Cheap vs Expensive basses...

[Jehos]

It's funny how the same value equation seems to be applicable in all of the forums I frequent (Photography, RC Helicopters, Guns, ect....) More than I spent = overkill, crap you don't need. Less than I paid = cheapo, noob junk. Lots of confirmation bias........

That can be true, but you can also look at it objectively. Like, it's not hard to figure out where the point of diminishing returns is, or what the minimum price is to get X feature. There's a minimum cost if you want certain things like exotic tone woods, high-end electronics and hardware, and rigorous quality control. That cost is pretty high. It's even higher if you want the labor done in a first-world country.

The cost for a no-compromises bass built by someone in a first-world country is legitimately in that $2500+ range. Below that, you're making compromises somewhere.

 

[PDGood]

To read the TB Classified ads, I get the impression that nobody has basses that are less than $500 ...and that a $2600+ bass is no big deal at all.
But I tend to think that TalkBass has a lot of members who are older and they may have more disposable income than a young guy with small children/wife who want all the things they deserve/nice new mortgage/two car payments/ entertainment budget/etc.
I buy used basses ..and look for quality basses that are under-valued on the used market.

I've noticed the same thing you have about the TB classified. The prices and number of quality instruments definitely is different from what I see elsewhere. I assumed it was because this is where people gather who really care about their instruments. I'd guess that some sellers in places like Craigslist and GC tried bass and went on to something else.

 

[And I]

it is all relative. if you can't afford it, it's expensive. if you can afford it without budgeting for it, it's cheap. if you can afford it if you save up for a bit, it's mid-level. i play a $700 bass (which I put $400 of aftermarket parts into). i had to budget a bit for that. i just bought a $140 bass. this was less than my last grocery store bill, so it was cheap!

 

[Richie Se7en]

I think Fender has recently tried to cover the market you speak of with their Player Series line. The bass stickers at $674. which, here on TB might fall on the lower end of the spectrum, but to the masses I think it'll be seen as a middle ground price point. I can't speak from recent experience, but they're probably comparable to, or maybe a notch or two above Squier quality, but with the benefit of the brand 'logo' on the headstock for those who care for such things.

I'm financially comfortable and I don't see buying another bass for a while (unless I add a wing to my house), but basically I deem anything about $400. down as 'cheap' and $2,500. on up as 'expensive' so my middle ground is probably between $700. thru $1500. which is just my own two pennies.


~R7~

 

[sikamikanico]

To me, mid-priced is about $500-1000. I only buy used at this point, so adjust that up if you want new prices...

I find this is the sweet spot for fender-like basses (passive, bolt-on neck, etc), typically mass-produced in Asia. For example, Lakland Skyline. I think paying more than $1000 (used) for this type of bass is expensive, and personally do not see added value.

But for a handcrafted in USA bass, I think $1-2k is quite cheap. So as per usual, it depends...

 

[Mustang Surly]

For a person with my budget $1K-$1200 basses (new) are "middle" and that is where you'll get the most bang for the buck. Beyond "the middle", you'll pay increasing extra chunks for decreasing increments of "better" (as is the case with most things, in my experience).

Boutique stuff may be really nice, but it's out of my price range: I just can't justify it, given other priorities in my life. Most expensive bass I've ever bought cost me $2000 and it was rare, mint and out of production. Everything else has cost <$1K, some way less and most of it used.

 

[Marc DLarosa]

For a person with my budget $1K-$1200 basses (new) are "middle" and that is where you'll get the most bang for the buck. Beyond "the middle", you'll pay increasing extra chunks for decreasing increments of "better" (as is the case with most things, in my experience).

Boutique stuff may be really nice, but it's out of my price range: I just can't justify it, given other priorities in my life. Most expensive bass I've ever bought cost me $2000 and it was rare, mint and out of production. Everything else has cost <$1K, some way less and most of it used.

Yeah... I get it. Although... I don't really understand the "Boutique" thing. Besides, if I started collecting those, I'd have to spend a grip on a nice camera...

 

[Fender_Bender]

Depends a lot on where you live I’d say. Contrary to some beliefs, not every one here is American. This is very evident with some of the posters from South America/central America and Eastern Europe who would be over the moon with a Squier VM or classic vibe (instruments that many would turn up their noses at).

 

[Marc DLarosa]

Depends a lot on where you live I’d say. Contrary to some beliefs, not every one here is American. This is very evident with some of the posters from South America/central America and Eastern Europe who would be over the moon with a Squier VM or classic vibe (instruments that many would turn up their noses at).

I don't even know how to respond to this, besides... It makes Me very happy that there are players who appreciate the craft, and the instruments required to be involved in making music. In a forum where Humans like to "show" what they have, and compare it to others... Your modesty is recognized, and appreciated. Do not lose this beautiful GIFT. Thank You.

 

[BlitzCraig]

<$150 = "let's see if I want to be a bass player"

150-300 = "yep, I want to be a bass player; this one feels good"

300-700 = "a couple people in the audience might be able to hear a difference... if I'm doing a solo"

700-1500 = "maybe somebody out there will know what my bass is by looking at it, and they'll be impressed."

1500-10k = "I'm going to tell everybody how much my bass costs, and I hope they'll be impressed"

10k+ = I hope nobody knows how much I spent on this bass... there are some shady looking characters around here...

- of course I'm kidding... kind of

IMO it's almost all completely subjective, with very few exceptions

 

[Remoman]

It's too individual.

$0 - $299 is cheap.
$300 - $599 is budget.
$600 - $1,499 is midline.
$1,500 - $2,499 is a good bass.
$2,500 - $ 3,499 is expensive and all you need.
$3,500 - you're paying for things that may or may not be tangible upgrades over the pervious level of bass.

I'd say that's a good breakdown on the numbers. However, I think the "all you need" pointer kinda floats with where you are at on your skill level and playing needs. Then again, that lends itself to that individuality.

Depends a lot on where you live I’d say. Contrary to some beliefs, not every one here is American. This is very evident with some of the posters from South America/central America and Eastern Europe who would be over the moon with a Squier VM or classic vibe (instruments that many would turn up their noses at).

I don't disagree with you, but there's also some supply factor in there that makes that Squire pricier in some regions (and others impossibly expensive) and therefore influence what one will accept as satisfying their needs.

 

[dbsfgyd1]

... yeah... this "Horse has been beaten to death" on here. But... even though I rarely post. I gotta ask... What about the "in between cheap, and expensive?" What is (dollar wise) considered to be in this bracket? Where does "middle" fit? And... "what are the most player friendly."
Comfort, tone, weight, accessibility, aesthetics, etc...

Just curious.

P.S.
Feel free to show us Your "MID PRICED" Basses.

I find the issue here is terms like cheap imply a lack of quality, while expensive implies a higher standard and using them can muddy the waters. Two points to consider, there are always tremendous bargains out there, as well as people paying way to much for perceived value. This dialog should be about relative value not price points.

For instance, I have a German made active Warwick Corvette Standard, with a semi hard roadrunner case which should have retailed when new for over $2,000 10 some years ago. I paid less than $600 for it 3 years ago.

So my question is as a bass purchase, was it cheap, mid priced, or expensive. Is it an expensive bass bought cheap?

My point is, in acquisition, it all about value. What is it worth to you? Not where it was made, or out of.

Finally, when considering instruments, of course let your ears be your guide, but don’t be afraid to pay a little more for better quality, and be patient.

 

[Fender_Bender]

I'd say that's a good breakdown on the numbers. However, I think the "all you need" pointer kinda floats with where you are at on your skill level and playing needs. Then again, that lends itself to that individuality.


I don't disagree with you, but there's also some supply factor in there that makes that Squire pricier in some regions (and others impossibly expensive) and therefore influence what one will accept as satisfying their needs.

My heart goes out to some of the people who, because of where they were born , would be happy with just about anything ie SX, Rogue, Squier etc. There was a guy here a week or two ago (from Brazil?) who was looking at a beat up, dirty looking bass that looked pretty marginal to me and many others. I think he bought it but I’m not sure.

 

[Charlzm]

In my mind...

Cheap is under USD $1000
Mid is between $1k and $2k
Expensive is over $2k

 

[EdwardofHuncote]

View attachment 3349847 SteveC beat me to it; but, yeah, it's pretty subjective, IMO. I've got the $$'s to buy pretty much anything I want - outright. And, I do have a couple of basses - and a banjo - that are in the "may not be a tangible upgrade" class. But, I bought them used, and had that not been an option? I probably wouldn't have bought them. Would they be really worth their new price? I can't say for sure. Find a new one of these, and let's find out...

Just for the sake of hijacking a dead horse thread, what is your banjo, if I might ask? (I pick a little, build a few, myself..., got a couple that rank up there with my Alembics, so I'm guessing we got that in common too)

 

[getBAK]

Leave used basses out of the equation - too variable

1: You can find good playing basses at almost any price-point. The higher price points are all about quality control. If you put 25 $100 Chinese P-Bass Clones in a room, you can probably find one that plays well. With the higher price point basses, you can count on all of them being good

2: There is a price/quality checkpoint at ~ $1000 where basses take a leap to being generally outstanding.

3: Once you get past the $2500 price-point, you hit a plateau for playability, and you're buying stuff that's pretty

 

[woody357]

iirc, a new Fender back around 1970 was probably $350 or so. Adjusted for inflation, that comes to $2650 in 2019 dollars. That gives a little perspective into relative cost.

We are living in the golden age of basses, where you can get a serviceable instrument for $100 new. You can also spend $25K or more. Or anywhere in-between. The parameters for "cheap" and "expensive" are determined by the individual - there is no universal metric.

That said, many on TB would argue that the inflection point for the law of diminishing returns is somewhere between $1-2K plus or minus.

Actually a new Fender P in the box was $265. That’s what I paid for mine back in 1975

 

[Jimbowhit7]

... yeah... this "Horse has been beaten to death" on here. But... even though I rarely post. I gotta ask... What about the "in between cheap, and expensive?" What is (dollar wise) considered to be in this bracket? Where does "middle" fit? And... "what are the most player friendly."
Comfort, tone, weight, accessibility, aesthetics, etc...

Just curious.

P.S.
Feel free to show us Your "MID PRICED" Basses.

I'd consider the $300-$700 range to mid-range basses, price-wise. I own a Fender Precision Bass that I bought for $250 that needed work, and by the time I had it fixed and slightly customized to my liking, it cost me about $400 total (it's the bass in my profile picture). It's a MIM P-Bass, and it absolutely sounds killer. It plays great, has a wonderful tone, works well with my pedals, and sounds good with any amp I've run it through. Can't ask for more than that.

 

[JoeWPgh]

For me, cheap is under $500. Middling is $1,000. Nice is $2,000. Expensive is above that.
I have built more than a few parts basses. I do not skimp on electronics and hardware. In for a penny, in for a pound. I figure, why skimp on lesser parts, when you're investing the time? By the time I add it all up, with a nitro finish, the cost averages +/- $1,500.

 

[woody357]

I never understood why anyone would pay more than $500 for a bass, Then I bought a MM Bongo, and I understand. Now I own that and a Fender Elite, and Ibanez premium 6. Ibanez make great basses at very low prices.