If you run into gear snobs when trying to join a band.... don't join that band
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I usually care more about whether or not the bass is loud enough than if it is expensive enough.
I've done the majority of my recording and touring using either Fenders or a mid level Spector.
Sure I'd love to have some nice botique basses, but I've made a career out of not having them, and I don't think I've missed too much. You would be suprised on how far a well set up and sounding bass will get you these days, regardless of its cost.
Sure I'd love to have some nice botique basses, but I've made a career out of not having them, and I don't think I've missed too much. You would be suprised on how far a well set up and sounding bass will get you these days, regardless of its cost.
madbass6
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- Jan 13, 2009
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Hey You get what you pay for! But if what you have is working for you then your ok!
You are perfectly fine with what you already have. If you are looking for a specific sound, you can vary your playing technique, strings, pickups, setup, or preamp to dial in any sound you like.
You've been a member here for almost a year, now - you should know better than to ask a question like this...
Speaking as someone who owns several expensive basses - and other instruments; the answer is NO, not really. If you are in the position of actually needing a bass - as in, working musician, making a living playing it - what you need is a bass that you feel comfortable playing; sounds like you need it to; and that you can count on to work when you need it to. That's really, honestly, all you need. If that bass turns out to be an expensive one, then yes, for you it's necessary. What you want is a whole 'nother ball game... If your Yamaha fills the "need" bill, then what you have isn't a need; it's GAS. If so, welcome to Talk Bass; we'll do our best to make it worse...
Personally, I think Yamahas are generally good instruments; so I'd maybe think about upgrading my other equipment, instead. And, if you really want to confuse yourself, go to the Miscellaneous forum, and read the "Which would you upgrade first?..." sticky. Good luck with whatever you decide...
Speaking as someone who owns several expensive basses - and other instruments; the answer is NO, not really. If you are in the position of actually needing a bass - as in, working musician, making a living playing it - what you need is a bass that you feel comfortable playing; sounds like you need it to; and that you can count on to work when you need it to. That's really, honestly, all you need. If that bass turns out to be an expensive one, then yes, for you it's necessary. What you want is a whole 'nother ball game... If your Yamaha fills the "need" bill, then what you have isn't a need; it's GAS. If so, welcome to Talk Bass; we'll do our best to make it worse... Personally, I think Yamahas are generally good instruments; so I'd maybe think about upgrading my other equipment, instead. And, if you really want to confuse yourself, go to the Miscellaneous forum, and read the "Which would you upgrade first?..." sticky. Good luck with whatever you decide...
The simple answer: No.
The not-so-simple answer: May be...necessary, that is.
When you say necessary, what does necessary mean? Necessary to play well, or sound a certain way? To play well, you don't need an expensive bass at all. Playing well has everything to do with listening, feeling, attitude, and timing...and probably some kind of technique or style. Nevertheless, to sound a certain way or have a certain characteristic sound, you may need a certain characteristic bass.
Let me just say right now, I'm in the market for a Moollon P-Classic IV (boutique hand-made bass,) which costs around $2299 new. That's an expensive bass as far as I'm concerned. But I also own a Squier Bronco I acquired from Craigslist (short scale beginner bass) which I paid practically $0 for because it came with a small peavey practice amp as a bundle at $120 for both.
If the guitar I'm playing is set up nicely and has working pick-ups, and stays in tune, I can really enjoy playing it no matter how much it costs. If I want the luxury of a buttery fingerboard feel and a louder, clearer tone, I might need an expensive bass for that. Not to mention, I most definitely need a different amp/speaker cab.
I think that when all is said and done, you have to decide what kind of bass you want simply by playing A LOT of different basses, A LOT of music, of all styles/genres, and also quite a number of different amps.
Only with experience will you be able to tell what kind of instrument you want or need. No thing or person other than yourself can tell you what bass is necessary for you.
My bet is that the more you play, the sooner your decision will come to you.
[I should also add that a lot of studio engineers love the P-Bass. It's possible that it's the most recorded bass in history...other than upright basses. But I really don't know if that's true, I'm just thinking out loud.]
The not-so-simple answer: May be...necessary, that is.
When you say necessary, what does necessary mean? Necessary to play well, or sound a certain way? To play well, you don't need an expensive bass at all. Playing well has everything to do with listening, feeling, attitude, and timing...and probably some kind of technique or style. Nevertheless, to sound a certain way or have a certain characteristic sound, you may need a certain characteristic bass.
Let me just say right now, I'm in the market for a Moollon P-Classic IV (boutique hand-made bass,) which costs around $2299 new. That's an expensive bass as far as I'm concerned. But I also own a Squier Bronco I acquired from Craigslist (short scale beginner bass) which I paid practically $0 for because it came with a small peavey practice amp as a bundle at $120 for both.
If the guitar I'm playing is set up nicely and has working pick-ups, and stays in tune, I can really enjoy playing it no matter how much it costs. If I want the luxury of a buttery fingerboard feel and a louder, clearer tone, I might need an expensive bass for that. Not to mention, I most definitely need a different amp/speaker cab.
I think that when all is said and done, you have to decide what kind of bass you want simply by playing A LOT of different basses, A LOT of music, of all styles/genres, and also quite a number of different amps.
Only with experience will you be able to tell what kind of instrument you want or need. No thing or person other than yourself can tell you what bass is necessary for you.
My bet is that the more you play, the sooner your decision will come to you.
[I should also add that a lot of studio engineers love the P-Bass. It's possible that it's the most recorded bass in history...other than upright basses. But I really don't know if that's true, I'm just thinking out loud.]
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wintremute
mediocrity at its finest
- Oct 16, 2014
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Yes. They make less expensive basses seem like an even better value.
Big Hoss
Up note, down note, blue note, brown note...
- Sep 5, 2014
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Is an expensive bass necessary? Not at all. Would you enjoy playing a higher priced instrument which in turn would encourage you to play more, and in turn play better? Quite possibly. Only you can answer that.
I never was into luxury basses like Alembic, Fodera etc. I can not judge when it comes to these.
If we're talking traditional bass sounds like Fender, my experience is that if you buy clever, you can get everything you want for about 1.000,-.
I own 12 basses and play since the mid-80s.
I own more expensive instruments: an all original '78 Fender Jazz, an American Vintage Series '64 Jazz, a Musicman Classic Stingray, a japanese Bass VI, a japanese Fender Noel Redding that - without a case or nitro finish - was nearly as expensive as the old US vintage series '62 Jazz when I bought it new in 1998.
The '78 isn't worth what you pay for it now (more than 2.000,-), at least not for a player. I like it, 'cause it is 40 years old, because of the looks and the worn-in feeling etc., but it is too heavy and it doesn't sound better than replicas you get for < 1.000,-.
The '64 AVS Jazz is worth the 2.000,- for me. It is a fantastic instrument, I love the rare colour and I love the look of the nitro finish (that doesn't have any influence on the sound). But you can get a Fender with the same pickups, the same bridge and the same tuners made out of the same woods for 1.000,- (the mexican Flea bass).
The traditional designs aren't rocket science. A bolt on neck Fender is as simple as it gets. And todays production methods are far superior and cheaper than decades ago. If you pay more than 1.000,- it is more about looks, feel, but not a rational decision that guarantees you a better sounding instrument.
If you pay less, there might be some compromises involved: cheaper tuners, less quality control, less attention to detail when it comes to fretwork, veneer that hides 7 or 8 pieces of wood etc.
But you still can pay more than 2.000,- for a Fender and get a crappy finish, non fitting parts, bad fretwork...
If we're talking traditional bass sounds like Fender, my experience is that if you buy clever, you can get everything you want for about 1.000,-.
I own 12 basses and play since the mid-80s.
I own more expensive instruments: an all original '78 Fender Jazz, an American Vintage Series '64 Jazz, a Musicman Classic Stingray, a japanese Bass VI, a japanese Fender Noel Redding that - without a case or nitro finish - was nearly as expensive as the old US vintage series '62 Jazz when I bought it new in 1998.
The '78 isn't worth what you pay for it now (more than 2.000,-), at least not for a player. I like it, 'cause it is 40 years old, because of the looks and the worn-in feeling etc., but it is too heavy and it doesn't sound better than replicas you get for < 1.000,-.
The '64 AVS Jazz is worth the 2.000,- for me. It is a fantastic instrument, I love the rare colour and I love the look of the nitro finish (that doesn't have any influence on the sound). But you can get a Fender with the same pickups, the same bridge and the same tuners made out of the same woods for 1.000,- (the mexican Flea bass).
The traditional designs aren't rocket science. A bolt on neck Fender is as simple as it gets. And todays production methods are far superior and cheaper than decades ago. If you pay more than 1.000,- it is more about looks, feel, but not a rational decision that guarantees you a better sounding instrument.
If you pay less, there might be some compromises involved: cheaper tuners, less quality control, less attention to detail when it comes to fretwork, veneer that hides 7 or 8 pieces of wood etc.
But you still can pay more than 2.000,- for a Fender and get a crappy finish, non fitting parts, bad fretwork...
Well, it was also because he's a lefty and a lot of other brands didn't look good flipped.
In my opinion, no. My most expensive bass is about $1100, ranging down to $200. They're set up well, and I'd take any on stage.
I just got this last month. BB425X. I got it for $289 used in great shape...they retail for $599. I would feel completely comfortable bringing it on any stage, at any level, for any genre. It is bullet proof, has monster beautiful tone and is the most playable 5 string neck I've ever touched.
I just got this last month. BB425X. I got it for $289 used in great shape...they retail for $599. I would feel completely comfortable bringing it on any stage, at any level, for any genre. It is bullet proof, has monster beautiful tone and is the most playable 5 string neck I've ever touched.
Case by case basis. I still play my first bass, a P copy that was a birthday present in 1990 (and was about 150 bucks), but I have several basses that are more like 1500, which is my ceiling, not on principle, but on cash flow at the moment. I don't think you have to spend all that much to get a perfectly workable instrument, but I do think at least some high end basses are worth it.
It has all been said before... but I believe that there are general "tipping points" in price where you suddenly get a lot more for your money. As I only buy 2nd hand basses, I'm using those figures for my reference:
Basses under $500 are serviceable but usually don't play very well;
Basses between $500 and $1000 can be professional and nice (used MIA Fenders / EBMMs / G&Ls).
Between $1000 - $2000 is where you start seeing your really nice basses - Lakland, Zon, etc. This is where I tend to dwell, though I've had much more spendy instruments.
Basses under $500 are serviceable but usually don't play very well;
Basses between $500 and $1000 can be professional and nice (used MIA Fenders / EBMMs / G&Ls).
Between $1000 - $2000 is where you start seeing your really nice basses - Lakland, Zon, etc. This is where I tend to dwell, though I've had much more spendy instruments.
IMHO, if you're searching for a reason to get a more expensive bass, then you don't need it period. Your bass is fine. If you really needed a more expensive one, you'd say "I need a better instrument, because mine is lacking this, and/or that, etc." That being said, you're on TB. Good luck with not spending your money!
