Are high end basses for investors or musicians?

[Dingus]

I've been reading through this thread with great interest , and I think most folks are in broad agreement , but there is a certain amount of talking at cross -purposes over what is meant by " investment " . High -end basses are what what would be refererred to as a "complex asset" , in so much as they depreciate and then in certain circumstances re-appreciate in relation to the market , the increases new retail price and overall desirability to the consumer . Quality basses are an investment in the sense that most keep a fairly respectable residual resale value , even if they do not neccesarilly appreciate to a price equal to or above what you paid for them . However , in certain rare cases they [i]do[/i] yield a net profit in real terms , so that is another factor to consider . If you spend two grand on a computer or a used car , in two years it is essentially worthless as an asset . Spend two grand on a prestige bass and in a couple of years you would probably get roughly two-thirds of what you paid back for it , so , by comparison , in that sense a high-end bass is a relatively good investment .

[Gust0o]

[quote name='tauzero' timestamp='1378477341' post='2200913']
I really have no idea how you read that into what I wrote. Oh well.
[/quote]

I was applying your words back to some of the earlier sentiments in the thread - apologies if you had another meaning

[mr zed]

[quote name='molan' timestamp='1378465464' post='2200667']

I've also known a lot of people with off-road bikes as well (although not all of them actually get off Tarmac all that often).

[/quote]

There are a few GS riders around here whose idea of going off-road is mounting the kerb!

[risingson]

[quote name='Gust0o' timestamp='1378461276' post='2200545']
I've always suspected that the elephant in the room might be the old green-eyed monster. I'm not sure I'd want a Fodera, but I can imagine that many bassists might like the opportunity or option to procure one, even if they then spent the money on something else.

So, are we really rounding on the instruments? Or the individual, and the circumstances which have allowed them to indulge their passion to such an extent?
[/quote]

+1 this is definitely what it always boils down to.

[Dingus]

Touching on what folks like Molan had to say earlier , I personally have always gravitated towards the highest quality basses , even when I was a kid looking at pictures in magazines ( that's all we had for bass porn in the days before the internet ) with no means to buy them . However , now that I have a bit more money, I have realised that most of those basses are completely superfluous to my real - world practical needs . I honestly think that you get most bang for your buck at around the just-over-a -thousand-pounds mark . An American Standard Fender Jazz will do everything that a U.S - made Lakland Joe Osborn or passive Celinder Jazz will , and it's not so expensive or difficult to replace that you need to worry unduly about looking after it . The way to get the most out of any bass is to play it and use it , and there is an inertia for most people that makes them handle expensive custom basses with kid gloves compared to more generic instruments . I am no fan of his playing , but it's great to see Victor Wooten playing his Foderas with scant regard for wear and tear , and Stanley Clarke spanks his Alembics with an equally gay abandon . That's the way to do it , in my opinion . That is what [i]really [/i]constitutes a good investment in a bass - to play it and love it . Overall , once you actually get your hands on them and play them . there is far less difference than you might think in the final results between a very good mass- production instrument ( i.e U.S.A Fender , EBMM, Lakland Skyline , ect ) and most very expensive boutique basses . There are , of course, plenty of notable exceptions , but I can't help but notice that many ( maybe even most ) great players in various eras who we all admire were capable of getting amazing results on fairly standard equipment .

Edited September 7, 2013 by Dingus

[lojo]

[quote name='LukeFRC' timestamp='1378141493' post='2196223']

Not really understanding his logic, nor wanting to see my JV sold and trashed I pointed him to some cheaper nice MIJ P basses.

Strange bloke too!
[/quote]

This also reflects our strange relationships with basses, you effectively lost a sale on your instrument because you didn't want to see it get gigged and become roadworn, nothing wrong or right about it though.

I'm only a weekend player, pubs, parties and functions, but I'm getting drawn to a decent (I mean 1.5k, some may consider that low) bass , which is way beyond my needs, but I played one recently and I did notice the quality and playability.

If I buy one, is that an indulgence ?

Edited October 29, 2013 by lojo

[LukeFRC]

[quote name='Dingus' timestamp='1378514064' post='2201460']
Touching on what folks like Molan had to say earlier , I personally have always gravitated towards the highest quality basses , even when I was a kid looking at pictures in magazines ( that's all we had for bass porn in the days before the internet ) with no means to buy them . However , now that I have a bit more money, I have realised that most of those basses are completely superfluous to my real - world practical needs . I honestly think that you get most bang for your buck at around the just-over-a -thousand-pounds mark . An American Standard Fender Jazz will do everything that a U.S - made Lakland Joe Osborn or passive Celinder Jazz will , and it's not so expensive or difficult to replace that you need to worry unduly about looking after it . The way to get the most out of any bass is to play it and use it , and there is an inertia for most people that makes them handle expensive custom basses with kid gloves compared to more generic instruments . I am no fan of his playing , but it's great to see Victor Wooten playing his Foderas with scant regard for wear and tear , and Stanley Clarke spanks his Alembics with an equally gay abandon . That's the way to do it , in my opinion . That is what [i]really [/i]constitutes a good investment in a bass - to play it and love it . Overall , once you actually get your hands on them and play them . there is far less difference than you might think in the final results between a very good mass- production instrument ( i.e U.S.A Fender , EBMM, Lakland Skyline , ect ) and most very expensive boutique basses . There are , of course, plenty of notable exceptions , but I can't help but notice that many ( maybe even most ) great players in various eras who we all admire were capable of getting amazing results on fairly standard equipment .
[/quote] +1
I sold a few basses I've had because I began feeling too precious about playing them. My streamer was bought well played and loved, and remains well played and loved.
[quote name='lojo' timestamp='1383028843' post='2259192']
This also reflects our strange relationships with basses, you effectively lost a sale on your instrument because you didn't want to see it get gigged and become roadworn, nothing wrong or right about it though.

I'm only a weekend player, pubs, parties and functions, but I'm getting drawn to a decent (I mean 1.5k, some may consider that low) bass , which is way beyond my needs, but I played one recently and I did notice the quality and playability.

If I buy one, is that an indulgence ?
[/quote] nah, the person in question wanted to buy my bass secondhand for £900 so he could keep his new USA fender version of the same bass in pristine condition under his bed to gain value… or something.

no its not an indulgence if you play it

[RichValentine]

[quote name='lojo' timestamp='1383028843' post='2259192'] If I buy one, is that an indulgence ? [/quote]

If you have the money it isn't an indulgence. I've been lucky recently that I've been in a position where I could order a Shuker, I'm certainly not an amazing player but certainly not an investor either. Having just bought a nice PRS guitar as well, I see a lot of people saying it's for blues doctors/lawyers etc which always seems to come across as jealousy rather than anything else...

There does appear to be a thought, maybe among the guitar community that having a "coffee table" bass/guitar makes you less of a musician and that real "musicians" play beaten up old/cheap instruments. I just tend to judge those people as idiots then ignore them...

ps I will certainly be playing my Shuker everywhere, at the end of the day its just a prettier tool.

[steve-bbb]

[quote name='Dingus' timestamp='1378514064' post='2201460']
Touching on what folks like Molan had to say earlier , I personally have always gravitated towards the highest quality basses , even when I was a kid looking at pictures in magazines ( that's all we had for bass porn in the days before the internet ) with no means to buy them . However , now that I have a bit more money, I have realised that most of those basses are completely superfluous to my real - world practical needs . I honestly think that you get most bang for your buck at around the just-over-a -thousand-pounds mark . An American Standard Fender Jazz will do everything that a U.S - made Lakland Joe Osborn or passive Celinder Jazz will , and it's not so expensive or difficult to replace that you need to worry unduly about looking after it . The way to get the most out of any bass is to play it and use it , and there is an inertia for most people that makes them handle expensive custom basses with kid gloves compared to more generic instruments . I am no fan of his playing , but it's great to see Victor Wooten playing his Foderas with scant regard for wear and tear , and Stanley Clarke spanks his Alembics with an equally gay abandon . That's the way to do it , in my opinion . That is what [i]really [/i]constitutes a good investment in a bass - to play it and love it . Overall , once you actually get your hands on them and play them . there is far less difference than you might think in the final results between a very good mass- production instrument ( i.e U.S.A Fender , EBMM, Lakland Skyline , ect ) and most very expensive boutique basses . There are , of course, plenty of notable exceptions , but I can't help but notice that many ( maybe even most ) great players in various eras who we all admire were capable of getting amazing results on fairly standard equipment .
[/quote]

+1