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Should I buy while the iron is hot?

#41
Can't speak to value or quality. If it was me I'd be sure about the value. As has been mentioned, you may be able to find that used at a better price. The following assumes that you play regularly; you're not just buying a $500 dust collector.

If you've been playing for 7 years on a starter, then, it sure seems time to step up. $500 for a bass that you love is not really that much. Some here would even consider that a bargain for the "one". If you're buying new, know that you'll take a 35-60% hit if you try to sell it. If you're buying used, then there is not too much risk - you should be able to get most if not all of your money in return.

Unless you have impulse issues and your mother's advise is based on that kind of history and you really can afford it, then I say this: You have a couple of days to act; spend the time researching the hell out of this "deal" and make sure it is at least reasonable. The deal is less important if you love it, but you still don't want to end up with something that is a total bath if you decide to part ways. I'd also be out playing everything I can get my hands on to make sure another "the one" doesn't appear.

Good luck!
 
#44
Mister Frisbee said:
I was at the local music shop the other day, and I saw an interesting looking bass on the wall. Asked to see it, fell in love with it within 5 minutes. Given the features and the amazing tone, I couldn't believe its price of only $500 U.S. It's the Cort C4 Plus ZBMH (not OTAB)

Here's the thing, I want to buy it, I have the funds, and I've been searching for a good j-bass for a while, but my mother does not want me to buy it because she thinks it is a rash/reckless purchase. My current bass came as part of a learning kit with combo amp, cord, the whole deal, but it just doesn't cut it after 7 years experience. Also it's a p-bass, which some people do like, I just don't - not as well as j-basses at least. To some degree, I see her point of view, but at the same time, I know that I'll never find another bass just like it. Anyone want to give opinions?View attachment 2978448
Click to expand...

My standard response on quandaries such as yours it to let you know there will always be basses for sale. That said, what your Mother is worried about is that given time, your new love will become a closet space eater. Only you can determine if you are going get your money’s worth by learing the craft and playing on into the future. No knock on Cort basses, but by being patient, I scored a professional quality bass with a nice case for about $100 more than your budget.
 
#45
el murdoque said:
Not at all. It has Soapbar Pickups instead of J-Pickups, an active 3 band EQ and pickup blend + master vol where the J has 1 tone and 2 volume pots. The body shape is not that of a J, neither is the headstock.

What it does have in common with a J is that it is an electric 4 string bass guitar with two magnetic pickups.
Click to expand...

And what this bass has in common with a blender is that it’s also an electronic device that must be plugged into something in order to make a loud noise.

Seriously, welcome to TB!

As pointed out, its not a J-bass as it’s not shaped like one nor does it have J pickups but who cares? If you like it, grab it. You may want to comparison shop though as Cort basses are known to be entry-level instruments. I mention this as you noted above that this would be a lifelong investment. You may decide that something of slightly better quality (e.g. wood, electronics, hardware, etc.) is in order. Then again, if you decide this is the bass of your dreams, then go for it! It’s not like you’re signing a pact with the devil, forcing you to own this bass for life!
 
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#49
'94 Gretsch G6119B.JPG Well, couple of things - besides welcome to Talk Bass!
1 - Are you a legal adult, who doesn't have to listen to your parent(s)? If you aren't, then I'm not going to tell you not to. If you are a legal adult? Well, it's your money; if you're willing to listen to Mom's "I told you so" for.. as long as she has the breath to, then go right ahead.
2 - If you're right handed - as I assume you are - then you are in the fortunate position of hardly ever having to "strike while the iron is hot". Even if you pass this one by, there will be another one along real soon - and another, and another... As others have said, that isn't exactly a smokin' hot deal, anyway... I think that, if I were you, I might be inclined to look around some more. Take note of what make you happy about the Cort, and check out other basses that are similar. You are in the happy position of not having to "buy it NOW, before it's gone!!"
I, on the other hand am not so lucky. Being a lefty, buying it right now before it vanishes is pretty much the norm. That's how I got this Gretsch Broadkaster. It's the only lefty I -or anybody else - has ever seen, so.. I knew better than to hesitate before I hit the "Buy it now" button. There was going to be no "buy it later"; in all the years since I got it, I've never seen another lefty Gretsch bass. But, that isn't something you have to worry about...:thumbsup:
 
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#50
Ok guys thank you so much for all the advice. I would like to speak to a few points and give some further information.
I play on a promethean P-3110 combo amp that is 300W with I believe a 1X10 speaker to practice on. I play in two church bands. I am not a professional bassist, and I do not plan to become one. I have been to music stores before to play on different basses. I do not like the feel of fenders, personally, though they tend to have a pleasing sound. The Cort that I played on sounded very mid-y and I really appreciate that aspect of the instrument. I have not been able to find many of this model of Cort online. I do live in the U.S. Now I would like to talk about GAS. This is the first non-junk bass that I will have ever bought. I do not have GAS. I want to avoid developing GAS at all costs. I do have the tendency to, when I know I want something and have the means, buy that something. However, (and I realize now that I don't know as much about j- and p-basses as I thought) I have always wanted something that sounded quite distinctly different than my p-bass. And obviously I may change my mind and return it as soon as it sounds through my amp, but I at least want to give this a shot. I'll let you all know how it goes and once again, thanks so much for everything!
 
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#51
According to Wikipedia, Cort makes guitars for a lot of other companies like Ibanez, G&L and Squier, so the build quality should be decent. One concern with lesser known brands though is that the resale value is lower than something like a Fender, and it will be harder to sell used since nobody knows what it is. But if you like the way it plays and the price seems fair to you, I'd say go for it. I would add that this model is similar to several of the Ibanez basses so you may want to look at those too.
 
#56
Sorry this is a bit long, but let me add some more rambling thoughts on a topic concerning people I know nothing about (because you haven't really told us much)...

How old are you? Do you still live at home? Do you have your own income? Do you have expenses you're expected to cover from any income? Are the "funds" you have currently earmarked for something else? Does your mother feel some "ownership" for this money (e.g. my mum got weird about some money that was left to me when my grandmother died). What's you're musical situation? Are you in a band or just jamming by yourself in your room?

If you've been playing for seven years, you're due something better than what probably came bundled with a tiny combo amp, instument cable, strap, and maybe a pick and a pitch pipe. What else have you played? Have you tried 4, 5, 6 stings, P, J, P/J, soapbar pickup configurations? Different neck profiles? Active v. passive electronics? You might rule a lot of options out very quickly, but you might also find other things you really like. And if my hunch is correct, you'll need a better amp, and maybe some effects... This is the beginning of an upgrade cycle that will last the rest of your life.

Unless your mother knows something we don't about you/your money (see above), she's probably just trying to protect you from making a rash purchase, and she might be right as it doesn't seem like a great deal. Many of us have fallen in lust with a new instrument in the first five minutes, and this is often not the best time to make a decision.

If you want to get her on board, you have to talk rationally and logically with her. Try to articulate why the starter package bass isn't good enough to get you to [insert musical ambition here], and what you need (not want) that will get you there. Maybe let this bass go, but let her know that you'll be trying out a few different things until you find exactly what you need to realise your goals.
 
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