Was buying your dream bass worth it?

[nonohmic]

Here's hoping so...

 

[Fynn]

I built mine. Didn't do an amazing job, but yeah, it was totally worth it. Gonna fix it up soon, to make it as perfect as I can get. And then I'll get to some other basses that I would like to own.

 

[rushgenesis2112]

My dream bass for a decade was a Geddy Jazz, since high school. I am a strictly bedroom hobby player and have been in undergrad-grad school through all that time, so never felt I could really justify spending too much, even at used Geddy prices, I know I know. But, last summer (2023) there was one locally at guitar center, and the price was right and it came with a hard case. I brought in all the stuff I had acquired trying to do a “Geddy without paying for a Geddy,” including a G&L tribute JB, Schecter 004, and some other gear I had, and left with the Geddy without paying much on top. So, so worth it. It feels like home every time I play it. Now, that might be because I dedicated a large chunk of my playing life into learning his technique, but still, it’s home bass for me.

 

[Ron Berenato]

My two dream basses: In the early '90's, I scored a 1965 Fender Jazz bass. Kept it less than a year. Great bass, unbelievable response, just not as keepable as my other basses. Then I scored a '76 Carl Thompson. Again, unbelievable instrument. Just not a long term keeper.

Funny, I've seemed to hang on to lesser instruments and let the really classic ones go. Much like my dating experiences back in the day.

 

[klejst]

Yes. I always looked at the term "dream bass" as a once in a lifetime of owning something that I really want. So, when an opportunity presents itself to do so, and I have the means to do so I am going to likely go for it. I have a couple "dream basses" but my '76 Fender P I own/use is my top. The other is a green bass and a birth year bass (hoping to kill those two birds with one stone perhaps).

 

[nixdad]

Worth the wait?

Without a doubt!

 

[Jazzdogg]

Now that I've retired, I'm too cheap to pay big bucks for a so-called dream bass. That said, if I were to splurge, it would probably be a Rob Allen.

 

[ics1974]

I'm a pretty frugal guy but I'm in a good spot in life and I'm seriously considering buying a dream bass or two. I would probably only buy them used but sadly, with the recent inflation, the basses I really want were only in the $1200-$1600 range on the used market a couple years ago. That felt like a relatively easy reach. But now they're more like $2000, give or take. I'm primarily talking USA Stingrays and Spector Euros in case you're wondering. It's hard to wrap my mind around spending that much on a bass even though I could afford it. The majority of the vehicles I've owned in my life didn't cost much more than that. So, what was your experience? Was it worth it or did you regret it?

Yes but hear is the deal with expansive basses. If you buy new and later decide you want to sell the bass, you’re going to talk a big loss for sure. If you buy used you will probably break even if your lucky. I say this because I have bought many “dream” basses to find out later it’s not my thing.
I do now own my dream bass after much trial and error and expense.
My Retro 70’s Stingray

 

[Eilif]

Spoiler

Yep. I'm also frugal, but I took the dive and it was a great decision.

Mine was a 44-94 style Carlo. Found used in Carl Pedigo's shop. Wasn't looking for a new bass but soon as I played it I knew it was everything I ever wanted in a bass and a couple of things I didn't know I always wanted.

Cost over 2k and it took some time to put the money together, but it is worth every penny. In retrospect, that moment of discovery was partially the result of 25 years and 25 basses to hone my preferences but also some Magic

.

Interesting to see this pop up again. Looked back at my response 2 years ago and still feel exactly the same.

One additional thought. In 2022 I was 3 years settled into a downsized collection of 6 basses. 4 of which were either custom or boutique "dream" instruments acquired since 2016 and only 2 from my previous collection(T-40 for recording and my first bass for sentiment).

It's now 5 years with the same instruments and 8 years since I bought the first of my " dream instruments" and I'm still perfectly content with them. While others' experience may differ, in my case spending more on fewer dream basses has resulted in a smaller, more satisfying and stable collection.