Comeback Player Needs Advice

[oddio]

How much credibility do you give gear ratings?

Taken with a grain of salt they might give you a very general indication. It's human nature to rate a new piece of gear 10-10-10-10. If the reviewer is experienced and includes a detailed rationlization for the scores then I might give it a little more weight, but there's no substitute for something that feels good in your hands and sounds good to your ears.

 

[eldave777]

I would look for a used Fender made in Japan jazz if I were you.

 

[Bass2x]

I decided on an Ashdown Perfect 10. It's all I need for now. Jammin and rehearsal in a small room and for recording. Thanks to some great advice here, I'm set for now (G&L L2000). Wasn't too painfull financially.

 

[Bass2x]

Taken with a grain of salt they might give you a very general indication. It's human nature to rate a new piece of gear 10-10-10-10. If the reviewer is experienced and includes a detailed rationlization for the scores then I might give it a little more weight, but there's no substitute for something that feels good in your hands and sounds good to your ears.

That's my take as well.
I mean there has to be a reason that a $2k bass and a $150 one each get a 10. The thing is, you don't know the reviewer or his application or budget. If you read enough ratings I guess you get a feel for the gear relative to similar others. Especially if a negative aspect is repeatedly brought up. Consistently low marks from reviewers should tell you something. Otoh, all high marks doesn't seem to be the same benchmark. My 2¢

 

[oddio]

Agreed. High numbers for a review may simply be helping to justify a big purchase (buyer's remorse is a terrible thing) and/or be based on a limited field of experience. The real test is how those numbers stack up a few years (or months for some folks) down the road.

Congrats on your new G&L. I hope that it treats you well!

 

[dgce]

There are always the achieved reviews at Bass Player Magazine. Though obviously the bulk of there advertisement are from bass and bass related manufacturers, their reviews seem pretty fair. If its crap, they usually tell it like it is.

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