Just Wait?

[Dr. Cheese]

I have been talking about upgrading my fretted five for a while and I am in position to pick up something nice around New Year, but I am thinking that if I wait until I retire (June 2026,) I will probably be able to spend 3x as much as I can this coming January. I’m not a patient person, but maybe I should wait since my current fretted five is certainly decent, not horrible.

 

[tb-player]

Take the money you have now and use it as a down payment on a custom build. Order a nice MTD or Sadowsky (or something similar). Time it so it’s finished when you’re ready to retire. You’ll have a lifetime, bucket-list bass that is exactly what you want. And because it’s a custom build, the waiting period is worth it.

 

[Dr. Cheese]

Take the money you have now and use it as a down payment on a custom build. Order a nice MTD or Sadowsky (or something similar). Time it so it’s finished when you’re ready to retire. You’ll have a lifetime, bucket-list bass that is exactly what you want. And because it’s a custom build, the waiting period is worth it.

That is a good idea!

 

[LadyLoveStingRay5]

My advice , keep saving and get what YOU REALLY WANT . Not what is most affordable or practical. Of course you do want to set a budget and go beyond what is comfortable. You do not want to get something that you’ve never played . This is a big mistake . There is a reason why you see so many custom builds for sale. Specs on paper don’t always mean it’s going to be all you hoped for.

You have owned and played alot of basses. You know what you like and what stands out the most for you. Make a top 5 list and narrow it down to maybe tip 3, then 2, then 1.

If you can put money down and pay over time until you can bring it home, do it.

Dont buy something so expensive that if you run into a financial hardship , you have to sell it at a big loss to cover some unforeseen bill. That means you e probably got too much invested into the bass . ( Unless it’s something like a coveted vintage Fender or a Wal.

Don’t settle but don’t go beyond what’s comfortable for your retirement life either.

I know you mentioned traveling . Those are nice memories and worth every penny.

 

[Lo-E]

@LadyLoveStingRay5 for the win.

 

[Bass Viking]

I know you mentioned traveling . Those are nice memories and worth every penny.

How about travel to places that have well stocked music stores or bass specialty stores? This is a way to let the bass find you.

Germany has Thomann. Denmark has Bass Buddha. England has Bass Direct. And of course Bass Central in Orlando!

 

[Snibborwocky]

Impatience is an extremely tough thing to deal with, I'm usually the same way. I've done it over and over and almost always regretted not waiting because something better/more of interest always comes along after that fateful purchase. I'm slowly learning to contain that "spur of the moment" mentality at this age and it's felt WAY better in recent purchases when I've taken the time to mull over and sleep on for a while before pulling the trigger, or not pulling the trigger on in most cases. Good luck with you gear quest.

 

[nonohmic]

Take the money you have now and use it as a down payment on a custom build. Order a nice MTD or Sadowsky (or something similar). Time it so it’s finished when you’re ready to retire. You’ll have a lifetime, bucket-list bass that is exactly what you want. And because it’s a custom build, the waiting period is worth it.

This is the answer.

I have a custom coming in the new year. Initial deposit was $500, then I've just been sending the builder extra cash as it becomes available. My final payment isn't going to be much more than a used Fender.

 

[Watchootognbout]

Take your money and buy one of these.

 

[ShawnG]

I have been talking about upgrading my fretted five for a while and I am in position to pick up something nice around New Year, but I am thinking that if I wait until I retire (June 2026,) I will probably be able to spend 3x as much as I can this coming January. I’m not a patient person, but maybe I should wait since my current fretted five is certainly decent, not horrible.

Wait

 

[brianrost]

I am thinking that if I wait until I retire (June 2026,) I will probably be able to spend 3x as much as I can this coming January.

After I retired I couldn’t afford anything.

 

[Dr. Cheese]

Take your money and buy one of these.View attachment 7083231

I am considering the five string version. I have played those basses and I like them.

 

[primussucks9126]

I think you should wait, and only pull the trigger if something really calls to you. Ideally if you can physically try it out first.

I'm planning a trip to japan and budgeting $4000 for a fancy shmancy 5er as a souvenir, but I'm also prepared to find that nothing will really move me/be significantly better than what I have, and I'll just keep my money.

I'm always chasing perfection and dreaming up slight modifications to my current basses to justify new purchases, but what I've got plays great, sounds great, and makes me money on gigs.

 

[RGerhart]

How about travel to places that have well stocked music stores or bass specialty stores? This is a way to let the bass find you.

Germany has Thomann. Denmark has Bass Buddha. England has Bass Direct. And of course Bass Central in Orlando!

I've always dreamed of doing this. I've visited the Bass Shop in Seattle, and Bass Central in Orlando. I think it would so much fun to plan a day for each shop, and just travel to each amazing bass shop and check things out. And of course visit builders, if you can. Fodera, Lakland, Elrick, Skjold, MTD. What a blast that would be!

 

[MaxSpinrun]

Lots of good advice. I agree, wait and really get what you want. It took me a LONG time to learn patience. Listen to @LadyLoveStingRay5 , she is the Queen and knows what she is talking about and speaks from experience.

 

[pb9717]

GAS is a passing condition. No pun intended. Just wait. The dream bass you have in your mind will always be waiting down the road. Put the funds in an investment. Older you will have his hand out just when you’re ready to pull the trigger. Try and fall in love again with what you have.

 

[chris_b]

Hey Doc, don't buy anything.

Push yourself musically. Treat yourself to some lessons.

That will be worth more than a new bass.

 

[Dr. Cheese]

GAS is a passing condition. No pun intended. Just wait. The dream bass you have in your mind will always be waiting down the road. Put the funds in an investment. Older you will have his hand out just when you’re ready to pull the trigger. Try and fall in love again with what you have.

This is not a sudden urge. I have been looking to get a better fretted five for about year. I have great fretted four and fretless five. My fretted five has great tone, but is heavy and has string spacing around 16.5 or 17mm.

 

[Dr. Cheese]

Hey Doc, don't buy anything.

Push yourself musically. Treat yourself to some lessons.

That will be worth more than a new bass.

I have been taking lessons for several years now. It took a few years before the knowledge stuck because I had to
unlearn a bunch of bad habits. Study is the main reason I have not rushed to buy something new.

 

[Lobster11]

After I retired I couldn’t afford anything.

Seriously, I've never heard anyone say that there was something they'd be able to afford after retiring than before. As someone who also plans to retire next summer I'd love to know what the trick is!