Justifications for buying a new bass

[Smallmouth_Bass]

• It makes me happy.

• I want one
• I have the money to buy one

These are the ones that it boils down to for me. All the others are excuses.

 

[Coolhandjjl]

I like to buy basses that I think no one else has. I want people to think I have special access to some sort of secret cache or guarded pipeline to rare, one-of-a-kind, or no longer made items.

 

[AngelMoncada]

• Because I earn more than half my income playing bass, I can afford it.

IDK if this is the same but, my justification is usually the fact that I gig enough to say that it will pay for itself in several months.

 

[nonohmic]

That's also a super nice bass.

 

[Alfonso Alba]

I need one for each room in the house and one at my office so I can practice all the time and learn faster.

 

[ThuzzleFump]

I find it more fun than coin collecting, though it does take up more room.

 

[LT131]

Buying a bass can be tough when you already own 3... or 15... or 25. Or more. For those who do, unless stupidly rich there needs to be some justification in order to do so with a clear conscience. I thought it might be a good idea to start a thread to help the newbie who hasn't yet learned how to justify such purchases. I have a few of mine to offer, but I'd like to get a thread going to get as many reasons as possible - lest people start thinking they have some sort of "problem." Pishaw!

I'll start with these:

• I got a great deal and can sell it for as much as (or more than) I paid. It's money in the bank.
• I just sold that other bass.
• This model has been discontinued, and if I don't get it now I may never be able to get it again.
• I had a 20% off coupon.
• The bass is on my bucket list, so I'd wind up buying it eventually anyhow. The sooner I get it, the more days of my life I'll have to play it. We're all going to die somewhere within the next 100 years. I want as many days with this bass as possible.
• I need this bass to match the new clothes I've been wearing.
• I earn more than half my income playing bass. It's a tax write-off.
• Because I earn more than half my income playing bass, I can afford it.
  
• YOLO
• I always dreamed of having this exact bass when I was a kid!
• It makes me happy.
• I don't drink, do any drugs, party, buy cars, go to strip clubs, or waste my money any other way - really.

Well... that's what I used to justify ordering this 2 nights ago.

I think I need more before I tell my wife .

This can't be your first or only Jazz can it? What took you so long?

My excuse.

THIS bass will immediately elevate my tone and abilities to the point that I will get even better gigs and influence more people than before. It will increase my musical IQ and help me lose weight. It will pay for itself financially, spiritually and physically. Besides, it looks cool. Therefore, more basses will increase that effect exponentially. I guess.

 

[Wolfenstein666]

Can I afford it?

No : then I'm not buying it.

Yes : As long as I have enough for beer afterwards, I'm buying it.

 

[JRA]

I think I need more before I tell my wife .

"honey, this instrument feels so right...it reminds me of you!"

 

[mobdirt]

Kind of felt the same way a couple of years ago and picked up this same exact spec'd JB.

 

[NYCBass]

Because you're going to dead for a long time.

 

[Kmonk]

For me, it's pretty simple. If I want it and can afford it, I buy it.

 

[ThePresident777]

I need it for that part in that song that's not in standard tuning, and I need a stand for it..

 

[lfmn16]

"I'm pretty sure I only have two weeks to live."

To which the wife says, "even less if you buy another bass."

 

[Dr. Cheese]

Because you're going to dead for a long time.

That is actually a really good reason!

 

[+6dB Dan]

"honey, this instrument feels so right...it reminds me of you!"

Dang, that is some smooth talk! Haha

 

[B-line]

This can't be your first or only Jazz can it? What took you so long?

My excuse.

THIS bass will immediately elevate my tone and abilities to the point that I will get even better gigs and influence more people than before. It will increase my musical IQ and help me lose weight. It will pay for itself financially, spiritually and physically. Besides, it looks cool. Therefore, more basses will increase that effect exponentially. I guess.

If that is the case, then I am Jaco, Bill Gates, Ghandi, and a (slender) Superman rolled all into one.....

Meaning I buy a lot of basses, with no remorse, regrets, or 2nd thoughts.

 

[+6dB Dan]

In some ways, justifying a new bass is easier if you're a lefty. If you see a bass for sale, it may be your only chance to buy that make/model/color for a very very long time. So there's some real urgency to jumping on the sale if you're interested in it.

 

[Dr. Cheese]

This question of justifying purchasing another bass is funny for me because my GAS has never been lower. I am really happy with what I own even though I owned much more expensive basses in the past. The only reason I am slowly paying off a Pedulla is that it is a great deal that fell in my lap, so I guess finding a great deal is the most acceptable reason for me to buy a new bass.

 

[Chrisk-K]

My justification for buying gear is "because I can."