What is an expensive bass?

[chris_b]

2 hours ago, TimR said:

Makes note to buy £5k bass so that I get offered more pub gigs.

 

If that's the extent of your ambition, go for it.

[tom.android]

If the question were rephrased to ‘a bit posh’ then I guess my answer would be about £1.5k used £2k new

[Misdee]

3 hours ago, tauzero said:

 

I bought my expensive (although < £3k) basses because I wanted them, not with any great regard to what I would be doing with them (other than playing).

There's nothing wrong with a bit of wish-fulfilment if you can afford it.  I really don't go for the idea that anyone has to justify their purchases in terms of how and where they are going to use them. If it's your own money to spend, do as you please and enjoy it how you like.

[Dan Dare]

10 minutes ago, Misdee said:

If it's your own money to spend, do as you please and enjoy it how you like.

 

Yep. You can't take it with you. I would add that expensive doesn't always equal better, depending on what you want/need. In terms of function, the law of diminishing returns kicks in once you get towards £2k and upwards. However, pride of ownership is important. A nicer instrument will make you happier than a giant telly.

[tegs07]

24 minutes ago, Misdee said:

There's nothing wrong with a bit of wish-fulfilment if you can afford it.  I really don't go for the idea that anyone has to justify their purchases in terms of how and where they are going to use them. If it's your own money to spend, do as you please and enjoy it how you like.

Indeed. Personally I would rather own one bass I love  than 5 or 6 mediocre ones anyway. It does seem like one expensive bass attracts more ire than several mid priced ones.. 

Edited 36 minutes ago by tegs07

[tegs07]

13 minutes ago, Dan Dare said:

 

Yep. You can't take it with you. I would add that expensive doesn't always equal better, depending on what you want/need. In terms of function, the law of diminishing returns kicks in once you get towards £2k and upwards. However, pride of ownership is important. A nicer instrument will make you happier than a giant telly.

True but if you want a new Rickenbacker or Musicman you are going to need a little more than 2K.

[Richard R]

At the risk of adding to the "overthinking this" aspect. 😉

 

"Expensive" is intangible, and so hard to measure. I therefore recommend the following excellent book:

https://www.worldofbooks.com/en-gb/products/how-to-measure-anything-book-douglas-w-hubbard-9780470539392?

 

Edited 23 minutes ago by Richard R

[LukeFRC]

It’s all relative to income too isn’t it? I’ve worked on min wage when a Mexican fender was beyond my means, and I’ve had very well paid friends who could drop £5k on a bass if they wanted - but in careers that probably wouldn’t give them the time to play much.

Ive known people who have a seperate bass fund and spend out of gig earnings, vs hobby funds vs people on here who buy expensive things they can’t afford on credit … all going to affect what you see as affordable.