Boutique Basses are Better: Get Over It!

[Arthur U. Poon]

I own a few boutiques, and a few mass produced instruments. IMHO good tone primarily is in a player's hands, and a good player can get a good sound out of any quality bass. As for playability, IMO any quality instrument will be comfortable to play once it's setup properly.

 

[SteveC]

Set up and player have a lot to do with it. I will grant you that SOME less than boutique instruments will not tolerate certain set ups like a boutique will. I have also had a boutique bass that will not take a certain set up either.

Why do I bother to post. Never mind. It doesn't matter anyway. There will always be an exception to anything anyone posts. Maybe I need some time away from forums.

 

[Brad Johnson]

I don't really think the Ferrari vs Honda thing correlates properly here. Is there really any doubt that a Ferrari is better built and performs better than a Honda? I guess if your measure is fuel consumption...

It shouldn't take much thought to come up with circumstances where the Honda might excel over a Ferrari.

And as far as simply better built, does that include reliabilty amd maintainence?

 

[Brad Johnson]

I think - as was said a few posts ago - the difference is more obvious in acoustic guitars as well. Taylors sound REALLY good. They feel REALLY good. They look REALLY good. Yamaha makes a nice $300 guitar. So do many others. No where near Taylor. Fender makes a nice bass. So does Sadowsky. I don't hear/feel THAT much of a difference. I have owned more than one of both.

It's a no win topic, and comes up often, and sometimes there's a new insight hidden in the mess. Passes the time at work if nothing else.

I've seen just as glaring a difference in electric basses. On many occassions I've showed people IRL just what I'm talking about.

For me it's the difference between a perfectly serviceable instrument suitable for gigs vs. a bass that fits like a glove, doing exactly what I want and maybe even exceeding my expectations.

 

[Brad Johnson]

I've played Modulus for a long time so why do I want a Fender p/mm bass??

Because it's different. Need a better reason?

 

[Arthur U. Poon]

For me it's the difference between a perfectly serviceable instrument suitable for gigs vs. a bass that fits like a glove, doing exactly what I want and maybe even exceeding my expectations.

Very good point IMO. I had my main 6-string built from the ground up. I was able to choose it's woods, scale length, pickups, preamp, hardware, etc. I went with an "Up-and-coming" builder because of his reputation, willingness to work with me, and his reasonable price. Being that it's a 6-string, there isn't a comparable mass produced instrument with the same specs.
But if I ever go back to playing nothing but 4-strings, a stock MIA Fender P-Bass would be about all I need!

 

[xxfaux_punkxx]

I might be the odd man out here but I don't think I would ever own a boutique bass.

I like a very worn, beat up, distressed look and feel. (this goes with everything I own straight down to my ripped jeans and flea market engagement ring). It might be the type of music I play or just the genre stereotype that I center myself around but if it looks expesnsive then I won't touch it.

This of coarse isn't to say I don't take care of my things. I keep my bass (with all it's breakdowns) well taken care of. New strings every 3 months, cleaned everytime I change the strings (sometimes before), but on the same hand I'm an exclusive pick player and won't change picks until I loose the one I currently have.

I guess what I'm saying is that everything comes down to prefference. Some people like the glamour of a boutique bass, while others can take your average squier and rock it 'til it falls apart.

 

[Brad Johnson]

I might be the odd man out here but I don't think I would ever own a boutique bass.

I like a very worn, beat up, distressed look and feel. (this goes with everything I own straight down to my ripped jeans and flea market engagement ring). It might be the type of music I play or just the genre stereotype that I center myself around but if it looks expesnsive then I won't touch it.

This of coarse isn't to say I don't take care of my things. I keep my bass (with all it's breakdowns) well taken care of. New strings every 3 months, cleaned everytime I change the strings (sometimes before), but on the same hand I'm an exclusive pick player and won't change picks until I loose the one I currently have.

I guess what I'm saying is that everything comes down to prefference. Some people like the glamour of a boutique bass, while others can take your average squier and rock it 'til it falls apart.

Trust me, there are plenty of distressed boutique instruments out there... they aren't all in mint condition.

 

[Brad Johnson]

Very good point IMO. I had my main 6-string built from the ground up. I was able to choose it's woods, scale length, pickups, preamp, hardware, etc. I went with an "Up-and-coming" builder because of his reputation, willingness to work with me, and his reasonable price. Being that it's a 6-string, there isn't a comparable mass produced instrument with the same specs.
But if I ever go back to playing nothing but 4-strings, a stock MIA Fender P-Bass would be about all I need!

Agreed.

If I played fours I own several basses I could easily gig with... my most recent being a fake P that plays and sound great (for a P ) and cost me $150. It's appropriately beat up so it even looks vintage. I've played it and then told people it's a parts bass and most seem genuinely disappointed to hear that. Prior to that they were feeling the mojo.

I could play my old Fender Jazzes, Kramer DMZ4000, Guild B301F, Electra MPC Outlaw, Warmoth Jazz... any of them would work just fine.

Then again the LA Kidwell I just got is pretty jaw dropping (after a proper setup). A good barometer other than my own personal satisfaction is that most people who've heard it/played it since I got it want to buy it.


But for fives and sixes I have a pretty tough lineup to break into.

 

[REAPER52]

I don't really think the Ferrari vs Honda thing correlates properly here. Is there really any doubt that a Ferrari is better built and performs better than a Honda? I guess if your measure is fuel consumption...

Well take a look at what a Subaru STI or a corvette will do compared to a Ferrari. Its status , Same holds true for Some of the boutique bass's. A great player can play anything,and make it sound good. Dont believe it ,look at Jameson or Jaco's .Cant get any further from boutique then those two .

 

[Brad Johnson]

Well take a look at what a Subaru STI or a corvette will do compared to a Ferrari. Its status , Same holds true for Some of the boutique bass's. A great player can play anything,and make it sound good. Dont believe it ,look at Jameson or Jaco's .Cant get any further from boutique then those two .

Ever driven one?

It doesn't have to be status... some people buy ferraris because...


they like Ferraris. I haven't driven one in a long time but I can tell you I'd never mistake it for a Subie or Corvette... performance be damned.

The pendulum swings hard both ways.


Here's something many people probably don't know... you can pick up used Ferraris for less than some Vettes. Yes, you should have repair/maintainence funds set aside but the cost of entry can be surprisingly affordable.

I bought my BMW Z3 Coupe not for status, even though it's pretty rare and a cult vehicle. I bought it because I like it. Heck, most people don't even know what it is. If I were in a position to easily afford a Ferrari I might have one. Or an Aston Martin. Because they can be very cool cars to drive. The status thing is just a bonus that at best would only get a married man in trouble.

 

[Rickett Customs]

Ever driven one?

It doesn't have to be status... some people buy ferraris because...


they like Ferraris. I haven't driven one in a long time but I can tell you I'd never mistake it for a Subie or Corvette... performance be damned.

The pendulum swings hard both ways.


Here's something many people probably don't know... you can pick up used Ferraris for less than some Vettes. Yes, you should have repair/maintainence funds set aside but the cost of entry can be surprisingly affordable.

I bought my BMW Z3 Coupe not for status, even though it's pretty rare and a cult vehicle. I bought it because I like it. Heck, most people don't even know what it is. If I were in a position to easily afford a Ferrari I might have one. Or an Aston Martin. Because they can be very cool cars to drive. The status thing is just a bonus that at best would only get a married man in trouble.

Brad, just be aware, that there are tons of ferrari "kit" cars in this area

best way to tell them apart from the real deal...... most "kits" use a Chevy 350, real Ferrari's sound like crotch rockets, not the rumble of a 350



But this is OT innit?

 

[Brad Johnson]

Brad, just be aware, that there are tons of ferrari "kit" cars in this area

best way to tell them apart from the real deal...... most "kits" use a Chevy 350, real Ferrari's sound like crotch rockets, not the rumble of a 350



But this is OT innit?

A kit car never entered into the equation. I'm talking about actual Ferraris. The Magnum PI variety seem to be among the least expensive. Genuine Ferraris with Ferrari engines, chassis', service requirements and all the fun that that entails moneywise.

A search on Cars.com turned up a Ferrari Mondial for just under $20k and several other real Ferraris under $30k.

Or this on Yahoo:

Link Removed

348 for $30k.. that's new Toyota Camry money.

 

[Madcity Fats]

And how is that a measure of his priorities out of whack - maybe *you* feel his priorities are but it ain't your decision!

I know a lot of guys who buy high-end stuff because they can afford them VERY easily. If you aren't shorting your family or other obligations, what does it matter what you spend?

Wow ... I guess I missed being taken to the woodshed for my somewhat inelegant choice of words.

Okay, screw priorities. You've got little to no talent but money to burn and you want a sweet, sweet bass. Can't blame you.

Take it to the stage and start sucking all over the place though and I'm out the door. But I'll stay and watch the guy with monster chops rock the SX for a whole set.

Capisci? Better now? Sheesh, but bass players are touchy about semantics, aren't we?

That said, I stand by my opinion that the crap player dropping $5K on a bass needs to focus less on gear and more on practicing. But what do I care so long as I don't have to listen to it, right? (Which was really the point I was trying to make, albeit apparently poorly).

 

[spade2you]

That said, I stand by my opinion that the crap player dropping $5K on a bass needs to focus less on gear and more on practicing. But what do I care so long as I don't have to listen to it, right? (Which was really the point I was trying to make, albeit apparently poorly).

but what about the good player dropping 5k on a bass?

what about the crap player dropping $11 on a bass?

what about a good player dropping whatever normal basses cost?

Why do these always turn into a debate about some n00b on a Fodera against some expert on an SX?

 

[kesslari]

but what about the good player dropping 5k on a bass?

what about the crap player dropping $11 on a bass?

what about a good player dropping whatever normal basses cost?

Why do these always turn into a debate about some n00b on a Fodera against some expert on an SX?

We have another winner, folks!

Buy what you can afford, play what you enjoy, and let others do the same.

 

[Darkstrike]

We have another winner, folks!

Buy what you can afford, play what you enjoy, and let others do the same.

They should have a skill test before you buy a bass, so you get one in the right price range for your playing.

You could mail in MP3's to online retailers...

 

[Madcity Fats]

Why do these always turn into a debate about some n00b on a Fodera against some expert on an SX?

It was just an example, sorry. The only thing this silly debate turns on is personal preference. Which, for the third time, is my only point. The player makes the music, not the bass. "Better" is entirely subjective, which kind of makes it amazing that this back 'n' forth has dragged on this long (he said, contributing to the thread sprawl).

I guess what I've been trying to say is who cares? If that opinion is unwelcome in such a serious and portentous debate as this ... well, sorry I pitched my two pennies into this poison well.

Seriously ... threads like this crack me up.

 

[spade2you]

It was just an example, sorry. The only thing this silly debate turns on is personal preference. Which, for the third time, is my only point. The player makes the music, not the bass. "Better" is entirely subjective, which kind of makes it amazing that this back 'n' forth has dragged on this long (he said, contributing to the thread sprawl).

I guess what I've been trying to say is who cares? If that opinion is unwelcome in such a serious and portentous debate as this ... well, sorry I pitched my two pennies into this poison well.

Seriously ... threads like this crack me up.

It's not AN example, it's generally THE example. Naturally, the one posted how there's a Fodera n00b is always better than them or so they'd like to think.

Better is indeed a subjective term in music, but that never stops egos from talking.

Who cares? Apparently you do, or at least did until you realized you might not win this debate.

 

[Madcity Fats]

Better is indeed a subjective term in music, but that never stops egos from talking.

Are you referring to my ego? Because, dude, believe me, I don't have a dog in this fight. All I was trying to say was I don't make it my biz what kind of bass anyone else plays. All I care about is how they play it. If a dude rocks a boutique instrument or an MIM Fender, it's all the same to me. How is that such a contentious statement?

Who cares? Apparently you do, or at least did until you realized you might not win this debate.

Win this debate? Is that what you call completely subjective discussions? Debate? I'm curious to know what "side" of this "debate" you think I'm on, since I neither said anything for or against either budget or boutique instruments.

Honestly, pal, I don't know why you're so up my a$$ about such a harmless comment. I'll bow out now, because clearly some of you take this sort of trivia waaay to effing seriously and I prefer to enjoy the camaraderie of this place rather than scrap over stuff like this.

Sorry I ruffled anyone's feathers. Baffled, but sorry.