This is it. I get the feeling OP might not have this responsibility. The difference between a $400 bass and a $3000 bass isn't that much to my finances right now; but it's a lot to my daughters college fund with 18 years compound interest.
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What's the Most that You Could Realistically Spend on a Bass?
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This is it. I get the feeling OP might not have this responsibility. The difference between a $400 bass and a $3000 bass isn't that much to my finances right now; but it's a lot to my daughters college fund with 18 years compound interest.
I can afford plenty, but I'm just too cheap, and something really out-of-sight is awfully hard to justify.
I could spend more than I ever would, so I don't.
I buy used so I typically get a lot of bang for my buck. Right now I'm very comfortable playing my MIA Fender and MM StingRay.
I buy used so I typically get a lot of bang for my buck. Right now I'm very comfortable playing my MIA Fender and MM StingRay.
I spent $1440 for my USA Geddy Lee. That's about the most I will ever spend. I could go at least $2000 but don't see the need to. I have lots of nice basses that I've spent between $300 to $900 on. I'm sure I could own one or two really nice basses, but I prefer the variety and I love my collection. I find satisfaction in owning different basses and do not feel any of mine are cheap or low quality.
Realistically I could spend 1,000-1,700. However, I'm not about to take a bass like that into half the places I play. A nick on a $1,500 is a tragedy where a nick on an $800 bass is mojo ( don't ask me why). I also tend to keep a primary bass for a while whereas I'll rotate my backup bass to remedy occasional GAS. To this day I've yet to spend over $1,100 on any bass I've owned.
Almost a year ago I would've said $500-800. Then I found an upright for $7k that I couldn't let go of. I found the 7k I needed in very short order, selling off gear I never would've considered without that motivation. I don't regret letting go of that gear one bit, and I've got an upright that will far outlast me (it's already 150 years old).
That is to say that all the speculation in the world wouldn't come close to reality under the right set of circumstances.
That is to say that all the speculation in the world wouldn't come close to reality under the right set of circumstances.
Here's a question that's worth its own thread - are you better off with several nice but different upper mid basses like a MusicMan Stingray, a G&L L2500 or a Ric 4003 OR a single killer bass like a Dingwall, a Fodera or Alembic?
I like the variation of having multiple basses, but I could buy in to cleaning out my closet and getting down to one great one.
I like the variation of having multiple basses, but I could buy in to cleaning out my closet and getting down to one great one.
Oh definitely that first option for the usual suspects. I'd love to be able to list off the "upper mid" range you're ticking off there as my collection. I mentioned diminishing returns up-thread and I was thinking of those types as the value propositions.
So if the question was "How many basses would you buy if your bass budget was $20,000?" I'd be closer to ten than one. That would relieve the people who feel guilty about spending money on themselves while they have dependents. I have dependents and their needs are met ahead of my wants so the ten would be maybe four and a week in the Bahamas for the family.
Bass playing is a hobby for me, something from which I derive much satisfaction and have a passion for. That said, I could see spending >10k if the bass were made to my exact specifications and met my tone goals.
I paid $2600 for my bass and am quite satisfied with its performance, in relation to my current skill level. At some point I may visit Alembic and have a serious talk with the Wickershams about a custom Europa build, in which case I'd be looking at a 8 - 10k outlay. I'm okay with that if I get exactly what I want.
I paid $2600 for my bass and am quite satisfied with its performance, in relation to my current skill level. At some point I may visit Alembic and have a serious talk with the Wickershams about a custom Europa build, in which case I'd be looking at a 8 - 10k outlay. I'm okay with that if I get exactly what I want.
I picked $2000 and then I remembered that Sweetwater reduced my credit line to 1500 
Realistically, I could maybe spend $300-400 on a bass on the spot without breaking the bank. I'm poor and in debt, though. If I had the money, I'd get a custom PRS, a Wal, or a nice Lakland. Probably around $4000. I'd have to save up for a year or two if I seriously wanted to buy something like that. Realistically, I have better things to spend my money on.
Realistically, I could maybe spend $300-400 on a bass on the spot without breaking the bank. I'm poor and in debt, though. If I had the money, I'd get a custom PRS, a Wal, or a nice Lakland. Probably around $4000. I'd have to save up for a year or two if I seriously wanted to buy something like that. Realistically, I have better things to spend my money on.
Most I ever spent was $1400 (G&L). Closest to a boutique bass I've ever owned was a Kubiki X-Factor.
Today, I'm playing a Warmoth P bass (32" scale) and a Warmoth J bass. They cost me $950 and $1100 and they play better than I do!
Bass-GAS free and gonna stay that way!
Today, I'm playing a Warmoth P bass (32" scale) and a Warmoth J bass. They cost me $950 and $1100 and they play better than I do!
Bass-GAS free and gonna stay that way!
I'll say $1500 for a production bass at this point.
I'd easily pay $3k and maybe as high as $4k for a one of a kind custom shop bass.
Most I've ever spent at this point was $2800 for a new Warwick thumb NT5 which was heavily discounted because guitar center was getting rid of their high end warwicks in my area. Was my main player for a long time but I eventually sold it and have since had several less expensive basses I've enjoyed playing. So I can't see spending that much again unless it was for anone of a kind custom.
I'd easily pay $3k and maybe as high as $4k for a one of a kind custom shop bass.
Most I've ever spent at this point was $2800 for a new Warwick thumb NT5 which was heavily discounted because guitar center was getting rid of their high end warwicks in my area. Was my main player for a long time but I eventually sold it and have since had several less expensive basses I've enjoyed playing. So I can't see spending that much again unless it was for anone of a kind custom.
whatever it takes for me to sound good.
LOL
I just don't buy that crap about "tone is in the fingertips."
Tone is in the $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHAH!!!!!!!!
One day soon, my son will inherit my bass guitars and amps. I just hope he's not left handed.
LOL
I just don't buy that crap about "tone is in the fingertips."
Tone is in the $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHAH!!!!!!!!
One day soon, my son will inherit my bass guitars and amps. I just hope he's not left handed.
Latest playing stable are 3 Fender American P5's all purchased here on Talkbass,.. All nearly mint condition and payed at and less than $850. High water mark was a $3K NYC Sadowsky made to order P/J that I had in my house for about a week,.. Could not justify it,...though it played, sounded and looked heavenly,.. Had previously owned a couple nice Musicman and G&L 5 stringers that were north of $1K,..just didn't feel quiet right to me versus the Precisions,... I could see myself getting a Fender Custom shop something somewhere down the road though, so thats why I picked the $3K bracket,...
20 years ago, $2000 was my limit.
I'm not buying any basses currently, I actually have a few sitting around I haven't touched since Prince played 1999 on New Year's Eve.
Tone is in your head.
Your hands just help make what you hear in the future materialize in the present.
I started as a horn player, so a pro centric saxophone is going to be on the high side of what a Fodera or Alembic would run.
A vintage Selmer is equivalent to an electric bass collection.
I'm not buying any basses currently, I actually have a few sitting around I haven't touched since Prince played 1999 on New Year's Eve.
Tone is in your head.
Your hands just help make what you hear in the future materialize in the present.
I started as a horn player, so a pro centric saxophone is going to be on the high side of what a Fodera or Alembic would run.
A vintage Selmer is equivalent to an electric bass collection.
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