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Retirement Bass

#42
Dr. Cheese said:
My life has been a bit bassackwards. I married late, so I had fun and bought tons of gear when I was single. Now I have to prioritize family and the house, so I don't have a spare $2-3K for basses. I figure that in another five years, I will be able to spend in the low end of the boutique range again, and I should be able to go whole hog after the kids get out of college, provided I am alive, and still want to play.:D
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We are in a similar situation. I didn't marry until I was 39. Six years later I have a 5 year old and a 2 year old. Went through stuff like crazy until then - and have the debt to prove it as I wasn't a fiscally responsible when it was just me - and at 38 you really doubt there will be a family so what the heck. Well, I was wrong. I wouldn't change a thing - other than the fiscally responsible part - but it all contributes.

I don't know if I'll ever be able or willing to pay for a really expensive bass, but thank goodness you can get a really nice bass for well under $1,000. Lakland Skyline here I come.
 
#43
SteveC said:
We are in a similar situation. I didn't marry until I was 39. Six years later I have a 5 year old and a 2 year old. Went through stuff like crazy until then - and have the debt to prove it as I wasn't a fiscally responsible when it was just me - and at 38 you really doubt there will be a family so what the heck. Well, I was wrong. I wouldn't change a thing - other than the fiscally responsible part - but it all contributes.

I don't know if I'll ever be able or willing to pay for a really expensive bass, but thank goodness you can get a really nice bass for well under $1,000. Lakland Skyline here I come.
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I married at 38 and now I have a nine and a five year old. It's funny how we have these things in common my brother.:smug:
 
#44
I like the musicman holy trinity idea.

I married late too and have a 6 month old. I'll be an old geezer when I finally retire. Its important to enjoy now as long as its not at the family's expense (sounds like you've got that all straight).

Couple thousand? Yeah, do that. Crazy expensive coffee table? Can't speak for you, but I won't be doing that.

Now, a nice Tabla ($500-600), cool vacation, recording studio/office/yoga studio (wife) out back...that's what I'm thinking about.
 
#45
jmain said:
I like the musicman holy trinity idea.

I married late too and have a 6 month old. I'll be an old geezer when I finally retire. Its important to enjoy now as long as its not at the family's expense (sounds like you've got that all straight).

Couple thousand? Yeah, do that. Crazy expensive coffee table? Can't speak for you, but I won't be doing that.

Now, a nice Tabla ($500-600), cool vacation, recording studio/office/yoga studio (wife) out back...that's what I'm thinking about.
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I love the Fodera look, but those prices do scare me. The thing is that they are great basses, but I cannot say that they are honestly 3x better than Ken Smith, Roscoe, Sadowsky, Elrick, etc. I suspect if I ever get one, it will be a situation where I find a good deal, and I have the ready cash.

I know one thing, with a three year wait list, it really takes faith to order one when you are a senior citizen!:eek:
 
#47
IMO people who think that more $=better instrument are looking at it wrong. I do not think that Smith is better than roscoe, fodera or vise versa. They are ALL just guitars. They work the same way. Just get what you like and don't expect it to be anything other than a guitar. The reason I ordered a Fodera it because it will be built by Vinny, Joey and company. If you want Ken to build a bass order a Smith.



Dr. Cheese said:
I love the Fodera look, but those prices do scare me. The thing is that they are great basses, but I cannot say that they are honestly 3x better than Ken Smith, Roscoe, Sadowsky, Elrick, etc. I suspect if I ever get one, it will be a situation where I find a good deal, and I have the ready cash.

I know one thing, with a three year wait list, it really takes faith to order one when you are a senior citizen!:eek:
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#48
fivestringdan said:
IMO people who think that more $=better instrument are looking at it wrong. I do not think that Smith is better than roscoe, fodera or vise versa. They are ALL just guitars. They work the same way. Just get what you like and don't expect it to be anything other than a guitar. The reason I ordered a Fodera it because it will be built by Vinny, Joey and company. If you want Ken to build a bass order a Smith.
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You do know you're talking to Doc, right? I'm sure he knows this just as well, if not, more so than any of us do :p.
 
#49
You should talk to Munji. I believe he slickly figured a way to get a retirement Fodera PRESENTED TO HIM by is employer rather than buying it himself. ;)

Although you work in academia, and as I know myself, that probably says 'second hand Hondo' instead of Fodera.
 
#53
My wife has agreed to me having an Alembic Spider for my 60th.
Which is precisely when I intend to stop gigging.. :crying:

I think the ones I take into my retirement (depending on how they
wear with the next 7 and a bit years), I already own:

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Ric 4003 FG

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Hamer B12 12-string bass

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Fender USA P 60th anniversary.

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Fender P Lyte

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Warwick Streamer Chrome Tone

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Warwick Custom Shop Thumb - one off walnut gloss finish.

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GWF + Ric 620/12
 
#54
I doubt Ken Lawrence will be alive when I retire, but if he is and if he's still building basses ... then probably something like this:

pi_294_1788_s1.jpg
 
#55
Kwesi said:
You do know you're talking to Doc, right? I'm sure he knows this just as well, if not, more so than any of us do :p.
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Am I a hopeless GAS bag or well informed consumer of gear?:D

Seriously, I have owned and played basses at all price and quality levels. I know that Fodera is simply one among many brands of high end boutique makers. I simply like the look of Foderas. Frankly, the ones I have played sound good, but have not made that distinctive impression that Ken Smiths, MTDs, or Sadowskys, have made on me.
 
#56
nocontrols said:
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.
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I'm in that same boat. I'm 19 years old. Ya know, they take money out of my paycheck for Social Security, but will I ever actually see that money?

Sorry if this is too political. Mods, please remove it if deemed necessary.

That being said, I would like to own a nice bass someday. Don't get me wrong, I love my Squiers, but I wouldn't mind a Sadowsky or Nordstrand someday...
 
#60
Well, at this point in my life I'm not too picky. I have a great American Standard Jazz and a 35 year old P bass. And a mim jazz.

Before I get too old (55 now) I want a three color sunburst maple neck American Jazz with tort! It will have to have a killer neck and the same tone my current jazz has. I will be content with that.

Actually I've working on my retirement gear for the past few years. Hope to make it, but buying gas to get to work is becoming more of a challenge.
 

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