For me, it's about what my income and expenditure allow. I don't have a huge amount of indulgent money. Like many i/I/we have to plan and save. I have spent a lot on a bass, as I've treated them like investments. I have 2 what I would class as expensive basses. My Fender Jazz custom shop cost a fair amount. However, I've gigged with it for years, and it's never given me a problem. It's consistent and reliable. I've probably earned a fair few grand from it each year I've had it. It has paid for itself several times over. So yes, expensive, but in my opinion, a good investment in a workhorse of an instrument.