Who has never owned a bass that cost more than $800?

[mcblahflooper94]

In my opinion, so much gear is already fantastic at a low price, that you NEVER have to go over 800. There's Ibanez, OLP, Yamaha, Hondo, Aria, Peaveys, Squiers, Hohners, ESPs... the list can go on and on of basses that get the job done well at a really good price. But then again, Gibson/Fenders never did anything to me. The only time I would ever spend more than 800 is if I was to build my own bass, which is on my list of things to do before I die.

[Bongolation]

Me. I never pay anything for gear.

Most I've ever spent: $742 for a new American Standard Jazz from MF two years ago.

Least I've ever spent, $75 back in the '70s for a 1963 Gibson Thunderbird II now worth $17,000 according to a recent guitar magazine. Yes, I still have it.

[Ric5]

I saw several nice basses at my local Music-go-round yesterday for under $400. I saw a 6 string fretless Ibanez, a 5 string Specter, and an 8 string ESP.

[seilerbird]

My three basses:

$99 - No name Chinese Beatle bass copy
$139 - Dean Edge 09
$249 - Hofner B bass Hi series

The most expensive guitar I ever owned was $600 Parker Fly and it was the worst guitar I ever owned.

There are a lot of guitar players who seem to think spending more money on an instrument will make then a better player.

I am also a pro photographer and there are a lot of photographers that think that if they spend more money on a camera they will take better photos.

Bottom line, you don't have to be intelligent to be rich.

[rfslick]

$435 New Hofner 500/1 '67
$150 New Danelectro Longhorn '68
$150 Used Hofner 500/1 '71
$200 New Rogue 405pro '06
$179 New Rogue VB100 '02
$750 New Martin D15 '08
$300 New Hofner Ignition Club '12
Trades-
Fender '04 Precision
Fender '05 Jazz
Gibson EB1
...
That Hofner 500/1 today, would be $2,850.
That '64 Precision today, ....
That '65 Jazz today, ....

[citizenchris099]

Originally Posted by seilerbird

My three basses:

$99 - No name Chinese Beatle bass copy
$139 - Dean Edge 09
$249 - Hofner B bass Hi series

The most expensive guitar I ever owned was $600 Parker Fly and it was the worst guitar I ever owned.

There are a lot of guitar players who seem to think spending more money on an instrument will make then a better player.

I am also a pro photographer and there are a lot of photographers that think that if they spend more money on a camera they will take better photos.

Bottom line, you don't have to be intelligent to be rich.

Anything I say will sound like sour grapes I suppose. I'm by no means poor but I just can't afford (without strenuous saving that is) a Fedora. Maybe a Lakland...but I just don't see the point. I know its not going to make me a better bassist/musicain etc.. I'd rather have several instruments that cover a wider tonal spectrum than one awesome expensive one.

[rfslick]

My brother in law, a guitarist, said in the presence of my wife, "you can only play one at a time". After I kicked him, my response was, "ah, but they all have different voices!". (6 basses and 12 guitars)

[Rip Topaz]

Originally Posted by rfslick

My brother in law, a guitarist, said in the presence of my wife, "you can only play one at a time". After I kicked him, my response was, "ah, but they all have different voices!". (6 basses and 12 guitars)

Sounds like your brother in law needs to have an "accident".

[Low Main]

I was a charter member of this club for years, but have crossed the line a couple of times recently.

I took pride in being a dedicated value oriented buyer. Not only for the cost of each bass, but also for the total sum spent on gear in general.

I was thinking of starting a club on TB called AGLTOF. That stands for All Gear Less Than One Fodera. I vowed to keep the sum total of all the gear I had on hand at any moment below the cost of one new hand-built, made-in-Brooklyn bass. If I saw myself getting close to the limit, something had to go.

Of course, there's a wide range of pricing on the various Fodera basses. An Anthony Jackson signature model is now 24,000.00, so you could buy a lot of stuff and still stay under the limit.

Actually, you could buy almost 10 new US made Upton plywood uprights for that sum. With a goodly stack of quality materials and a prodigious amount of know-how and craftsmanship required to build each one. Stunning to contemplate.

[Gremson]

I've never paid more than $500 for ANY piece of gear. I play guitar and drums too.
Hell, I've never paid more than $800 for my vehicles.

[MVPBASS]

Originally Posted by seilerbird

The most expensive guitar I ever owned was $600 Parker Fly and it was the worst guitar I ever owned.

Expensive does not always equal quality

Originally Posted by seilerbird

There are a lot of guitar players who seem to think spending more money on an instrument will make then a better player.

It won't make them a better player but it will give them better tone and playability, which may inspire them to play more because they are not struggling with an instrument that is difficult to play our keep in tune.

Originally Posted by seilerbird

I am also a pro photographer and there are a lot of photographers that think that if they spend more money on a camera they will take better photos.

The photo may not be better but the quality of the picture may be. Disposable cameras will take the same pic but the clarity and definition with be much better if taken with a nice 35mm.

Originally Posted by seilerbird

Bottom line, you don't have to be intelligent to be rich.

You don't have to be intelligent to figure out a Fodera is going to play and sound better than a $99 no name bass.

[MVPBASS]

Originally Posted by citizenchris099

Anything I say will sound like sour grapes I suppose. I'm by no means poor but I just can't afford (without strenuous saving that is) a Fedora. Maybe a Lakland...but I just don't see the point. I know its not going to make me a better bassist/musicain etc.. I'd rather have several instruments that cover a wider tonal spectrum than one awesome expensive one.

Well, while not making you a better player it will give you a better tone. I know 2 bassist locally that are great players but their bands complain about their tone every time that I sub for them. There are a lot of great players in my area with cheap gear and believe me, it affects them getting hired by band leaders. I don't complain, more gigs for me.

[MVPBASS]

I have always believed that if decent gear makes you sound good, great gear will make you sound better. I can still play on a $200 bass through a Peavey combo and get the job done, it has nothing to do with my ability, but I sound way better on my Fbass and Thunderfunk/Epifani rig.

[Arnie]

Well, Im out... Im foolish with money!

[WilemT97]

I've never spent more than £400, but a couple of mine are worth more than £800.

[Eric Swaim]

The most I ever spent on a bass was a brand new Ken Smith Bass B.T. 6-string and a brand new Fodera Monarch $3500.00 If I had it to do all over again, I would have bought a used Fender and banked the difference. 300 basses later I have learned my lesson.

[MVPBASS]

Originally Posted by Eric Swaim

The most I ever spent on a bass was a brand new Ken Smith Bass B.T. 6-string and a brand new Fodera Monarch $3500.00 If I had it to do all over again, I would have bought a used Fender and banked the difference. 300 basses later I have learned my lesson.

Depending on what year Fender, $3500 may not be enough, nowadays. Which I think is even more ridiculous.

[danielfnj96]

my most expensive bass cost me $200 used

[yosoypeanut]

When I was 16 I got my first job during the summer and saved all my money to buy a Fender American P-Bass. Don't know if I have the same money saving discipline as I had then. Being single also helped a lot.

[MrRubi04]

I have an Epiphone Les Paul Special, paid $250 as factory refurbished, lists for $500; and a Fender Squire Jaguar Modified paid $120 used. Both sound and play great! Used is the way to go!