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What's the Most that You Could Realistically Spend on a Bass?
- Thread starter PortlandBass77
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Probably not more than around $1500-1700. That would really be pushing it and it would have to be the best i've ever played. It would also have to do the job of two basses that I already own so I could sell them, also.
The most I have actually ever spent on a bass was a used stingray for $950.
The most I have actually ever spent on a bass was a used stingray for $950.
Realistically, I could spend up to about $1,700, but that's outside my comfort zone. Lately the sweet spot has been between $500 and $700 for 'off the shelf' guitars and basses.
I wouldn't mind spending up to about 10k. I look at it like this. There are a lot of hobbies out there and bass is my hobby. I make money playing bass but I'm definitely no pro. That said, I don't hunt, fish, race cars, or anything else of that nature. All of those and many other hobbies cost significantly more and...don't pay anything. So if I was to identify with an instrument in that price range then I wouldn't have a problem saving some money to get it. As of right now the most I have spent on a single instrument is about 4K.
COULD and WOULD are two totally unrelated numbers. I will not answer COULD because that's nobody's business. As far as WOULD...I have spent around $6,000 on one bass. Arguably you could say $11,000 if you count both basses that I purchased in June 2000. Still have both. Picture below was taken that week in June 2000.
This bass was over $10K. It has proved to be worth every penny. Seriously. Ymmv.
And the YYS that was $5K (my first Fodera - the "gateway drug") was worth every penny as well. That said, since then I've bought others that were great but didn't end up staying in the house. In part because the YYD just nails what I want out of a 4-string bass. Right now I only have two 4-strings - the YYD and a Rob Allen Deep 4. I see a lot of guys here with half a dozen P and/or J basses. If you compare, the money often is a wash between my setup and the rack-o-basses.
No, it doesn't stay at home in a safe:
the gateway drug bass
And the YYS that was $5K (my first Fodera - the "gateway drug") was worth every penny as well. That said, since then I've bought others that were great but didn't end up staying in the house. In part because the YYD just nails what I want out of a 4-string bass. Right now I only have two 4-strings - the YYD and a Rob Allen Deep 4. I see a lot of guys here with half a dozen P and/or J basses. If you compare, the money often is a wash between my setup and the rack-o-basses.
No, it doesn't stay at home in a safe:
the gateway drug bass
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Exactly right.
Bass is a hobby for me, and I have many hobbies.
The most I've spent for a bass is a little over $700.
But I also have basses that were $200 or less that work just fine for me.
I put <$100. We live on a fairly tight budget and when we save it is generally to travel. If the band I'm in was playing more I could justify spending a higher amount. That being said, I'm not sure I'll ever spend more than $1k on a bass unless there comes a time when playing bass is my main source of income.
My vote was <$1500, but I wouldn't spend that much since I don't gig. The most I've spent is $500 and that bass does everything I need right now.
When I see my band mates spending several thousands in Yanagisawa or Selmer saxes, a Presonus mixer or a Yamaha Tyros-5, or a Gretsch or DW drum kit, I realize I'm rather lucky to be only a bass player...
Owning 7 basses, ranging from $1,000 to $50, fretted or fretless, 4er or 5er, RW or maple:
2 Fender AVRI's (1P + 1J), 3 MIA G&L's, a Sire MM V7 and an SX P.
I would not part from any of them, they all have their own qualities and I play them equally, even the SX P (that has an incredibly low action, poor tone, BUT ideal for practicing at home).
I have had no experience with a multi-thousand dollar bass, I - poorly skilled - don't even deserve to own an instrument of that value.
Owning 7 basses, ranging from $1,000 to $50, fretted or fretless, 4er or 5er, RW or maple:
2 Fender AVRI's (1P + 1J), 3 MIA G&L's, a Sire MM V7 and an SX P.
I would not part from any of them, they all have their own qualities and I play them equally, even the SX P (that has an incredibly low action, poor tone, BUT ideal for practicing at home).
I have had no experience with a multi-thousand dollar bass, I - poorly skilled - don't even deserve to own an instrument of that value.
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To the OP,
I certainly appreciate the way you posed the question for this thread and so far has shown integrity in the postings.
I `ll pass, although, for now after the last round
on a similar thread as you rightly pointed out.
{My range is pretty evident from the (my bass) stable... but I will say that YYD is just gorgeous! Love that neck heel).
I certainly appreciate the way you posed the question for this thread and so far has shown integrity in the postings.
I `ll pass, although, for now after the last round
on a similar thread as you rightly pointed out. {My range is pretty evident from the (my bass) stable... but I will say that YYD is just gorgeous! Love that neck heel).
Just sold a Fodera because (while it felt/played/sounded/looked perfect) I found it stressful to own something which I knew was so valuable. Inherently, that expense takes away from other things (my wife and kids, specifically). I found it anxiety-inducing to play it hard and not diminish its value - and I just can't play bass like that. Props to those who can.
That said, I get a lot of joy out of bass, and I feel like $2k is kind of where I can draw the line. Or maybe another way to think about it might be $10k for ALL the bass-related stuff I own. Right now I've got a couple of MusicMan's, a couple of old sentimental basses that wouldn't be worth getting rid of, my upright, a couple amps and pedals, and that's adequate for what I like to do.
Definitely not a right answer to this question beyond what you feel comfortable with yourself. Seen a lot of great shows with guys rocking $15k instruments, and seen no fewer with those playing cheap, thrashed, beloved gear. If you find what works for you, you're set.
That said, I get a lot of joy out of bass, and I feel like $2k is kind of where I can draw the line. Or maybe another way to think about it might be $10k for ALL the bass-related stuff I own. Right now I've got a couple of MusicMan's, a couple of old sentimental basses that wouldn't be worth getting rid of, my upright, a couple amps and pedals, and that's adequate for what I like to do.
Definitely not a right answer to this question beyond what you feel comfortable with yourself. Seen a lot of great shows with guys rocking $15k instruments, and seen no fewer with those playing cheap, thrashed, beloved gear. If you find what works for you, you're set.
I voted less than $100 lol. Although I have several boutique basses, and eyeing a few other pieces. But with a daughter in college a year from September, my son turning 13 this weekend...a sizeable mortgage etc. Realistically, less than 100 dollars is accurate.
I voted for what I spent on my Brute including new pups and pre. With the stable of basses I have now, I don't see myself getting another at any point. Famous last words...
I slept in my car for about 5 months to arrange this situation.
Financially, an expensive bass wouldn't be a huge problem. HOWEVER, my penny pinching ways would not allow my spending 5 figures on a bass. I'm pretty sure my "Scrooge-ness" is WHY my finances are OK. 
I don't know if it's just me remembering through "rose tinted glasses" or what, but I certainly recall, and miss, the days when threads like this wouldn't get flooded with pictures of people's pet basses. Really takes away from the discussion.
With that said, I voted what I would be comfortable paying for a bass, given my current income and how much I perform. What I could spend without selling and being in a hardship is higher, but, I couldn't justify it.
With that said, I voted what I would be comfortable paying for a bass, given my current income and how much I perform. What I could spend without selling and being in a hardship is higher, but, I couldn't justify it.
I could blow a thousand.If I want to be foolish with my tax refund.
But I won't.
And don't.
The most that I've ever paid was $865.00.
But I won't.
And don't.
The most that I've ever paid was $865.00.
I never see the point in paying too much for a bass. I can't even see myself paying £1k for a bass.
I prefer to stick in the £500-£800 range. You don't have to pay so much to get a pretty sounding and playing bass. One bass I own is worth £1k when new, but I bought it second hand for £400 because I just don't see why I should pay more.
I prefer to stick in the £500-£800 range. You don't have to pay so much to get a pretty sounding and playing bass. One bass I own is worth £1k when new, but I bought it second hand for £400 because I just don't see why I should pay more.
Others have already highlighted the difference between could spend and would spend. I clicked >$10k because I could go there. Historically, I've never gone over $2300, and my current (and now only) bass was $1000. I definitely appreciate a quality instrument, but once the prices goes over $1500 or so, I start to get uncomfortable really fully using it. Just me I guess.
