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Are higher priced basses really worth it?

#122
Remguy said:
I *finally* got a decent bass (Lakland 55-94, same as below) and I gotta say, it makes a HUGE difference, but only to me. :D No one, and I mean no one, even band mates, notice a difference.

Maybe if you're recording, buy a nice bass, but for live: buy an SX and trash it at the end of every show. THAT people will notice. The tone, no, not once, ever.



55-94_1.jpg
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That is a really beautiful bass.

I agree that in a live setting the audience doesn't seem to notice a difference in tone. I bet they notice the difference in appearance though. :)
 
#124
I played a Fender jazz for several years, it sounded great.
I now have a Nordstrand vj4, big plusses are the weight - it really is very light, and the playability, the neck is sublime!
For me it was worth the investment, I think it is a personal judgement though, and depends on your needs as a player.
I tried a lot of expensive basses that were not for me and would certainly not have been a worthwhile purchase. The Nordy was just right though and well worth the money.:bassist:
 
#125
This is a "macro" question, and people always give "micro" answers.

"I don't think expensive basses are worth it because one time I saw a guy playing a Squier and it sounded great". That answer doesn't fit the question.

Expensive things are expensive for a certain set of reasons, not all of which apply in every case. Quality, scarcity, reputation, and exclusivity come to mind. If an expensive product satisfies the buyer's needs in any or all of those areas, it's a worthwhile purchase for that buyer. The next guy might have a different set of goals.

Is the expensive bass you are considering worth it to you? That's the better question.
 
#128
WJGreer said:
This is a "macro" question, and people always give "micro" answers.

"I don't think expensive basses are worth it because one time I saw a guy playing a Squier and it sounded great". That answer doesn't fit the question.

Expensive things are expensive for a certain set of reasons, not all of which apply in every case. Quality, scarcity, reputation, and exclusivity come to mind. If an expensive product satisfies the buyer's needs in any or all of those areas, it's a worthwhile purchase for that buyer. The next guy might have a different set of goals.

Is the expensive bass you are considering worth it to you? That's the better question.
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Yeah..what he said.

You "need" a bass to play in tune, be heard in a mix, and NOT change your posture over a period of time because you strap it on 4 hours a night.

That DOES cost something, but sure as hell NOT $2000.

Getting the 'job' that is required for Bass is not that expensive, but it sure can be..

Now, giving the user a fuzzy or sublime feelings, 'THE Tone" whatever the hell the current definition of that is, or getting ooos and ahhsss from other bass players, well, that's where you need to spend money:)
 
#129
WJGreer said:
This is a "macro" question, and people always give "micro" answers.

"I don't think expensive basses are worth it because one time I saw a guy playing a Squier and it sounded great". That answer doesn't fit the question.

Expensive things are expensive for a certain set of reasons, not all of which apply in every case. Quality, scarcity, reputation, and exclusivity come to mind. If an expensive product satisfies the buyer's needs in any or all of those areas, it's a worthwhile purchase for that buyer. The next guy might have a different set of goals.

Is the expensive bass you are considering worth it to you? That's the better question.
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Exactly. This question is always asked wrong. What they want to know is if the tone of an expensive bass is "worth the money"? Well, first you have to ask if expensive basses have great tone? They might. And then they might have lousy tone? How can that be? Don't you "get what you pay for"?

Sorry tone is a SUBJECTIVE thing. My idea of what is a great tone can be way different than yours. So if you line of a row of expensive basses and let me pick the one I think sounds best, it likely will not be the one you will pick. And I'll be saying some of them sound lousy and so will you...again not the same basses. So if I hear a Squier I love what does that prove? Nothing. Just that that bass was one I happened to like.

The point is expensive basses are expensive for LOTS of different reasons. And if those reasons fit your needs, well, then obviously those basses are "worth it". If they don't then clearly they are a waste of money to YOU.
 
#134
Do you need it? That answer is a simple, no.

Is it worth it? If your question goes to the inherent value in a high dollar instrument, yes.
Does a high priced instrument mesh with your budget, or value system? That's for you to answer-alone.
 
#135
Remguy said:
I *finally* got a decent bass (Lakland 55-94, same as below) and I gotta say, it makes a HUGE difference, but only to me. :D No one, and I mean no one, even band mates, notice a difference.

Maybe if you're recording, buy a nice bass, but for live: buy an SX and trash it at the end of every show. THAT people will notice. The tone, no, not once, ever.
55-94_1.jpg
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Congrats! I love those quilted tops that look almost like caramel. I'm lucky enough to have two US Laklands and I love playing them. And I bought them used, so they're well worth the price to me. I'm now spoiling myself with a brand new one on order, built just the way I want it.:)
 
#137
It's up to YOU to decide that -- for me, the answer is yes. I can feel, hear and appreciate the difference that you get with many upper end products. For me it's worth it.
WIthout getting too philosophic, you only get one shot at life and you should enjoy it as much as you can. Get the best bass you can - whatever it costs.
 
#138
Gizmot said:
It's up to YOU to decide that -- for me, the answer is yes. I can feel, hear and appreciate the difference that you get with many upper end products. For me it's worth it.
WIthout getting too philosophic, you only get one shot at life and you should enjoy it as much as you can. Get the best bass you can - whatever it costs.
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HELLS YEAH!

& besides, I'm worth it...
 
#139
john pattitucci's double bass is for sale for something like $175,000.

electric basses aren't all that expencive, really. $5k for the best sounding bass i've ever heard - well worth it. if you we're an orchestral bassist, $5k will get you something that sounds "alright for the money."

unfourtunately lots of the high-end stuff has that nasaly trebly boutique fodera-y vibe, so they get a bad rap. i've never had a complaint about my basses or their sound, and if given the opportunity to sell them for what i paid, i wouldent even consider.
 
#140
grrg63 said:
No, they wont, nobody cares what your bass looks like, or what name is on the headstock, except other bass nerds.
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I wouldn't say that's true about looks, some people definitely notice that. Of course, good-looking basses don't have to be expensive, either.
 

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