• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join freeLog in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

No money no bass...

Status
Not open for further replies.
What about trading? Do you have something(s) that you no longer need or want, but might be valuable to someone else? Try putting an ad like "willing to trade item X for bass guitar of plus or minus equal value" on your local Craigslist and/or other classifieds sites.

I have to reiterate what a couple of others have said though...if you can't even afford "even the low end" (your words), then being into bass/music might be something you should think about holding off on for the time being, or until you get your financial house in order.
 
Does anyone know the best way to get a super cheap bass? I don't have the money to spend on even the low end so this is important for me. And I'm sure other people know that problem too so any suggestions are gonna be helpful to someone!
Well you can get a brand new one for under $200. You can try used but I find people are trying to get some of their money back which means it pretty much always goes over $200.

But the trick is: work and save your money.

For what I want I need to save 3k which I could do now but I have other obligations so I am waiting when the other obligations are fulfilled.
 
i-smell-a-troll.jpg

For real!!! Is this guy for real?!
 
Pull weeds,split wood,mow lawns, make sammiches ,buy basses.If the instrument is important to you then you will find a way.Though if you can't afford a SX then buying a bass sounds like the least of your problems.
 
Best suggestion I can make is to make some musician friends wherever you are. There's been times I've helped out (with a loaner) to somebody I either played with, or knew by local reputation. And I'm sure I'm not alone in doing that.

But (and here's the important thing) they weren't complete strangers. Or people I might have recognized by sight, but didn't know somewhat personally.

Strangers with a problem have a tough time of it most places. Unfortunate but understandable when you think about the number of people running charity cons these days. So don't allow yourself to remain a stranger in your local music community. If you're on the level with people, not a jerk about things, and honest and trustworthy, you'll be surprised what people (often unasked) will help you out with.

I'll also echo some of the previous tough love in this thread. If your finances are dire enough that spending $150-$200 isn't doable for the foreseeable future, then you absolutely need to get your money life together. And that has to be your first focus and priority. (I know this from personal experience - because I've been there a few times in my own life.) That means a steady job that pays something, a safe and decent enough place to live, regular meals, some close attention to your health and grooming, and cutting all unnecessary expenses until you're back on your feet. If nothing else, doing that will allow you to maintain your self-respect and not slip into depression. Because depression is a subtle trap that can derail an entire lifetime if you're not careful.

In the meantime, go make some musician friends. The old advice to "seek out the brotherhood" is golden advice even during the best times.
 
I think it depends on your situation. It sounds to me like you're money situation is a bit tight. Be patient and make sure that all the essentials are .taken care of first. Now if you're a 14 year old kid whose parents cant afford to buy him music gear, then why didnt you just say so?? haha two very different situations.
 
I gleen that most around here are still asleep, faithful cogs in the machine that they can't see the forest for the trees of.

But then again I already knew this.

"Get a job", such a typical response.

Elitism without even realizing it. Well intentioned I'm sure. In most cases at least.

The joys of being awake surrounded by the sleeping. This has to be how Neo felt in the Matrix.

Carry on.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Blackjac97
Card board sign, marker, and a street corner. That's how beggers do it around here. Once enough money is made, buy a bass, case, portable amp, strings, tuner, and a street musician's license, then start playing for money with the case open. Need to find new cardboard for a new sign, likely.

Make enough money to start upgrading your instrument and tools, then look on CL for a band to join. Start off playing in open mikes, and other fine establishments that expect musicians for free (beggers too).

Graduate to paying gigs, write some materials, get facebook and youtube account, and start working on getting signed.

Make a one-hit wonder, then sign on a record deal. Tour as the opening act and use the free time on the road to write more hits. Sign a better record deal, start headlining tours, get your chicks for free and your money for nothing.

That's the way to do it.
 
I was just looking at Craigslist for my area yesterday and saw quite a few crappy old beater basses for under $100. Some around the $50 mark.

I'm not even going to suggest a type of bass or features to look for because, based on your post, you're the the definition of "beggars can't be chooser". Just go for the cheapest bass you see on Craigslist and play the hell out of it.
 
  • Like
Reactions: 6Bass101
I gleen that most around here are still asleep, faithful cogs in the machine that they can't see the forest for the trees of.

But then again I already knew this.

"Get a job", such a typical response.

Elitism without even realizing it. Well intentioned I'm sure. In most cases at least.

The joys of being awake surrounded by the sleeping. This has to be how Neo felt in the Matrix.

Carry on.
The OP made his apparently very tight financial situation the issue in his post. The question is somewhat like saying "my kitchen is on fire right now. What color backsplash would look good with my countertops?" Most people would answer "get out of the kitchen or put out the fire". It's just natural human response to crisis. But what about that backsplash?

If you state that you cannot afford the cheapest bass it probably means one of two things. Either you are supported by somone else and have no income, or you have an income but also have a very tight budget. There is nothing whatsoever elitist about infering one of these problems exist and offering an opinion on how to solve it. In the end, all the advice leads toward the OP obtaining the bass he is seeking.
 
No money?

1) Borrow a bass and a little Peavey-type amp from someone you know who plays bass.

2) Ask Mom/Dad for a bass for Christmas.

3) Work at the Orange Julius stand at the mall after school.

4) Post on TalkBass about not being able to afford a bass and hope someone gives you one.

5) Theft.

That about exhausts your options.
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: Shannon
Status
Not open for further replies.