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Now that I can agree with. I will say that for myself, I think someone should buy whatever bass they need in order to play their best.
Expensive basses are definitely not necessary for everything/everyone. I'd say an inexpensive bass is one that is less than $500.
I know it is probably different for everyone but I'd say an "expensive" bass would be one above $2k. That's where most custom or boutique builders are going to be.
The best players can make anything sound good. I'm sure if you handed Matt Garrison, Jimmy Johnson or Gary Willis a Squier they'd make it sing.
That being said, expensive custom basses are a beautiful thing. I have a high level of respect for the craftsmanship and skill that goes into making something like that. I'd love to someday own basses like a Roscoe, Fodera, Alembic, etc.
In my experience with the higher build quality basses you're more likely to get a bass that maintains quality from night to night. Less tuning/intonation issues. Less truss rod issues. Better and more reliable electronics. More time between needing a setup. If you're going to be on the road and playing a lot of gigs, reliability is a huge factor in choosing an instrument. Or any piece of gear for that matter.
Also some of these dudes like Hadrien Feraud and Richard Bona are on the road quite a bit. They're are expected to bring their best every single night. Having a custom instrument might get them there. It might be a small factor in getting them mentally prepared for a show. That makes a difference. Their fans expect some pretty acrobatic bass playing every night.
It's ok to be a fan of both expensive and inexpensive basses. Imagine that!
I know it is probably different for everyone but I'd say an "expensive" bass would be one above $2k. That's where most custom or boutique builders are going to be.
The best players can make anything sound good. I'm sure if you handed Matt Garrison, Jimmy Johnson or Gary Willis a Squier they'd make it sing.
That being said, expensive custom basses are a beautiful thing. I have a high level of respect for the craftsmanship and skill that goes into making something like that. I'd love to someday own basses like a Roscoe, Fodera, Alembic, etc.
In my experience with the higher build quality basses you're more likely to get a bass that maintains quality from night to night. Less tuning/intonation issues. Less truss rod issues. Better and more reliable electronics. More time between needing a setup. If you're going to be on the road and playing a lot of gigs, reliability is a huge factor in choosing an instrument. Or any piece of gear for that matter.
Also some of these dudes like Hadrien Feraud and Richard Bona are on the road quite a bit. They're are expected to bring their best every single night. Having a custom instrument might get them there. It might be a small factor in getting them mentally prepared for a show. That makes a difference. Their fans expect some pretty acrobatic bass playing every night.
It's ok to be a fan of both expensive and inexpensive basses. Imagine that!
I think expensive basses are necessary, as evident in my avatar. I also think reasonably prices basses are necessary. Different strokes. Play whatever you can afford, and what is comfortable to you. And, what get's you that tone...
Note: It might take multiple basses to find that tone.
Note: It might take multiple basses to find that tone.
Apparentely a lot of people on here take this advice, which explains why so many people on here are just fine with a Squire Afffinity...
I was pondering this today. The most expensive bass I've ever owned was about $800. The bass I play now cost $400. (Squier Matt Freeman Sig) and it plays head and shoulders above anything else I've ever played.
Furthermore, it plays head and shoulders above anything I've ever played in a store.
Yes I've never played a high end bass, but this thing is gonna be all I need until I get to the point where I might want something more expensive.
But the way this thing plays I'm gonna be in the multi thousand dollar range before I'm ready to make it my #2.
Furthermore, it plays head and shoulders above anything I've ever played in a store.
Yes I've never played a high end bass, but this thing is gonna be all I need until I get to the point where I might want something more expensive.
But the way this thing plays I'm gonna be in the multi thousand dollar range before I'm ready to make it my #2.
As another has mentioned, get a good setup done first, if it hasn't already been done, before anything else. Doing my own precision setup on my Gibson Tbird resulted in a bass that sounded and felt significantly better than what three guitar techs had done previously.
If there is a higher-priced bass available to be played, like at a GC, then try it out through various amp/cab combinations and see what you like. If you like the tone, feel and look then go for it, funds permitting.
I wouldn't recommend going to the stratospheric limit on one of those boutique basses at this point.
If there is a higher-priced bass available to be played, like at a GC, then try it out through various amp/cab combinations and see what you like. If you like the tone, feel and look then go for it, funds permitting.
I wouldn't recommend going to the stratospheric limit on one of those boutique basses at this point.
Sure or his friends says they arent so good LOL.
In TB you can find great players with normal stuff, and expensive, but im sure , the expensive people can play equal with a Squier or Samick.
Are expensive basses necessary? No. Are basses necessary? No. We could all just sing our parts into a microphone. But I recommend buying more basses anyway. Both cheap and expensive ones. Why? Because it's fun!
Not one bit, but they do satiate certain psycological desires, inadequacies, or projections.
I don't know, what thread did you read?
5+ years of listening to TB whining about people who spend more than $100 on a bass may have colored my perception of what I read. And for the record, my main bass was $600, so I'm not an expensive bass snob. I just get sick of some people telling other people what they need.
What, you play a $600 bass? You definitely need a $6000 bass.
Thanks for the fresh popcorn..
Or unless you're married, you both worked, with no children.Unless your married!
