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justification for spending 1K+ on a bass

#24
I have always felt that if i was was giging and using the bass or equipment as a tool then cost was not a big issue as long as it was in my budget etc. If i were buying a bass and amp just to sit in the corner pick up every now and then to plunk on then i dont see the need to own an expxnsive bass gear.
 
#25
This is what I do for a living. I can write off any bass, strings, straps, amps, cases & even the gas going & coming from the gig. The main thing is to get something that will play & sound like you want & consequently pay for itself.
 
#27
There is no justification to spending $1K+ on a bass, any more than there is spending $5K or $159 .... in the grand scheme of things, the cost of the bass (regardless of price) is a whole lot less than most significant purchases in your life. I have basses that are in the high end of the price range ($5K+) and basses that are in the low end ($200) and I use them all and love them all :)

Get something that you enjoy playing, and the cost will quickly become meaningless to you :cool:
 
#31
im a pbass kinda of guy.
so far this is the truest 5 string pbass i have seen.
i could go the warmoth route...ive thought about it.
i guess i will have to wait and see what the future holds.
like i said since this would be such a big purchase, it would have to be awhile
before i got it. gives me some thinking time too i suppose.
 
#34
bassbully said:
I have always felt that if i was was giging and using the bass or equipment as a tool then cost was not a big issue as long as it was in my budget etc. If i were buying a bass and amp just to sit in the corner pick up every now and then to plunk on then i dont see the need to own an expxnsive bass gear.
Click to expand...

That's kind of funny. In the last 5 years, I have been the drummer in 3 different bands. The first two never played a paying gig. The one I'm in now has been gigging once or twice a month for over a year.

Every single one of the guitar and bass players in the first two bands had top of the line everything. MIA Strats and Teles, Gibson Les Pauls, PRS guitars. And Zon Sonus (not Korean), MIA Fenders, etc.. Mesa tube amps, Ampeg SVT 2 (non pro). Blah blah blah.

The band I'm in now (the one that's actually working and making money), between the guitar player and the bass player, I think the most expensive instrument they have is the bass player's Squier Active Jazz V that he bought brand new a year ago. And they both run DI to the board - no amps on stage (other than the PA amps).

And most of the other guys I've played paying gigs with have also had fairly modest (at least, by TalkBass standards) gear.

I guess the moral of the story is: If you really want to be a player, focus more on your playing and less on your gear. Or, if you prefer, you can be a garage queen like most of my former bandmates. When you have "arrived", you won't need to ask a bunch of Internet nerds (self included) what bass to buy. You will know. ;)

:hiding:
 
#35
Ive spent that amount on a bass before. American BC Rich. But then found wasnt better and in fact wasnt as good as their lower priced imports with active eq's. Build qaulity control on the imports was also better. Sure there are some basses worth $1,200 and more. But neither fenders nor the american BC Rich I had bought years ago are worth that amount imo.
 
#37
Gord_oh said:
there isnt really anything like the MIA P5.
im gonna price out parts and see what it would take to build this thing.
Click to expand...

if you go the warmoth route, it will be more than a $1000, for sure.

$300 body, $300 neck, $100 tuners, $150 pickup, etc. that's $850 and I'm not really trying. Obviously these are + or - numbers. Not to mention, resale value is pretty crap on parts basses.
 
#38
Gord_oh said:
Apologizes if this has been discussed here before.
I'm currently looking into a MIA Fender Standard Precision V in Oly White as my next purchase. This would be the most I've spent on a bass, or anything really besides my car! With a price tag of $1299 new and around $1000-1250 used, this is a huge investment. I really want the bass, but Im starting to think once I eventually do save up the money for one, will I be willing to finally dish out the dough? (FWIW, I want to pay cash for it. no credit)
The most I've spent on a bass was for a Warmoth build, roughly $700-800 over a 9 month time span. All of my other gear was under $250. It is just a huge amount of money, and when I dont need much else, I almost feel like it could be spent better. Right now I am on the fence. I know I'll get people saying things like "If youre not comfortable with a purchase, dont do it" or "Its worth the buck IMO. Play the hell out of it and get your monies worth"

Im prepared for what TB has to say, just curious if anyone has experinced pre buyers remorse.

FenderAmericanStandardPBassV5StringOlympicWhiteRosewoodFretboard.jpg

http://bass-guitars.musiciansfriend...15754&src=3WFRWXX&ZYXSEM=0&CAWELAID=142413163
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Justification; As long as the bass you buy maintains it's re-sale value, you will never lose $$. Only physical damage could do you harm.

That is a really nice bass guitar! That's why many successful luthiers use it as a standard of measure.

It sounds to me like you will be a happier musician, more willing to practice with this instrument in your hands.

Leave enough in the budget for strings, set up, a quality strap, cable, case &/or gig bag. There is something really satisfying about getting the 'whole package'.

Good Luck 8-)
 
#39
I am your age and just spent 900$ on a bass, the most i ever have. The thing is its a quality bass and was used new there 1500$. This is going to be something I can keep forever with proper care and no freak accidents. I in no way regret this purchase as selling it for this price would be easy. If you buy right and buy used no worries.

Some things that made it easy for me to buy is I have a substantial amount of cash for someone my age because i dont drive and i save money like crazy. Save ups some cash , wait for the right bass and enjoy it for years.
 
#40
I`m of the belief that it`s best not to buy an expensive bass until you have a few years under the belt. For one, you know you`re actually interested in pursuing music so you`re not potentially throwing money away. Another reason is after a few years you better know what you like and don`t like in a bass. I got lucky and happen to love StingRays and more modern sounding basses, but when I first got mine I just bought it just because it looked cool and because my friend had one. The same can be said for amps. For the longest time I was of the belief that you had to use Ampeg, but when I played one in person I found out that I hated their sound. Anyways, I`d say wait and play everything you can get your hands on so that you can better figure out exactly what you want. I`d also add, buy used.
 

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