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Am I so shallow......

#21
Are you equating quality=$$$ or is it just the name on the headstock that's the issue? I've had lots of basses and for the most part, it comes down to how the bass feels in my hands, how it hangs on a strap and the tone rather than the brand or how much the instrument costs. My main bass right now is a Sadowsky Will Lee, and that's mainly because the scaled down jazz body and neck fit me more than anything else. My other bass is a Squier Classic Vibe P bass with a CV jazz neck. And it fits me too. HUGE difference in price of these two, but they're both great serviceable tools to make music, and I would take either one to a gig.

If your issue is the headstock name, then you just need to find a way to get over that. Truth is, most people who aren't bassists are going to think anything other than a Fender is a cheap knockoff.
 
#22
EagleMoon said:
If your issue is the headstock name, then you just need to find a way to get over that. Truth is, most people who aren't bassists are going to think anything other than a Fender is a cheap knockoff.
Click to expand...

"Dude, you don't know what you're talking about. That's not a FENDER! I've never even heard of Sadowsky. This band sucks!"
 
#25
Kwesi said:
LOL! It seems that I fall into the "has to be the right name on that headstock" group myself. I don't care much for what other people think of the name, it just has to be something I like.
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I guess that's the point really. If YOU don't like it, there's no point in buying it or trying to convince yourself.

I played a Squier Classic Vibe Jazz in my local shop and I really wanted that bass but I didn't buy it because of the name. Someone else loved it more than me and actually bought it. I have played probably 10 others and they are great, but there was something about that bass' neck that I loved. It seemed to be a little wider than any of the others.

My point: I don't typically like Squier basses, but that bass was an exception for me. I liked it and I should have bought it but the name kept me away.

No matter what the name is, if you like it, buy it. If you don't like it, don't buy it.
 
#27
EagleMoon said:
Are you equating quality=$$$ or is it just the name on the headstock that's the issue? I've had lots of basses and for the most part, it comes down to how the bass feels in my hands, how it hangs on a strap and the tone rather than the brand or how much the instrument costs. My main bass right now is a Sadowsky Will Lee, and that's mainly because the scaled down jazz body and neck fit me more than anything else. My other bass is a Squier Classic Vibe P bass with a CV jazz neck. And it fits me too. HUGE difference in price of these two, but they're both great serviceable tools to make music, and I would take either one to a gig.

If your issue is the headstock name, then you just need to find a way to get over that. Truth is, most people who aren't bassists are going to think anything other than a Fender is a cheap knockoff.
Click to expand...

It's a name thing. I think I "should" be playing something more than an LTD if I'm to be respected. I know, ridiculous. I'm going to see if I cantake the bases for a couple days and live with it through my rig for a couple days and see what I think then.
 
#28
The bottom line is that *you* have to pick up the bass and play it. If the bass gets in your way either physically or psychologically, then you're not going to play your best. You can fix the deficiencies by changing the bass and/or changing your outlook. Up to the individual on which is easier or more effective.
 
#29
Newly back to bass guy here. Learned to play bass switching with the other guitar player in my HS band - - mid-60s Jazz bass.

Had a G&L P type for a while, but watn't using it after a bout of recording and had to downsize. Missed having a bass, and an opportunity to fill in on bass for a local blues band over the summer got me seriously looking. I ended up with a Squier CV 60s Jazz that I picked up used. I like how it plays and how it sounds. Although the Jazz bass in my head is sunburst, I even like the looks (especially dig the tinted neck/headstock). I'm apparently a snob, though, because I bought a headstock tuner and clamp it right over the Squier name. Instant Fender.

I haven't had it long, and keep thinking about changing pickukps, or maybe going an entirely different direction altogether, but I haven't played anything I'm willing to spring for that makes a change worthwhile. Maybe after more time back in the bass saddle my views on playability or tonality will change. but for now the thing sounds like a Jazz bass, and feels like a Jazz bass, and that's the sound/feel that are in my head from so very long ago. So I'm happily "unhappy" to be a CV Squier owner.
 
#30
Here's my take. It all about what you want and what drives you. For me its the tone I hear in my head first , ultimate playability second. The tone in my head is a neck thru Spector. I spent thousands on other basses that come close but just don't do it. Luckily thay also play well imo, but not the best I have ever played. That would be a Surine. Which of I have the coin when one is available, it will be mine. Everyone has their own thing . You can't put a price on happiness and fulfillment.
 
#31
A local player known for using G&L fretless brought a cheap bass he just picked up to a fund raiser recently.
A fretted P/J (I think it was a Jay Turser, but didn't get a good look at the headstock), and it sounded great.

He seemed a little defensive and possibly embarassed by bringing a cheap bass when he's known for playing a very nice quality bass, but I assured him it sounded great.
To be perfectly honest, it sounded a lot like his usual playing even though it's a different configuration and a fretted bass.

That said, there's not usually a lot of open brand snobbery in general around here, a lot of good players play some cheaper guitars and basses, though many also play some really nice stuff.

Premium gear is nice to enjoy for it's own sake, knowing you've got something you may have dreamed of owning when you were younger and less well off, but anything that sounds, plays, and looks the way you like is well worth the money.
It's all that really matters.

If it sounds and plays good enough for you, buy it.
 
#33
just go get a Sadowsky already. :)

you'll never want another bass. sure... you'll still try them all, but you'll always come back to it.

plus, NO engineer, producer, bandmate, music snob will ever criticize you for owning a Sadowsky or bringing it to a gig or recording studio.

you can't say that about many other luthiers or manufacturers except fender.
 
#34
jeff5311 said:
just go get a Sadowsky already. :)

you'll never want another bass. sure... you'll still try them all, but you'll always come back to it.

plus, NO engineer, producer, bandmate, music snob will ever criticize you for owning a Sadowsky or bringing it to a gig or recording studio.

you can't say that about many other luthiers or manufacturers except fender.
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You (and my wife) are probably right. She wonders why I try a "cheap" bass when I know I'll always want something else. She's told me before to spend what it takes (within reason) and get a bass I'll be happy with and keep for at least a year. She's been with me through about two dozen basses from Modulus to Squire to Fender to Rob Allen to Sadowsky to Lakland. I've been tempted by Roscoe but they are 35" even though people swear you can't tell.

I've had 4 Sadowsky basses (RV4, M5-24, MV5 and another M5-24) with my fav being the Modern 5-24 but sold them because of money and convincing myself they were too modern in the case of the M24 but everyone loved the 24.

I should look for a used Sadowsky Metro R5-24. I think the rosewood board and alder body would help mellow it out just a bit.
 
#35
SteveC said:
You (and my wife) are probably right. She wonders why I try a "cheap" bass when I know I'll always want something else. She's told me before to spend what it takes (within reason) and get a bass I'll be happy with and keep for at least a year. She's been with me through about two dozen basses from Modulus to Squire to Fender to Rob Allen to Sadowsky to Lakland. I've been tempted by Roscoe but they are 35" even though people swear you can't tell.

I've had 4 Sadowsky basses (RV4, M5-24, MV5 and another M5-24) with my fav being the Modern 5-24 but sold them because of money and convincing myself they were too modern in the case of the M24 but everyone loved the 24.

I should look for a used Sadowsky Metro R5-24. I think the rosewood board and alder body would help mellow it out just a bit.
Click to expand...

I thought you disliked that bass. I remember reading your thread about the R5-24 and you eventually got rid of it.

Having those pickups that close to the bridge is going to give you a VERY specific tone. IMO.
 
#38
Steve, I played a G&L Tribute 5 for the first time yesterday and was blown away at the overall sound, the wide array of tonal possibilities and how nice it was for the price. It's not that I stay away from less expensive basses for any reason. If the gear is made well, performs well and fits my playing style, it's all good. I would have no problem at all if a G&L Tribute was my only bass - it was that good.

I have always said on these boards, play what you want...if it inspires you to make good music it shouldn't matter what name is on the headstock.

Good luck!!
 
#40
I briefly had an R5-24. imho the alder/rw isn't going to "fix" the sound - the Moderns are...modern. You either dig it or you don't. Also a 24 fret bass tends to balance and orient differently than 21/22 fret. If you're sensitive to relative hand positions you might love or hate it.

If you've owned a couple of Sadowskys and sold them...then perhaps you just aren't a Sadowsky guy. No harm in that. I've owned and played a few and I presently don't have one. They are awesome basses but they have a particular sound/feel. Also, if you liked the 4-string and not the 5-strings, that could be telling you something as well. Right now the only 5-string I own is a Rob Allen. I've cycled through a bunch of other really nice 5-ers and just didn't gel with them. I am still totally smitten with my Fender AmDlxP 4-string though - go figure.

My hunch is that like me, you're infatuated with the *idea* of owning a Sadowsky or other boutique rather than the reality of it (either for financial or sonic/feel reasons). I finally gave up on my various infatuations (Sadowsky, Norstrand, Fodera, etc) and have settled on my Rob Allens (that I love) and the PJ. My next and possibly last foray into other 5-strings are a pair of Skjolds that I have ordered. If they don't send me I think I'll just flip them and stick with my RA/PJ combo. It works for me and while I can always find something to complain about, it frankly *works* for what I need. The only part that doesn't work is my own OCD/etc. And that isn't the bass' fault...
 

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