inheritance sadness

[DanAdams]

...but you can't play with an investment fund.
Of coarse instruments will instantly be worth less than you paid at the store. A store needs to make money.
I would find something less common and vintage, and a private sale if you want a bass that MAY appreciate. 5 years ago I was buying as many old Ibanez Musicians, Studios, and Roadstars as I could find, many for under $200.
I was right, and people's feelings have really changed about early 80s Ibanez.
Especially once they realize that those Ibanez are from the prestigious Japanese factory that Fender hired to make their MIJ basses.

 

[lomo]

For every 10 guys that say they made money "investing" in instruments, I think 9 of them are lying.

I don't doubt that buying used basses that are underpriced and patiently selling for market value may be "profitable", but on a per hour basis I suspect it's burger flippin' money. As far as buying collectible basses for long-term profit goes....well....they will increase in value, but the relevant question is whether they will increase in value as much as an S & P index fund over the same period.....without a need to store, insure and maintain them, and with instantaneous liquidity at full market value at any moment along the way. I say buy 'em and collect 'em if it gives one pleasure, because pleasure has value. From a purely financial standpoint..... meh.

 

[ProbablyTooLoud]

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?

Really sorry to hear about your loss.

Re. a bass.

It's an investment in yourself, the returns of which cannot be quantified.

 

[Bass Viking]

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

Same here. I was born in 59, therefore a Gibson Les Paul from that year is out of the question!

 

[lfmn16]

I don't doubt that buying used basses that are underpriced and patiently selling for market value may be "profitable", but on a per hour basis I suspect it's burger flippin' money. As far as buying collectible basses for long-term profit goes....well....they will increase in value, but the relevant question is whether they will increase in value as much as an S & P index fund over the same period.....without a need to store, insure and maintain them, and with instantaneous liquidity at full market value at any moment along the way. I say buy 'em and collect 'em if it gives one pleasure, because pleasure has value. From a purely financial standpoint..... meh.

Flippers are like gamblers. They remember the one time they won $10,000 and forget the ten thousand times they lost $1,000.

Someone posted on TB that they had NEVER lost money flipping an instrument. I say, don't pee on my leg and tell me it's raining.

 

[mrperkolator]

I would urge caution right now. Play before you buy if you can, or make sure there's a good return policy. With supply chain issues what they are, I wouldn't be surprised to see every company take a hit in QC. And even if they do their best, instruments, or parts, sitting in containers on a ship just outside a port for a few months too long (staffing issues, etc. Shipping is weird right now) will likely cause issues. You cant convince me that wood sitting in containers on a giant container ship is not affected by sitting there.

This will all be a case study in several years at some business college....

 

[lomo]

Flippers are like gamblers. They remember the one time they won $10,000 and forget the ten thousand times they lost $1,000.

Someone posted on TB that they had NEVER lost money flipping an instrument. I say, don't pee on my leg and tell me it's raining.

ROFLMAO...too true! Every single person I know who goes to the casino claims he is "ahead overall"....I guess that's why casinos rake in $$$$$$$$$$$$.... a man hears what he wants to hear, and disregards the rest

 

[Planespotter]

All I can say is there are a lot of great Fender Custom Shop instruments out there and a lot of them have uncommon features/specs. If you find the right one, play it and enjoy it! Fwiw FCS basses were never on my radar until I stumbled into this one. I paid $2500 for it used which is not a huge stretch from what the American ultras go for. It's an unusually light (8.5lbs!) '51 P with the huge neck and 2 saddle bridge, yet it has medium jumbo frets and a hum canceling pickup. Also the LPB/gold color scheme is something never offered on the originals. In a perfect world it would have been "nos" instead of heavy relic, but I love it just the same. Find a bass that speaks to you and let your kids worry about the resale value.

 

[shadven]

Buy a used CS or an actual vintage bass. Or an Fender "American Standard" 1995 - 2005 - great basses, the real deal.

 

[shadven]

All I can say is there are a lot of great Fender Custom Shop instruments out there and a lot of them have uncommon features/specs. If you find the right one, play it and enjoy it! Fwiw FCS basses were never on my radar until I stumbled into this one. I paid $2500 for it used which is not a huge stretch from what the American ultras go for. It's an unusually light (8.5lbs!) '51 P with the huge neck and 2 saddle bridge, yet it has medium jumbo frets and a hum canceling pickup. Also the LPB/gold color scheme is something never offered on the originals. In a perfect world it would have been "nos" instead of heavy relic, but I love it just the same. Find a bass that speaks to you and let your kids worry about the resale value.View attachment 4359397

That is a great looking bass. I am way into 1950s P-Basses and Telecaster basses!

 

[Medicine Man]

Spend your money how you want.

 

[friskinator]

If I ever inherit money, I'm buying a Fender Pino and never looking back.

 

[dbsfgyd1]

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?

Sorry for your loss.

As a retired financial planner, from a straight up investment standpoint there may be better choices than a bass, custom built or otherwise IMO. That said, take your time and get yourself a bass you'd be thrilled with.

Keep in mind that Fender isn't the only firm that sell custom basses. Maybe a smaller firm with some notoriety that sells fewer high quality basses will give you a a better investment return due to supply not meeting the demand somewhere in the future.

 

[Dirk Diggler]

I'm not sure who's giving you the instrument advice, most likely the seller?

Buying a bass as an investment is a curious choice.

That said, of course there are many worse things you could spend it on.

Good luck,
Dirk

 

[DrBnz]

A bass is not an investment. So forget that. But you need to buy something that 1) has value to "you" (not the other members of TalkBass) and 2) that "feels" good and that you can play well 3) that it has resale value. If you get it and it suxs.... you need to be able to trade or sell it. Now not everybody values an old scratched up, corroded (patina) hardware/electronics relic. Yeah... some do "look" cool. But most are old beat up P.O.S. Certainly not worth more than a NEW FENDER of your choosing. Play around.... don't be in a rush to spend your inheritance. FIND the one and go get it ...... So long as its under $2k hahaha.... That's just MY RULE... I have money, but I can't see spending more than that when I have MANY outstanding basses in the arsenal that all cost less than that. Point being.... my favorite (to play) is an old CIJ Geddy Lee Jazz ($800). Sitting right next to it, I have Fender Ultras / Elites (most versatile) and a Rickenbacker (best sounding). Now I play and enjoy them all (daily)... so you might be looking for more than one and it's not always the most expensive that you seek.

 

[Bass Viking]

ROFLMAO...too true! Every single person I know who goes to the casino claims he is "ahead overall"....I guess that's why casinos rake in $$$$$$$$$$$$.... a man hears what he wants to hear, and disregards the rest

And when they do win they just spend it at the casino.

 

[MultiScaleMale]

If you buy used and hold for at least a few years and it's not an oddball look or feature set, you will likely lose very little if you decide to sell. If you purchase new, you will lose money when you sell almost guaranteed. But when inflation is factored in, instruments aren't an investment unless you get really lucky on the purchase price.

 

[azureblue]

Go to a music store that has both Fender and Squier P basses. Put on a blindfold and play them all. Pick the one you like.

 

[Koshchei]

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 depreciation is top of mind, I'd look for an actual vintage piece. A custom shop instrument is not ever going to be worth anything - from a historical perspective, it'll be seen as a replica of the "real thing", but with inferior materials, like Indian Rosewood rather than Brazilian, etc.

If playing is top of mind, then a CS is a great choice - they're well-made, use good materials, and very high attention to detail.

If you want to eat the cake, rather than just having it, a Rickenbacker 4005XC might be an interesting proposition. I think that it'll appreciate through the roof, despite being a new instrument.

 

[Bass Viking]

Someone posted on TB that they had NEVER lost money flipping an instrument. I say, don't pee on my leg and tell me it's raining.

If they buy a bass for $1000 and sell it for $1000 ten years later and think they haven't lost money they are mistaken (INFLATION).