Dissapointing High-End Basses - Page 16

Kukkiwanblack · #**301** 05-13-2011, 12:15 AM

I have the exact same opinion about the thumb only I was playing a 5 string. Exact same

lefty1979 · #**302** 05-13-2011, 07:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kwesi

Seriously, why is it that whenever Fodera is mentioned you get a bajillion people crying about the price? Please, just stop. It's annoying, often juvenile and has been said at least 18 million times before you said it. You know you won't buy it, the rest of us couldn't care less whether you would or not so you really don't need to tell us.

I think you misunderstood me. I was pointing out that 12k for a bolt on emporer is way out of line CONSIDERING THEY START OUT AROUND 6K ON FODERA's PRICE LIST!!! I have no problem with their prices, and if I could swing one without ending up divorced I'd be waiting on a Matt Garrison strung B-G. I was just dropping a little fact-checking knowledge. That is all.

seungkoo · #**303** 05-13-2011, 07:30 AM

most of my disappointments were in my ability to play the bass well

chalie · #**304** 05-13-2011, 07:41 AM

regardless to what make of bass guitar is, the more you pay the less you get.

from my experienced from 1000 - 3000 you almost get what you paid and to 4000 you get 3/4 and 4000 up you get 1/2

my quote doesn't implied as being cheat but the sound and the feel which is what you need and that is not easy to get the extra from being more expensive. Of cause you also pay for the craftmanship and the look which is the other 1/2 of what you paid

so comes to the point where started the thread, I am certain that people would be more sensitive on those expensive basses whilst more dissappointment too. I do have that feeling too and most went to those basses.

seungkoo · #**305** 05-13-2011, 08:16 AM

even though im a sucker for boutiques and high end basses. at the end of the day a good p bass in the band setting is all I really need...

Having that nice high end bass in your hands is a definately a different feeling though. My warwicks feel awesome, play awesome, sound awesome, just a tab bit heavy though but I only play at church, very rarely will I have a gig thats more than an hour long.

pablomigraine · #**306** 05-13-2011, 10:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by seungkoo

most of my disappointments were in my ability to play the bass well

Hahah plus one+++

Dr. Cheese · #**307** 05-13-2011, 10:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chalie

regardless to what make of bass guitar is, the more you pay the less you get.

from my experienced from 1000 - 3000 you almost get what you paid and to 4000 you get 3/4 and 4000 up you get 1/2

my quote doesn't implied as being cheat but the sound and the feel which is what you need and that is not easy to get the extra from being more expensive. Of cause you also pay for the craftmanship and the look which is the other 1/2 of what you paid

so comes to the point where started the thread, I am certain that people would be more sensitive on those expensive basses whilst more dissappointment too. I do have that feeling too and most went to those basses.

That's pretty much anything you buy. Diminishing returns really kick on basses around $1,200-$2,200. In that price range, you can buy really nice factory basses and some used "name" boutiques, plus many basses from unknown luthiers.

The more you go past that mark, you will get comparatively less for your money, however, paying the extra amount makes sense for many people.

nostatic · #**308** 05-13-2011, 11:42 AM

Disappointment comes at all levels of price, and is usually associated with unrealistic expectations. Like spending the money will make me a better player

thepontif · #**309** 05-13-2011, 12:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by seungkoo

most of my disappointments were in my ability to play the bass well

I feel the same way about my relationship with my bass. I've always thought, "I'll practice for 5 years, then maybe I'll have some idea as whether I REALLY need a different bass." I got my last one 10 years ago.

seungkoo · #**310** 05-13-2011, 12:55 PM

I just cant justify my skills in owning a....say a fodera?? Honestly even the warwicks I buy I feel they are just a too bit too good for me. But at the end of the day, I can afford them and they feel and sound great to me. I know they can sound better in hands of a better player but oh well! gotta live with what I have.

john grey · #**311** 05-13-2011, 01:15 PM

I'm not sure if I brought this up but a CS Fender j-bass I had bought was just not up to the standards of quality I thought would exist in a $2k instrument. Very mediocre fret work. One could see space in the fret tang and the surface of the board; that's not really excusable. The nut spacing was not appropriate as it appeared to be cut for a light (100-105) E and yet crowed the E & A. I turned the bass for what I had into it; got a MIJ Fender for $639 or something and never looked back.

I've seen some poor B.C. Rich guitars & I remember a long time back, they were really well made. I never owned one as what I've seen recently shyed me away from them.
I see the $1-2000 mark as very significant. My expectations are for every element of the instrument to be not only in working order but inspected with no marginal issues what-so-ever. I honestly don't believe that's an inappropriate expectation. Uneven or high frets, finish issues, or electronics are completely inexcusable. The problem is that some things take considerable time (dead spots on neck) or VERY good lighting to find (fret wire not seated well). One hour at a store generally is not enough (IMO) and often in some places the lighting is NOT designed for inspection.....

Corevalay · #**312** 05-13-2011, 02:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kwesi

Seriously, why is it that whenever Fodera is mentioned you get a bajillion people crying about the price? Please, just stop. It's annoying, often juvenile and has been said at least 18 million times before you said it. You know you won't buy it, the rest of us couldn't care less whether you would or not so you really don't need to tell us.

Who's crying? All that I said was at $12,000 dollars you can't convince me ANY bass is worth that price. Just like you'll never convince me I need a $30k watch or $200k car.

And in a thread talking about disappointing high-end basses, I think it's a fair criticism if a bass costs that much and the buyer isn't thrilled with it.

seungkoo · #**313** 05-13-2011, 02:08 PM

if we all had bank accounts like oprah or bill gates a $12k bass would be chump change. itll be like buying an old used beat up SX bass for $20.00.

something being expensive is very relative

Just Thumpin' · #**314** 05-13-2011, 04:55 PM

I have posted this kind of thing in so many different places at so many different times on TB, but I will do it again...

Our prices are not "just because we can," they are based on what they need to be to stay in business and build instruments the way that we build them. Sure, we could change the way that we build them...lower the quality, skimp on the parts and wood, take 1/2 as much labor time per bass as we currently do, but what would be left? A potentially more profitable business, lower prices and a business that has lost its soul...

Our goal is very simple...to build the very finest instruments we are capable of building. We price them based on achieving this goal, we do not build to meet a price point.

There are a great many wonderful bass guitars available at every possible price point these days and if you have found your voice on an instrument that costs lots and lots less than one of our instruments, that is wonderful. It is about finding your voice, maximizing your artistic expression and enjoying playing, that is what counts. To my knowledge, no one has ever been forced into buying one of our instruments. Thankfully, there are enough people that find enough value in what we do and how our instruments let them express themselves to keep us busy and doing what we love...

pablomigraine · #**315** 05-13-2011, 11:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Just Thumpin'

I have posted this kind of thing in so many different places at so many different times on TB, but I will do it again...

Our prices are not "just because we can," they are based on what they need to be to stay in business and build instruments the way that we build them. Sure, we could change the way that we build them...lower the quality, skimp on the parts and wood, take 1/2 as much labor time per bass as we currently do, but what would be left? A potentially more profitable business, lower prices and a business that has lost its soul...

Our goal is very simple...to build the very finest instruments we are capable of building. We price them based on achieving this goal, we do not build to meet a price point.

There are a great many wonderful bass guitars available at every possible price point these days and if you have found your voice on an instrument that cots lots and lots less than one of our instruments, that is wonderful. It is about finding your voice, maximizing your artistic expression and enjoying playing, that is what counts. To my knowledge, no one has ever been forced into buying one of our instruments. Thankfully there are enough people that find enough value in what we do and how our instruments let them express themselves to keep us busy and doing what we love...

It's important to bear in mind that, not everyone who posts in these types of threads has a wide basis for comparison, and very few are saying that your basses arent "worth it" in general... most, like myself, say they aren't worth it TO THEM... no one is saying you're making $10k off an $11k bass...

oldfretless · #**316** 05-14-2011, 12:43 PM

"To my knowledge, no one has ever been forced to buy one of our instruments" What about the voice in my head that keeps telling me 24/7 that I need one?

Big_Daddy · #**317** 05-14-2011, 02:31 PM

...Not really a bass, but I did play a 1500$ Martin once, and it didn't even compare to my 350$ Takamine. I was pretty dissapointed. ...But I got too many glares from the shop owners for grabbing it without asking, so I just left before I could try any more.

...And that's why I deal with Long & McQuade. Wanna play it? Sure, no problem. The only time you have to ask is if it's too high up or you wanna plug in.

Flaked Beans · #**318** 05-14-2011, 03:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by oldfretless

"To my knowledge, no one has ever been forced to buy one of our instruments" What about the voice in my head that keeps telling me 24/7 that I need one?

that voice keeps telling you 24/7 that you need one? JUST ONE???

Flaked Beans · #**319** 05-14-2011, 03:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by seungkoo

if we all had bank accounts like oprah or bill gates a $12k bass would be chump change. itll be like buying an old used beat up SX bass for $20.00.

something being expensive is very relative

If we all had those bank accounts then that 12K bass would probably cost more than 120K.

rockosocko · #**320** 05-14-2011, 06:34 PM

I think as bassist we've bought into the whole theory that a great bass has to cost many thousands of dollars; it doesn't. Having said that, buying an expensive instrument does come with a great deal more expectations than when buying something costing much less. You would think that a bass costing $12,000 would be exponentially better than one costing around $2,500, but in doing so you're probobly setting yourself up to be disappointed.