Great basses spoil you?

dougazbass · #1 01-14-2013, 01:38 PM

I was wondering if anyone else has experienced this.
I recently purchased an excellent bass made by a small well known bass builder that makes some of the best playing basses in the world. I won't talk brand names 'cause I don't want to get into that end of things.
I have concentrated on playing this bass for a 3-4 weeks now. Yesterday I pick up some of my other basses to play them a little and was supprised to find out how much more difficult they are to play. These are good quality basses too but I would not put them in the same catagory as my new bass.
Has anyone else ever gotten "spoiled" playing a top quality bass?

TolerancEJ · #2 01-14-2013, 01:46 PM

I find that I'm inspired & usually end up writing or coming up with something original when I pick up a different instrument, regardless if its reputation/quality is a 10/10 or 1/10.

CauliColin · #3 01-14-2013, 01:49 PM

I've felt spoiled by a Squier fretless. 'Nuff said

Grateful · #4 01-14-2013, 01:52 PM

I've had a kinda similar thing. I've had expensive basses that I'd play for a while, then pick up another bass that costs 1/4 of what the expensive one runs and realize that the expensive one isn't 4 times better.

But playing a nice one will make a crappy bass crappier...

Biggbass · #5 01-14-2013, 01:53 PM

yes...but I also got spoiled by playing a RW Fender P.

**bass4worship** · #6 01-14-2013, 01:59 PM

Yes I got this bass and found that all my other was no match for it, but now I have to let it go because of hands problem. Wished I had found it years ago. FBass rocks.

CauliColin · #7 01-14-2013, 02:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Biggbass

yes...but I also got spoiled by playing a RW Fender P.

That also happened to me, but with a RW Jazz.

darkstorm · #8 01-14-2013, 02:04 PM

Of course. Great basses play better and easier and sound better to. Theres also plenty of great basses available for under $1,000 which is real nice given the bad economic times.

dougazbass · #9 01-14-2013, 02:05 PM

Well now see...here we are talking about bass brands and models.
Maybe it is more of a setup thing?

OK I'll let it out I'm spoiled by my Roscoe Century...I admit it.

SteveC · #10 01-14-2013, 02:06 PM

I think they can. I was playing a pretty nice bass exclusively for a couple weeks. I went back to my Geddy Lee jazz yesterday for church and while I have always liked the Geddy, it didn't compare to the nicer bass.

sharpbass · #11 01-14-2013, 02:08 PM

Not hard to understand. Roscoes are some of the fastest/easiest playing basses out. IMO

klejst · #12 01-14-2013, 02:15 PM

As long as the bass is great for you then that is all that should matter no matter what the name is on it.

dabbler · #13 01-14-2013, 02:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dougazbass;13718821setup

Well now see...here we are talking about bass brands and models.
Maybe it is more of a setup thing?

Most times, this ^ (i.e., setup).

sharpbass · #14 01-14-2013, 02:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dabbler

Most times, this ^ (i.e., setup).

So...you haven't played a Roscoe hu?

zachoff · #15 01-14-2013, 02:27 PM

I've played some real nice basses and I've played some dogs, but I keep coming back to my SB-2 and L-2000. Love the tones I get from them and love how they play. My Reverend almost never gets love anymore and my Yamaha BBs get love only sometimes these days.

preside · #16 01-14-2013, 02:33 PM

Yes it has happened. No it's not a setup problem as I am good at doing my own. There's a reason a *brand *bass costs more...it's better.

esa372 · #17 01-14-2013, 02:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dougazbass

Has anyone else ever gotten "spoiled" playing a top quality bass?

Absolutely!

That's why I answered "yes" in the Is your most expensive bass your best 'player'? thread.

FrenchBassQC · #18 01-14-2013, 02:34 PM

Yes I am spoiled.

theretheyare · #19 01-14-2013, 02:35 PM

yes it does, but it can still mean that a less playable bass serves a given purpose much better. For example, I have this SD Curlee with which is kinda untransparent, clunky, not that bassy, and less playable on its own, but through a bunch of pedals creates just the type of thick sonic presence and harmonic mayhem I want for soundscapey stuff, which I can't get with my supercomfy Marleaux. And soundscapes isn't about navigating scales and notes in the most elegant way anyway.

Razman · #20 01-14-2013, 02:44 PM

My first bass was a Steinberger; I miss it and miss being headless. However, what did me in was a Dingwall Voodoo fiver. Wow, what a bass that was.

That being said I have to agree. Played a Cirrus four string after having to sell the Dingwall; my next five was a Jackson C5A I got as part of a trade. It did the job, but paled in comparison to the GT custom I have now. It's so much more enjoyable playing something that feels and sounds great (would you rather have steak from Denny's or Ruth's Chris?)

Still, that's not to say something inexpensive can't be very good. A friend has an older Aria Integra bass that I sold to him a couple years ago - and I have the opportunity to buy it back. It's the only bass of many I've owned that I want back. It's also sub-$500.

Raz