Justifications for buying a new bass

[jaymelewis]

If you have the money, I'd say any purchase is justified if you want it bad enough. However, I balance this with a strict 6 month rule in my studio - if it hasn't been touched in 6 months, it's out. I think that instruments, microphones, amps and whatever are meant to be used. Why would you keep a thoroughbred race horse locked up all the time? That bad boy needs to run free!

But really, I think an instrument deserves to be played and not hung on a wall as a trophy. If you're gonna use it, get it! If you're not gonna use it, why would you want it?

Hope that helps!

 

[Gatlin]

I'm glad I read this. Picking up that same color fender in a p bass tomorrow.

 

[japhy4529]

This is why I have set two rules for myself going forward;

1) Two basses only; upgrade, but don't expand.
2) Never buy on credit.

I like it. I aspire to have just ONE bass. Yes, that's not a typo. I'm sure my TB membership card will expire at any moment now. Of course, "aspire" is the operative word.

 

[Killed_by_Death]

My lamest excuse for buying another bass was:

I bought a BC Rich Warbeast, which came in the largest coffin case I've seen:

I'd previously owned a Warlock bass & I know this case was designed for those. Back when I had the Warlock bass, I could not find a case for it at a decent price.
So, I considered finding a Warlock bass to fit this case, LOL!

A year later I didn't have the case anymore, but a Warlock double Precision bass showed up in the local pawn shop. I was almost wishing I'd kept that case.
BTW, those cases are flimsy as, at least the two I've had were.

 

[bikeplate]

Saw it, played it, liked it, bought it.

 

[TBGFRED]

much like when you were a kid:

"but this one - this one right here - will be the LAST one EVER, I swear! Now I'm totally set"

 

[MrLenny1]

I need another bass for back up.
Must be a 5, light weight $750 range.
My back up is a boutique bass that really belongs in the studio.
I'm justifying it based on the work that I have.

 

[Reedt2000]

I just got one (a G&L tribute L 2500) cause I wanted a nicer but not expensive bass for outdoor gigs where it might rain. 1st gig after buying it was outdoors and it rained!

 

[madbass6]

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 .

to match the new cloths Ive been wearing ? by far it has got to be the best dummest excuse/reason for buying a new Bass ! but if it justifies it for the purchaser and he's happy, what eva works !

 

[JimmyM]

I have run through the justification list while having like 20 different basses flying in (and a few going out), and I think I've used them all. At this point I honestly have all the basses I would ever need, and I probably should off a couple more. But they were so cheap that it's not worth it to off them unless I'm extremely desperate.

 

[chadds]

How is buying cars wasteing money? JK

"You can't handle the truth!"

Okay. You only need justification if you have doubt. Why do you need this bass? Wanting is okay and in fact is harmless and not expensive. Need?
Hmmm

Basses are like paint brushes to an artist. They do different things. My guitarist friend who has 15 Strats loves this concept.

You're the only one who knows if it's frivolous or not. You know if your buying is in itself an addiction. You know if you could be practicing instead of shopping.

I've bought gear because I thought it would give me a sound. I was in my formative years always wrong. Because the config of a bass or amp doesn't mean it sounds like you think it should.

So I can't tell anyone what to do. Practically your bass should do everything you tell it to do tonally. If you do session and live you may need to deliver a certain genre rich sound. That may require different basses.

 

[Joe Nerve]

Thanks for all the good spirit in this thread !!!!

This is the first bass I ever purchased without discussing it with my wife first, and I did that for a few reasons. One was that I was hoping it would get delivered when she wasn't home - and I wanted to see whether or not she'd even notice . The other was that I really am starting to feel this is getting a little crazy. I can afford it, but my house is filled to the brim with basses and guitars. Really nice ones, too. And while this might sound like a joke - I'm honestly thinking about putting the plug in the bass jug for a while after this one. No promises yet, but I am thinking about it....

On the lighter side of things, I decided to tell my wife as it felt weird not doing so - and her response is part of the reason she's my wife. She smiled and gave me a sincere, "Yay!" She followed with, "I know how happy it makes you." I couldn't ask for more.

Just want to add also that if there's anyone out there reading any of this who can't afford even one decent bass, who thinks this thread is someone bragging or being ungrateful - it's quite the opposite. I'm grateful almost to tears that I can afford to buy myself these toys. Twenty years ago $450 was the most I could afford for a "real" bass. The only thing I did that gave me the ability to afford these things today was change my attitude about life. Lots of positive thinking and affirming good things goes a long way.

Hmmm.... maybe I just need to start affirming a bigger place to live in...

 

[Alfonso Alba]

Twenty years ago $450 was the most I could afford for a "real" bass.

OMG!!! How could you live like that?

 

[saltydude]

I thought it was "I need a lightweight bass, cause physical reasons and such".

Anyway congrats on the new axe.

 

[Spidey2112]

I'm honestly thinking about putting the plug in the bass jug for a while after this one.

...

... ...

...

...

 

[Joe Nerve]

OMG!!! How could you live like that?

I'm assuming that was sarcasm... . I should probably add that I was using a piece of crap someone had given to me before that, and saved like a mofo for that first bass.

 

[Joe Nerve]

I thought it was "I need a lightweight bass, cause physical reasons and such".

Anyway congrats on the new axe.

Stop following me !

I know you are, but what am I!!!!

 

[Chrisk-K]

Some acts do not need a justification. Examples include mountain climbing and buying basses.

 

[Gizmot]

It's in the US Constitution- you can have any bass you want as long as you pay for it.

 

[5thsand4ths]

Cuz