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Are high-end basses, amps and cabs really necessary?
- Thread starter SoulReflection
- Start date
Here's how I look at it......I have a modest rig - Squire Jazz, Schecter Omen, Rumble 500 and a few pedals. For me, a great set-up, really loving the new Squire. I went to a Steely Dan Tribute show not too long ago...well known band, incredible musicians. The bassist had a Fodera 5 string Monarch, and a Bergantino Forte head with a matching 2-12" cab. It was truly one of the best bass sounds I've heard - so full, rich, creamy and pulsating. Just beautiful. It just made me appreciate the sound, and high level equipment that was on display. I'm sure there are a few of you out there that have a Fodera/Bergie set-up...to that, I say congrats!
I'm 47... yes, I have been to concerts with that many, and more.
Thankfully with stunningly good sound systems, often with at least some band members using IEM. Remember, by now, IEM systems have existed for over 30 years.
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A Dutch saying translates to: "money attracts money". - It suddenly comes to me. that "monnaie" is French for mints, petty cash. "Argent" (silver) is the word for (big) money.
There was an interview with Paul McCartney years ago where he said something about how he felt that even though he could own the Fender company at the time, he still felt odd playing a relatively luxurious Fender bass (compared to his Hofner and Rick) even though by then he had his 5-string Wal and his Yamaha BB.
I'm really of two minds on this subject. I want to say its all about what's in your head and hands. (example) Listen to Abe Laboriel on a number of Steely Dan tunes using the original "Cat bass" made in Italy from parts left over at an accordion factory. Crap pickups too. When you solo the bass parts the bass sounds kind of...er....crapy. But in the mix Abe makes it sound like music. (thank you whoever was mixing) I think in the electric bass world of popular music the instrument doesn't matter as much as who's playing it. I would much rather make a living playing instruments I love the feel and sound of.
That might be an interesting topic for a song (or even an album). - (Gearspace has a recent thread on writing lyrics.)
No. I've known budget bass owners to say that it's better than their Fender. I played a friend's Gibby and found it no better than my Encore. I don't buy into 'It must be a Fender', let alone must be a P.
I think an inexpensive bass will get you by today. I feel differently about amps I do not play in cover bands or anything commercial, I always use an amp. As far as amps go I believe the speaker cabinet is the most critical part. In many cases I like to mic the Cabinet. This opinion was formed once I started doubling on Upright where reproducing a convincing tone is dependent on the cabinet. Your tone is like your word it is everything.
No, high end gear is not necessary.
You could also drive a 27 yr old car with 250k+ miles that you bought for $2,000 instead of whatever you are driving now and it would do the job just fine.
You could also drive a 27 yr old car with 250k+ miles that you bought for $2,000 instead of whatever you are driving now and it would do the job just fine.
High end? Nope.
Is a good quality bass rig essential? Yes.
Believe it or not, there are some people and places that simply will not put bass guitar through their PA no matter how good the ampless gadgetry is.
And, todays cheap instruments are wonderful compared to the rubbish some if us had to choose from at our introductory stage. I always play a squire when I see them hanging up at GC just to see where they are up to these days. They feel great and comfortable to use and fortunately electronics remain relatively cheap to change out.
Are high-end basses, amps and cabs necessary?
No, but I enjoy playing good equipment that makes me happy, so that usually tends to be more expensive than budget model stuff.
No, but I enjoy playing good equipment that makes me happy, so that usually tends to be more expensive than budget model stuff.
It depends on the situation to a degree, but mostly no. I did the most gigging of my life with a humble Peavey TNT and a Kramer Focus 7000, and honestly it was always fine. To be fair though I was playing medium size bars, not outdoor festivals without PA. I've gotten to a point I can afford a Wal or a Ritter if I really wanted to, but it certainly isn't needed. I currently run a D-800+ and a couple subway 112's, but could probably still get by with a TNT if I needed to.
Gears marketed to folks directly. Beginners/kids gear is cheap and there’s not a lot of commitment to buying it. Intermediate gear is the sires and mexican fenders, they’re great but there’s some faults and inconsistencies you still have to deal with.
pro level gear goes from really standard american fenders to guys who want something really specific from a fender style like a mike lull, sadowsky, moollon to a very contemporary style like a dingwall or a spector or even more boutique stuff. the gear can get more specific, but that effects the price. if you like the specific stuff, it’ll make you happier to have it.
anything above pro grade I refer to as Lawyer Bate. AAAA+ burl maple flame chambered Fodera painted with only royal ember paint with a mike pope 12 band eq, 32volt preamp, 24k gold hardware, and a rhino skin case. can’t call it unnecessarily if someone has the money and buys it to make them happy
I’m a full time musician with specific tastes when it comes to my sounds. It just so happens that my favorite P is a run of the mill Fender american standard and my favorite jazz is a fender 76’ jazz that’s 3 times the cost of an american standard, 5 times the cost a mexican standard, and 10 times the cost of a squier. boil it down how you will, but these are the tools that do best for me!
on a separate note I also have a japanese hofner I got for 50 bucks that’s amazing and an Xotic 5 string that I would put up against any modern 5
OH and i haven’t owned an amp in 5 years 
pro level gear goes from really standard american fenders to guys who want something really specific from a fender style like a mike lull, sadowsky, moollon to a very contemporary style like a dingwall or a spector or even more boutique stuff. the gear can get more specific, but that effects the price. if you like the specific stuff, it’ll make you happier to have it.
anything above pro grade I refer to as Lawyer Bate. AAAA+ burl maple flame chambered Fodera painted with only royal ember paint with a mike pope 12 band eq, 32volt preamp, 24k gold hardware, and a rhino skin case. can’t call it unnecessarily if someone has the money and buys it to make them happy
I’m a full time musician with specific tastes when it comes to my sounds. It just so happens that my favorite P is a run of the mill Fender american standard and my favorite jazz is a fender 76’ jazz that’s 3 times the cost of an american standard, 5 times the cost a mexican standard, and 10 times the cost of a squier. boil it down how you will, but these are the tools that do best for me!
on a separate note I also have a japanese hofner I got for 50 bucks that’s amazing and an Xotic 5 string that I would put up against any modern 5
OH and i haven’t owned an amp in 5 years
If I were a great lyricist, I might not have been a bassist. I think it would have been a great loss for me.
Keep in mind that the listening audience is not getting anywhere near the sound quality you are; and I’d bet they think it sounds pretty good. I’d also bet most of them don’t know the difference between the big guitar and the little one, so trained ears aside, who is hearing all those subtle tonal difference besides you, and is it important enough to be concerned about? If you enjoy it, that’s all that really matters so if that's the case then keep on keeping on.
Well... just list the instrument you love the feel and sound of, and see if you can elaborate on these. These entries could turn into verses. The depiction of touring with these instruments could evolve into a refrain. (And the album? You could consider dedicating instrumental tracks to each of these instruments, playing the "title instrument" in the way that you love to play just that one. Could result in tracks that really grab the listeners.)
PS: I may use this idea myself. As I have never been even a semi-professional musician, I may resort to my fantasy.
Sidebar: one of my stronger musical memories of some 35 years ago happens to involve a bass. In a band with certain sources of older Dutch repertoire I used to play the 6-string banjo for rhythm. However, I thought that playing the bass (a vacancy) might be more useful. One evening, we found ourselves performing on the seashore with a thunderstorm approaching. And I played one of by basses, likely through a cheap (but portable) guitar amp. At that location (Den Helder), there were no dunes, only a dyke. The power cord of my amp ran (with extensions) from the "beach" across the dyke, a little road and a backgarden to some private power outlet. We stopped playing when the rain had arrived.
Congrats on the Xotic! I recently acquired an Exotic xb2 5 string, and a week later an Exotic xp-1t P bass. I’m completely blown away by how amazing both basses sound! They are spectacular and currently quite possibly my favorite basses I’ve ever had.
