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Cost vs Common Sense?

#101
funkymonk13 said:
We've had this type of thread before and it usually turns into a $&@tshow. Why do people get so defensive about having expensive instruments? I've said this before but no one cares that your bass is more expensive than you are good.

You're completely missing the point man...no need to overthink it, worry about pickup types, preamps, etc. Its a lighthearted video basically saying "tone is in the fingers".
Both basses sound fine. Im sure the expensive one is better. But the other bass is fine too. Its all about what you do with the instrument, the music you make, how much you enjoy it, etc.
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I took this to be directed at players to whom expensive basses were out of reach, and to not be discouraged because there are many fine basses at affordable price points.

I think you'll find that for most bass players for whom price is no object, that they don't break the bank on lavish basses, nor do they go around showing off their basses hoping someone notices.

Let's be blunt. If someone owns a $5000 bass and thinks it demonstrates financial status, that's the person who has the least realistic view of both finance and status.

Similarly, if you can't afford a $5000 bass but you form a negative opinion of everyone in the world who does, that's just sour grapes and get over it.
 
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#104
fuzzychaos said:
Being an artist is pretty much about self promotion. You want people to buy your art, correct? An artist who doesn't self promote is usually a person with so called "integrity", but with little spending money.
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How exactly could Scott be called an "artist"? I'm not trying to put him down, and I respect what he does - but it could hardly be called art...
 
#108
mesaplayer83 said:
I was just answering someone who directly quoted me - IMO, someone who teaches isn't necessarily an artist...
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By some of the definitions of an artist such as a person who works in one of the performing arts, as an actor, musician, or singer; a public performer. or, a person whose work exhibits exceptional skill, he is indeed an artist. He makes his living playing and teaching bass. He has recorded and he plays live. So, yeah, he's an artist. You may not like what he does but that does not negate the definition.
 
#109
gln1955 said:
It raises the ugly debate of whether any musician is an artist or what special qualities are needed to rise to the level of an artist. I assume Scott is more than just a teacher, but I'm not familiar with his résumé.
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By definition, he works in the performing arts, so I think that counts. He makes his living playing and teaching. I think we tend to think of "artist" as purely indicative of someone special or a singular talent when it really is much more pedestrian.
 
#110
fuzzychaos said:
By definition, he works in the performing arts, so I think that counts. He makes his living playing and teaching. I think we tend to think of "artist" as purely indicative of someone special or a singular talent when it really is much more pedestrian.
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I Agree. Some would say you need to create original music to be an artist. That leaves out many of obvious incredible talent.
 
#112
Let's face it, there's a law of diminishing returns in most things.

A $5,000 bass doesn't sound 10x better than a $500 bass. And it definitely doesn't sound 20x better than a $250 bass.

At some point, you're paying for esthetics in the way the bass is made and how it looks, and you're not paying for a significant improvement in sound. And that's up to the owner. It's the same with many things we buy and own, as we often pay more for a product that we consider to be esthetically superior to another product.
 
#113
DigitalMan said:
I took this to be directed at players to whom expensive basses were out of reach, and to not be discouraged because there are many fine basses at affordable price points.

I think you'll find that for most bass players for whom price is no object, that they don't break the bank on lavish basses, nor do they go around showing off their basses hoping someone notices.

Let's be blunt. If someone owns a $5000 bass and thinks it demonstrates financial status, that's the person who has the least realistic view of both finance and status.

Similarly, if you can't afford a $5000 bass but you form a negative opinion of everyone in the world who does, that's just sour grapes and get over it.
Click to expand...

The truth is so obvious some people can't see it.
 
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#114
fuzzychaos said:
By some of the definitions of an artist such as a person who works in one of the performing arts, as an actor, musician, or singer; a public performer. or, a person whose work exhibits exceptional skill, he is indeed an artist. He makes his living playing and teaching bass. He has recorded and he plays live. So, yeah, he's an artist. You may not like what he does but that does not negate the definition.
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I don't see it that way, but will agree to disagree... and btw, I never said that I "don't like what he does", I just find his delivery to be a bit tiresome...
 
#115
Every time I think a guitar, bass, or whatever is too much I am reminded the dumb stuff I did in the past and this is just a touch of the iceberg:
-$600 on an EMS course and eventually dropping out when I realized how much responsibility I am taking and giving up the money
-Motorcycles: Honda Nighthawk; Honda Sabre; Kawasaki Dual-Sport; Ducati Monster 1100cc and selling them back at a loss the next season
-The amount of vehicles I went through and the reasons for doing so
-Loaning out money and never getting it back
-Buying some of the dumbest crap and getting rid of it
-Half-way through my sophomore year in college and dropping out after all the money my mother paid
I am just sick with myself.
 
#116
So I have a wealthy Uncle; he's also frugal to the extreme. Said to me once" "I bet you paid $200 for those shoes, didn't you" Look at mine- $25 at Shoes for Less!"
I told him "Great, but those look like what they issue to Prisoners being released!"
I bet they didn't wear well either.

I don't see what the concern is over what anyone (else) spends on their axe. It's nobody's business, and unless a person digs themselves into a financial hole or runs up big Credit Card debt- its all good.

I used my (approx. $3k) SAGO OVE-4 Google it if you wish- last night and nobody can tell me that it it doesn't sound better than that $100 Jazz Bass in the video; with my fingers or Scott's, or whomever- its debatable whether the $11K Fodera would sound any better.

That particular SAGO bass sounds perfect, because of the woods used, the build, and the electronics combined with the fit and finish.
It could not be offered for much less $$, allowing the builder to earn a living of course!
The bass is light (thermal wood body) and punchy with great clarity and definition.
I don't regret paying the price; its worth it to me; as would the Fodera be if I purchased it.

The "80 Quid" J-Bass? Not so much.
 

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