Looking for a new bass, but going to move out soon

Are you saying you won't be able to play bass in your apartment? What about headphones? In any event, my two cents is as long as you can afford it, go for it (not that too many people here are going to try to talk you out of a new bass ). A year and a half is a long time to enjoy a new sound, and life's too short as it is.

 

If you're buying the bass, then it's your decision right? What about your current bass don't you like? I'm not a fan of Dean basses personally and even used to own one just like yours so I understand your argument- they are very meh, but what about the bass are you tired off? What kind of music are you into, and what kind of sound are you looking for. All these questions will help answer what your next bass should be.
A far more versatile bass seems to be what you need, also have you considered a 5 string bass?

 

Explain this. Is it that you can't take it with you because you are still in school and it is not practical or not allowed to have a bass at school? If you deem it impractical perhaps we can help you with that, if it is not allowed by school policy (which is hard to imagine but it could be, I suppose) then perhaps you don't want to buy a new bass just yet. For one thing it would be no fun to have a brand new toy sitting at home where you can only use during the summer. For another you tastes in basses might change by the time you get out of school and now you have a bass you never got to use much and no longer want, might as well have kept the Dean! All too often the period of drooling over and dreaming about a new purchase turns out to have brought you more pleasure than the purchase itself does once you make it. This is true of most everything, not just basses, and it tends to be true even when the new purchase turns out to be quite satisfying. I spent my whole college career dreaming of a new Fender Jazz Bass which gave me countless hours of pleasure and I may still have that old Fender catalog salted away somewhere. But you know, I did not actually buy that Jazz Bass until nearly 40 years later. Turned out it wasn't that important to me after all....

 

If you can't play it in your new place, don't buy a bass. Makes no sense at all.

It also makes no sense that you can't play it where you're moving. Get headphones and an adapter to let you input music and the bass output into the phones.

If you're tired of the bass and CAN play it where you're moving, first choice would be to get a pro setup and chances are it will play much more easily. Failing that, sell it and buy a used bass that doesn't cost much more than what you sell your current one for.

 

I missed that part where he can't take it with him. Er...but why not? When I was in college, I was in a band and it provided a fantastic outlet and reprieve from the academic life. You never know, college is where you in fact find some like-minded individuals.

 

Exactly. I found that my playing always got better when I had a deadline I didn't want to deal with coming up. Funny how that works.

 

I'm guessing she feels that the bass will be more of a distraction from studies lol. In my case, it did not detract from my studies, actually helped me focus a lot better when it came to class work, gave me something to look forward to. I wasn't initially in a band my first semester in college, but I met some like-minded individuals with roughly the same abilities which in all honesty was mediocre to slightly above average at best- we all became better musicians as a result. Our singer is now a top Elvis impersonator (kind of funny considering we were an Alternative/New wave band), the guitarist and I are hoping to collaborate on some recordings. We were in college 20 years ago and that friendship, bond and love for music has stayed with us.
Now in terms of instruments, having something to play on but doesn't rock your boat usually doesn't lend itself to being inspired to play. I bought my MIM Fender Jazz bass for $200 and that bass would be quite an upgrade from the Dean. Upgrading doesn't necessarily have to be costly. One of my best basses (I have 15 basses, some worth a couple of grand), was a bass that cost me a whopping $100. It's an Ibanez SR800 I found used. These were top of the line Ibanez basses in the late 90s that initially sold for $800 but are often mis-identified for a cheaper model today. Buy used, keep an eye out for hidden gems and you can potentially upgrade for very little money especially if you sell your Dean to fund it. Just my thoughts.

 

"Doesn't fit" is transparently false argument. There's something else going on and you might ask her to tell you what the real issue is.

"Don't deserve" is another false argument. You deserve an instrument that's properly setup and playable. If yours is not, get it set up and it should serve you well. The way you get to be a BETTER than mediocre bass player...is to play more. You do that by taking your bass and practicing, probably to music that you enjoy.

You don't know what upgrading to a better instrument will do - and trust me, it won't introduce new sounds or a wider range of sounds. What it will likely do is provide new eye candy and (if it's setup) a better-playing instrument. A setup on yours would address 50% of that.

 

Do you pay all your own bills? If so, then you are an adult and are free to make your own decisions. If you don't, then you need to navigate the relationship with your parent as best you can. A bunch of people in the inter webs don't really know your family dynamic.

As for bass in an apartment, I've been in a couple over the past decade and was playing/gigging out and even recording at home. Just have to have respect for your neighbors and the right setup.

 

As far as noise in an apartment, pick up one of those inexpensive headphone amps for quiet practice. If you're apartment is so small that an electric bass won't fit, you seriously need to find bigger digs! A bass can fit in a Mazda Miata. I agree that your family dynamic plays a part in your decision, but you'll never progress past the "mediocre" stage without practicing, and I personally use my practice/rehearsal time as my time to unwind and not think about all the stresses in my daily life. Playing can also get you more socially involved in the area you're moving to, especially with the college crowd. And a big +1 to having your current bass checked out and set up. New strings and properly set action can make a huge difference in even an inexpensive bass, and a pickup upgrade can transform your sound instantly. Good luck to you

 

When young, I would have bought the bass just because Mom didn't like it. As for deserving it. Have you seen the "Crappy Bassist With Expensive Gear Club"? There are guys that show up for beginner lessons with a Fodera and have more items in stock than a music store. But I'm all for them. They have something that they're way in to and gives them a lot of enjoyment.

 

Listen to your mom, regardless of whether she is right or wrong. If you don't, then you are going to HAVE TO listen to your mom.

But, keep it a topic of conversation. She may come around.

 

Try the Dean Hillsboro Single. $300 at most stores but $169 at Musician's Friend. Of course, Guitar Center will match the price. This was my first bass and like an idiot I traded it in...but I've bought two other Deans, a Dean Exotica acoustic (I like it better than my Epiphone Thunderbird Pro, my Squier CV Jazz and my Sterling Sub 4) and a Dean Motto Jazz bass.
Incredibly smooth neck, nice active electronics, looks pretty cool, too. At that price you really can't go wrong for something brand new.
When I put flatwounds on mine...wow!

 

I'd not bring it up again and just wait to get another after you've moved and got settled in. If noise is a problem you can get headphones etc., I actually play completely unplugged all the time. What kinds are you looking at? Schecter makes a lefty for most models

 

Can't go wrong with the Squier VM...and I always see a few left-hand models on ebay and Guitar Centers online site. No matter where you might find a used one, GC in one state will send it to your nearest store. Easier to send back that way if it's not 100%.