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Basses You want versus basses you need.
- Thread starter Dr. Cheese
- Start date
I miss it, too, and I've never seen it, but I think I can hear it....
It was just like any other '96, but it was special because it was mine.
I stupidly sold it when we were having our first kid and needed $ for a crib and stuff like that. Man, that was such a stupid move.
And now I miss my Pedulla RB4. It took me 9 months to save up for it in high school. I traded it in on my pre-Washburn Eden WT400 (which I was smart enough to keep)
I stupidly sold it when we were having our first kid and needed $ for a crib and stuff like that. Man, that was such a stupid move.
And now I miss my Pedulla RB4. It took me 9 months to save up for it in high school. I traded it in on my pre-Washburn Eden WT400 (which I was smart enough to keep)
I did the same stupid thing with my ‘94 Stingray. Sell because I needed some money to pay bills and rent and such...
Stupid move.
But it sounded pretty good to the wife at the time...
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Bills and rent are important, it just hurts so bad when you sell something like that for every day needs.
I want your Pentabuzz, but I NEED your Pentabuzz! I've been GASing for one since about 1991 when I got that Pedulla catalog in the mail. I probably looked at it more than I looked at girls LOL!!
For me as a hobbyist bassist, expensive basses are a good example of what economists refer to as a 'positional good'. They're in limited supply and their superior quality conveys a sense of relative high standing within the bass community.
To argue that purchasing such a bass motivates buyers to dedicate themselves more purposefully to improving their skills is, I believe, a stretch. Most often it's how we rationalize the purchase in our own minds. Let's face it: if our goal is to improve our playing then we can do that with time, willpower and a $300 used Ibanez just as well as with a $5,000 bass. I admire and want a high end bass as much as the next guy, but I don't kid myself into thinking it will make me a better player.
The equation is different for professionals. They should have the best tools they can afford.
To argue that purchasing such a bass motivates buyers to dedicate themselves more purposefully to improving their skills is, I believe, a stretch. Most often it's how we rationalize the purchase in our own minds. Let's face it: if our goal is to improve our playing then we can do that with time, willpower and a $300 used Ibanez just as well as with a $5,000 bass. I admire and want a high end bass as much as the next guy, but I don't kid myself into thinking it will make me a better player.
The equation is different for professionals. They should have the best tools they can afford.
Doc, in my first 20 years of playing, I only needed and had 1 bass at a time, pretty much. I had a few, but always was able to trade in or sell one to obtain another.
FF the next 25 years or so and as my means have increased, so have my wants. I've almost 2 dozen instruments in my collection, and enjoy them all, though I'm certain that I could survive with only 1 (not 1 dozen, lol).
As a matter of fact, in the last 5 or 6 years, I've gigged only 1 bass.... my black Kubicki. I do carry a backup, which is a practice I believe is a necessity, .... but it is my blue Kubicki, so that still only counts as 1 right?
FF the next 25 years or so and as my means have increased, so have my wants. I've almost 2 dozen instruments in my collection, and enjoy them all, though I'm certain that I could survive with only 1 (not 1 dozen, lol).
As a matter of fact, in the last 5 or 6 years, I've gigged only 1 bass.... my black Kubicki. I do carry a backup, which is a practice I believe is a necessity, .... but it is my blue Kubicki, so that still only counts as 1 right?
BurningSkies
CRAZY BALDHEAD
- Feb 20, 2005
- 27,956
- 20,350
- Disclosures
- Endorsing artist: Dingwall Guitars
I'm not surprised your Pentabuzz made you a better player.
I recently ended with with a fretless Dingwall and had a specific gig I wanted to play it on that was a few months down the road. The Dingwall had a less than perfect action, being a little higher than I normally play or like...just the same, from the minute it was in my hands, I only practiced on it. I needed to get my fretless chops back in place and make sure I was confident with my intonation.
It made me a better player. I had to focus more and harder on making sure my left hand placement was perfect, I had much more leeway on tone and feel with both left and right and reigning that in and refining it was a task. I played more, practiced hard and spend more time being frustrated about how things were going. Though it was going and progressing.
...and each time I picked up a fretted bass after that I found that I was playing fretted at a higher level too. It was easier, faster and I had a bunch of new 'moves' that translated well. So, it definitely broke down some barriers and I'm a better player for it.
...that bass is currently out west having a bunch of work done on it, and I can't wait for it to come back, so I can dig into it.
I recently ended with with a fretless Dingwall and had a specific gig I wanted to play it on that was a few months down the road. The Dingwall had a less than perfect action, being a little higher than I normally play or like...just the same, from the minute it was in my hands, I only practiced on it. I needed to get my fretless chops back in place and make sure I was confident with my intonation.
It made me a better player. I had to focus more and harder on making sure my left hand placement was perfect, I had much more leeway on tone and feel with both left and right and reigning that in and refining it was a task. I played more, practiced hard and spend more time being frustrated about how things were going. Though it was going and progressing.
...and each time I picked up a fretted bass after that I found that I was playing fretted at a higher level too. It was easier, faster and I had a bunch of new 'moves' that translated well. So, it definitely broke down some barriers and I'm a better player for it.
...that bass is currently out west having a bunch of work done on it, and I can't wait for it to come back, so I can dig into it.
I'd like to try one of the new Music Man Stingray Special basses. But if I had only the basses I need, I wouldn't have any. I haven't played in a band since 1986 when I put that behind me forever!
It’s like you read my mind! I already have a Sadowsky Modern and a VF4 and they are keepers. I don’t have a Stage 2 but my favourite Warwick I’ve ever played was another TBer’s Stage 2.
Need? Considering that I’m no longer a paid musician, I don’t need a bass at all. So, I just want Basses. No needing required. I would really like nothing right now.
Much to my surprise, my Caprice and my Stingray5 Special HH have made me a better player. These 2 basses are a perfect fit . The body sizes , shapes, contours, and light weight just work for me. Not to mention, the necks fit my hand like a glove. Ernie Ball build quality is the best factory work I’ve ever seen. As you’ve mentioned yourself, It’s on par with boutique level builders.
Owning instruments that feel so good really does make a big difference .
This is why it is necessary to get as many basses in your hands and try before you buy. Basses are not one size fits all. It takes some trial and error , time and money , to figure out what works for your own individual needs .
Owning instruments that feel so good really does make a big difference .
This is why it is necessary to get as many basses in your hands and try before you buy. Basses are not one size fits all. It takes some trial and error , time and money , to figure out what works for your own individual needs .
I also love that Dusty Hill bass. 
I love my Fender 63 AV Precision but am keeping an eye out for a nice CS Precision. The right one comes along and I will snag it and sell my AV.
I love my Fender 63 AV Precision but am keeping an eye out for a nice CS Precision. The right one comes along and I will snag it and sell my AV.
I would really like to get a fanned fret five-string, but I don’t need one. I want a Dingwall Lee Sklar Signature—around 5K new, around 3K used, if I can find one. I probably need to get a used Combustion I saw advertised for 1300.
