In my book, anything over $2000 should also whiten my teeth, prevent hair loss, or serve as an effective marital aid.
Enjoy the benefits of a premium membership!
Upgrade Account
-
TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
Join free Log in
Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.
The more I look at basses...
- Thread starter Acoustic356
- Start date
There should only be two considerations for buying a bass. How much can you afford and how much it costs to meet your needs. If you can dig a Squire Affinity out of the trash for free and it's perfect for you, have at it. If you can afford $10,000+ and need a custom Fodera to meet your needs, go for it.
It's funny how some people will pay $30,000 for a car that lasts for four years, but cry like a baby at the thought of spending a couple of grand on a bass that will last their whole lives. Being cheap just to be cheap is no smarter than throwing your money around just because you can.
It's funny how some people will pay $30,000 for a car that lasts for four years, but cry like a baby at the thought of spending a couple of grand on a bass that will last their whole lives. Being cheap just to be cheap is no smarter than throwing your money around just because you can.
I'm realizing that I've become too much of a Rickenbacker fanboy to participate in these discussions so I will just leave it at that.
Occupational hazard of owning a Ric. You have only yourself to blame!
If you can afford it, why not indeed? Money, like time, is relative.
This - sorry - sounds a lot like my wife's
She ain't into music or anythin' artistry, still, back in those days when we're together, she said she wouldn't consider foolish to spend 2/3 grands on a bass (I was dreamin' of Sadowskies) while she couldn't understand my mumblin' around my then to arrive brand new Alfa Romeo.
Given she also doesn't drive at all, my Alfa Romeo was (still is, 'cause cars stay, neither wives, nor surely tools, just like basses) my tribute to my father - who used to own same kind of car when I was born - like my Alfa Romeo was there when my only son was born (he calls it "broom-papà") while, in the meantime, I couldn't even exactly tell how many basses (and guitars, and amps, and stomps) have come and gone.
I'm italian: I ain't got no wife anymore, never had a Sadowsky, but my Alfa Romeo is still here, gettin' old with me.
Cheers,
Wallace
Last edited:
Can't argue with that. My point is, I spent $2.6k on a Clement. It has the pickup configuration I wanted, 4 d-tuners, a gorgeous collection of wood, and a really nice build quality. It can do things my $1.2k Warmoth can't even attempt. I consider it a significant improvement if a bit unorthodox. A big chunk of change can make a lot of difference.
We're bass players. Nobody really gives 2¢ about what we play as long as it doesn't sound like complete crap. Even a half-crap sounding bass will pass muster in many situations. That's how little what you're playing registers or means to most people. Musicians included.
And to my mind, it's about time we learned to deal with it.
So get whatever you like. And pay whatever you feel you need to pay to either get what you want - or feel good about yourself for paying it.
Just remember...nobody really cares.
And to my mind, it's about time we learned to deal with it.
So get whatever you like. And pay whatever you feel you need to pay to either get what you want - or feel good about yourself for paying it.
Just remember...nobody really cares.
Gaolee
Official leathers tester and crash dummy
My old van cost me $300. My "new" van was a whopping $5000! That meant that my bass was no longer far more valuable than my car. We live in a golden age of musical instruments at all price points. I don't have the hands, skills, or ears to know the difference between a well made inexpensive bass and a boutique bass, but I'm really happy that all those different things exist.
As long as what we play makes us happy, nobody else will care. We are the power in the groove. Power doesn't need acknowledgement.
SirMjac28
Patiently Waiting For The Next British Invasion
We are floating in space on a rock spinning around 1000 miles per hour so do what you can while you can and enjoy the ride.
That's epitaph material right there.
I've got no beef with anyone paying 8k on a bass, but it does seem that when you get into 2k-and-up range, you really better know exactly what it is you're gunning for before buying new. Is THAT EXACT BASS what you want? Because experimenting at those price ranges really gets very pricey, since selling them if they are found lacking could mean eating a chunk of change to get on to the next coffee-table-topped, fanned-fret, custom-made must-have bass.
For some, getting custom-made instruments is merely a bigger can o' worms to play with, and not a way to get exactly what they want and never have to buy another instrument ever again.
There are so many listings in the classifieds for amazing boutique basses that esentially say things like, "This bass is amazing and perfect in every single way and I will probably regret ever selling it, but I really think what I need is an *insert other wood choice/boutique manufacturer brand* instead."
For some, getting custom-made instruments is merely a bigger can o' worms to play with, and not a way to get exactly what they want and never have to buy another instrument ever again.
There are so many listings in the classifieds for amazing boutique basses that esentially say things like, "This bass is amazing and perfect in every single way and I will probably regret ever selling it, but I really think what I need is an *insert other wood choice/boutique manufacturer brand* instead."
I can think of a few that INTEREST ME (Hello there Wal Mk2!) but I agree that I can't see myself buying a bass for over $1600, even if I had the money (would rather get, say, a new bass, a new laptop and interface for recording, maybe a new amp, all for those $4000).
If you think so, then it's worth it. I understand hand built instruments with exotic woods and unique features costing that much, but I personally wouldn't pay a typical p or a j type of instrument (which is what I prefer) more than $1.500.
