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$$$$ basses vs. amps/cabs....am i crazy?

Discussion in 'Basses [BG]' started by DavidEdenAria, Dec 12, 2014.

  1. Dec 12, 2014 #1
    DavidEdenAria

    DavidEdenAria

    Dec 13, 2013
    On a Hill
    Folks, I am an aspiring bass player at 55.....played trumpet in band in school, did very well on that instrument....I come from a musical family.

    For years I have lusted after 6 string guitar gear but for the most part it has been amps/cabinets.

    So over the year, I have collected LOTS of very nice vintage guitar amps (Marshall, Fender, Ampeg etc) but my guitars are mainly nice Japan and nicer copy types except for my 65 SG Special...which leads me to this concerning bass gear.........

    I tend to come from the school of a higher end very good amp/speaker combo is more important than higher end basses.

    AM I WRONG?

    Have I just not spent enough time with 1 particular bass to appreciate a higher end bass, rather than my assortment of USA Peavey & nice Japan basses all bought used for under $250?

    My main practice amp is a 1997 David Eden Metro 2x10,,,,COMPLETE overkill to practice with, yet I could never part with this amp even if it never leaves the house and I lust after a vintage SVT/8x10 even if it never leaves the house ( I have a big house compared to some).

    Is it because I find FAR more nice basses under say $500 used than amp speaker combos and I rarely if ever look at $1000 used basses?

    Something tells me I have NOT spent enough time with 1 particular bass to really bond with it.

    How do I lose this obsession with owning 8 to 10 sub used $300 basses and focus on just 1 or 2 basses that are of very high quality?

    I cant stand the thought of parting with ANY of my cheaper basses but I may have to because selling my house and relocating to a warmer area means I will have to downsize.

    To me I need a 400 watt minimum to practice with.....some people think I am absolutely NUTS for insisting on a 450 watt amp like my Metro to practice with.....I already see myself looking at 1500 watt amps and high end smaller cabinets to possibly gig with down the road and that is complete overkill.

    Yet I don't seem to ever think about high end basses like so many accomplished bassists...you know USA Fenders, all of the boutiques etc.

    What say you folks?
     
  2. Dec 12, 2014 #2
    Redrama

    Redrama Guest

    Apr 19, 2013
    The thing with expensive basses is that they pretty much are just of higher quality. So 99% can't hear the difference between a 300€ squier Jazz Bass and a 1500€ american standard Jazz bass. But 99% of people will feel the difference between the two when playing them.
     
    DiabolusInMusic and bholder like this.
  3. Dec 12, 2014 #3
    DavidEdenAria

    DavidEdenAria

    Dec 13, 2013
    On a Hill
    I don't gravitate towards Squires unless they are Japan.....I much prefer better Japan and USA Peavey basses

    I'm not against other import basses besides Japan entirely but i tend to stick with USA or British made guitars/ basses & amps.

    You cant argue USA Peavey Foundation are NOT high quality or Japan Fenders btw.
     
  4. Dec 12, 2014 #4
    bholder

    bholder Affable Sociopath Gold Supporting Member Supporting Member

    Sep 2, 2001
    Vestal, NY
    Received a gift from Sire* (see sig)
    Well said, sir! Pleasing most audiences can be done well on a budget, pleasing the player, well, depends on the player. Also, I dare say most bassists care about even small differences in tone far more than most audiences. But feel, audiences don't have much part in.
     
  5. Dec 12, 2014 #5
    DavidEdenAria

    DavidEdenAria

    Dec 13, 2013
    On a Hill
    Btw, I've played MANY 60's Fender P basses....yes they are very VERY nice but presently out of my price range and frankly, I never thought they sounded or felt a LOT better than my USA Peavey Fury with a Duncan P pickup.
     
  6. Dec 12, 2014 #6
    JACink

    JACink

    Mar 9, 2011
    Spain
    I think you will find that your 450W pratice rig may depend a lot on how much you downsize your house, or more specifically, how close your new neighbours are.

    I spent 20 years living out in the country, with no neighbours less than 1km away, and had nearly 10.000W of PA as my music system. We used to practice out on my porch with the full PA set up (at 10pm).

    Last year I moved into the city, into an apartment. Now a 200W GK combo never goes past 25% to practice, even during the middle of the day!

    How I miss the open country!
     
    DavidEdenAria likes this.
  7. Dec 12, 2014 #7
    Khronic

    Khronic Richard J. Naimish Inactive

    Oct 24, 2006
    Grand Junction, CO.
    2 - BFM Design Jack 1x12's
    QSC USA-900 Stereo power amp
    ART Tube Channel Pre/EQ/Compressor

    I had my local luthier defret, plane the fingerboard, and set up my Jay Turser MM Stingray copy. I scored it off the TB classifieds for $100. Even with the cheap stock p/u this thing plays and sounds absolutely amazing.

    A good rig will make even a lousy Bass sound decent. A crappy rig will make even a $10,000 Fodera sound crappy.