sssss...

[twinjet]

A high price-tag does not guarantee a "great gear" experience. I've had higher-end instruments feel in my hands and inexpensive gear that made me wanna and/or drool. To that effect, I try to find instruments and parts that work best for my hands and ears, "perceived value" be damned!

On point, Malak.

Recently stopped by the brick-n-mortar that had a sale on all things Fender. Picked up a lovely looking sunburst/rosewood Jazz Bass and it just didn't feel or sound like a $1,300+ instrument.

Nothing was wrong with it; factory strings, good set-up, quality amp... I dunno. Perhaps I'm just so in love with my L-2000, everything else pales in comparison.

Or maybe it was that one bass. My Squier has sounded more lively.

 

[gsquare]

For me, I always look for deals, I rarely get "wantitus" so most of what I buy I can sell for what I've got in it.

 

[Malak the Mad]

On point, Malak.

Recently stopped by the brick-n-mortar that had a sale on all things Fender. Picked up a lovely looking sunburst/rosewood Jazz Bass and it just didn't feel or sound like a $1,300+ instrument.

Nothing was wrong with it; factory strings, good set-up, quality amp... I dunno. Perhaps I'm just so in love with my L-2000, everything else pales in comparison.

Or maybe it was that one bass. My Squier has sounded more lively.

I can't remember how many times I've had similar experiences. It used to weird me out, but I've gotten used to those odd days when the best instrument I sample turns out to be a Squier or a used MIM. Every now and then, some random, low-end instrument grabs a bit of "da magics!". But they can be found with patience, perseverance and maybe a little bit o' luck.

 

[twinjet]

I can't remember how many times I've had similar experiences. It used to weird me out, but I've gotten used to those odd days when the best instrument I sample turns out to be a Squier or a used MIM. Every now and then, some random, low-end instrument grabs a bit of "da magics!". But they can be found with patience, perseverance and maybe a little bit o' luck.

Absolutely. Took me around two years to find a good Squier, though to be fair, I was playing all Affinity basses. The VM and CV series are very good.

 

[IamJohn]

I drive a rusty 98 sedan that dies a lot.

 

[JimmyM]

I guess so. I have never been one to swap and trade too much of anything. Be it cars, or gear, or whatever. I have mostly been that guy that finds the one, or few, bad ass things that work for me and stick with them. I am sure that philosophy probably won't work in conjunction with my lust for some better gear.

Maybe not, but it'll work in your quest for sanity.

 

[el_Bajo_Verde]

Overtime. Lots and lots of overtime. I worked 68 hour weeks for the past 3 months. I'm back to 45 hours but I can afford whatever I like with that extra money

 

[Feral Feline]

PATIENCE Grasshopper...


RESEARCH the hell out of what you REALLY WANT

BAND-WAGON – Don't jump on it, see above.


YET MORE PATIENCE - keep building the warchest


SALE : POUNCE

- I got a couple of Squier Jags that were being blown out of a US store that even after shipping to HK, it was still wayyyyy cheaper than buying them here.
- For example, you need a delay and a looper? PGS has a $270 pedal on for $150 right now, Alter Ego. Is it the exact delay pedal you wanted? Maybe, maybe not, but it sure does a lot for the price. How much loop time do you need? A Ditto is $100 alone, $50 more and you've got killer delay, too
- Get a Gmail account for mailing lists. Red Witch recently had its birthday, 50% off ! Miss it? Then you're not on RW's mailing list, obviously.​

Amp, cab, cables, pedals ... there's very few items in my arsenal that weren't substantially discounted, fewer still that were merely 10-15% off, and I can count on one hand the pieces of gear I paid full pop for.


BIDE YOUR TIME for
SALE of the TIMES

Certain times of the year produce the best sales, such as Black Friday and then post-Christmas Boxing Day sales.
Companies also tend to dump stuff before releasing a new version/product – keep an eye out months leading up to NAMM.​

UPSTARTS

Some companies offer a pre-buy discount on a yet-to-be-released product to get enough capital to build said product. Beat Buddy was a good example.
​

B-STOCK

Check out the larger online retailers, they often have B-Stock pedals and often in most cases you can't even tell it's a "B".
If you're after a specific bit of gear, check the company's website, many offer B-stock right from their own site. If you don't see any B-stock of what you want then EMAIL 'em and tell 'em what you want.​

FLIPPIN' HELL

I'm not a flipper, I'm a pack-rat, but I see the allure of flipping gear. You get to try out a lot of stuff and whatever you "lose" on the flip can be chalked up to rental fees*, the wear & tear you put on it etc. Don't look at it as a loss, you paid a very small amount to try something out.

​

MENTAL RENTAL*

Rent: There are places that rent out high-end gear, try before you buy.
Lease-to-own: Some places will finance you, I think Sweetwater is one, maybe. Can't afford it all in one go — installments.​

GO EASY!

I've recently over-extended myself because I bought some stuff I've wanted for a VERY LONG time, but it was FINALLY on sale. The timing wasn't great, but even after paying off my credit over time, it'll still be SUBSTANTIALLY CHEAPER than if I bought it at full price when I happened to have money.
Know your limits. Gear can be as addictive as gambling or tobacco... I don't gamble and I don't smoke, but ... Gear...
​

FILTER!

Waiting for sales kind of helps me prioritise, too, in a roundabout way. The GAS list is long, but if something from the list pops up at a screamer deal, I get that and then continue waiting for deals on the other stuff on my list that was previously ahead of my recent super-sale purchase.​

NCEs

PERSEVERANCE, ENDURANCE, DUE-DILIGENCE, PERSISTENCE, INSISTENCE
and TENACITY while you're at it...​

The discounts can be deep, or not so much. Only you can decide if 10% off is worth it to you, that might cover the shipping cost and if you need it right away then you get it. BUT If you don't need something immediately, bide your time and wait for a stupendous deal...

Happy Gear Hunting

 

[basslifter]

Stepping stones....a little bit better bass with each flip.

 

[Joe Nerve]

I have to use cash. Credit is not an option for me, but I bet a few guys around here use it. Sometimes, GAS is a harsh mistress.

I don't buy my basses in cash, but I also never buy a bass that I can't pay off without interest. Musiciansfriend offers 24 and 36 month interest free. Makes things easy.

20 years ago, I desperately wanted a "real" bass, but could no way afford one. I had a Warwick catalog that I drooled over daily. As crazy as this is about to sound.... I read one of those affirmation books, I think it was Creative Visualizations. I actually did the things suggested (did them for my music career, too). Lo and behold, about 6 months later I had a Warwick in my hands. Not long after that I had a Warwick, a MM Sterling, and an American Fender. I continued to do as instructed in that book and landed a deal with Musicman, and then another company, and another. I also wound up touring in other countries, having my bass handed to me by roadies - pretty much as I was envisioning it through what I learned and practiced from that book.

Really need to start doing that stuff again .

Ya know, it's interesting to me how new age, magical thinking type things often get ridiculed, scorned and laughed at. I myself often roll my eyes at it, and question it's validity and practicality, yet when I'm open minded or desperate enough to actually do the things suggested - they work. 2 years ago in fact, I tested the principles while writing a journal one day. My POS car was giving me some issues, and I started envisioning a brand new car. Something that was entirely not doable at that time. I wasn't even making enough money to pay my bills, and had just lost about half my income from being laid off from an evening job I was doing. Again, just like with the basses - in less than a year I found myself driving my very first brand new car, and still being able to pay all my bills.

So - while I'd like to give a really practical response to "how do we do it?" the above is my honest response.

The only practical thing I can add is that I also learned to save money. I almost always have an envelope hidden somewhere labeled "bass" or "fun" that I contribute $10-$20 weekly to, and throw any unexpected earnings into. This is another thing people here have scoffed at in the past, and they can scoff all they want . It works. Years go by much quicker than they used to, and that money accumulates really quickly. Makes bass buying brainless and easy.

I'll add that I also agree with this:

Within reason if you want it bad enough you will find a way.

 

[PBassin]

If you have a job with decent pay, minimal bills, the willpower to save if necessary, and patience, you can afford some nice gear. It may take a little time to get what you are seeking, but rest assured that day will come when that gear is in your hands and belongs to you.

 

[nutdog]

Read it on the wall and realize you just can't have it all

 

[Killed_by_Death]

I'll bet if you were to do a poll & people answered honestly, the vast majority wouldn't have backup funds, emergency cash.

 

[buldog5151bass]

Priorities...

 

[friskinator]

I knew this one was gonna head in the "my cheap Squier is just as good as the boutique" direction.

All jokes aside, my philosophy is that I can't have it all. I choose my indulgences carefully. At this point in my life, bass gear and nice restaurants are pretty much my only vices.

 

[jimmyjames77]

I'm 39 now. I've been slowly buying gear for a long time. That money invested adds up.

 

[socialleper]

I have been perusing the classifieds today. Something strikes me above my normal lust for other peoples gear. That is, how in the hell do some of y'all afford all this awesome gear? There are lots of people selling lots of badass gear so they can by other badass gear, non of which I can afford. I don't get it. Surely there aren't that many rocket scientists or doctors or lawyers pedaling gear on talkbass. I would love to just plunk down a grand plus for a Greenboy F115 cab, or snatch up that Lull jazz, or that G. Gould 5. I don't know how some of y'all do it. I make a good salary, and live a comfortable life, and have a few dollars to spend on a bit of gear, but, damn, how do y'all do it?

I often wonder the same thing. Especially when people post pics of their whole stable of super expensive basses, or basement full of cabs and hand built heads.
My herd is a pretty decent size but most of them are under $1000 and most are used.
I don't know how they do it.

 

[Hevy T]

I hate to admit it, but for me it is financing! If it wasn't for L and M's easy financing I would more than likely have only a Squire P bass

 

[DDXdesign]

Overtime. Lots and lots of overtime. I worked 68 hour weeks for the past 3 months. I'm back to 45 hours but I can afford whatever I like with that extra money

There was a guy, back when I worked in Telecom, that worked a regular hourly position in one of our operations centers. He worked 3rd shift whenever he could (15% wage bump) and extra hours and holidays pretty much at all times. Then one day, he came rolling into the parking lot with a Lamborghini Gallardo, which he had bought in CASH from this effort. So it's definitely doable.

To the OP, though: Man, in the early 2000s, when credit was easy to come by and I was still in my 20s (read: stupid), I hosted a parade of some amazing, expensive gear. I had a Fodera Yin-Yang. I had a Warwick 8-string Buzzard. I had an Fbass. 6-string Modulus. etc. And you know what? I'm about to tick over to 40 and I'm *still* digging myself out of that credit hole. Biggest mistake of my life, that stretch. Did not help my own later married-with-child situation either, having all that debt - I was never able to give them everything they wanted, and now they've left (reasons mostly unrelated, but still, I feel like it's a factor). So find and play the expensive gear, but save up or use your credit judiciously and only buy the stuff that really, really speaks to you.

Good luck and don't feel like you're left out - just prioritize maybe a new bass over a year's worth of lattes or something. Spoiler alert: I know it can feel like having a family is an indirect obstacle to some things you might want to have, but then, some of us find out the hard way that that family is everything they ever wanted.

 

[bolophonic]

There was a guy, back when I worked in Telecom, that worked a regular hourly position in one of our operations centers. He worked 3rd shift whenever he could (15% wage bump) and extra hours and holidays pretty much at all times. Then one day, he came rolling into the parking lot with a Lamborghini Gallardo, which he had bought in CASH from this effort. So it's definitely doable.

To the OP, though: Man, in the early 2000s, when credit was easy to come by and I was still in my 20s (read: stupid), I hosted a parade of some amazing, expensive gear. I had a Fodera Yin-Yang. I had a Warwick 8-string Buzzard. I had an Fbass. 6-string Modulus. etc. And you know what? I'm about to tick over to 40 and I'm *still* digging myself out of that credit hole. Biggest mistake of my life, that stretch. Did not help my own later married-with-child situation either, having all that debt - I was never able to give them everything they wanted, and now they've left (reasons mostly unrelated, but still, I feel like it's a factor). So find and play the expensive gear, but save up or use your credit judiciously and only buy the stuff that really, really speaks to you.

Good luck and don't feel like you're left out - just prioritize maybe a new bass over a year's worth of lattes or something. Spoiler alert: I know it can feel like having a family is an indirect obstacle to some things you might want to have, but then, some of us find out the hard way that that family is everything they ever wanted.

I wonder how many hours of overtime your friend had to put in every time he needed an oil change.