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JUSTIFYING SPENDING BIG $$ ON A CUSTOM BASS...

#21
I don't know about everyone else, but when I make big ticket purchases, be it a car, bass, condo, etc. I always cut something to make up the cost. I'm currently selling my basses to afford a custom bass (I'm not giving the go ahead until I get at least one of them sold to afford the down payment) and my car (last I checked you don't need a car in Chicago) and am also cutting back on my other indulgences, namely cigars and scotch.
 
#22
Buying a bass unplayed, hoping that because it meets your current criteria at the moment, is a risky thing. It's one reason so many custom basses wind up in the TB classifieds.
I'd listen seriously to grendle's advice, and play the variety of Spectors, before making a commitment to custom order.
I recently dropped more than 4K on a custom Zon, and I love it. But I had been playing a Zon for a couple of years, knew exactly what I liked and what I wanted different, based on what I had played rather than on what I thought.
I have also bought basses because they were what I thought I wanted, and have definitely been disappointed with some of them.
YMMV, and good luck.
 
#23
It is not my first Spector... I've owned 4 to date.

I know the Euro is a fantastic bass!! I think that's what is making it so difficult to choose a more expensive US. I love the Spector sound and one day will own a US NT with the HAZ-LAB pre and all, this is just not that project.

I am trying to marry the best of several basses I have owned over the years....that's why I want the mods...
 
#24
bclark812008 said:
It is not my first Spector... I've owned 4 to date.

I know the Euro is a fantastic bass!! I think that's what is making it so difficult to choose a more expensive US. I love the Spector sound and one day will own a US NT with the HAZ-LAB pre and all, this is just not that project.

I am trying to marry the best of several basses I have owned over the years....that's why I want the mods...
Click to expand...

oh, cool.

Yeah in that case, just do it. Nothing else is going to make you happy and you'll spend 3x as much figuring that out. You could look for a used US bolt on. They go for good prices, a lot of guys get them and figure out they really want the NT tone. Most basses like that are babied and generally in mint shape as well. For me it was the NT, Crown inlays, and the tone. Couldnt live without them.

The guys from the Spector thread are great about keeping their eyes open for deals and are always swapping basses to get their dream Spector so there are deals to be had.
 
#25
I agree with Grendle on this one, but my advice would be when you are ready to order, sleep on it.

I know I've bought a few instruments in excitement, then later realized it wasn't exactly what i wanted, because I got too hyped up over it to think it through all the way.

Just my 2 cents, give yourself time before you order it to make sure you won't change your mind/regret it like I did (not custom order but still $$ I shouldn't have spent)

YMMV
 
#28
The usa bolt-on spectors are wonderful instruments. The one I owned had a maple neck and sounded awesome. I would recommend the spector shop to anyone.

The question about spending money is---- Do it. I've been thru I don't know how many instruments and have finally narrowed it down to 10 that I really like. It can be difficult spending lots of cash but for me it's better than wondering if there is something else out there "better" or more to my liking. It was a long, strange process that took me in directions I didn't think of venturing instrument wise.

I have one more outstanding order and it will complete a 20 year process.

+1 on the spector!
 
#30
grendle said:
Some really sweet bolt on's at bass central. We get a discount there also.
Click to expand...

Bass Central is Awesome to deal with...they sold me my Spector Euro 5 (which I just sold to fund this project) and EBMM Stingray 4HH fretless (that will NEVER leave my arsenal)!!

I have been working with a fellow TB'er on spec'ing one out and I would feel bad to not buy thru him since we have been working on it for a few weeks now. Also, Jesse has been great to work with, and for what I want, his pricing is competitive with BC!
 
#35
No need to justify spending the money if you have it and want a certain bass.

I would counsel against loading up any one instrument with so much expectation, though. Your main bass chooses you and you can't always rush the process, even by custom ordering what you think will be your dream bass.

Personally I avoid disappointment by never expecting a purchase to be perfect, if it is it's a bonus and becomes a keeper.

Maybe that's why I always buy used and don't custom order. Almost anything you want is out there already if you look around and are patient.
 
#37
I spent £2000 on a handmade Overwater (British bass company) after trying about4 or 5 of them and deciding that offerings from everywhere else just didn't cut it. If you are gonna spend that money you need to be 100% sure that you won't regret it, because you'll end up with a bass you don't play sat in it's box losing value, then selling it for much less and being put off the custom bass path altogether. You need to spend around 5 or 6 months considering if it's just what you need.
My suggestion would be seriously consider if you haven't already found 'that' bass, the one you can't replace with anything else without feeling slightly uncomfortable.
 
#39
#40
justification?

yyd23.jpg
 

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