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A question for the the 'old-timers'...

terribilino

terribilino

Nov 22, 2008
458
66
#1
... for those of you who have been into bass for 20+ years. Would you tend to say 'They don't make 'em like they used to', or 'Wow, they've never been better then they are today'.

By 'they' I mean basses in general. Loaded question, I know, but I'm curious to hear what you have to say. Seems that there are more and more decent basses at very reasonable prices, but I haven't been playing long enough to know.

Thanks!
 
#3
I'm nearing the 20+ year mark - in general, they're being built better today. Entry level instruments really were junk back then and usually cost more than they were worth.

Nowadays, gig-quality instruments at affordable price points are much more prevalent, from Lakland Skylines to the SX line. In additon to the build quality and price, I think players are a little more open to an instrument built overseas. I recall that this wasn't the case a few decades ago.
 
#6
Overall, I would say the lower to mid priced basses have improved a bunch. It is easier to get a gig worthy bass now than it used to be on the lower end of the price range.

As far as instruments that are upper mid to high end I think things are better than ever. The pickups and electronics are better, the hardware (bridges and tuners) are better, the materials are better, and the craftsmanship is at least as good as it was, if not better.

What I cannot wait to here is how some of these instruments age. Some would argue that age is not a factor, and I would agree if the bass were composite. If it is wood, the wood does dry over time and tends to sound better. The difference is picking up new P bass, and one from the late 1950s. I have done this recently. I think that overall the construction and quality control on new basses is better, but tonally the old bass was hard to beat due to the wood. The new instrument though, as it ages, will probably be better than the old one.

Frankly, I think this is the best time to be a bassist...technology is finally catching up with our needs. You can get cutting edge instrument and you can get a bass that is like a vintage one. The amps have never been better when you survey the field. It is an awesome time! :bassist:
 
#7
Been playing in bands about 45 years; playing bass about 30. IMHO instruments are better made now than ever. You still have supurb individual craftsmen like Scott Beckwith of Birdsong Guitars but you also have the advantage of CNC precision cutting which raises the level of quality in mass production. Metallurgy has never been better in string production and for lighter, stronger hardware. Of course the quality and understanding of electronics is much greater now.
 
#9
Distribution is way better, too. I used to be limited to whatever crap-for-strings, crusty old or cheap new amps, and day-glo colored basses the local music stores carried. These days I can order anything from anywhere, in some cases with a more than generous return policy if I don't like it.
 
#11
I've been playing since about '74, (that's 20th century). Without a doubt, basses are not only better than ever, but there's also alot more to choose from. And, back in the day, there was no such thing as a great "starter" bass. You young kids today really have it made.
 
#15
Definitely better... but many of the older bass players may not want the improvements that are offered in todays instruments.. rather they would stick to their own proven instruments (ie. PBass on an Ampeg Head and old Ampeg 810 cab), so it would most definitely depend on the older bass player's outlook. I am a 25 year player, I enjoy both what older instruments have to offer, but I do admit that things are better now, especially with companies offering good quality basses with active setups for decent prices, and loud full amps that weigh 1/4 the weight of their predecessors.
 
#17
Agree, the 'entry-level' basses I could get in 1972 would have made the worst present day Galveston/Rogue level bass look like a fancy Alembic. Had some 60's P's and T-Birds and Haymans that were fine, but if I'd had my current HHP Bongo 5 then, would been like having that car from Back to the Future, but with more knobs.
 
#18
+1 to newer is better *but* I wish I had some of my old gear back and would willingly trade equivalent newer gear I have for some of it. Monetary value aside my first Precision was the best one I ever owned and second best I've ever played. Why did I get rid of it? Young and stupid; I traded it for an active neck-through bass. Nothing wrong with active or neck through, but those features alone do not make a better bass.
 
#19
Started playing in 1965, and no doubt that equipment is better today. I started on a '59 P bass and just about everything I have played since has been better, except for a couple of Chinese thangs that I just never liked. Gotta a gree, too, tha beginner basses these days are very much better. That said, I still wish I had my 1966 Gagliano nass, which was an 32' scale, P-bass shape but had Hofner Beatle bass electronics, tuning gears and bridge. That thing sounded and looked great!
 
#20
The basses & amplification are much better today. I know people pay a lot for old basses & I guess some are worth it. But the cheaper stuff is way better than it used to be. The first bass I owned (a 64' Teisco P copy) was torture to play. A Squier, Rogue, SX or Turser would have been heaven next to it. Everything is much more available as well. You can try 20 different string brands easily & find the ones you like. Before you'd be lucky to find two different brands in the same store. Needless to say the amps today are a whole world away from what we started with. Now we know what it's supposed to sound like. Thank God!
 

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