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$100 bass vs $10,000 bass

#141
If I took lessons for $50 a week for 4 years, it'd be 10 grand, and you can argue over whether that was money wisely spent. If I bought a bass that inspired me to actually practice on my own, and it was 10 grand, I can make a case that it'd pay itself back at some point. If you can be inspired to practice by a cheaper bass, you're ahead of the game.

I make it a point to never comment on how expensive someone's instrument is, because, ultimately, that isn't the point. If you do choose to go down that road, well, you will inevitably run into someone who can make better music on an instrument that's cheaper than yours, and....you'll be completely without excuses as to why that is.

Buy a bass that you like - one that inspires you and that you can afford (whatever that is). Play it like your life depends on it.
 
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#142
micguy said:
Yo Yo Ma has a cello that's...OK, I don't know it's worth exactly, but I know that even he (the most successful cellist on the planet) can't afford it - some really rich people bought it for him to use, because they figured that instrument should be in his hands.
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Yo-Yo Ma's primary instrument is the 1733 Montagnana, he owns that instrument. At last check it was worth about $2.5 million. It's a fantastic instrument. Last I saw it was about 2002 or so. I was in the Atlanta Symphony Youth Orchestra and he came by rehearsal one day. My friend got to play it... he said "it was really loud!"

He is also in possession of the 1712 Davidov Stradivarius, previously owned by Jacqueline du Pre. He doesn't actually own this one (a group of investors does), but it's normal for foundations to purchase instruments and then loan them to famous players. I haven't a clue what that one is worth. It's more than just "ok," though. It's not the most responsive instrument; du Pre called it "unpredictable." Previously Yo-Yo Ma used it only for baroque music. I think he uses it for modern music now.
 
#145
jasonmatthews said:
Yo-Yo Ma's primary instrument is the 1733 Montagnana, he owns that instrument. At last check it was worth about $2.5 million. It's a fantastic instrument. Last I saw it was about 2002 or so. I was in the Atlanta Symphony Youth Orchestra and he came by rehearsal one day. My friend got to play it... he said "it was really loud!"

He is also in possession of the 1712 Davidov Stradivarius, previously owned by Jacqueline du Pre. He doesn't actually own this one (a group of investors does), but it's normal for foundations to purchase instruments and then loan them to famous players. I haven't a clue what that one is worth. It's more than just "ok," though. It's not the most responsive instrument; du Pre called it "unpredictable." Previously Yo-Yo Ma used it only for baroque music. I think he uses it for modern music now.
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Really interesting, thanks for that insight. The cost of World-Class Instruments-Bosendorfer, Steinway, Bach Trumpets, etc. makes the $$ we Bassists have to pony up for a Pro level axe laughable in comparison, A $1500 G&L or MusicMan eg will not shy away from any Bass Guitar performance requirement! Some Upright players pay more than that for their bows.
 
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#148
jwilson67 said:
Let's just say that you'll never see Victor Wooten playing a $100 bass.
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Of course you're right but:

1)I think that Victor is at a level where his skills are so elevated that if someone put the Lindo bass in his hands, he'd tear it up on it musically and probably say "Not bad for 100 bucks!"

However, in his case (so richly deserved):

2) One call to Vinnie, and badda-boom; badda-bing; he's got a brand-spankin' new $15K Fodera at his door!

Just like that!:laugh:
 
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#149
B-line said:
Really interesting, thanks for that insight. The cost of World-Class Instruments-Bosendorfer, Steinway, Bach Trumpets, etc. makes the $$ we Bassists have to pony up for a Pro level axe laughable in comparison, A $1500 G&L or MusicMan eg will not shy away from any Bass Guitar performance requirement! Some Upright players pay more than that for their bows.
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Invalid Link Removed
 
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#151
I found the video enjoyable. Sure you cannot judge the tone based on the difference of models and because of the youtube compressions.

To people saying, the tone is in the fingers and every bass can be made sound good with eq.
I often mix band, and it made so much difference what bass they play on. Last week I had a technical death metal bassist coming over to record. Killer dude, extremly well balanced playing. But we couldn't get a good tone out of his bass for the record. Tried changing the strings, adjusting the action, nothing help. Then we tried my super modded Ibanez Premium. Was much harder to play for him, because it is only a 4 String tuned B-E-A-D instead of a 5 string, but the tone was so much better.
His bass was a yamaha, which sounds great live, but just wasn't cutting properly through the guitar. Just all depends on the circumstances.
 
#152
Spirit of Ox said:
I loved this kid a few years ago when he first started doing videos. He was young, talented, and creative.
I think the Youtube fame got the best of him and went to his head.
It's a shame that it happened because now he's become a gimmick. His shtick is overshadowing his talent.
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I doubt YouTube fame went to his head - it likely went to his wallet.

Once you start generating money based on the number of views the goal (if you want to keep that stream going) is to base content around what gets the most views.

Some of the bigger YouTube personalities tweak things subtly or do variations of previously successful uploads and some are more obvious about creating content designed to increase clicks.

Not much different than when old B-rate sitcoms would introduce a cute kid with funny lines when ratings sagged. Maintaining/growing an audience has always been key in entertainment. Some do it with better content, some do it with gimmicks and some do some of each.

The much larger concern for me is that journalism is now being largely driven by ratings/clicks. That's a huge deal.

An entertaining kid playing bass well and creating videos that get lots of views and a long thread on TB? That's about as harmless as it gets.
 
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#154
I watched a video of someone demonstrating a pedal using a Fodera. I couldn't see how low he had the action on it or if the truss rod needed adjusting but there was a ton of fret noise on sustained notes, much like thousands of other basses. If I was spending $4k and upwards on a bass I would expect absolute perfection in the fretwork and the integrity of the neck.

But again, a Fodera, like any other bass still needs adjustment from time to time so that could have been the issue too.
 
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#156
B-line said:
Of course you're right but:

1)I think that Victor is at a level where his skills are so elevated that if someone put the Lindo bass in his hands, he'd tear it up on it musically and probably say "Not bad for 100 bucks!"

However, in his case (so richly deserved):

2) One call to Vinnie, and badda-boom; badda-bing; he's got a brand-spankin' new $15K Fodera at his door!badda-boom; badda-bang -H

Just like that!:laugh:
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Vic has a Fodera that he bought long before he was ever famous.
 
#157
The video I'm waiting to see is the one where these basses get compared after, say, 90 shows in 85 days. Throw in a few long flights as checked baggage as well as lots of miles in the truck.

Reliability, durability, repeatability of adjustments, and support are also part of the price. The money doesn't all go to tone. ;)
 
#159
B-line said:
Really interesting, thanks for that insight. The cost of World-Class Instruments-Bosendorfer, Steinway, Bach Trumpets, etc. makes the $$ we Bassists have to pony up for a Pro level axe laughable in comparison, A $1500 G&L or MusicMan eg will not shy away from any Bass Guitar performance requirement! Some Upright players pay more than that for their bows.
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Agreed. I think there is an important distinction between "world class" acoustic instruments, like certain violins, and electric instruments. You will pay far more for a violin, esp one with a pedigree, that projects to the back of an auditorium than an otherwise very good violin that does not.
 
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