Are Expensive Basses Necessary?

[BrendonK]

I'm asking this because I wanted to know if there are any reasons to spend more than what I already have on a bass. (Currently own a Yamaha TRBX 505, was around £550 at the time). What I wanted to get out of it was a modern bass sound which is used widely throughout most types of music (I always see bassists using a Fender P or a J bass on stage), I need a bass which can be gig or even studio worthy. I don't really have the equipment at the moment to push my bass to the limits so I'm not sure whether it's good enough but I'm currently saving for some better gear (I am well aware that things like the quality in amps, are equally or even more important than the instrument itself.) Is there any reason to buy a more expensive bass or am I perfectly fine with what I already have. I am generally looking for a bass which can provide a very professional, solid sound which can be used in genres such as indie rock. This could include anyone from 'The Smiths' to 'King Krule'.

So ultimately, the question is. Am I missing out, and do I need to spend more to get a better or a specific bass in order to fulfil the sounds I'm going after? Or am I perfectly fine with the bass I currently have, provided I have the suitable amps and other gear.

TL;DR : I want to know whether I need to spend more for an instrument provided I already have a very good quality amplifier. Bass I currently own is a Yamaha TRBX505, am I missing out or should I be able to gig or even go to a studio with the bass. I am mainly looking for a sound which would sound good in a professionally recorded song as well as be a very good gigging bass.

(I've been playing for over two years now, but I still have little knowledge on what type of basses or qualities, or even if I need to upgrade my bass. Hence why I am asking here)

 

[twinjet]

Use what works, sounds good and is fun to play. That's all.

 

[Gaolee]

You are asking on TalkBass? Of course they are necessary. And you need another one!

 

[Trouztrouz]

When figuring out how much to spend on a bass, the only things that matter are:
(1) Can you afford it?
(2) Are you comfortable spending that much?

If the answer to both questions is "yes," then it doesn't matter if your bass was $100 or $10,000. If it does what you like you don't need to justify it to anyone one way or the other.

 

[12BitSlab]

Sir Paul McCartney purchased his Hofner because it was cheap. I heard he did OK with it.

 

[TMARK]

Nope. A bass that plays, sounds and feels good is all that is required.

 

[Gorn]

No.

 

[Gaolee]

I will now stop being a wise acre for about a minute. I play Thunderbirds because I like them and can get sounds I want out of them. The price isn't much of an issue one way or another as far as I'm concerned. I have a bottom of the line Epiphone that I like for reasons that are different from why I like Gibsons that cost more. None of them cost as much as other bass guitars that are out there, even other Thunderbirds. I don't have any urge to buy another bass guitar, because what I have does what I want it to do. Point being that whatever works is whatever works, and price isn't a factor unless you don't have the money or you have it and really want to spend it.

OK, minute's up. Back to the usual. Of course you need it!

 

[TolerancEJ]

I've owned an Ibanez SR885 for more than 20 years. It still sounds and plays great. I always received compliments from people when I was actively playing in a band.

 

[GoLeafsGo]

Of course they are. To the companies that make them.

 

[mbell75]

If its your profession and your income depends on it, you should have gear suitable for the job. If its just a hobby for bedroom playing or for a garage band, who cares? Unless you are paying your bills playing music, its just a hobby.

 

[Old Blastard]

I have a $3,500 bass that is worth it and several $500 basses that are worth it. If you have the money and you WANT a more expensive bass, cool. But if you play the one you've got well and it does what you need, you don't NEED an expensive bass.

 

[Chasarms]

If you are playing in front of other people and have fellow musicians depending on you to do your part, you need to have gear that is reliable and meets your personal standard of quality. After that, it's just a matter of preference.

 

[Thump C]

Some people can play the bass and the bass can play some people! No!

 

[Warhawk]

What are you playing your bass through? I'd go to some music stores with the bass in question and try it with different amps. If you can't find the sound you're looking for then perhaps you need to look at the bass.
Just because there's a ton of people using Fenders out there (don't get me wrong, I love Fenders) doesn't mean that you need one to sound good.

 

[Gab124]

It is more important to have a bass that is problem free and has a good setup done regularly. Save money for better amps, but even those don't require boutique level of quality. I have a Sadowsky that is amazing, but I also have a Mexican P-Bass that is just as worthy as the Sad live or in studio.

 

[bridgecables]

Is your bass comfortable and easy to play? Then it is probably fine for now. It's not some bottom of the barrel junk.

If at all possible, take that puppy to a music store, and try some amps and other equipment out. Push it to the limit and find out how you like it. That'll answer the question better than 100 informed opinions.

 

[bassbenj]

I'm asking this because I wanted to know if there are any reasons to spend more than what I already have on a bass.

So ultimately, the question is. Am I missing out, and do I need to spend more to get a better or a specific bass in order to fulfil the sounds I'm going after? Or am I perfectly fine with the bass I currently have, provided I have the suitable amps and other gear.

What you mean you already have "a bass"? A bass? Where do you think you are asking this question? This is TB where the rule is: You can never own too many basses!

Of course expensive basses are necessary! That's why I own a bunch. So let's get your mind right. The real question is how versatile a bass do I need? Well that depends on what music you play. When I played in the polka bands I had one bass... a jazz ... well actually two basses, a Jazz and an upright, but we are talking bass guitars. What if you play more than one kind of music? Well people here in TB will assure you that a P-bass covers a wide range of styles. And it does. And my G&L L2500 is widely said to be one of the most versatile basses out there. Does it cover wide range of tone? Yes it does. Does it cover all cases perfectly? No it can't. No bass can. So the other option is to buy a bass that covers your music du jure perfectly. Fine. But if you change styles it now may no longer even be close to being right. Will my G&L L2500 work when what is really needed is my Alembic fretless 6 string? These two basses will be rather hard pressed to do a perfect job covering for each other. And neither will do the perfect P-bass copy either. So then you have to go buy the bass that perfectly covers the new style. Get it?

So Where you fit into all this is up to you. But most of us here already have made up our minds. If you need a hint, go out and actually play a Modulus, a Ken Smith, an Alembic, a Fender custom shop, a real Stingray and so on, and then let us know what you think of them. You get to decide if any of them are "necessary".

As for how "expensive", the rule is "if it sounds good, it is good!" I use my SX basses a lot because for certain things they do just what I want. The reason some basses are expensive is because they have certain features that are expensive to produce for a variety of reasons. If you have to have those features whatever they are, then you just have to fork out. If you find features/sound you want on an instrument that costs less, then lucky you.

 

[bikeplate]

nope but they sure are cool!!

 

[Gizmot]

Okay - this is slightly uppity - but, as I've said before, it's not about what you use - but about who you are.

Expensive basses are not a necessity of life, but they make it a lot more enjoyable. I love paying my nice basses and get a thrill everytime I strap one on.

There are lots of analogies we could use here - but do you wear the cheapest clothes or drive the cheapest car? I'm not well-heeled, but I don't.

I'm not extravagant and I make certain that I get my money's worth out of whatever I buy.

Get something that makes playing more enjoyable and that you really enjoy. Life is too short to do otherwise.