Investment or Enjoyment??

[tombboy]

First of all... Hi to all. My first post!!
My dilemma..

I have just acquired a 30th Anniversary 'Ray to go with my '95 Vintage Sunburst IV with the intention of keeping it in pristine condition, (not playing it!!) and eventually passing it down to my son when he is old enough to appreciate it. However, I unpacked it and plugged it in to my rig (Ampeg SVT II Pro and 810 Cab) and was completely blown away. Now.. I'm used to the 'Ray sound and have managed to grab a tone that I was happy with until I flicked the switch on this baby. The beast positively leapt out of the case like a Tazmanian Devil on steroids and I fell in love all over again.
What do I do? Gig it and enjoy it but risk wear & tear and depreciation or keep it squeaky clean and never hear that awsome tone again?
Court is in session:
Over to you guys!!

 

[tkarter]

I would gig it. It is bound to mean more to your son to have dad's bass as dad used it.

Welcome to the forum. Have fun here.

imho

tk

 

[koogie2k]

Welcome to the Addiction!

Gig it! I will gig my LE Bongo when I get it and my 30th Anniv. Ray....it is meant to be played!

 

[nashman]

Welcome to the forum Tombboy! That's a tough one! I'm (impatiently) waiting for my first EBMM - a 2006 LE Stingray. It's such a fine instrument that I'm already thinking of buying a second/used one for use outside my home. It would be a shame not to use it .... it will be calling you until you do any way. Save a few $ between now and when your Son is ready and buy him a brand new one when he's ready!

 

[bovinehost]

I believe it was Sterling Ball who said something like:

"What's the point in having a bunch of hot virgins lying around the house?"

 

[bassmonkeee]

Heh--if you are buying musical instruments as investments, you've made a huge tactical error. Use your stock portfolio for investments, and play that bass!

 

[82Daion]

Gig it.

 

[tombboy]

Looks like my lad will have to make do with an action man!!
Rehearsing it on Saturday and gigging it the week after. I think it was Sterling's phrase which pursuaded me! Now.... where did I put those hot virgins?

 

[bassmonkeee]

Looks like my lad will have to make do with an action man!!
Rehearsing it on Saturday and gigging it the week after. I think it was Sterling's phrase which pursuaded me! Now.... where did I put those hot virgins?

You'll fit in just fine around here.

One of us...one of us...gooble gobble gooble gobble...we accept you....

 

[Moondog]

Tombboy,

I just bought a 2005 SR4. It's my son's birth year and I plan
on giving it to him when he's old enough to appreaciate it.
(man would I love to have a birth-year bass myself!)

This is how I look at it ..
I MUCH rather have a bass that my dad used and put his
"character" into rather than a bass he never played and
kept under his bed. It would mean much more to me and
be something I could never part with (F-resale). I think
most of us feel the same.

Use it but don't abuse it - he'll appreciate it more IMO

 

[tkarter]

Look at it like your son will be getting an heirloom not a collector's item.

Make it famous enough and your son will really have something to enjoy.

tk

 

[tombboy]

Will try to make it famous... just on the verge of getting signed so keep your fingers crossed for us.
Not bad for a 38 year old I think!

 

[fogman]

Will try to make it famous... just on the verge of getting signed so keep your fingers crossed for us.
Not bad for a 38 year old I think!

That's awesome! Congrats.
Welcome to the forum.

 

[Mobay45]

Welcome tombboy and I'm glad you decided to gig the bass.

Good luck on getting signed too!

 

[mrpackerguy]

I dont think it will depreciate much if any, if played.

 

[Jim_F]

Buy it to play it! - at the end of the day it is a tool (yeah - a great sounding, attractive, well designed tool) but still a tool - for making music.

However there is lot to be said for buying a bass guitar that also retains a lot of its initial value as well ...

But hanging a Stingray on the wall is like having a ferrari in the garage - yes it look v nice - but where is the fun of driving it?

(Not that I've got a ferrari in my garage !!!)

 

[bassmonkeee]

(Not that I've got a ferrari in my garage !!!)

Huh....both of my Bongos came with Ferraris....

 

[tombboy]

But hanging a Stingray on the wall is like having a ferrari in the garage

I've got two........... (garages that is!!).

 

[draganr]

play with that one and buy your son a new 50th ann. later!

 

[Musicman Nut]

Heh--if you are buying musical instruments as investments, you've made a huge tactical error. Use your stock portfolio for investments, and play that bass!

Into todays world I'd agree, Although I did recently Sell 120 Vintage Basses and came very close to a Mil, I avoid Stocks Big time but that's just me. I do way better in Vintage guitars. But New and rare today will mean 30 years from now to be worth investment level and if your 21 that's great, but some of us are not.

I do play everyone of my Ernie Ball basses may take a year to go round the heard but they do get Played