Should I buy while the iron is hot?

[dmt]

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?

Mr. Frisbee, why does your mom get such a big vote? I guess you’re living at home and even though "you have the funds", you don’t necessarily have the funds to move out and get your own place at this point? Or are you still in high school? Are you counting on mom to pay for college? Basically, where you are in life is important to the decision and how much you have to get your mom’s agreement.

If you’re still in high school, well, mom and dad do deserve a big vote. Time to work on them and the issue, as others have suggested. Involve them in your thought process and show them how serious you are. Also, it’s a good time to find out to yourself how serious you are. Is it just an impulsive buy? I know I’ve outlasted many a G.A.S. pang (on the other hand, I’ve also regretted denying myself certain things for too long and to a lesser extent have regretted waiting on a few instruments that were gone by the time I decided to pull the trigger — it’s a tough balancing act we all have to work through in life). Should you be saving (or putting) your money towards something else?

Like for me, in early high school I had to decide between a guitar (& amp) or saving for a car (plus insurance, etc.), or working regularly after school to get both (as well as working in the summer plus odd jobs like shoveling snow, cutting a few lawns, etc. — all of which I did). I decided I didn’t want to spend high school working after school every day (summers and odd jobs were enough at 15, 16, 17, I decided, considering the competing needs for homework, grades, activities and a social life), and, well, it was a tough choice but I went for the car. I do regret not getting a guitar earlier, but if I had to do it again, I would have done the same thing except for explaining better to my parents my passion for rock music and seeing if I could have gotten them on board. I mean, I did try, a few times, but i took "no" pretty easily. I would have been on it more. They were deep into classical and jazz and didn’t see rock as "serious music" and, while they supported other musical instruments, they didn’t have any interest in backing a rock band type instrument.

I dunno; maybe they would never have gotten onboard. Basically, that’s why it’s important to get out on your own at some point.

Meanwhile, your mom may have an important point. Being able to delay gratification is one of the strongest indicators of success in life. Here’s an article (the first one I found just now, not some treasured resource) on the recentish revisit to the famous Stanford Marshmallow Experiment: Delayed Gratification: A Scientific Perspective on Self-Control

 

[dmt]

It's impossible to buy anything these days without being knee deep in blood but nevertheless I will not be buying anything Cort manufactures.

I’ll bite — what blood is on Cort’s hands?

I actually just watched Blood Diamond this past weekend (walked in while it was playing on the TV and got sucked in — wow, pretty damn harsh stuff), so I’m not necessarily in a totally unreceptive frame of mind, but also, like you say, pretty much everything has its negative impacts. What are we talking about here? Also, how are they different from other large musical instrument manufacturers?

 

[admh1972]

I wouldn't say that you would never find one like it. I have played many basses that felt right but until I graduate uni and own my own Accountancy firm I am trying to rain in what is known as GAS (Gear Acquisition Syndrome) a bit.

That being said it does sound like you have outgrown the one you have already and $500 isn't really a lot of money for a decent quality bass. Personally, I am not a big fan of Cort basses but it's all about the feel and the tone so I can't advise you on that.....beauty is in the eye of the beholder. If it sings to you get it but maybe have a think about it for a while so it's not just an 'impulse' buy, try some cheaper bass guitars, Sire V3 would be a good J-bass to try for almost half that price. Once you have tried a few other basses for less $ go back to the Cort and make a decision, then at least you have tried.

 

[nilorius]

You should think and decide fast, if you really like it and like the sound - take it as fast as you can. 500/is finally not so much and the years will go, you will find something better in all cases, without your mother.

 

[Mark76]

I have been playing Fender Jazz basses for a long time..always American models..but thats just me..I like the jazz basses a lot..but I never love a musical instrument..and thats just me..if you want to get a jazz bass..by all means do so..but I gotta tell you..there are better choices out there than the cort..actually..that cort is not a jazz bass..but if you like and want the cort..it just may be the instrument for you..at one time I had around 10 basses..now I only have 3..and I keep these 3 because I like everything about them..which means a lot to me....the cort instruments are what most consider to be an off brand..and they are not in high demand..I would think they are not even in medium demand..how many do you ever see appear on stage at a live show..?..especially with the big boys..since there is little demand for cort..resale is not good..also..I personally dont like the 2 and 2 machine head placement..I want all the tuners in a row..also..I can never remember a moment where I thought.."man I sure would like to have a cort bass"..and some other bass players will secretly make fun of you if you are seen with a cort..back years ago a lot of people dhyed away from peavey basses..especially when surrounded by fenders and gibsons..the joke used to be that "peavey is ibanez spelled backwards"..and we would all laugh..and look at each other..to make sure everyone else was also laughing..those were the days..anyway..if you are a jazz bass guy..like I am..get the real thing..at least get one with an "F" on it..for a little more money you can get a good used american fender jazz..and even less money will get you a good used mexican made fender jazz..for $600 you can buy a shiny new fender mexican jazz bass with a warranty.....and since you can get this through amazon interest free for one year..and free shipping..why pay cash....heres the link....I like it so much..I may get me another one..one last mention..a bass only sounds as good as the amp you play through..you dont need anything big or expensive..but that single 10 inch speaker will give your bass a poor representation..you might want to go to a 2x10 cabinet..or add a 12 inch cabinet to the 1x10 that you already have if possible..https://www.amazon.com/Fender-Stand...=2025&creative=165953&creativeASIN=B005L2UIWM

so much wrong... I don't know where to start.

Well, the punctuation is either atrocious or non-existent (are those dots .. meant to be full stops? Why are there even two of them every time? How come there's spacing between individual words but not between sentences? Also... Does he even know that other punctuation marks are available?

 

[btmpancake]

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

Could there be more to mom's decision that we don't know about? She probably knows more about you than she does basses.

 

[Slevage]

No

 

[pudgychef]

I’ll bite — what blood is on Cort’s hands?

I actually just watched Blood Diamond this past weekend (walked in while it was playing on the TV and got sucked in — wow, pretty damn harsh stuff), so I’m not necessarily in a totally unreceptive frame of mind, but also, like you say, pretty much everything has its negative impacts. What are we talking about here? Also, how are they different from other large musical instrument manufacturers?

Apparently closed the factory in South Korea (originated there....I think it was Jack Westwood and one of the Piano/classical instrument companies like Young Chang in partnership..) without warning and moved to Indonesia. Put a lot of people out of work...there was a demonstration at NAMM that year iirc and a couple months ago, when I was in Seoul, there were still demonstrations protesting it...though their signage was quite worn from the time passed.

 

[TeamScorpioRI]

You only live once. After 7 years on the same beginner bass, I think its time to step up your game.

Buy it

 

[Diamond_Dave]

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!

Just buy the damn bass. That's my honest advice. If you like the sound, the feel and the look, buy it. You'll either love it and keep it forever, or you'll regret it and sell it for a loss. Either way, experience is gained. Experience is only gained by actively participating in life.

 

[Spidey2112]

The 'iron' has been hot, for about a week, now...

... enablers, one and all...

 

[btmpancake]

Just buy the damn bass. That's my honest advice. If you like the sound, the feel and the look, buy it. You'll either love it and keep it forever, or you'll regret it and sell it for a loss. Either way, experience is gained. Experience is only gained by actively participating in life.

DD he said his mom doesn't want him to buy it. Are you saying just buy it anyway?

 

[nonohmic]

I did most of my early gigging on a Cort - it was great.

That bass will do you for many years, and if you want a change to keep inspired, go for it. What else are you gonna do with $500? You're young you have all your life to earn and spend money.

 

[Diamond_Dave]

DD he said his mom doesn't want him to buy it. Are you saying just buy it anyway?

Obviously, if he's a minor, then he should listen to his parents. On the other hand, there are much worse offenses a kid could commit than buying a musical instrument against his mother's wishes. I mean, kids steal cars, sell drugs, rape women, shoplift, flunk out of school, steal prescription medicine, all kinds of stuff. Buying a musical instrument is a positive thing. I'm just saying, if you're gonna sin, there are much worse sins you could commit.

 

[btmpancake]

Obviously, if he's a minor, then he should listen to his parents. On the other hand, there are much worse offenses a kid could commit than buying a musical instrument against his mother's wishes. I mean, kids steal cars, sell drugs, rape women, shoplift, flunk out of school, steal prescription medicine, all kinds of stuff. Buying a musical instrument is a positive thing. I'm just saying, if you're gonna sin, there are much worse sins you could commit.

I agree with the much worst no doubt, maybe mom might reconsider.

 

[Bassquest]

If you got water in your iron to steam it up, why not?

 

[Clark Dark]

Welcome to the forum.
Just a guess but was it your mom who purchased your beginners pack?
If that's the case let her know you're not tossing it away and you will continue to use it but it is your opinion that you are ready for something more than an "entry level" instrument. Then give her a hug.
Hugs cure all !!!

 

[Blaze Barlow]

Well, the punctuation is either atrocious or non-existent (are those dots .. meant to be full stops? Why are there even two of them every time? How come there's spacing between individual words but not between sentences? Also... Does he even know that other punctuation marks are available?

its just the way I do things..its quick and easy for me....hope it doesnt destroy your world....just bypass my comments....they all look this way....this time I added a few extra dots just for you..

 

[Fat Freddy]

its just the way I do things..its quick and easy for me....hope it doesnt destroy your world....just bypass my comments....they all look this way....this time I added a few extra dots just for you..

OI...I'm the dot king around here........

 

[CarpeBasso]

First thing, you're due a new bass. You deserve one, and you should get one to carry you through the next several years. Before I recommend that you go against your mom's wishes, it would be helpful to know why she thinks you're making a rash decision. Is it because she'd rather see you save your money or spend it on something she considers sensible (non bass)? Or is it because she's into your music and wants you to look around and find a better bass than the Cort you're looking at? I'll assume that the latter is the case. If that is true, take your mother's advice and play some different stuff in a similar price range. If that Cort is still your choice, you can convince her it's in your musical best interests to get the bass that speaks to you. But, I'm suggesting you check around because you can get another model like the one you want, and you don't want to short yourself the experience of checking out the wide world of affordable bass guitars and maybe finding one you like even better, that you can trade or sell down the road for more value than the Cort.