Are Expensive Basses Necessary?

[chris_b]

I think the more interesting discussion is at which point you start to seriously hit diminishing returns.

IMO the more interesting discussion is how do you quantify "diminishing returns" as starting at a single point. Diminishing returns will kick in at a different place for everyone.

You think it starts at $1k. For me it has so far started at $2k and next week it could be $3k. Neither of us are wrong.

 

[chris_b]

Are my Mike Lull and Sadowsky basses expensive? Some would say that. Are they necessary? Oh yes, they certainly are. Basses like this are a joy to own and IMO a unique playing experience, but on a practical level, they sound and play better than other basses I've tried.

These basses weren't new and that brought them within budget. To me they are affordable, worth the money and very necessary.

Of course this a subjective opinion, which is always where definitions of "expensive" and "worth it" fall down. YMMV.

 

[Windreaper]

IMO the more interesting discussion is how do you quantify "diminishing returns" as starting at a single point. Diminishing returns will kick in at a different place for everyone.

You think it starts at $1k. For me it has so far started at $2k and next week it could be $3k. Neither of us are wrong.

Let's give it a shot:

You don't have to climb too high up the totem pole for brand-name electronics and hardware, thinking higher-end imports here.

Select woods, you have to go for high-end production models in my experience: My luthier commented that the TRB-5PII laminate neck was well constructed with nicely aligned grain, while my Korean BTB Prestiges were less perfect in that regard. Both necks have been stable in use, but you get what you pay for, kind of.

As far as fretwork goes, the few small-shop instruments I've owned had great fretwork, but I haven't owned a mass-produced model that wasn't improved by a trip to a luthier - easily the highest value mod you can do to your instrument. Give your Squier a proper fret job, and it'll play as good as your custom shop Fender.

I guess the question after the above are taken care of is how perfect you want it. Even pricy production line guitars can have small flaws like misaligned pickguards or cavity covers, too high nut slots, less than perfect routes or sanding etc. If that's a problem, go for small shop quality. I like owning good stuff as much as everybody else, so it's worth it, but realistically I could play a cheap import with a pro fret job and wouldn't be able to tell the difference eyes closed.

 

[Katoosie]

Yes, for more money you get more quality and other perks. Get what looks and feels good to you and what you can afford!

 

[Drog]

Yes they are...upgrade, upgrade !

 

[Maxdusty]

I'm going to start off with saying absolutely not. As long as you have an instrument that is well set up to your tastes, has electronics that won't detract or sound terrible, it really doesn't matter what you play. I've seen er.....not so good bassists play on incredibly expensive instruments and you know what, they still sound terrible. I've seen great bassists play on mid level, even budget instruments and sound great - I saw Marcus Miller playing one of his Sire basses in concert, and that guy blew the house down with that thing. Not to mention numerous great ones on middle of the road priced instruments, Geddy Lee, James Jamerson, Louis Johnson, an endless list who play on "average" Fender, Musicman basses not the boutique level Sadowsky basses.
That to me is definitive proof that no, a boutique priced bass isn't needed, just a good playing one and these days, even budget priced instruments are so much better than those years ago.

However, if using a boutique bass makes you feel like a better player, is more comfortable, then that's the right bass for you. Whatever makes you enjoy playing the bass but don't try to convince anyone that to be a better player you need to spend a lot of money because that's absolutely not true.

 

[mrjim123]

No.

 

[PrairieThunder13]

I like a lot of "expensive" gear, but i'll be the first to admit that it can be a lean closer to preference than necessity. I also like a lot of "cheap" gear, but i'll be the first to admit that not all cheap gear holds up. What is in common between between the expensive gear i like and the cheap gear i like is that it is "good" gear by my estimation and preferences. If you're genuinely happy with your yamaha, stick to it for a while until you find you have needs that it no longer satisfies. You're doing just fine if you enjoy it and it's working for you, but if there's something about it that you think something else could do better by your preferences, then give it a shot. I guess my point is don't spend too much time focusing on the price tag. Just focus on if you like it. And also, make sure you actually try it out for what you're planning to do to make your own decision about the above first.

 

[EagleMoon]

Even the more expensive basses are a fraction of the price of top quality concert band instruments. You can get the job done with a less expensive bass but if you want the best quality instrument you can get, then it’s worth it to you.

 

[chris_b]

Even the more expensive basses are a fraction of the price of top quality concert band instruments.

. . . . and seriously cheaper than orchestral instruments.

 

[EagleMoon]

. . . . and seriously cheaper than orchestral instruments.

I was including those in “concert band” but you’re right. The strings especially can be very pricy.

 

[lfmn16]

If you strive for adequacy, then no. Some of us want a little more out of life.

 

[bholder]

Are Necessary Basses Expensive? No. You can do the math on the converse. Still, they're fun, so in the end, yes, necessary.

 

[Handut]

Thanks for lots of reply posting for this century question thread LoL, and helped me to make my mind.

I have saved money and at some point this week able to buy try jp2 amber or alembic europa 6 (both was used of course...) . Yup have to admit drooling for one of them for a long long longggg time but I think my faithfull beat up squier jb named Liana, which I bought 20 years ago is sufficient for me. ... maybe in the future someday will buy maybe after the pandemic is over now gotta save money.

Will be ashmed if bought the bass and cant use properly coz I still considered myself greenie (like my old jb color) when I picked up the bass 25 years ago and still lots to learn.

The sellers gonna hates my decision for sure, but hey its my choice.

Cheers and stay safe

 

[Bassworship1]

Is anything Expensive really Necessary? We buy expensive things because we can afford them and like the finer things in life.

 

[west al]

Of course they are. So many of those expensive basses showed me, I can play just as well on a less expensive bass, and get as good a sound or better, for a lot less expense.

 

[Clark Westfield]

I have one, 2 other cheaper expensive basses.

Worth every cent!

 

[micguy]

I really need a light, balanced bass so I can play for decent periods of time without loading up my back too much. I play better when I have a bass that feels and plays just like I like it, and has the right amount of articulation so I'm not fighting to drag the right tone out of the bass, or playing tentatively if it's too bright. The right bass put me in my happy place, and as a result I practice a lot more, and as a result of that (years and years of more practice versus years of not practicing much), I play and sound much better than if I had a bass I was struggling with.

I know how to build basses that fit this description - if you take the parts that I buy (aluminum hardware ain't cheap), and the labor that I put into my basses, they're not cheap affairs by any means - they're custom instruments, without any of the economy of scaled up manufacturing. I honestly can't buy a bass off the rack anywhere that works as well for me as my custom built ones for...any price.

Is it worth it? To me, absolutely. To many folks, not so much. The truth is YOU get to decide what's worth it and what isn't.

 

[Flaked Beans]

Exspencive baas? Oh, is thhere any?

 

[bassbully]

Nope! In fact I think I could bring a 2x4 with rubber bands for strings to a gig. If it sounded like a bass my bands wouldn’t care. No love