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inheritance sadness

#62
Buy something that to the greatest extent reminds you of your loved on, if their favorite color was green, buy a green bass….or whatever most reminds you of them, you are officially one of their representatives on earth
 
#63
txhawaii said:
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?
Click to expand...
My 2 cents...

By a gently used Fender Elite in a Jazz or P+J if either of those work for you. The ones Fender made over the past 10 years and recently discontinued (not the ones from the 80s).

Take the rest of the money and go on a nice vacation.

As far as for investment goes, guitars tend to start really appreciating after they become vintage unless it's something really rare and there's a market for it.
 
#64
Right off the bat my esteemed colleague, @dalkowski netted this one.

Bass guitars are not investments. CS is a great experience and you're sure to love the product you receive. You'll get more enjoyment from it than you could quantify in value gain. But do it if you can afford it and want it. As you have seen, life is finite. Sorry for your loss.
 
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#65
bizzybass said:
My 2 cents...

By a gently used Fender Elite in a Jazz or P+J if either of those work for you. The ones Fender made over the past 10 years and recently discontinued (not the ones from the 80s).

Take the rest of the money and go on a nice vacation.

As far as for investment goes, guitars tend to start really appreciating after they become vintage unless it's something really rare and there's a market for it.
Click to expand...

I'd watch out for the Elites with the truss rod wheel. I suspect they aren't going to hold up well over time.
 
#69
txhawaii said:
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?
Click to expand...
For most of us basses are tools not investments. New custom shop stuff is expensive I bought a new CS jazz in 1996 or1997 for under $2000. That was a lot of money then. I played it and kept it up until about 5 years ago and sold it for what I paid for it 20 years earlier. 20 years is a long time by that time a new CS bass had gone up a lot so I guess my bass was a bargin, it also was a Cunetto. The guy who bought it put it on Reverb for $4000. Ridiculous. I only sold it because I found another CS jazz in Sea Foam green with matching head stock both are nice basses. I buy used and I'm patient I wait till I see a realistic price. I bought a 59 CS P bass for $1700 and a Dusty Hill bass for $2250. I dont consider any of these investments they are tools for tones and playability. I dont polish or baby any bass it's like a friend told me 45 years ago " it's just a piece of wood just play it"
 
#72
When my Dad died my sister and myself inherited some money. I invested all of mine. My sister kept out about $1,000, and invested the rest. I went with her to a music store and after about two hours she had picked out an 88 key Yamaha keyboard, and also got the kit to make it look like a 'real' piano. Even has foot pedals. Anyway she began that day playing and probably plays it daily. Been 10 years now. She really enjoys 'Dad's piano.'
If you can get a nice bass that you like, looks good to you, feels great to you, and you can pay cash - do it. If you have anything left over, get ready for 'GAS.'
 
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#75
I feel your pain there.

I had my last grandparent pass away several years ago, and I was left a small sum inheritance.

I bought a nice entry-level bicycle, a mid-tier Specialized Allez with carbon fork. Perfect for a non-competitive rider who enjoys being in a very sporty saddle.

It's brought me a lot of joy and miles of riding and I made the purchase based on that thinking.

Were I looking at spending that money on a nice bass, I suspect I'd approach it in just the same way.
 
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#78
txhawaii said:
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?
Click to expand...
My Condolences.
As others have said, anything you buy new will lose value.

My suggestion would be to take a trip to the nearest big city (In Chicago we're spoiled for this sort of thing) and play every great Fender and Fender-style instrument you can. Try CS, try vintage and other contemporary Fenders. Also, try Lakland (my personal favorite FSO), Lull, etc. Maybe a Fender is best for you but you won't know until you try alot.

If you buy a quality instrument and buy used, you'll loose very little in resale and if you take the time to try alot of instruments you'll end up with the best instrument for you rather than just a name. Take your time, enjoy the journey and good luck finding something wonderful.
 
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#79
If you're buying new figure to get approximately 75% of it when you sell it depending on condition. Look at it like a long term rental.
But as mentioned and most importantly buy it because you love the instrument and play it.
The used market is the way to go since there's tremendous value out there. New Custom Shop instruments have become so expensive these days.. I would only buy one used.
 
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#80
FCS basses are awesome. I love my 62 P.

6CF535D9-B044-4971-8535-1EC765D12754.jpeg
 
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