Sorry for such an unclear post. I was typing on a cellphone. I was more or less agreeing with you, but I said that I know of at least one working pro here on TB who regularly uses an SX P-bass for his main gig.
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Am I so shallow......
- Thread starter SteveC
- Start date
Sorry for such an unclear post. I was typing on a cellphone. I was more or less agreeing with you, but I said that I know of at least one working pro here on TB who regularly uses an SX P-bass for his main gig.
After reading all the posts and replies, these are the things I picked up on:
1. Your bandmates like your playing and tone regardless what you bring to play. That's good. I can't stand to be around gear snobs.
2. You really like that Sadowsky and your wife doesn't mind you making the investment in quality.
3. Playing a well made instrument, even a less expensive one, doesn't bother you in the least. You're not a gear snob and enjoy great tone regardless of the price.
And so.....you are not quite sure what to do.
Well there are two different ways to look at the situation. If you are only wanting it to use at church and the occasional Jazz gig, then perhaps buying the less expensive bass would work for these reasons:
A. The less expensive bass you could leave at church and only take it out as needed. If it were stolen, you wouldn't be in a world of hurt like if it were a more expensive bass (even though no one likes any bass stolen). It would also not be as much a strain on the budget either.
B. You would REALLY like the 5 string Sadowsky the most, but are trying to justify the less expensive bass due to the price and guilt of coming off as a gear snob.
My conclusion: First, I commend you for being wise in your finances. You are also not a "gear snob", but you like having nice things. I feel that if you do buy the less expensive bass it will do fine. Your bandmates won't mind, your wife won't mind, and everyone will be happy with your purchase.
Except you.
The Sadowsky is what you should get. There will always be that little voice in the back of your head saying to you ""I still wish I had the Sadowsky". And... in the end, you will wind up getting it anyway. You (and your wife) will be aggravated you didn't get it in the first place and spent the extra 4 or 5 hundred for the other bass you wish you didn't have.
If you still feel guilty after purchasing the said Sadowsky, then you could sell one of your Laklands to us at a greatly reduced price (say 1/3 what you gave for it) to help relieve your guilt.
As with any decision......pray about it first.
Doug
1. Your bandmates like your playing and tone regardless what you bring to play. That's good. I can't stand to be around gear snobs.
2. You really like that Sadowsky and your wife doesn't mind you making the investment in quality.
3. Playing a well made instrument, even a less expensive one, doesn't bother you in the least. You're not a gear snob and enjoy great tone regardless of the price.
And so.....you are not quite sure what to do.
Well there are two different ways to look at the situation. If you are only wanting it to use at church and the occasional Jazz gig, then perhaps buying the less expensive bass would work for these reasons:
A. The less expensive bass you could leave at church and only take it out as needed. If it were stolen, you wouldn't be in a world of hurt like if it were a more expensive bass (even though no one likes any bass stolen). It would also not be as much a strain on the budget either.
B. You would REALLY like the 5 string Sadowsky the most, but are trying to justify the less expensive bass due to the price and guilt of coming off as a gear snob.
My conclusion: First, I commend you for being wise in your finances. You are also not a "gear snob", but you like having nice things. I feel that if you do buy the less expensive bass it will do fine. Your bandmates won't mind, your wife won't mind, and everyone will be happy with your purchase.
Except you.
The Sadowsky is what you should get. There will always be that little voice in the back of your head saying to you ""I still wish I had the Sadowsky". And... in the end, you will wind up getting it anyway. You (and your wife) will be aggravated you didn't get it in the first place and spent the extra 4 or 5 hundred for the other bass you wish you didn't have.
If you still feel guilty after purchasing the said Sadowsky, then you could sell one of your Laklands to us at a greatly reduced price (say 1/3 what you gave for it) to help relieve your guilt.
As with any decision......pray about it first.
Doug
That sounds like great advice except for selling the Lakland for 1/3 the buying price. IMO, always try to get at least market value for what you sell.
Doug,
Your post is pretty much spot on. When I think back my favorite basses have been the Sadowsky's. I don't remember who said not to get the Modern 5 but they are also right. A rosewood board, 21 fret VTC jazz is probably my best Sadowsky purchase.
There's still the money thing which always gets in my way. The computer needs updating and my wife was mentioning how the ovens don't heat evenly and the cooktop only has 2 working burners. These are things that hold me back.
If I got a Sadowsky, I'd have to sell my Lakland. I just couldn't afford to have both.
Your post is pretty much spot on. When I think back my favorite basses have been the Sadowsky's. I don't remember who said not to get the Modern 5 but they are also right. A rosewood board, 21 fret VTC jazz is probably my best Sadowsky purchase.
There's still the money thing which always gets in my way. The computer needs updating and my wife was mentioning how the ovens don't heat evenly and the cooktop only has 2 working burners. These are things that hold me back.
If I got a Sadowsky, I'd have to sell my Lakland. I just couldn't afford to have both.
Make wife happy!!! All else pales in comparison to "Make wife happy!!"!!
I know of which I speak. Don't ask.
I know of which I speak. Don't ask.
If you are like most people, the household will always have issues. Nobody, most importantly your wife, thinks you are irresponsible. Buy the Sadowsky and keep the Sadowsky even if things get a little tight. Move on from this GAS torture, and get on with your life!
Some people think basses are like cars. But by and large, you can't drive a Corolla *really well* and thus make it as enjoyable as a BMW. The sound of a musical instrument depends so much on the player. The rest to me is gravy. So if you have the scratch and can appreciate the look, feel, certain details and whatnot qualities of a boutique bass, go for it! Just know that's what it is and no more -- you're not necessarily buying a better sound (though you could be), just a different experience in some regards. I'm saying this as I look across the room at my basses, which include an over-$2,000 Roscoe that is a thing of beauty... and sits there most of the time while a sub $500 Fender Mexican P/J gets a whole lot of gigging time because it's just working for me.
Oh I wish I could have the plight of Johnny A.
I have to decide between strings or a tank of gas most months lol.
i hate to brag, but i was showing you guys you are on the right track and to be secure with your decision
If your favorite was a 21-fret alder/rw Sadowsky *4-string*, then the same spec in a 5-string still may not float your boat. 4-string and 5-string are different beasts and imho feel/play differently, even within the same maker.
If you honestly cannot afford an expensive bass, buy the ESP or whatever, "shut up," and play! After over extending myself a few times, I have put expensive basses out of my mind. Sometimes you have to bite the bullet and pull back for a few years. Jeff Andrews and Jeff Berlin sound much better than 95% of anybody else on
anything else any way and they both play modest basses!
anything else any way and they both play modest basses!
Yeah, that's another issue. But really, with things potentially coming up, even though some wise peole have said buy and deal with it, I can't in good conscience spend the dough.
My curent bass gets the job done. A 5 would be nice for some things, not vital. If I can find an inexpensive 5 I like, that's how I'll have to go and get over my "name" issue.
Jeff Berlin plays Dean, but his basses are not the low cost production models. They are USA made.
Even so, check out the production Berlin Model by Dean or the old Peavey Paladeum, the were both killer basses with ultra fast necks!
