A rant about the re-occurring theme here..

[tonemachine]

I just feel like there are way too many threads comparing bass guitars or for that matter amps and other items where the people doing the comparison simply aren't qualified to render an opinion.

Most recently, a thread on Custom Shop Fender basses where the OP asked people with those basses why they pay the steep premium, and rather than just people with CS basses answering, quite a few people would answer with "I once tried a CS bass at Guitar Center and wasn't impressed"...

Here's the thing folks.. unless you own a bass guitar (or other piece of equipment) and have had enough time to get adjusted to it, and get it setup properly with fresh strings (or whatever you prefer), you simply cannot know if something is good to a level where you can recommend it or not.

It drives me absolutely nuts when I read a post where some one says "I tried an XYZ at ABC store, and it wasn't that great".... for all we know this XYZ bass had been hanging on the wall for weeks, abused and used by everyone and their mother, with greasy McDonalds frenchfries hands and never wiped down once... The setup might be way, way, way out of factory spec due to humidity / temp changes, etc..

I've literally picked up a $300 China special that just happened to be setup nicely with fresh strings, maybe right out of the box that day.... and it played better than a $1700 Fender MIA next to it that had a 1/4" high setup and worn out strings... Does this mean it's a better bass??? far from it.


In the end, unless you own it (or have owned it), you have no right to proclaim yourself an expert about it.. you might qualify your opinion and say "with my limited experience... bla bla". Best to let those of us who have spent time with a bass or other item render an opinion though. OR, take what those who own it say and repeat this... In my case, I've never owned a Sadowsky NYC, but EVERYONE I know who has, loved it... so it's safe to say, "they're good"... even if I've only just played on here and there myself.

Is it that hard to just be quiet if you don't own/never owned it?

And for the last time.... Trying one at Guitar Center IS NOT any kind of indication of how good it is... I've tried a Wal recently at a GC that was so horridly setup, bad intonation, and strings, that it felt worse than a $99 Costco Bass... Does this mean Wal are crap basses?

The mob rules on the internet unfortunately. Look how many people liked the first response compared to yours, despite yours being a very well-reasoned post based on repeated observations of such negative comments based on whimsy.

 

[Snaxster]

View attachment 655375

 

[SamJ]

**** Attention **** Achtung ****

All comrades that do media reviews of products, or businesses, or just about anything.... you can have the day off tomorrow then .....I guess. We'll call you.

all the good reviews spend a week or more with the product... Motorweek for example gives the car to the reviewer for a month sometimes. C-Net lets their journalists spend a week with a product before they give a proper review, only brief "info" reviews are allowed on unseen products.

 

[SamJ]

The mob rules on the internet unfortunately. Look how many people liked the first response compared to yours, despite yours being a very well-reasoned post based on repeated observations of such negative comments based on whimsy.

yep, I've never been one to "pile on" ... makes me feel empty inside. If I can't provide constructive criticism or support, I don't talk (er... type).

 

[Loren Herrington]

right, so if someone is looking for Steletto heals for themselves, and asks the best brand to get, are you going to render your opinion? really?

Maybe that's not the best analogy. However, opinions have a lot to do with recommendatios though, I have played popular bass brand basses (not going to name names) , and even owned some, 3 infact that I would not recommend, even after completely rebuilding them with all new parts haha

 

[Schlyder]

yep, I've never been one to "pile on" ...... If I can't provide constructive criticism or support, I don't talk (er... type).

Like this rant thread... desperately looking for validation, and for others to 'pile on" others, who are merely opining on an internets forum. LOL

Good day to you.

 

[SamJ]

Like this rant thread... desperately looking for validation, and for others to 'pile on" others, who are merely opining on an internets forum. LOL

Good day to you.

desperately? really? I'm just having fun and trying to make a point, why you have to be so dramatic?

 

[I Need a six...]

you know what, maybe I am overthinking this...

Lets just continue with status quo... play it at GC for 10 min, and you're an expert! I retract my original rant.

Let's all go and buy a bunch of gear before we play it or anything like it! Then we can decide what we enjoy or not! Get real dude. I agree that you can not decide what is good or not based on noodling at the local gc. But hardly anyone claims to be an expert based on that, some things just don't give you a good vibe, regardless of where or how long you played it. I played my cousins Jackson 5 string bass, it was expertly set up, and had a week old set of highbeams on it. I didn't like it, but I should go out an buy one right? Because I can't decide what I like and don't based on anything but owning it. I'm going to say that if it wasn't fender in question, you wouldn't care.

 

[Lowness]

I just feel like there are way too many threads comparing bass guitars or for that matter amps and other items where the people doing the comparison simply aren't qualified to render an opinion.

Most recently, a thread on Custom Shop Fender basses where the OP asked people with those basses why they pay the steep premium, and rather than just people with CS basses answering, quite a few people would answer with "I once tried a CS bass at Guitar Center and wasn't impressed"...

Here's the thing folks.. unless you own a bass guitar (or other piece of equipment) and have had enough time to get adjusted to it, and get it setup properly with fresh strings (or whatever you prefer), you simply cannot know if something is good to a level where you can recommend it or not.

It drives me absolutely nuts when I read a post where some one says "I tried an XYZ at ABC store, and it wasn't that great".... for all we know this XYZ bass had been hanging on the wall for weeks, abused and used by everyone and their mother, with greasy McDonalds frenchfries hands and never wiped down once... The setup might be way, way, way out of factory spec due to humidity / temp changes, etc..

I've literally picked up a $300 China special that just happened to be setup nicely with fresh strings, maybe right out of the box that day.... and it played better than a $1700 Fender MIA next to it that had a 1/4" high setup and worn out strings... Does this mean it's a better bass??? far from it.


In the end, unless you own it (or have owned it), you have no right to proclaim yourself an expert about it.. you might qualify your opinion and say "with my limited experience... bla bla". Best to let those of us who have spent time with a bass or other item render an opinion though. OR, take what those who own it say and repeat this... In my case, I've never owned a Sadowsky NYC, but EVERYONE I know who has, loved it... so it's safe to say, "they're good"... even if I've only just played on here and there myself.

Is it that hard to just be quiet if you don't own/never owned it?

And for the last time.... Trying one at Guitar Center IS NOT any kind of indication of how good it is... I've tried a Wal recently at a GC that was so horridly setup, bad intonation, and strings, that it felt worse than a $99 Costco Bass... Does this mean Wal are crap basses?

You are gettin' smashed dude - I bet you regret starting this thread.

 

[I Need a six...]

desperately? really? I'm just having fun and trying to make a point, why you have to be so dramatic?

You seem to be seriously disgruntled, that hardly seems fun .

 

[1954bassman]

What's weird is that you know it's 18 and not 17 or 19. Was this since you were a kid? Did you write them down and keep the list all these years?

I have thought about trying this, but I always end up going to sleep.

 

[Tonetodiefor]

There was a time before the internet where none of what this thread is about would be of any value. We made up our own judgements and opinions based off of first hand experience or experiences of others we could talk to face to face in clubs, record stores, music stores, concerts, gigs, rehearsals, etc.
Unfortunately the Internet is a place that has taken away the precious gift of discovery on one's own efforts. It has made it all too easy to sit back and judge or form a negative opinion on someone else's possible lack of credibility or experience.
We all visit here to share and possibly learn something from our peers. At least I hope that's the case...

Peace

 

[I Need a six...]

Good thing we have you to decide who's qualified enough to have an opinion.

 

[Lowness]

There was a time before the internet where none of what this thread is about would be of any value. We made up our own judgements and opinions based off of first hand experience or experiences of others we could talk to face to face in clubs, record stores, music stores, concerts, gigs, rehearsals, etc.
Unfortunately the Internet is a place that has taken away the precious gift of discovery on one's own efforts. It has made it all too easy to sit back and judge or form a negative opinion on someone else's possible lack of credibility or experience.
We all visit here to share and possibly learn something from our peers. At least I hope that's the case...

Peace

Whatever.

 

[SamJ]

You are gettin' smashed dude - I bet you regret starting this thread.

if you call smashed 19 likes, 9 positive and agreeable posters, and 3 PM's with similar support, then I'm happy to continue to get smashed for my ideas.

 

[SamJ]

You seem to be seriously disgruntled, that hardly seems fun .

no, a bit fed up maybe, but not even close to angry or disgruntled.. you aren't reading me at all.

 

[Immigrant]

I've seen a trend in these types of threads the past couple of days and it seems they're started by Alembic owners. Is the attitude optional when you're ordering one, or is it a side effect?

 

[I Need a six...]

if you call smashed 19 likes, 9 positive and agreeable posters, and 3 PM's with similar support, then I'm happy to continue to get smashed for my ideas.

I like how you didn't include all or even any of the hate, because it overwhelms the like by about ten fold.

 

[SamJ]

I like how you didn't include all or even any of the hate, because it overwhelms the like by about ten fold.

Find me a thread where there isn't 75% hate to love ratio when it comes to discussing the finances / costs of buying a bass here, and I'll send you $5 via paypal.

 

[I Need a six...]

no, a bit fed up maybe, but not even close to angry or disgruntled.. you aren't reading me at all.

 

[BigBobbyBass]

I like how you didn't include all or even any of the hate, because it overwhelms the like by about ten fold.

I was going to mention that.. 9 posts out of seven pages..