Man i'm glad

[JRA]

I started buying in 2000 and stopped in 2016. how about you?

i've done a lot of "buying" since 2019 (cheapies for certain parts)...more axes than i'd ever purchased in a similar time period, ever --- in my life!

but i've had a blast making some superior playing instruments for myself. if you buy parts = the price increases don't seem as drastic...drip, drip.....drip!

 

[roccobass]

Im glad I enjoy making cheap basses better,
Parts can add up but all in all its still cheaper to mod and come up with something you cant just go out and buy.

Yes yes yes!
You and @JRA are getting me motivated!

 

[Thumpin6string]

It’s funny. My two most favorite basses are the one’s I had modified. They’re now my two main axes. Hmm. Maybe I’ll do it again.

My first was a scratch build (my avatar) and my latest is highly modified parts bass which is in the link in my sig. Way more fun than store bought IMHO.

 

[Katoosie]

The major flaw in capitalism is the need for more as opposed to enough. As long as the system facilitates greed so readily it will continue without any understanding that growth cannot continue indefinitely.

Oof careful, that is a dangerous thing to say! The capitalists might wanna get you

Just try to live humbly. I still buy stuff but the real expensive things I try to get used. Used basses are great, wouldn't be able to own what I own within any reasonable timeframe without a used market.

 

[CallMeAl]

Haven’t bought guitar, bass, amp or pedal in almost a year now. Not really related to prices but rather overall satisfaction with what I’ve got.

I also tend to shop used and stick to “bang for your buck” instruments (Squier, Yamaha, Ibanez, G&L tribute, etc) so I feel partially insulted to any GAS that may pop up.

 

[krfoss]

I did all my major buying/ trading in the pandemic and deals were great then. Now I'm sitting back with some fantasy gear and hoping to keep GAS to strings and straps.

 

[Dr. Cheese]

The imports are worth looking at too. I played a Squier 40th Anniversary Jazz recently and was amazed how nice it was. The import Stingrays are impressive too.

I saved a ton of money buying an MTD Kingston Super 4 instead of a USA Musicman or *GASP!* a USA MTD.

My two best basses are Chinese imports, my Super 5 and RSD fretless.

 

[Danny C]

The price of everything has gone up except musicians pay.

 

[nickpc]

At this point every time something shiny catches my eye I ask myself "Will it become my #1?" On basses that is a pretty darn high bar that is still yet to be crossed. I have pulled the string on a couple of basses since implementing this rule, but they were both special cases - too good of a deal and covering a gap in my collection.

 

[Smooth_bass88]

Today's bass prices are crazy, glad I'm a hoarder of the bass. I started buying in 2000 and stopped in 2016. how about you?

Started buying when I was 12. Still buying today. If I see a bass I really want and the price isn't too crazy, I buy it. Lately the focus is more on mods/repairs/upgrades/maintenance to the instruments that get a lot of hard use.

 

[bigdaddybass12]

I want one more!!! remember, I love cheap basses ! ! (inexpensive basses that is !!))
I dont need it, I may have to let 1 go, but which one??? I have a Fender P that could easily go, P basses are not my favorite, but everyone needs a p bass???

 

[No Malarky]

If a sweet deal falls into my lap, would consider it.

Otherwise I just window shop.

 

[bigdaddybass12]

Im glad I enjoy making cheap basses better,
Parts can add up but all in all its still cheaper to mod and come up with something you cant just go out and buy.

Yep. $200-300 Ray4, less than $250 in pickup and EQ, sounds as good as any $2000 Stingray!

 

[ampeg2]

I don’t need anything except this ashtray…



Stay positive. Deals are out there…they really are.

and my thermos

 

[bigjames]

Today's bass prices are crazy, glad I'm a hoarder of the bass. I started buying in 2000 and stopped in 2016. how about you?

I grabbed my "newest" basses in 2011 and 2012...have not really looked hard since so I cannot comment, but I am really happy with what I have....wait...are those fanned frets???? LOL

 

[FearNoEvil65]

Last bass I bought was an order through G&L I put in December of 2021, as they had several price increases in the beginning of 2022, and again later last year. So glad I did, as not only would the same bass now cost at least $1,000usd more, they got rid of certain options I wanted, like block inlays.
Things have deteriorated for me lately, I have no possibility of another bass any time soon so I'm glad I bought what I could pre 2022. I'm just hoping to survive though this year. Bass on, brothers and sisters

 

[Element Zero]

I’m happy with what I’ve got, but their prices now aren’t much different than when I bought them.

 

[micguy]

My basses are all Warmoth builds, with a lot of stuff you can't get on off the rack basses (light roasted bodies and necks, graphite rods, etc). Even with all that, as I do my own finishing, it still costs a bit less than an off the rack MIA Fender - for a much nicer bass. It's about half of what an equivalent custom bass would cost you if you hired someone to build one. Yes, Warmoth's costs have gone up, but if you know what you want, and how to do some of the stuff yourself, it's a "relative" bargain for a very well made instrument.

A will also say that, although our prices have definitely gone up, if you want to know what an expensive musical instrument is, buy a nice cello. Or a bassoon. Or, like the woman who I used to play with at some gigs, a harp. Or a grand piano. Basses may not be as insanely cheap as they once were, but they still are cheap instruments. Yes, that includes that Fodera that none of us wants to pay for.

 

[bassdude51]

GAS says, "Listen to me!"

 

[sawzalot]

I buy when I can get things for prices from the 2010's.