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Aversion to higher end basses?
- Thread starter JoshuaTSP
- Start date
my aversion is that i do not know how it will sound when i get it. what if i dont like the tone? the other aversion is that my last quote said it would take 6 months whereas some builders take a month, and i am impatient. johnny a.
I did something like that, used all my money and sold my skyline lakland to buy a nordstrand... Ill never look back! I love it to death, and id gig that thing anywhere. Its a bass, its meant to get played and dinged and all the good things like that.. Of course that said i try my hardest to keep it as mint as i can
You told me to sell everything and get it.
classic enabler.
I think I'd regret selling the Wick and the RD Artist....
i told you to sell 3 things to get it! stop twisting my words Josh!
there's nothing wrong with having a really nice bass and if you want it, get it!
No different than a hammer in a framing carpenter's tool belt, or a soldering iron on an electronics repairman's bench.
You get the tool that works best for YOU, and use it. If you question the cost, you are focused on the wrong thing.
DISCLAIMER: My day gig happens to be managing a high-end bass manufacturer's shop. I play what we make - not because I work there, but because I can get anything I need out of the ones I have (one fretted, one fretless), without having to "work at it" - I just think it and it comes out of the speakers. They fit ME perfectly, and I felt that way about what we make before I came to work here. I work here because I felt they were the best I'd played (and my prior day gig gave me plenty of opportunity to compare!
), I do not think they're the best I've played because I work here. The ONLY shop I talked to about a job was this one.
All that said, if what we (or any other high-end builder) make doesn't work for you - either because of budget or personal taste - then use what does. My favorite bassists play a variety of instruments from beat to crap Fender J's to Music Man Sterlings, and even one that plays an LG 3006. Don't matter to me, they get the music out of what they use, that is all that matters.
But for cripes sake, NEVER buy a tool and not use it. I get more jazzed when I see one of our basses come back in for a mod/repair/etc and it's all beat to crap than anything else.
Why?
Because someone LOVES that bass, and they are USING IT. That's why we BUILD them - not to look at 'em, to PLAY 'em.
You get the tool that works best for YOU, and use it. If you question the cost, you are focused on the wrong thing.
DISCLAIMER: My day gig happens to be managing a high-end bass manufacturer's shop. I play what we make - not because I work there, but because I can get anything I need out of the ones I have (one fretted, one fretless), without having to "work at it" - I just think it and it comes out of the speakers. They fit ME perfectly, and I felt that way about what we make before I came to work here. I work here because I felt they were the best I'd played (and my prior day gig gave me plenty of opportunity to compare!
), I do not think they're the best I've played because I work here. The ONLY shop I talked to about a job was this one.All that said, if what we (or any other high-end builder) make doesn't work for you - either because of budget or personal taste - then use what does. My favorite bassists play a variety of instruments from beat to crap Fender J's to Music Man Sterlings, and even one that plays an LG 3006. Don't matter to me, they get the music out of what they use, that is all that matters.
But for cripes sake, NEVER buy a tool and not use it. I get more jazzed when I see one of our basses come back in for a mod/repair/etc and it's all beat to crap than anything else.
Why?
Because someone LOVES that bass, and they are USING IT. That's why we BUILD them - not to look at 'em, to PLAY 'em.
Hifiguy said:
Substitute the word "Most" for the word "Every" and the word "thirteen" for the word "eight" and you have my exact experience
But for cripes sake, NEVER buy a tool and not use it. I get more jazzed when I see one of our basses come back in for a mod/repair/etc and it's all beat to crap than anything else.
Why?
Because someone LOVES that bass, and they are USING IT. That's why we BUILD them - not to look at 'em, to PLAY 'em.
Yep. Goes for any bass.
Kwesi said:If I own a bass, I will gig it damn near anywhere. Granted, I haven't been gigging much lately. Man, if churches we're cool with Agnostic congregation members I'd be a happy man...
Kwesi,
Just go to churches and ask if they want a bassist. I play at my own church and I play at other churches. Some of the other churches I've played at haven't even so much as asked if can spell "bible". Sometimes after having played somewhere for a few months someone might ask if I'm interested in joining the church.
JoshuaTSP said:
Ok. Looked at it. What's your point? And PLEASE don't read ANY sarcasm into that question, because none is intended. I'm really trying to understand what your point is wrt the red TBird. If you like it, get it and gig it.
Gard said:?....... I work here because I felt they were the best I'd played (and my prior day gig gave me plenty of opportunity to compare!
All that said, if what we (or any other high-end builder) make doesn't work for you - either because of budget or personal taste - then use what does.
I can vouch for this. I met this knucklehead at his prior day job and it was clear then which basses were his favorite. Then when he started working at his current day job, he helped me spec out the only fretless I'll ever need from now 'til the time I start wearing Depends.
The overall point is, buy what you want, play it where you want. Own the situation, don't let it own you. This coming Wednesday I'll more than likely take one of my Alembics to an open mic at the Kick Ass Bar in Warren, Michigan. Can you think of anything that sounds LESS high end?
I am sure there are some people for whom this is true, but I don't know that it's "usually" the case. People are attracted to all kinds of different gear and play all kinds of different types of music in different environments, etc.
Some people really hanker for custom, boutique, highest-end basses. Others may look at them and just think "Meh. That's fancy, but I'll still with my old Squier P-bass which serves me just fine."
I've played for over 30 years (cripes) and there was a period where I sunk a LOT of money into all kinds of different basses including some nice pre-CBS vintage Fenders and pretty pricey and "elite" pieces of wood (though never a custom build.)
What I discovered is that, for my needs, a decent, solid passive 4-string covers all the ground I need to cover for what I do. That's for me personally.
I don't resent others who are able to own a stable of a dozen basses that cost thousands each. More power to them and good for them! I don't dislike a lot of high-end pieces because I can't afford them (although I no longer CAN afford them!
)It's just, aesthetically and in a utilitarian sense I found that I don't much care for instruments made out of exotic, highly-figured wood, or have tons of bells and whistles, or active elctronics (which I hate) or more than 4 strings.
But as you say here:
...this couldn't be more true. Different strokes...
As long as my bass holds tune and is reliable as far as electronics and hardware, I really don't care how much it cost, where it was made, what brand name is on the headstock, or what anybody else owns and plays.
But I feel considerably more comfortable (for myself alone) just owning stuff that isn't highly valuable and that, should something bad happen to it, I'm not out a load of money or have something nearly irreplaceable.
...oooh, a wise guy eh??? Why, I otta....
...drink one of these:
I still remember the Hanewinkles (sp?) you had, GREAT basses...still got 'em?
Gard said:...oooh, a wise guy eh??? Why, I otta....
...drink one of these:
I still remember the Hanewinkles (sp?) you had, GREAT basses...still got 'em?
Naw. Realized I TOTALLY SUCK at 6 string so I sold them both. Really miss them, too.
No different than a hammer in a framing carpenter's tool belt, or a soldering iron on an electronics repairman's bench.
You get the tool that works best for YOU, and use it. If you question the cost, you are focused on the wrong thing.
DISCLAIMER: My day gig happens to be managing a high-end bass manufacturer's shop. I play what we make - not because I work there, but because I can get anything I need out of the ones I have (one fretted, one fretless), without having to "work at it" - I just think it and it comes out of the speakers. They fit ME perfectly, and I felt that way about what we make before I came to work here. I work here because I felt they were the best I'd played (and my prior day gig gave me plenty of opportunity to compare!
All that said, if what we (or any other high-end builder) make doesn't work for you - either because of budget or personal taste - then use what does. My favorite bassists play a variety of instruments from beat to crap Fender J's to Music Man Sterlings, and even one that plays an LG 3006. Don't matter to me, they get the music out of what they use, that is all that matters.
But for cripes sake, NEVER buy a tool and not use it. I get more jazzed when I see one of our basses come back in for a mod/repair/etc and it's all beat to crap than anything else.
Why?
Because someone LOVES that bass, and they are USING IT. That's why we BUILD them - not to look at 'em, to PLAY 'em.
well said my friend.
