Define a quality bass guitar.

[marchone]

This is the longest conversation I’ve had on talk bass. It must be a quality one. Yes the nuns. I also succumbed to there dogma, opinions and cane. Language is changing for the worse , it amazes me how words are substituted into inappropriate context. I suppose that’s the change.

You made my morning. Well done.

Now I’m off for a run. Later!

 

[fhm555]

why does this sound like a homework assignment?

Well, there was this one summer at band camp….

 

[pepj]

Good build, good hardware and put together with care and precision.

Things that get scrimped on are
Bridges
Tuners
Pre amps
in terms of manufacturing costs and general craftsmanship putting it all together.

Fortunately it appears that basses put together 45 years ago can be rubbish compared to basses put out today but costing the same in dollars ..even though the 45 years dog is now worth 3k...or rather that is the asking price.

I have a Sire v7 that knocks spots off my 75 Jazz..but the price i could get for that Jazz is incomprehensible

 

[smtp4me]

A blindfolded test of top bass makers would be the end-all to this conversation.

Yes, if tone is all that we are judging. Personally I would not judge a bass as good or bad based on tone. In fact, good or bad, to me, are a representation of the quality of components and quality of craftsmanship.

For me:
Good = no perceivable imperfections in materials and build quality
Decent = some imperfections, but the type that can easily be corrected
Bad = imperfections that cannot be easily fixed and/or not without a disproportionate cost to fix

 

[fretno]

Nothing is perfect that is man made , in fact it's often the imperfections and tool marks and signs of a craftsmen that make something more unique . I like to think fair pay and and respectful & honest business practices play a roll in something that is "quality" Sure slaves can make incredible things for their overlords but who wants a blood bass ?

 

[RogerTheAlien]

A bass with a setup ... any bass with a good setup

 

[75Ric]

High quality craftsmanship, materials and finish along with balance, feel and playability are fundamentals. I expect these as givens in a quality bass. Beyond that, though, what creates the dividing line between a high quality bass and "other rans" for me is evenness of notes up and down the fretboard with no dead spots.

 

[kmon]

A good bass doesn’t get in my way

 

[Clank Plank]

High quality craftsmanship...

Meaning what, if I may respectfully ask?

An artisan may spend many hours carving, shaping and sanding a neck by hand.

A machine may spit out an otherwise identical item in a minute or so.

One is high quality craftsmanshipm the other mass produced tat. Yet for all intents and purposes they are the same.

The word 'quality' in the consumer goods context is so misused, so misunderstood as to be meaningless these days.

For my own part I can only echo the sentiments above. I started in the 70's on cheap stuff that was truly awful. Nearly 50 years on we find instruments for the same price - allowing for inflation theyre actually far, far cheaper than their 70's ancestors - of astonishing playability and sound, with an accuracy of construction that is absolutely mind boggling at the price. And long may it continue.