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Boutique Basses are Better: Get Over It!

Dr. Cheese

Dr. Cheese

Supporting Member
Mar 3, 2004
57,317
120,583
Metro St. Louis
#1
Every once in a while someone posts about gear snobs or wonders if boutique basses are really worth the money. Some, like myself, have wondered if they are really that much better than factory basses.

The bottom line is most boutique basses are better made than most factory basses. That does not mean that the boutique bass will give a particular player the sound that he or she is after, and it does not mean that a given boutique will be comfortable or look appealing to any given player. What quality means is that compared to a similar factory bass, the boutique will have better fit and finish, will likely take a better set up, will probably be quieter, and will have better components like tuners, pots, etc.

The fact that the boutique is better than the factory bass does not mean that the factory bass is bad or that it wouldn't be a great tool for a music career or hobby. Just look at all the pros who can afford boutiques who use factory basses!

I know I'm not saying anything new. I just think that we need to face facts and move on. Most importantly, we need to play good music regardless of the price of our gear.:bassist:
 
#3
Dr. Cheese said:
Every once in a while someone posts about gear snobs or wonders if boutique basses are really worth the money. Some, like myself, have wondered if they are really that much better than factory basses.

The bottom line is most boutique basses are better made than most factory basses. That does not mean that the boutique bass will give a particular player the sound that he or she is after, and it does not mean that a given boutique will be comfortable or look appealing to any given player. What quality means is that compared to a similar factory bass, the boutique will have better fit and finish, will likely take a better set up, will probably be quieter, and will have better components like tuners, pots, etc.

The fact that the boutique is better than the factory bass does not mean that the factory bass is bad or that it wouldn't be a great tool for a music career or hobby. Just look at all the pros who can afford boutiques who use factory basses!

I know I'm not saying anything new. I just think that we need to face facts and move on. Most importantly, we need to play good music regardless of the price of our gear.:bassist:
Click to expand...

I can prove your thoughts with two words. James Jamerson
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_Jamerson
His bass was reportedly so messed up that no one else wanted to try and play it, And he did so with totally wrong technique.

James Jamerson used La Bella heavy-gauge (.052-.110) flatwound strings that he never changed. He never took care of the instrument, and it is possible that the neck eventually warped, as many claimed it impossible to play.

One aspect of James Jamerson's upright playing that carried over to the electric bass guitar was the fact that he generally used only his right index finger to pluck the strings while resting his 3rd and 4th fingers on the chrome pickup cover. Jamerson's index finger even earned its own nickname: "The Hook".


Yes, absolutely a high end bass is a thing of beauty and a fine instrument, but I'd still sound like a hack on a 4,000 dollar bass....

Great post Dr Cheese!:cool:
 
#4
Bravo, Senior Queso!

Finally a post on this subject that isn't biased either way! Okay, so I own a couple of boutiques.. I also own a factory bass! And an SX..

However, since I know all the haters will jump in and make this a trainwreck............... Subscribed!

PS: SX izz tha best base 4 metall!!! :bassist:
 
#8
Everything said here was true, but I think something else should be added that has also been said before...

Be proud of what you use. Sure, treat your instrument with care and love (if you want), but realize it's a tool. It's like a pencil... a very expensive pencil. Make your music, and stop worrying about what the latest and greatest things are. I will admit, I do find boutique basses appealing, but at the end of the day, you can have five hundred luthier built, dipped in gold basses, or one ratty, looks like it has been dropped out of windows bass and still not use it expressively. Write your music, and admire your instrument, but not for how much it cost, for what it can do for you.
 
#9
ProfGumby said:
I can prove your thoughts with two words. James Jamerson
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_Jamerson
His bass was reportedly so messed up that no one else wanted to try and play it, And he did so with totally wrong technique.

James Jamerson used La Bella heavy-gauge (.052-.110) flatwound strings that he never changed. He never took care of the instrument, and it is possible that the neck eventually warped, as many claimed it impossible to play.

One aspect of James Jamerson's upright playing that carried over to the electric bass guitar was the fact that he generally used only his right index finger to pluck the strings while resting his 3rd and 4th fingers on the chrome pickup cover. Jamerson's index finger even earned its own nickname: "The Hook".


Yes, absolutely a high end bass is a thing of beauty and a fine instrument, but I'd still sound like a hack on a 4,000 dollar bass....

Great post Dr Cheese!:cool:
Click to expand...

Thanks!:) I currently do not have any boutiques, and have not had any since 2000 or 2001, and I do not know when I will get one again. I just don't see any point in getting despondent about not being able to afford a bass, which is just a hobby for me. Even if I were a pro, it would make more sense to hustle gigs or practice than sweat over gear.

I just want all of us to happy with what we have and spend time enjoying music rather than worrying about what we can buy or what someone else has bought.:rollno:
 
#10
the thing about a boutique bass is that when you get one you know (or at least you should be) getting an A+ bass, you can go to Guitar Center and play ten jazz basses and still not find that A+ bass. Having said that, every one of those Squire Jazz basses with the maple body has been really good.
 
#11
Cyber Soda said:
Everything said here was true, but I think something else should be added that has also been said before...

Be proud of what you use. Sure, treat your instrument with care and love (if you want), but realize it's a tool. It's like a pencil... a very expensive pencil. Make your music, and stop worrying about what the latest and greatest things are. I will admit, I do find boutique basses appealing, but at the end of the day, you can have five hundred luthier built, dipped in gold basses, or one ratty, looks like it has been dropped out of windows bass and still not use it expressively. Write your music, and admire your instrument, but not for how much it cost, for what it can do for you.
Click to expand...

Amen! Couldn't have said it better man.
 
#12
I think what a lot of people fail to see is that you are paying for the time and effort put into a boutique as well as components. All of that factors into making a boutique bass cost more and generally be of higher quality than a factory bass. It's the same as the double bass, yes you can buy a $1000.00 bass and get really far with it, but a $15,000 bass will be even better and a $80,000 bass will be amazing.
 
#13
I disagree! I have both ! I enjoy playing a $300.00 bass just as much as the other! Alot has to do with the set up and action on the bass! My $300.00 bass stays in tune and has great action and tone! It's all in what you want! I do understand about the craftsmanship! What ever floats your boat!
 
#14
A fine can of worms you've opened up here, Cheese! :D

I will say however that I think in general, I agree with your comments. That's not to say there aren't great production basses, but rather that in order to keep a price point, not every bass can be built with the time and materials put into many so-called boutique basses. Occasional gems in production basses will pop up and many are fairly well built, but every boutique should be a great bass.

FWIW, I'm on my way out the door to a gig with my NYC Sadowsky PJ and a modded Squier VM jazz. :p I'm under no illusions that the Squier is anywhere near in quality to the PJ, despite my spending tons of time on it and putting in the very best parts available. But it's a darned nice bass in its own right, and it occasionally gets gigging time alongside my #1, so . . .
 
#15
Boutiques are a great thing to be sure, I own one boutique axe, and I'm glad I do, and I own axes at what we'll call each stage below, high end, mid priced, and cheapies.

One thing I notice, is, a lot of people expect a boutique to instantly suit every player, and play the wrong one for them, then claim that boutiques suck, because they played a so and so, and didn't like it.

But, in reality, there are boutique basses to suit eveyone, just like there is in every other price range, if you take your time, you'll find the right bass for you at any price point.


To be honest, I can't understand boutique bashing, but then I can't understand bashing at any bass, if its not for you, move on. Its not hard to do, there are certain "very" popular basses, that I don't like, not even slightly, but then, I somehow manage to not get my panties in a bunch over it.


On the cheapies factor, there are great basses coming out of China, Indonesia, etc, I love them, but I understand, when I buy one, the fit, and finish may need some work, I'm up for that, they also make great mod platforms, its a simple fact that high end instruments are gonna be better out of the box(I've got great cheapies, that I've been happy with, out of the box too, I don't deny that its possible), and more to the point, when you get to this price range, you should already know what you want, and be aming in the right direction to start with, dropping that much cash shouldn't be a wild gamble.

Great thread Dr, wise words as usual.:)
 
#16
I keep thinking that a boutique leather jacket may be way more expensive than a Schott, finer material, better fit, etc., but if your bike goes down, you want the Schott everytime. I can't disagree about anything you've said about boutique basses, except they do not seem to be the tools that most professional bassists use. Why not? (I'm honestly asking why not, because I'd like to know)
 
#17
wow..amazingly enough after reading this im completely over it..i just dont get why people get bent outta shape on this subject. its not like your bass alters m life or playing and i expect the feeling is mutual. so why in the hell does everyone argue. its stupid. im certainly not gonna go to a p bass players support group or feel ashamed of it. run what you brung baby and if you keep the party live youre all good with me.
 
#18
Dave Bassincus said:
I can't disagree about anything you've said about boutique basses, except they do not seem to be the tools that most professional bassists use. Why not? (I'm honestly asking why not, because I'd like to know)
Click to expand...

Quite honestly, pros are pretty much too busy to be cork sniffing, they need reliable axes that ain't gonna cost too much to replace on the road(should the worst transpire), the need to get down to buisness.

Until you reach star status, in which case you get scary amounts of money to be seen with brands you're endorsing, and can have an axe made to look like anything(say a Fender, including logos), but still be boutique.

You also get guys who don't give much of a damn about gear.

Lastly, some guys just find a bass they like, and go with the flow, why mess with a good thing.
 
#19
your idol said:
wow..amazingly enough after reading this im completely over it..i just dont get why people get bent outta shape on this subject. its not like your bass alters m life or playing and i expect the feeling is mutual. so why in the hell does everyone argue. its stupid. im certainly not gonna go to a p bass players support group or feel ashamed of it. run what you brung baby and if you keep the party live youre all good with me.
Click to expand...

Stop it, you're making too much sense...:D
 

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