are we being ripped off by expensive manufactured basses?

[awilkie84]

I tend to think that there's a certain price point beyond which you don't get any extra "quality", you just get more expensive features and exclusivity.

If you disagree, ask yourself which is "better" - a $20000 bass from a top custom builder or a $22000 bass from the same top builder? Or are they both brilliant instruments and you'd just need personal preference to choose between them? Now understand that the dividing line for many people is *way* short of $20k (but varied from person to person) which is why these arguments happen.

What some people at the inexpensive end of the argument don't understand is that some people value aesthetics, exclusivity, and expensive features even if these things don't necessarily "improve" the sound coming out of the speaker.

What some people at the expensive end of the argument don't realise is that some people aren't prepared to pay a premium for aesthetics, exclusivity, and expensive features because these things hold less value for them.

In short, once you get to a certain price "more expensive" doesn't correlate with "better", but at the same time "more expensive" also doesn't need to mean "rip off".

This...pretty much.

 

[DigitalMan]

Ok, you may have a point.

No ketchup... NEVER ketchup. I don't care if it's Geezer Butler or Lindy Fralin ketchup.

Ketchup with chipotle smoked chili peppers incorporated (not a product, something I do to it) is perfect for crispy tater-tots.

 

[bassburner]

My take on it is that the gap in quality between a Squier Affinity and an MIA Fender has been significantly reduced primarily because the quality of the cheaper instruments has gone up while the more expensive ones have stayed constant if not declined slightly.

I personally find the difference is less in the actual product and it's components than it is in QA between the various levels of instruments is all over the map. If you're buying online, I would say there is a higher probability of being "ripped off" because you might get a MIA bass with faulty wiring or crappy fretwork that you would notice at a store. If we're getting ripped off at all with expensive manufactured basses I'd have to say it's more in the quality assurance and inspection departments than anything. From my personal experience grabbing a random Epiphone you're more likely to be getting a well setup instrument as opposed to Fender or Ibanez which seem to be hit or miss.

If you feel fancier wood or a high mass bridge are important and the instrument works for you than you're not getting ripped off.

Of course this can be said about all products. You used to be able to rely on certain brands for quality (i.e. Craftsman, Doc Martens) years ago but lately they've cared less about quality.

 

[-Asdfgh-]

You used to be able to rely on certain brands for quality (i.e. Craftsman, Doc Martens) years ago but lately they've cared less about quality.

I hadn't noticed their quality go down, but much like basses the quality of the lower mid range seems to have gone up. I bought a pair of shoes 18 months ago from one of the brand name discounters. They were very comfy but fell apart after 18 months. I am certainly glad I didn't pay full price. I also bought a pair of cheap shoes that were cheap as a spare pair. They lasted better...

 

[bassburner]

I hadn't noticed their quality go down, but much like basses the quality of the lower mid range seems to have gone up. I bought a pair of shoes 18 months ago from one of the brand name discounters. They were very comfy but fell apart after 18 months. I am certainly glad I didn't pay full price. I also bought a pair of cheap shoes that were cheap as a spare pair. They lasted better...

I'm comparing the Doc's I bought in the 90s (made in Britain) as opposed to those made a few years ago (made in Asia). The newer ones barely lasted a year. But I digress...