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.
While I do believe in quality I think you can find it in pretty much every manufacturer of bass guitars boutique n non boutique alike. I played both w each set to my liking by a tech - boutique that flat out were the not gr8 quality no names here and I have played non boutique that were absolutely the pits. So really there is no winning this argument.
I own 2 USA Peavey Cirrus an Alembic Triple Omega and 2 USA Peavey Fury all of which play well. Which one is the best? I gotta say my Maple Cirrus and the Alembic sound and play awesomely not better than one another just different. I am sure there are Valenti and Sadowsky owners out there saying my crap is better but really it is up to the individual. I have seen fit and finish problems w all kinds of basses.
While I agree more than likely a bass from a boutique dealer may have more attention paid to it it doesn't always mean it is the best it can be. Maybe one boutique had a fret that had a sharp edge while the factory bass had 5 to 10 frets w sharp edges still the basses had sharp frets so I am not getting over anything. You still have to play the thing quality isn't always upheld 100% of the time by anyone. I think that went out in the 1950's w Auto makers.
Certain post here in recent weeks on of loss of quality control in a U.S. company the company will remain nameless has me questioning buying a bass from them ( they are like a boutique company making people wait 6 months to a year and even longer for their basses). I thought they were ALWAYS a quality company. While I have not read or seen or heard of horror stories about boutique companies I am sure someone has a story to be told on that account as well.
It's not all about who is better or about quality is about getting an instrument that is both, plus what is right for you. If you have the means and they ways to get a boutique bass make sure it is to your liking or send it back and make them get it right (if that is the case I am not saying it is but...). If you cannot afford a bass like that then you have to go to your local music store like many of us did as youth and pick the bass that best fits you. Sometimes the bass is "THE ONE", the bass that plays well has no issues and sounds exactly the way you want it to. It doesn't have to say Fender on it or Conklin or CB for that matter. It doesn't necessarily have to have a Sadowsky preamp on the other hand maybe you want that Aggie pre or the Sadowsky does sound that much better, I like em.
I think manufacturers drive boutique companies to do what they do and there is a need but the boutiques in turn show the big boys the error of their ways as well driving for good compitition.
Please do not spite anyone whom can afford a 6 thousand dollar bass. You do not know what they do for work nor do you live in their shoes and vise versa do not heckle anyone for not being able to afford that 18,000 dollar bass. Maybe that guy worked all his life just to buy the one bass he always dreamed of maybe one day you will to.
Whatever the reason whatever the bass just find what you are into and enjoy playing music cause that is what it boils down too really.
Anyone wanna buy a boutique Kazoo? hehehehehehehehehehehehehe.
