When I started playing end of the 90s/ early 2000s my first bass, a Tanglewood P copy, was £250 including a strap, pick and a rubbish second hand practice amp. In 2006 I was in London, probably the Bass Cellar, and a German made Warwick $$ was £800 new, I think US Fenders could have been a similar cost. I wanted the $$ but only just venturing into the world of work didn't think that was a sensible use of my first paycheck. Right now that gets you a Rock bass made in the far east and little of the magic that those original German Warwick's had. I think MM Stingrays were a similar £800-900 around the time. I paid £1850 for my Stingray brand new at the end of 2018. The rises are incredible but also inevitable, a dollar was 50p in 2002 now it's not, the UK was in the EU but leaving coincided with COVID and Russia being what they are and then something political happening in the UK that might have cost people with mortgages and rents a lot more money.... The world is just a more expensive place now all around, some things more than others. I'm approaching a big birthday and for years thought this was my chance to blow loads on a flashy bass but I'll probably get a £150 Harley Benton or stretch to the Hofner Ignition bundle at £400 and still have something I'd happily gig.