: a fun luxury item.

If you have to sell the bass someday, then you'll probably sell it at a loss, and that's perfectly fine, you should be okay with that.

 

[Picton]

Tell me why someone would want to buy a used custom bass made to somebody else's specs for a bigger sum of money than they would have to pay for a completely new one made to their own specs, or for that matter a new custom bass completely identical to the more expensive used one?

This.

I’m sorry for your loss. I’d look for a decent vintage Fender for similar money.

 

[txhawaii]

My condolences.

As for your question it's really basic logic and common sense:

Tell me why someone would want to buy a used custom bass made to somebody else's specs for a bigger sum of money than they would have to pay for a completely new one made to their own specs, or for that matter a new custom bass completely identical to the more expensive used one?

The reason why vintage basses, or even just newer but discontinued models, sells for more than they costed from new is that you for one can't just buy a new one exactly alike, and secondly that they further more a relatively rare, or at least are definite limited in supply.

well maybe I should outline what I was thinking of purchasing...a possible premade CS 59 p bass...would that be "custom specs?" Not really other than built by the better craftsmen at Fender. It wouldn't be my specifics so I would like to believe it would retain value as opposed to a custom paint job, etc. No?

 

[txhawaii]

Sorry for your loss. I did the exact same thing a few years back (purchased a Fender Custom Shop using money I inherited from a relative) so you totally have my blessing to go this route. It is a great way to honor your relative's memory.

It's been in the news that Fender had their best year ever in 2020. There have never been more Fender basses in the world, than there are today, and therefore logically, there has never been a worse time to buy a Fender bass as a financial "investment."

If you want to actually invest and grow your windfall, there are lots of good ways to do that. This page has some really good advice on managing inherited money: Invalid Link Removed

What I did in my case, and what I would advise for you, is to give 10% to charity, spend 10% on fun stuff (so for example if you inherited $50k then you can afford a $5k Fender Custom Shop bass) and do smart things with the remaining 80%. Then you don't have to think of the bass as an "investment" and you can just call it what it is: a fun luxury item.

If you have to sell the bass someday, then you'll probably sell it at a loss, and that's perfectly fine, you should be okay with that.

 

[txhawaii]

Sorry for your loss. I did the exact same thing a few years back (purchased a Fender Custom Shop using money I inherited from a relative) so you totally have my blessing to go this route. It is a great way to honor your relative's memory.

It's been in the news that Fender had their best year ever in 2020. There have never been more Fender basses in the world, than there are today, and therefore logically, there has never been a worse time to buy a Fender bass as a financial "investment."

If you want to actually invest and grow your windfall, there are lots of good ways to do that. This page has some really good advice on managing inherited money: Invalid Link Removed

What I did in my case, and what I would advise for you, is to give 10% to charity, spend 10% on fun stuff (so for example if you inherited $50k then you can afford a $5k Fender Custom Shop bass) and do smart things with the remaining 80%. Then you don't have to think of the bass as an "investment" and you can just call it what it is: a fun luxury item.

If you have to sell the bass someday, then you'll probably sell it at a loss, and that's perfectly fine, you should be okay with that.

Yes, indeed I am versed with how to manage this windfall hence the questions on whether or not a cs is a wise choice. lol. I am not rushing to sweetwater with my money just yet. Everything is a caution spend. I will do the right thing with the windfall in which the majority will end up in real estate and the rest in roths and various things. thank you for the sound advice.

 

[txhawaii]

This.

I’m sorry for your loss. I’d look for a decent vintage Fender for similar money.

Honestly, I would dream of a birth year bass but those are well beyond the reasonable reach of myself.

 

[pfschim]

Sorry for your loss. These things can be hard. Good news is that your generous relative left you some dough that you can use to buy a nice bass (or something else you'd really like to have ... or use it for an investment in your future)

personally, I would not think of an instrument as an investment ... not a very good one any way. You mention your age, so I suspect you are not a kid ... and it has taken quite a long time for old Fenders to appreciate in any meaningful way so I don't think that's a a very good route to follow.

one other though I had was if you go Fender Custom Shop or some other nice custom instrument, when you talk to your builder, ask them if you can include the relatives name somewhere discrete on/inside the bass (inside the neck pocket, or pickup or electronics cavity maybe. Might be a nice way to remember your benefactor and they will kind of be with you every time you use the bass.

good luck!

 

[NoiseNinja]

well maybe I should outline what I was thinking of purchasing...a possible premade CS 59 p bass...would that be "custom specs?" Not really other than built by the better craftsmen at Fender. It wouldn't be my specifics so I would like to believe it would retain value as opposed to a custom paint job, etc. No?

The same logic does still apply, why would someone want to buy your custom shop Fender bass used for an identical or higher price than they could get an identical custom shop Fender bass for from brand new?

It might increase in price as times go by if Fender custom shop for some reason in the meantime closes down or that the featured specs of your build by then is no longer available as an option, might that is, or it might not, and as long as the former mentioned events doesn't occur you will always only be able to get a price lower for your used bass than what people can get an identical bass for from brand new.

As someone pointed out buy your dream bass, play it and enjoy, and don't worry too much about weather or not you are going to loose money on an eventual future resale compared to what you payed from new, the time you got to play the bass got to be worth something for you as well, right?

If not then there is really no valid reason for you to buy it and you should really rather invest your money in something far more lucrative than a bass.

 

[two fingers]

Just like any other market, the used bass market fluctuates. Unless you get a ridiculously good deal on a vintage Fender, it's a roll of the dice.

So buy something with the intention of enjoying it.

Sorry for your loss.

 

[arbiterusa]

Could I be doing worse?

Non-violin family musical instruments are not an investment. Period.

If you want to buy an awesome bass, that’s great. If you want to buy an American-made custom bass that is even better. Do it. But you are not going to make money on it, nor will your descendants.

 

[StatesideRambler]

I give the stink eye to any suggestion that you might figure out in advance which axe will be worth more in the future than today. If you want an investment choose something that doesn’t have such lousy odds for success. Buy an instrument to play music.

 

[P. Aaron]

a family member passed away recently and I'm sadly surprised to find I'm going to inherit some money. nothing life changing but something that might have me looking at Fender Custom shop basses.

Without asking too much about quality vs American vintage vs modern Mexican vs Japaneses vintage, etc...we mostly know these CS guitars are handmade and worth it to those who are willing to buy them.

However, I have read claims they retain value, increase in value, etc but I am not seeing that reflected on Reverb or other sites. A 2018 custom p sells looks to sell lower than their initial asking prices which gives me the impression they'll end up like new cars that cheapen once you drive off the lot.

But if I am not mistaken, the time machine basses came out in the early 2000s and I don't see many of those orig models pop up for sale often (i've really only been looking recently) but those I have seen are not selling for thousands more like a true vintage (lets say a 70's jazz that sold in the 2000s for $1200 now selling for $2500 today.)

While I intend to buy and play, I might consider selling down the line due to my age but this is an interesting time to buy something I've never been able to afford.

Could I be doing worse?

If you gig any bass, you’re staying even, and arguably paying for it over time. If you buy it to play at home, or occasional buddy jam, that’s cool too. Buy something you’ll exhaust yourself playing. Expect it to get bumped & dinged but, make’s yer choice, and play it ‘cause it keeps you coming back to it.
I’ve bought one of main gigging Fenders, a Precision V (2010) after running the racks of 5’ers and then ordered a new one. Got a great bass that I still love to this day. The Dimension Deluxe 5 (2014); there were 2 on the rack and one sounded & felt better than the other. Even though the other had a lovelier grain and appearance. Still have it and would be loath to part with it. So, be confident in ordering w/o having played it first.

IF, it made sense for me to get another Fender, of my choice, I’d go Mod Shop or CS to get what I want and not look back. You’ll find your voice with it. Make sure your rig is solid too. Drummers never tire of bashin’ things.
P.S. Buy it ‘cause you want it. There’s no other reason.

 

[Mushroo]

Yes, indeed I am versed with how to manage this windfall hence the questions on whether or not a cs is a wise choice. lol. I am not rushing to sweetwater with my money just yet. Everything is a caution spend. I will do the right thing with the windfall in which the majority will end up in real estate and the rest in roths and various things. thank you for the sound advice.

Sounds like you have a good attitude, and you are being cautious.

For what it's worth, I bought my Fender Custom Shop used, let someone else take the depreciation hit. (Not because I'm a financial genius, but simply because I didn't inherit enough I could to afford to buy new.)

If you are just going for a basic '59 P bass, then all the more reason to buy used. I can't think of any reason, why you would have to get that custom made brand spanking new, just for you. 59 P is not a rare/collectable model and there are lots of them on the used market.

 

[Paul New]

A lot of mid-60s through 70s basses were refinished or altered because it was thought that they would never have collector value. Instruments, and not just violin family instruments, can appreciate if they are or will be thought of as historically important. I would look for a good condition early Stingray, and roll the dice.

 

[Bass V]

if it's not Fender '65 or before then the decal means little to 0 IMO.
buy something you can't live without.