Bass Prices

[ragetoca]

I am blown away at how much a new high end / boutique bass costs nowadays! Have you seen how much the new 6-String Sadowsky costs? There is one going for $12k !
What about a new custom signature MTD Saratoga? A whooping $8k

What’s wrong with you people?

 

[Lee Moses]

I don't know why you'd expect to find sympathy from double bassists re. the rising price of electric basses. $8k for a high-end double bass would be an incredible bargain.

 

[krfoss]

I don't know why you'd expect to find sympathy from double bassists re. the rising price of electric basses. $8k for a high-end double bass would be an incredible bargain.

Getting into upright bass will recalibrate your gauge of “cheap and expensive “.

 

[ardgedee]

I don't know why you'd expect to find sympathy from double bassists re. the rising price of electric basses. $8k for a high-end double bass would be an incredible bargain.

Bass guitarists don't even have to budget for a bow.

 

[ragetoca]

wrong forum! i brought a knive to a gun fight

 

[Jogobass]

Well, it depends. If bass is your main passion and you're earning enough money with it, why not go for boutique? Same reason people with money and a passion for cars will spend half a million on one.

 

[badinage]

Well, it depends. If bass is your main passion and you're earning enough money with it, why not go for boutique? Same reason people with money and a passion for cars will spend half a million on one.

If you want to feel better about expense of (or "having too many") electric basses, go explore the world of high-end/collectable watches or designer handbags. It makes rock-n-roll gear and paraphernalia seem very-very (very) cheap and thoroughly utilitarian.

 

[Chrisk-K]

Bass prices will go up. A MIM entry Fender will soon cost over $1k.

 

[Gorilla Monsoon]

Waiting for Rob Allen prices to go down. I’ve got three. Id like to have 10.

 

[keyofnight]

I might get a boutique one day, and I think the prices makes sense. I'm paying for a world-class maker's time, expertise, ability, and support. I'm also paying for the best possible materials and parts. I would love a Wal.

 

[Iristone]

Today's economy probably means high cost for new basses. For used basses, high cost for the "collectible" ones, and low cost for the "player" ones.

 

[Bass4ThePublic]

Alembic prices…. I think I saw one for like $30,000 once.

Honestly the new Sadowsky is just a 6 string active jazz with a nice top, I’m sure some luthier can make it better for cheaper. Doesn’t Dan Ransom of Real Guitars or Freekmagnet do custom builds like this? Theyve done great work in my experience.

 

[Bass4ThePublic]

https://reverb.com/item/75625927-alembic-mark-king-signature-deluxe-buckeye-burl-resin-top

 

[funkymonk13]

Well, it depends. If bass is your main passion and you're earning enough money with it, why not go for boutique? Same reason people with money and a passion for cars will spend half a million on one.

I don’t think most people are earning enough from music to buy a boutique bass. Live music and the industry in general have taken a huge dive. At least in terms of the money most people are making from it.

I would guess it’s def more hobbyists driving that industry. Nothing wrong with that

 

[Smallmouth_Bass]

Inflation has gone up. The cost of living has gone up. Raw materials has gone up. Labour costs have gone up. Food prices have gone up. Energy and gas prices have gone up. The threat of trade wars and tariffs loom and some have been already been implemented.

It's reasonable that bass prices have gone up too.

P.S. I was shocked when I saw some prices of bows for upright basses. Yikes! Strings too. Suddenly, a $40 pack of strings doesn't sound so bad!

 

[luckydawgg169]

I might get a boutique one day, and I think the prices makes sense. I'm paying for a world-class maker's time, expertise, ability, and support. I'm also paying for the best possible materials and parts. I would love a Wal.

Those same world class makers were selling them for 40% less before Covid….
An MTD would be worth 5K to me yes, but not 8k….
Some of us remember what these things were priced before,
and you bet when times get tough those prices will go down.

 

[luckydawgg169]

I am blown away at how much a new high end / boutique bass costs nowadays! Have you seen how much the new 6-String Sadowsky costs? There is one going for $12k !
What about a new custom signature MTD Saratoga? A whooping $8k

What’s wrong with you people?

It really is nuts, and someone said on here that if you have the money and it’s your passion, then why not go for it. I have the money and it is my passion, but the overinflated prices just take the fun out of getting something I’ve lusted over for years that I don’t even care anymore.

 

[AK3000]

Boutique bass strategy is to increase exclusivity to prevent flooding the market. 2nd hand basses really hurt profits for big builders.

 

[kyral210]

I bought a Fender Jaguar on sale at £700. Throw on a set of GZR EMGs, a new hi-mass bridge, black tusq nut, and some chrome knobs, let’s call it £900.

One of my favourite basses ever! I’m unsure I can justify £3k, let alone £12k on an instrument

 

[Bar Band Bassman]

+1 for our double bass brethren. We have it so good. You have no idea! I'll be gigging this weekend with a sax player who will be playing a $30K sax while I thump away on a rig that in total (bass, amp, cab, effects) runs in the neighborhood of $1K. Although not entirely apropos, it brings to mind chickens and pigs vis a vis breakfast. The chicken makes a contribution to breakfast. The pig makes a commitment.

BBB