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Is the BassConomy tanking?
- Thread starter Lance Bunyon
- Start date
She keeps her income separate and I pay 80% of the household expenses (mortgage utilities cell phones). Her job gets me medical insurance.
I've had a long standing deal with her that if my gigging/gear obsession ever gets in the way of me paying the bills, I'll stop.
Count how many of your personal friends play fretless bass. I’ve played bass guitar since 1978 and fretless since 83 or so. I don’t personally (not TB) know another player who uses fretless live and I live in the live music capital of the world.
The other answer is that the value and price aren’t always aligned. Look no further than the TB classifieds to see basses listed for 2X what they’ll eventually sell for.
Just be thankful you got a bass you like for a price you are comfortable with.
Even though it technically doesn’t exist.
No pics = no bass
The other answer is that the value and price aren’t always aligned. Look no further than the TB classifieds to see basses listed for 2X what they’ll eventually sell for.
Just be thankful you got a bass you like for a price you are comfortable with.
Even though it technically doesn’t exist.
No pics = no bass
The bassconomy can't crash, what will become of my bassvestments????
Are we saying the re-sale economy is hitting the ...
... wait for it ...
Bassment?
... wait for it ...
Bassment?
During Covid there were lots of people stuck at home spending stimulus money and other discretionary money on gear, which inflated prices like crazy because manufacturing was slowed or fully stopped so the supply couldn't keep up with demand. Now music gear is back to getting less discretionary spending, manufacturing has ramped up again (at least when it comes to things that don't require fancy electronic parts), and there is no economic stimulus on the horizon. I'd say the bass economy is really just approaching "normal" again (though maybe on the opposite side because there are lots of people trying to flip excess they bought in the last few years at often inflated prices).
The actual pro musician's economy is in a pretty dire state these days with the price of touring and ticket prices, etc. so I think the Covid years were something of a bubble that we aren't likely to see again that simultaneously blew up gear prices temporarily and blew out the bottom line for many musicians permanently (at least following the old touring economy model)
The actual pro musician's economy is in a pretty dire state these days with the price of touring and ticket prices, etc. so I think the Covid years were something of a bubble that we aren't likely to see again that simultaneously blew up gear prices temporarily and blew out the bottom line for many musicians permanently (at least following the old touring economy model)
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I have been selling off all sorts of gear since the first stimulus checks were sent out. Overall, there seems to be 2 factors that drive market prices, "trends" and "state of economy". Today I am listing a newish Tascam 424 Mk II, down from it's trendy peak and with the impact of the stimulus checks hitting I'll be fortunate to get $300.
LOL, I didn't realize I did that, but I the truth is... I do. I found a '62 Fender case in the trash which has been leaning against a tall chest of drawers empty for a year then slowly a parts bass has been assembled. I have been building it for the last three years. Almost finished, time to blend, "no I didn't just buy it, I've had it for years". But the deal I have works great with the wife. For all new gear I buy I sell off twice in dollar amount. My vintage synth phase 15 years ago has helped quite a bit.
I have found, as a rule, almost anything used is about half of what the item cost new, not just basses.
You purchased a very niche item that’s been sitting for a while.
that kind of states the bass economy is going strong.
that kind of states the bass economy is going strong.
There's also the fact that there are 100's of 1'000's of basses for sale if not millions at the moment.
It's always a buyers market. Ask what you want but that doesn't mean you'll get it.
I wouldn't say the market is tanking but it's certainly over-saturated.
It's always a buyers market. Ask what you want but that doesn't mean you'll get it.
I wouldn't say the market is tanking but it's certainly over-saturated.
Never understood this idea that having to lie to your spouse is a fun thing. I sure wouldn't want to be in a marriage with someone who behaved like this - on either end. I don't want to be lied to, and I don't want to be married to someone who I would feel I have to lie to in order to keep the peace.
I also don't want to be the irresponsible person in the marriage spending money if we don't have it. I think at best these are silly jokes with their roots in another era.
My husband and I have always kept our money separate, until we both retired. Now we still have our own primary accounts, but most of our assets are in a joint trust that's managed separately. We both buy what we want, more or less, but if there's the urge to buy something big- say $1000+ it's discussed. If we can afford it, nobody gets in the way.
He buys drum kits, I buy bass gear, and we discuss these things but I don't think either of us has ever said "I don't think you should." On the other hand, neither of us proposes things we can't actually afford, either.
He bought a sports car once when the market was good and our assets were pretty strong. I enjoyed driving it, but when the market took a downturn we decided we didn't drive it enough to keep it around, so off it went. We didn't really lose much on it, since the market for used cars is so steep right now.
We commingle - a second set of eyes and discussions about purchases keeps impulses at bay, we both know exactly where things are at all times. It's tricky at first because it's a huge compromise to give up pseudo-autonomy, but if you can make it work, it takes a huge load of stress out of the relationship by no longer having to play House Expenses Battleship every month.
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Just for the record, I don't lie to my wife about gear. I also don't offer up any information unless she asks. Again, our finances are separate by her demand. I also don't ask her how much she spends on furniture...
Don't you love getting preached to?
One data point doesn't mean the bassconomy is tanking. It means that you got a good deal given the price elasticity of demand for this specific commodity.
Would have paid $1800 for this bass?
Would have paid $1800 for this bass?
