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Retirement Bass

Dr. Cheese

Dr. Cheese

Supporting Member
Mar 3, 2004
57,285
120,422
Metro St. Louis
#1
Lately, I have been finding Foderas more and more attractive, but as we all know, they cost about as much as budget car these days. Knowing this, I think I am going to get a Fodera when I retire because I should have enough things out the way that I can sink a big chunk of money on a purely luxury item like a boutique bass.

I'm just curious what basses some of you all might want in a similar situation?

PM: To the Brad Johnson, and any other smart bass trader, I realize great deals do pop up, and I may very well find a Fodera at a good price long before the retirement plan kicks in.:)
 
#3
Dr. Cheese said:
Lately, I have been finding Foderas more and more attractive, but as we all know, they cost about as much as budget car these days. Knowing this, I think I am going to get a Fodera when I retire because I should have enough things out the way that I can sink a big chunk of money on a purely luxury item like a boutique bass.

I'm just curious what basses some of you all might want in a similar situation?

PM: To the Brad Johnson, and any other smart bass trader, I realize great deals do pop up, and I may very well find a Fodera at a good price long before the retirement plan kicks in.:)
Click to expand...

Probably an all-maple version of my BB70F. Right after I ordered mine, Carvin came out with the 5 piece all maple neck option, so I kind of missed the boat (took the maple/walnut option at the time). I also went with the Alder body sides, but I now think I'd prefer the appearance of Maple - one big block of antique white Maple would make a great looking Bunny.

I'd also spring the extra $10 for a coil splitting switch, as I could actually use a single-coil sound. Left that off on my current one.

Long ways down the road on that, tho. Wont have a spare $1100 for a long time (unless I can get rid of my GK amp and a few other things).

LS
 
#4
As long as we are in fantasy world, I would like to retire with a "Sting" bass.

Not one of the models made by Fender today, but his actual friggin' bass...ripped from his rich mits ;)
 
#5
WoodyG3 said:
If I ever get to retire, I'll be living on peanut butter and crackers, so a luxury item is certainly not likely. ;)
Click to expand...

Hey, me too! Guys from my generation (I'm still in my 20's) are degrees beyond screwed. As the economy worsens and the job market shrinks, less of us are saving and saving less money all the time. We won't have the safety net of social security and we won't have the pensions afforded us by labor unions since none of that will exist. My grandfather had it good... he came of age too young to be drafted into WWII but early enough that it was still the ascendancy of the American middle class. He got a job with a life-long pension, union support and a comfy retirement at age 65 (that was nearly 20 years ago now) and he NEVER WENT TO COLLEGE. Those days are over. :rollno: It's a shame to say it but it would actually be easier for me to just die early than battle through a couple decades of old age in my situation.

Oh, well. No sense being morbid. If we're talking about fantasy basses, I don't even care enough about boutique builders to want anything like a Fodera. My tastes are remarkably simple so I'll probably just get a nice MIA Fender and play it until my fingers literally fall off.
 
#6
Good for you Sir.

I went through my mid-life crisis and instead of buying a sports car I went the cheap route and ordered a Fodera. Dreams can come true and you only live once.

Do it. You wont regret it.

One thing, play one one before you order..lol
 
#8
I'm not a boutique guy, but I'll chime in anyways.

My retirement bass is going to be a pre-CBS Jazz or P.

Since I already have a 62 P, It'll probably be a 60-64 jazz. Something that will increase in value more and more over the years and I can pass it down to my kids/grandkids one day.

Of course, I really hope to own this bass long before I actually retire ;)
 
#9
fivestringdan said:
One thing, play one one before you order..lol
Click to expand...

Worth remembering. Just because they're very, very well built and made of extremely high quality components doesn't necessarily mean you'll love them. There's no accounting for taste. I've heard of people being not entirely thrilled with their "dream bass" (not necessarily Fodera) after having just assumed that a boutique builder would guarantee compatibility with the instrument. Not so.
 
#10
By the time I retire, I'd be all arthritic and old, so I'm buying as many basses as I can while able-bodied and young.

That said, I'd be looking to an up-and-comer like Valenti or Nordstrand to make me something custom. They are making fantastic stuff and the wait isn't in the "Years" category.
 
#11
I think I already own my retirement bass. I've had my Ric a good long time, and I don't see myself ever selling her. I imagine I'll have to sell every other thing that I own to be able to afford (and fit into) a retirement home, but I'll hold onto her as long as I can.
 
#12
nocontrols said:
It's a shame to say it but it would actually be easier for me to just die early than battle through a couple decades of old age in my situation.
Click to expand...

Well, if (rhetorical) you would quit electing idiots into our govt., (rhetorical) you might see your tax money going somewhere other than the pentagon (and General Electric). Just Say No to the Tea Party and maybe things will turn around ;).

Oh, well. No sense being morbid. If we're talking about fantasy basses, I don't even care enough about boutique builders to want anything like a Fodera. My tastes are remarkably simple so I'll probably just get a nice MIA Fender and play it until my fingers literally fall off.
Click to expand...

Forgot to mention: I'd also buy an extra copy of my L2000. My current one is at the beginning stages of becoming a "road-worn" vintage bass and it'd be good to have a backup. Configured the same - #8 unlined fretless neck, heaviest swamp ash body they have in the pile, battery removed....

LS
 
#13
Sort of working towards the "retirement collection" as we speak. Slowly selling off the active basses used mainly for live performances (i.e. Stingray, Spector, Hamer 12-string, Ibanez, etc.), & narrowing the herd down to five or six Rickenbackers.
Alembics, Foderas, Sadowskys and the like are nice, but I'll take a good Ric 4003 or 4004 over one of them any day of the week.
 
#16
I seriously doubt my retirement bass will be a Fodera! I just can't justify spending that much coin for a bass. Having said that, it will most likely be a custom job of some sort with a ceiling of about $3k depending on my finances at that time. I'll most likely find something used. I'm not picky! Just want a huge sounding instrument that's easy to play!
 
#20
There is another, cheaper possibility for retirement basses. It would be cool to get a Pre-Ernie Ball Stingray, a Sabre, and late 1980s-early 1990s SR5. Instead of the Holy Trinity, I would have the Funky Trinity. Being a child of the funk era, I could spend my spare time annoying my wife playing along with Steve Arrington and Tina Marie MP3s until I die!:bassist:

The good thing about this plan is that it is cheaper, and I could build it up bit by bit!:hyper:
 

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