I realize I haven't bought anything new since my Fender American Standard Jazz bass in 2006 or 2007 but things are so much now. Every 5 string I look at, new or used, is thousands or close to 2k.
Amplifiers? Bergantino is like buying a house. Others are no better, including Aguilar or ampeg. Traynor? I had to get up off the floor. I guess $500 for my Eden WT405 in 2005 may be comparable to today, but I don't know. I do know it's 16 pounds.
I see you guys with 10 amps, 20 basses and think, wow. Then someone will post a thinning the heard bass, that costs 3.5k.
I never realized I was among so many rich people here on Talk Bass.
I have two basses and two amps. If I thin the herd then I will have no herd.
Thanks for reading
Rich is relative. I spend decent money on basses and cycling stuff but here's the behind the scenes....
I go to a bar about 5 times a year. When I go, I have 1 beer. I purchase about two 6 packs per year for home. So my annual spending on drinking is about $50.
I go to a sit down restaurant about once every 4-8 weeks. I get fast food about once per month.
I've lived in the same 900sq ft townhouse for the last 15 years.
I cut my own hair with $20 clippers.
I drive an 11 year old elantra with a standard transmission.
I go to see a movie in theaters about once per year, if that.
I purchase a new video game about once every 15 months.
I run my errands on bicycle about 11 months out of the year.
I go on vacation on my bike, with a tent... for $0.
I go on coffee dates.... not dinner and movie dates. Dunkin and a hike in a local preserve is great.
I buy a new pair of shoes about once every 2 years and spend maybe $40-50 when I do.
I make my coffee at home in the morning.
I don't do gas station drinks like redbull or monster and I don't drink any soda or eat candy/treats so $50 in groceries is about 8+ days of living for me.
I purchased a power rack and weights 8 years ago so I don't belong to a gym.
I share/swap streaming services with immediate family so my total cost for those is $13/month.
That's why I have enough for basses and bicycles, because I don't make a lot of money so I choose to be cautious of the small expenses that add up. Many friends pay more for property tax, heating/cooling, electric, etc because they have homes larger than they need or use. They eat out constantly and have a decent bar/food tab every time they go out...which leads to the gym cost. Most of them drive cars that are more than they need as well.... which leads to more gas... and more insurance... and in some cases more repairs. They have every streaming service and cable package known to man and attend all sorts of sporting events where they eat and drink to their hearts content. Lets not even get into the divorce/kids situation either. Habits like that are what makes people with $100k/year wonder where their money went.
And it's usually the upkeep and cost of use that gets ya. My friend just bought another rifle for like $1000, which I didnt think was bad at all... but then after $20/hour at the range.... and the crazy cost of ammo... you realize that you'll dump $100 to spend an hour of enjoyment.
I'd much rather get spendy on my road/gravel bike and then ride to my hearts content at basically no cost
