The more I look at basses...

[pravus]

Hear, hear! But why buy one when you can have two at twice the price?

 

[rufus.K]

I know a builder whose cheapie starts at 4k, and average 6 or 7. He makes 12 a year, one man show. He has a mortgage and a shop, and a truck, and commercial business fees, and insurance, and tools, and monthly bills.
I like his work, and cannot afford that on a bass at the moment.
When I can, I will commission one from him. If I am going to spend lots on a bass, and way more than anyone needs to (imo), I'm gonna give it to him cos it makes a difference in his life too.
That said, I wouldn't pay Fender that much for anything.
That said, I might pay more for Geezer's P-bass from the 70s used on 3 albums.
Value is a measure of what someone will spend on it, it's only worth 10k if someone will pay 10k.
Value is a personal thing, cos it comes from some twisted place in your heart.

 

[JimmyM]

If you want to spend $4000-70000 on a bass, have at it. It's your money.

 

[rufus.K]

I just did this on fleabay... think he'll accept my offer?

 

[Acoustic356]

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).

I agree. I had $4000 saved for a Fodera Yin/Yang Standard... instead, I bought an Fender American Standard Precision, Fender Urge II short scale, and 2 custom basses from a smaller luthier.

 

[/\/\3phist0]

The more I look at basses, the more $4,000 does not seem like a lot of money to spend on an instrument.

... and, well if you're going to spend $4,000, why not spend $7,000 and get what you really want?

less than 300

Less than 3k

 

[Acoustic356]

I just did this on fleabay... think he'll accept my offer?

Hah... I think it would be better if they dug up Leo and put his decomposing thumb print on the back of the neck.

 

[blowinblue]

The more I look at basses...the more I appreciate the instruments that I already own.

M. M.

 

[Kukulkan61]

If I was gonna spend that much on a bass it better be a vintage bass that would hold its value...

 

[matt holt]

You want real justification? Talk to a symphonic string player. Many of them spent more money for the bow than I've ever spent on a bass.

Yep, my bow is worth more than all my BGs combined. 'Course none of my BGs are anything that special, (coupla' ibbys and Frankenbasses) so take that for what it's worth

 

[Menorahman]

The more I look at basses, the more $4,000 does not seem like a lot of money to spend on an instrument.

... and, well if you're going to spend $4,000, why not spend $7,000 and get what you really want?

This has happened to me. Before I came here I scoffed at people buying a bass for $4000...now I'm gunning for a used $7k Fodera.

 

[LowStringNinja]

I was fine with my bass until I started reading TalkBass drool

 

[Mvilmany]

I've done every single gig in my life on the same 80's MIJ fender P Bass that I paid $275 for.

That said, if the "right" bass was $4k, then that's what it costs.

 

[kcole4001]

Just play what you like best that you can afford, and it costs what it costs.

Life is too short to worry about what people will think about the price.
As long as your bills are paid, do what feels best and enjoy.
If it takes $7000 to get there, so be it, if it takes $700, that's okay too.

Think about it this way: the longer you enjoy it, the lower the per day cost becomes.

 

[Milo Spleen]

man, at cost of soundin' too harsh, pay attention or you'll possibly end up with just what's in your avatar left to eat

Isn't that Spam?

 

[Wallace320]

Absofreakin'lutely

Cheers,
Wallace

 

[ofajen]

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.

A fair point. Last few days, I've been listening to a lot of music I recorded long ago, and the bass parts were all done with the Ripper and they work great, at least when my playing was OK.

Makes me want to do two things: refret the Ripper and fix up the old Nakamichi I mixed stuff to, because there is a whole lot of more obscure stuff I did that I haven't copied to digital format, yet. Probably no need to go so far as to sell the P bass and import Sterling, even though the Ripper really can do anything I need to do on bass.

Otto

 

[bikeplate]

Everyone's situation and attitude will differ. Anytime I've fallen for a bass or amp, I've never let $ get in the way of getting it. Just always figured out a way to make it happen. Only life to live and I won't live with regret

 

[40Hz]

A fair point. Last few days, I've been listening to a lot of music I recorded long ago, and the bass parts were all done with the Ripper and they work great, at least when my playing was OK.

Makes me want to do two things: refret the Ripper and fix up the old Nakamichi I mixed stuff to, because there is a whole lot of more obscure stuff I did that I haven't copied to digital format, yet. Probably no need to go so far as to sell the P bass and import Sterling, even though the Ripper really can do anything I need to do on bass.

Otto

I hear you. I've been rocking a Ripper since April of 1974, and it's still my goto and weapon of choice despite the fact I own the obligatory PBass plus several other very nice instruments. Truth is, if I had just that Ripper, I could do anything I wanted to do bass-wise. Funnier yet, if I just owned my PBass I could also do about 90-95% of everything I'd want to do.

There's a cosmic truth about electric basses hidden in there somewhere I think.

 

[Sixgunn]

If $4000 or $7000 can get you what you want, then have at it. If it's worth it to you then it's worth it.

Me? I can't think of a single bass that costs more than $1600 that I'd be interested in.

Me? I can't think of a single bass that costs less than $1600 that I'd be interested in.