Would you go into debt for it?

[machine gewehr]

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Oh Joe just saw this one.Good one.

Maki,stop posting and go for it.:scowl:
If you can't make your wife accept that,here try this.

And if you still can't get it,I'll have to ask for your mancard.

Edit:This post is directed at the not proud Maki,not the responsable family man Maki.

 

[SteveC]

...I was forcing myself to dig a 4 string when really I dig 5s...

I thought I was alone in this. I try to like 4's. I see everyone using a 4, but for me, it's 5's. Not because I always use the low B, but for whatever reason I just like 5's. My wife won't let me buy a 4 - I played a REALLY nice Geddy Lee the other day - because she knows I ALWAYS end up selling them.

 

[lamarjones]

yeah Steve, I just can't do it. I don't want to have to worry about compensating on a low D in the middle of something, or where to play the lines on a 4 since I use the b string around the 5-10 fret range, or the worst of them all, how to play the lines I am playing using the open fret/string!

I am done apologizing for it too. BUT, at the same time, I have also gone past the learning curve on an upright, and if they want a 4 I'll just bust that out.

 

[Gard]

...no, you need to save your cash for all of the beer you're going to be shipping all over the place in about 10 days...

 

[Joe Gress]

...no, you need to save your cash for all of the beer you're going to be shipping all over the place in about 10 days...

Yeah, that too.

 

[megadan]

I spend a lot of money on gear, but I wouldn't go into long term debt for anything. Ever.
I've managed to avoid all debt so far in my life, and it's a great thing. Typically people my age have student loan debts, or (worse) credit card debts (something I'll just never understand).

Sometimes I will go into temporary debt, balanced in my head. For example, I'll spend a $1000 on a great opportunity for a bass (maybe it's rare, or priced to move fast). I know I'll be getting $500 next week, and I have $500 in my savings account (for example), so I go ahead and get the bass, knowing that I will have it payed off within the week.

The analogy I always use is a river: people who live pay cheque to pay cheque have a cash flow like a shallow river: it's a steady trickle, but there's not much of it.
Myself, I have the same flow as anyone, but my savings account means that my stream is much, much deeper, and I can dig in and buy something expensive, knowing that my flow will slowly fill it back up (at which point I can buy another expensive thing ). Going into debt is sort of like damming your river: suddenly you have a pool of money, but on the other side, you're down to almost nothing for a long time down river, trying to pay that debt off.

 

[MakiSupaStar]

There are some notions I agree with, and some I don't. Actually, I am about to go into the whole for a Fodera (I think), and honestly the best thing about it is the price is just nuts. THAT is really one of the few good reasons to do it.

On the flip side, I have seen others suggest that something else might cure the itch. I highly doubt it. Nothing is like an older fender jazz (I guess or precision). Pre-75 with the 4 bolt neck plate is my cutoff for affordable vintage, pre 66 is a whole different story. Nothing is going to compare to playing a bass that most likely you can smell and you burn away on it. And the necks are something different as well. To those who suggest a new bass would suffice, even a custom shop relic, I would ask how many of these basses have you owned?

To flip that AGAIN, I would say that I have owned a few of these, and sound wise I was slightly underwhelmed. There was just something lacking in the lower range that wasn't doing it for me. The slap sound was everything I thought it would be on the maple board ones, but the walking lines did end up getting lost imo. This might be one of those things that doesn't bother you, but very dangerously one of those things you can only tell when in a band setting. Couple this with the fact that I was forcing myself to dig a 4 string when really I dig 5s, and that means that I flipped every one of them.

I think even 2500 is way too much without a case.

Yeah. No offense to people that are into relic'd stuff, but that just seems stupid to me. This is a four bolt 1973 Fender Jazz, which funny enough when I read up on them, I found out that they discontinued this in 1973, which makes me wonder if this one is perhaps a little older that 1973 and the guy doesn't know it. Lamar, you're pretty much right on as far as my viewpoint on all this. There is something to be said about a bass from that era. The wood has had years to set, and mesh with the rest of wood. Years of expanding and collapsing and settling within its fixtures gives it a sound that is unique. I have an acoustic bass and it sounds better now than it did when I bought it. It's also part of the reason why a used stand-up will often fetch more than a new one.

Personally, I'm not even a big fan of Fenders, otherwise I would be playing one already (although, I have played a Marcus Miller Jazz bass that I was very impressed with). BUT, I love that old 1973 sound. That specific year. Still, I am also primarily a 5 string active player, so I don't foresee this being my main gigging bass, probably more for recording dub reggae tracks, and perhaps as a secondary bass to gig on stage with for certain songs /sets. Although, who knows, if I play this, and I fall in love with the sound, then I might convert back to a four.

Then there is the price. You're right. Way too high. I have some buddies that are pro players in various aspects of the industry and they gave me the old "pfft" sound when I told them the price. One of my buddies said that this guy obviously doesn't want to sell it, but if he gets 3100 for it then he'd let it go. So, I think, with all that said and done, I'm going to pass. I think I'm just going to put some new pups in my 5 string SX boob bass and be happy with the Fender-esque sound I get from that. Good enough for recording. F it. This dream bass just came along at the wrong time, for me monetarily and this stage in my life.

 

[EricF]

This dream bass just came along at the wrong time, for me monetarily and this stage in my life.

Then it wasn't meant to be.

Another thought...go play it anyway, but take no means of payment with you. It'll give you an idea about whether or not a '73 J is a long-term goal to save for. You might just find that in real life, a vintage J is not the right fit for you after all.

 

[MakiSupaStar]

Then it wasn't meant to be.

Another thought...go play it anyway, but take no means of payment with you. It'll give you an idea about whether or not a '73 J is a long-term goal to save for. You might just find that in real life, a vintage J is not the right fit for you after all.

Will go play it on Friday.

 

[Chunk-O-Funk]

So basically. What you're saying is you wussed out.

Kidding of course. Sounded like it was a bit on the impulsive side. Better luck next time.

 

[Deluge Of Sound]

I'll bet Kobe's left nut that he comes back saying "it was a dog."

 

[Georynn]

Will go play it on Friday.

That should be the deciding factor on this. Not every '73 jazz is gonna play awesome, i've played some good vintage Fenders and I have played some real crappy lumps of wood with the fender logo on 'em. You can feel the difference after playing it.

Me personally, i seriously doubt that after the "honeymoon" with the bass, that this will be your #1, and would you spend 3k on something that's not your #1 go to bass?

To me, it just wouldn't justify the price, I would just buy a Fender RI or build one yourself to the same specs as the bass in question, much cheaper, and you wont have to get a divorce...

 

[heroincredible]

Will go play it on Friday.

So how was it?

I also refer you to Man Law #91.a. "Men's hobby-related purchases take precedence over all other purchases, including purchases of clothing, food, or other items necessary to sustain human life, unless starvation is actually imminent."

Although wouldn't it be manlier to hunt and kill your food instead of going to a store and buying it?

 

[Chebass88]

How did it sound? Are you a new proud owner now?

 

[Jared Lash]

There is something to be said about a bass from that era. The wood has had years to set, and mesh with the rest of wood. Years of expanding and collapsing and settling within its fixtures gives it a sound that is unique. I have an acoustic bass and it sounds better now than it did when I bought it. It's also part of the reason why a used stand-up will often fetch more than a new one.

I'm not sure I totally buy into this idea, but here's Chris Stambaugh's view on why vintage instruments have that great sound after years of use:

Many players feel that vintage instruments sound better over time. Some attribute this to the nitrocellulose used at the time, but I disagree. The nitro breaks down over time, turning yellow, brittle, and cracking. This separates it from the wood, allowing the wood to breathe and vibrate freely, creating a better sounding instrument. It is the inherent flaws of the finish that are it's best attributes. Rather than waiting thirty years for this effect to take place, other finishes can instantly start this vibration tuning process. Rubbed oil has become a popular finish for basses in the past few years. It readily allows the wood to breathe while providing moderate protection against the elements.

Just like ascribing tone to different woods, I'm not sure how much validity this has, but it's interesting.

 

[MakiSupaStar]

Well, here's what happened. The Thursday before I was due to cruise out there and check it out a sketchy add for a used stand up bass hit craigs list for 250 bucks. So I called the guy and he said it was in pretty good condition. He was close by my work. I half expected this to be stolen since there was no picture.

When I cruised over there, it turned out the guy was just down on his luck and needed a job. The bass was a little beaten up, but nothing a little love and a new bridge couldn't fix. Being the cheap bastard that I am I offered him 195 bucks cash, and he took it. Took it to a local shop to get worked (new stand, bridge, set up, and some other stuff) and the guy said it was a made in the USA stand up that had a german sounding name. Eber-something, I'll check again when I pick it up. I spent a total of 185 dollars in the shop, but will wind up with a sweet new stand up for 380 bucks. So long story short, I never even made it out there to play, and escaped the whole GAS attack for 380 bucks and a new stand up out of the deal. No man law broken.

 

[Jared Lash]

When I cruised over there, it turned out the guy was just down on his luck and needed a job. The bass was a little beaten up, but nothing a little love and a new bridge couldn't fix. Being the cheap bastard that I am I offered him 195 bucks cash, and he took it. Took it to a local shop to get worked (new stand, bridge, set up, and some other stuff) and the guy said it was a made in the USA stand up that had a german sounding name. Eber-something, I'll check again when I pick it up. I spent a total of 185 dollars in the shop, but will wind up with a sweet new stand up for 380 bucks. So long story short, I never even made it out there to play, and escaped the whole GAS attack for 380 bucks and a new stand up out of the deal. No man law broken.

You know the deal: no pics, no new cool upright bass.

I'm jealous. I started on the upright as a kid but haven't touched one in years and lately have had a real urge to start playing it again.

Have you ever played upright before?

 

[MakiSupaStar]

You know the deal: no pics, no new cool upright bass.

I'm jealous. I started on the upright as a kid but haven't touched one in years and lately have had a real urge to start playing it again.

Have you ever played upright before?

I've tinkered around on them but have never had one. I'll show pics as soon as I get it back from the shop. I'll need some help identifying it. I love their sound and hope to record some stuff with it.

 

[Lammchop93]

That price is crazy for the Jazz.

The store I work at just got a 1974 P-bass, all black with a maple fingerboard, and it's on consignment for $1345.

I'm so tempted, but I'm not going to do it. I have to finish my amp first.

 

[dls59]

You know, you have an automatic approval for the upright bass with the wife. "Look, dear, I saved us $2700 bucks. I was about to buy a Fender, and got this instead. Aren't you proud of me? Let's have sex."