Back on the MM issue

[Algo]

So my bass teacher is selling his Sub in nearly mint condition at $394.7, they go new for 567.71 here.
But my dad, who holds the money is adamant in thinking an Aliexpress counterfeit would be just as good. I mean both are china made, right?.

How do I convince this ignorant fella

 

[bholder]

So my bass teacher is selling his Sub in nearly mint condition at $394.7, they go new for 567.71 here.
But my dad, who holds the money is adamant in thinking an Aliexpress counterfeit would be just as good. I mean both are china made, right?.

How do I convince this ignorant fella

Don't buy counterfeit crap from AliExpress. You'll get junk. The price is cheap, but the product is too.

 

[Gorn]

Tell him this is a budget model licensed and approved by the manufacturer whereas the ali Express one is counterfeit and made without any quality control or attention to detail, and then say thank you and you'll be happy with whatever he chooses to buy for you and you love him.

 

[Algo]

Tell him this is a budget model licensed and approved by the manufacturer whereas the ali Express one is counterfeit and made without any quality control or attention to detail, and then say thank you and you'll be happy with whatever he chooses to buy for you and you love him.

that part will be hard

 

[Roland GR 88]

Show him a few Aliexpress/ Alibaba threads - there's a lot of them.
However, if he's rockin' a $49.00 Rolex you're SOL......

 

[saabfender]

Try this argument (which I have seen hold before): When you order an instrument, you will not be receiving the one in the picture. It will be made of substandard materials (primarily the electronics), constructed in a hurried, careless fashion. How horrible would it be for it crap out after only a month or so?

Also, you might prepare a little YouTube slideshow of Aliexpress instrument buyers and the myriad of problems and issues these instruments have.

At the end of the day, money spent on a quality instrument is a suitable investment in your musicianship. Money spent on a crap instrument is a waste.

 

[Algo]

Try this argument (which I have seen hold before): When you order an instrument, you will not be receiving the one in the picture. It will be made of substandard materials (primarily the electronics), constructed in a hurried, careless fashion. How horrible would it be for it crap out after only a month or so?

Also, you might prepare a little YouTube slideshow of Aliexpress instrument buyers and the myriad of problems and issues these instruments have.

At the end of the day, money spent on a quality instrument is a suitable investment in your musicianship. Money spent on a crap instrument is a waste.

Problem is he's an engineer so he loves the taking back to life a beat up piece of garbage.

 

[klejst]

Nothing from Aliexpress is as good as a legitimate. Some may be a little easier on the eyes but some of their products are real crap shoots too. Not bass related however I had a friend who ordered a Cubs baseball jersey from them and it was just laughable with some crying how bad it looked.

 

[saabfender]

Problem is he's an engineer so he loves the taking back to life a beat up piece of garbage.

That is a tough one. I still think the emotional impact of watching clearly competent musicians hating on counterfeit Chinese guitars will have some effect.

It's a hard thing to put across but does he really want to be in charge of putting it right when it inevitably arrives messed up in some fashion?

 

[Algo]

That is a tough one. I still think the emotional impact of watching clearly competent musicians hating on counterfeit Chinese guitars will have some effect.

It's a hard thing to put across but does he really want to be in charge of putting it right when it inevitably arrives messed up in some fashion?

Oh, he loves a challenge...
I do too to some extent as I've taken luthierie (sp) but some stuff are just beyond repair.

I don't feel like he takes me as a competent, knowledgeable musician but someone who has bought into the market and capitalist agenda...not to open that kind of worms but needed to be said.

 

[filmtex]

Earn the money yourself and then you won't have to deal with Dad at all! Doesn't seem like you're going to win this argument. That's what I told my son when he wanted to buy his first car. You want it, you buy it. And he did. See this post and how others got their first bass.

 

[Algo]

Earn the money yourself and then you won't have to deal with Dad at all! Doesn't seem like you're going to win this argument. That's what I told my son when he wanted to buy his first car. You want it, you buy it. And he did.

yeah, that would be the most solid plan, objectively. Mo money mo problems

 

[jd56hawk]

You're dad plays bass?
He's bought a bass from Aliexpress and it was so good that he's still playing it?
You don't tell him what new car he should buy, do you?

Regardless, have him talk to your bass instructor.

 

[MoeTown1986]

Oh, god. Anything but aliexpress! If money is that much of an issue get a used squier or something. At least it'll be a legit instrument.

 

[Muddslide]

This is a choice between an instrument you can actually play and inspect in person vs. a "the website picture looked decent but I don't know what I'll actually be getting and I hope it actually ships within 10 weeks and it's not just firewood."

In other words, no choice at all.

Any way you might be able to raise the $ yourself, or do some kind of work for your instructor in trade or something?

 

[Joedog]

When I asked my dad for a guitar he said " Of course, as soon as you've earned enough money!" I worked my butt off, and bought my 1st guitar, an American Fender. My 1st amp was a Heathkit (assembly required).

 

[MattZilla]

Dear god, you'd do just as well building one out of hardware store materials as buying one from alie. Just work more and save every penny.

 

[BruceWane]

Quality problems with Ali Express for sure, but also stress that the resale value of the SUB is solid.

If you go to sell the Ali Express bass in the future, you've got a few options -
a)sell it for practically nothing
b)not be able to sell it at all
c)be a lowly dishonest person and hope you can find an uninformed buyer to take advantage of

Also, an engineer will likely understand the need for quality tools. Explain that a musical instrument needs to be a fairly precise tool, otherwise it will interfere with the ability to play. Explain that the Ali Express junk is going to have a bridge and tuners made of the cheapest metal they can get away with, and poorly machined; body and neck will be made of wood that hasn't been allowed to dry in a kiln very long (if at all), so it's going to be unstable, which will cause constant problems with playability.

 

[Algo]

You're dad plays bass?
He's bought a bass from Aliexpress and it was so good that he's still playing it?
You don't tell him what new car he should buy, do you?

Regardless, have him talk to your bass instructor.

He doesn't, he mainly plays guitar but bought a few saxophones from aliexpress that I have to admit were decent

Well, plenty of advice already, thanks all.

 

[Fumble Fingers]

Another vote NOT to get Ali express. Complete garbage.