Why worry about price?

[lbbc]

I never worried about price of gear until after retiring from my day job as a public school teacher. I bought 2 basses and 2 combo amps. Total ...just under $2800. But, they have "paid for themselves" with 6 months of gig money. As long as I can play and make money doing so ...no worries!!

 

[E2942]

bass is listed at $1899.00!

Their prices have an additional .99 on there, so it's effectively $1,900:

Fender American Professional II Jazz Bass Roasted Pine Maple Fingerboard

 

[jmattbassplaya]

I think part of it is due to just how quickly prices have inflated over the past 3ish years. It wasn’t that long ago that the AmStd/Pro1 Fender could be found new for a little over $1,100 and used for as little as $600-700. MusicMans could be had new for around $1,400 and used for around $900. Spector Euros around $1,900 and used for $1,300.

Prices have grown substantially more than wages have. No doubt that does something to a person’s psyche, especially if they felt like these instruments were once within their budget and are now either out of reach or just high enough to where you begin to consider what else you could get with that amount of money.

 

[Lammchop93]

Stay home, stop shopping, enjoy what you already own.

Staying at home window shopping online has caused for GAS than going to physical stores. Usually when shopping online I get these ideas in my head about a certain piece of gear, but then when I play it in a store I realize what I have at own is better.

 

[Lammchop93]

I think part of it is due to just how quickly prices have inflated over the past 3ish years. It wasn’t that long ago that the AmStd/Pro1 Fender could be found new for a little over $1,100 and used for as little as $600-700. MusicMans could be had new for around $1,400 and used for around $900. Spector Euros around $1,900 and used for $1,300.

Prices have grown substantially more than wages have. No doubt that does something to a person’s psyche, especially if they felt like these instruments were once within their budget and are now either out of reach or just high enough to where you begin to consider what else you could get with that amount of money.

Exactly. A lot of basses have seen a 50% increase in price in just 2-3 years. It has certainly halted my shopping, especially for new instruments.

 

[Spectre Gunner]

Why do it with your mouth?
View attachment 4947186

I'd like to see that performance.

 

[ebo]

When I first started out playing and buying gear, I was happy with just about anything. Now, I want something with a nice feeling neck, stays in tune, with functioning electronics. So yeah, still happy with just about anything. I’d much rather be a guy that sounds great with a Squier versus a guy that still sounds crappy with a Fodera. It’s like seeing someone driving a Porsche that can’t drive. All my gear is as good as I am or I get rid of it.

 

[Dr. Cheese]

I think part of it is due to just how quickly prices have inflated over the past 3ish years. It wasn’t that long ago that the AmStd/Pro1 Fender could be found new for a little over $1,100 and used for as little as $600-700. MusicMans could be had new for around $1,400 and used for around $900. Spector Euros around $1,900 and used for $1,300.

Prices have grown substantially more than wages have. No doubt that does something to a person’s psyche, especially if they felt like these instruments were once within their budget and are now either out of reach or just high enough to where you begin to consider what else you could get with that amount of money.

You are 100% right. Inflation has been stunning. $4 eggs bother me more than $2K Fenders because I like eating everyday.

 

[31HZ]

After a few threads wondering if the prices of given basses are justified, I have come to the conclusion that it just isn’t worth worrying about. If you cannot afford a bass or don’t think it worth the price, buy one that fits your budget and call it a day. We are fortunate to be consumers at a time when quality instruments are available at many price points. I say spend your time getting better instead of getting caught up in instrument prices.

Around here, nobody drops the epic truth-bombs like @Dr. Cheese .

#perspective

 

[SteveC]

Want v need - always a good point.
Gigging v downtime - grass always seems greener when theres a long stretch between gigs.
Will the purchase keep me from paying bills, etc. -always valid.

 

[Peterson]

I keep thinking if I want to buy a new fender pbass for 1500.00 but these squires and glarrys with their maple satin necks are are so nice..time will tell

 

[Medicine Man]

I used to play awesome gigs on crappy gear, but now I play crappy gigs on awesome gear. Perks of a day job, I guess.

 

[Ostie]

All of my seven basses together don’t add up to a boutique bass. Mandolins, now that’s a different story. Mandolins are roughly 2x in price to a comparable guitar. And they’re half the size. Go figure.

 

[Bass Viking]

I'm all for the cheap instruments, and buying what you can afford. However, sometimes to get what you want, you gotta shell out the cash. For instance, I really want an NG3 and there really isn't a budget option available there, other than buying used, which I would do anyway. It was a similar situation when I wanted a Warwick Thumb. I got a good deal on it used, but it still wasn't cheap.

Besides those specific instances though, I love my cheapies.

+1. There isn’t really any equivalent to the Thumb Bass. I wonder why they don’t introduce a Rockbass version?

 

[Dr. Cheese]

+1. There isn’t really any equivalent to the Thumb Bass. I wonder why they don’t introduce a Rockbass version?

The MTD Kingston Supers get in Thumb territory for not too high a price.

 

[MultiScaleMale]

I think the main point is that expensive basses are usually nice, but we're in a time where the $800 bass plays extremely well. Play what ya' got, it's not the bass that's holding you back.

 

[Jeff Hughes]

Someone gifted me a Sterling bass, and I was astounded at the quality of that bass in years 2022 dollars as compared to the basses I used to peddle in year 2000 dollars.

It is the talent not the tool…most of the time…but some instruments severely stifle talent.

 

[JRA]

i think the OP is right on target: don't sweat what you can't afford --- play!

and i would chime in with some support for the idea of having what you want via thoughtful modifications/upgrades to an existing player and/or parts basses to get you closer to that pie-in-the-sky object of GAS.

in the case of FSOs: it's very easy (and cheap by comparison to MSRP) to squeeze yourself into a deluxe, custom version of Ps, Js, and PJ iterations with proper parts and a little time with household tools.

2 cents.

 

[eastcoasteddie]

Crazy talk!

I was just thinking about this movie not 5 minutes ago, and this scene, too!!! Greatest comedy of all time!

but with regard to Doc’s OP, I for sure can’t afford a new SR Special 5 or a Kiloton 5, so I’m doing what every true bass tinkerer would do - build my own for half the price. I’m 3/4 off the way there.
And I like eggs & grits, too…

 

[bassGtar]

This is a good sentiment, but if I make a NBD thread about the decked-out Fodera I’m getting next week, there is a 100% chance it will devolve into four pages of bickering about money.

If it is causing you anxiety, how others will respond to your new shiny object, hide it in the basement and DON’T make a NBD post.

When you bought it did you worry about the price?