Difference between basses?

[NoiseNinja]

To a certain degree it is a matter of quality improvement overall, but to some extend it is mostly a matter of the consistency and quality control.

Meaning that with cheaper basses it tend to be more random weather you get a good instrument or not, though you can get lucky and get a true gem that with upgraded electronics and hardware might be just as good as any more expensive bass.

The price related to quality also tend to be a matter of which brands we are talking about.

I know for instance that Ibanez instruments generally have a really high quality compared to their price point.

 

[GreyBeard]

I bought an extremely cheap no name bass for $70 a few weeks ago. I just wanted something to play on to see if bass was something I'd be interested in. Now that I'm pretty sure it's something I'd like to keep playing, I'd like to start saving up to get something better. I'm wondering what are the differences between a really cheap bass and one that costs at least $300 or more? I was thinking of getting the next one maybe on a $300-500 budget.

There is a huge difference between a $70 bass and a $300 bass. A much bigger difference than there is between a $300 and a $600. For $300 you can get a Squire, Ibanez, or any number of entry level basses that will sound good, play well, and stay in tune. I have a SX bass that I paid less than $200 for that plays and sounds great.

 

[Jack Butler]

Lots of good advice here already. The other thing to try to get a handle on is what YOU really prefer. Is a wide nut but thin front to back neck with a flat radius best? Well for you the answer might be yes. For me, all the build quality in the world can’t make that any good. I like jazz width, but thick like a baseball bat, and 7.5 radius. Pickups, do you like P, jazz, soapbars? I like stingray single humbucker, or Warwick $$. I like super low action, and flatwound strings. Some people like high action so they can dig in more, and roundwounds.

 

[Kaa]

I'll throw out my standard: old Peavey USA basses. The Foundation S I had had the best neck I've ever played. Just perfectly shaped and sized (for me, obviously). Can't say enough good about them.

 

[Fender_Bender]

I’ll add my advice. After such a short period of time it’s seems unlikely to me that you’ll be able to understand just exactly what type of bass would suit you best in terms of sound,feel,scale length, string types, # of strings etc.

 

[dbsfgyd1]

Up to a certain point, the increase in price is usually related to an increase in quality, such as better hardware, different woods, better workmanship etc.

However, it is possible to find good and bad in all price points, as it is all about personal preference.

I have some really cheap basses that I absolutely love, and have had/tried others at a much higher price range that I just didn't like. I have also come accross amazing basses at a higher price point that make you drool, and others that make you wonder where the price is coming from.

You talk of a couple of hundred more that $70, let's say <$300, that is the a really low price point for a bass, but it doesn't mean you can't find something for that price that will be great. My recommendation would be to look at used basses around that price, trying as many as you can until you find the one that you really like, but keep on saving as you go, and your budget will increase giving you far more options to choose from.

In the <$300 range I have come accross some really nice basses from Squier, Yamaha and Ibanez, but again, that is just my personal taste, others will like something completely different. I also own 4x Harley Benton basses, all of which were less than 300 new, and they are pretty decent (IMO) but I have tried other Harley Bentons at the same price level (or more) which I simply didn't get on with.

The first step is to find out exactly what you want to improve on your current bass, and take it from there.

Good advice here.

 

[XrisThaBassman]

I'll throw out my standard: old Peavey USA basses. The Foundation S I had had the best neck I've ever played. Just perfectly shaped and sized (for me, obviously). Can't say enough good about them.

Adding a shout-out to Ibanez BTB basses (can be had for cheap in your range and IMO the best mass-produced basses that Ibanez makes). And as Kawai-chang said, USA-made Peaveys can still be found from time-to-time and are a steal in your price range.

 

[Acoop]

45-years ago I got serious about bass and saved up $300 and bought a 66 Percision. ... It's hard to think in 2017 $300 is serious thought. ... I'm not saying you can't buy a bass for between $300 and $500, because I've been very successful at it, but, a serious players instrument is what to shoot for. ... It might take twice as long to save $1,000 or four times as long to save $2,000. And, trust me, once you own that better instrument you'll know why. ... Till then you'll still have your $70 bass.

 

[Rebopmass]

Just my opnion id put my 350 dollar Spector NS2A up against most 1 to 2k basses. I. love to take it to music stores all over new england grab some high end basses then plug that puppy in. Bottom line look around learn and you can find some gems. I should add it has barts older ones and a OBP3 preamp which im sure makes it more than a sonic force, but when i play it it cuts thru like a monster and has this bottom end underneath to die for. Im sure the high end guys will disagree but ive learned long to experiment and find out what works best for you. My other 3 basses are all franken builds that kick serious butt and i havent slent mors than 350 on any of them. Not looking to start a argument but gear war. Most of us dont have the available cash to play 2k animals and to be honest i dont see the need especially in all the bar gigs i play. Ill take my Spector any day. And many in the stores ive played this little game in have agreed.

Bottom line take ur time play as many as you can. Learn what u like and dont like. Learn what feels good to you and what doesnt. Learn about the sound you like and how you can obtain that. Learn how you the way you play can affect your tone. It wont happen overnight. Even now im.never satisfied completely but i have a vast knowledge and good basic ideas to build on.

 

[MYLOWFREQ]

It depends upon who you ask. I've seen people regularly gigging with Squier Affinities (can find them used for $100), and people sitting in their basements playing $1500 instruments. You have to play lots of instruments and see what works best for you. Certainly there is a difference in quality between instruments, but that is based on lots of things.

This.

 

[Rebopmass]

I did tinker around with this one a little and it seems fortunately that it helped it have a better feel rather than worse. I really didn't want to pay $45 at this point to set up a $70 bass. The truss rod I was a bit too scared to mess around with though.

To make u feel better my current P bas is a 40 dollar Peavey milestone some upgraded electronics but it kicks butt.

 

[five7]

Bought my first stingray for $465

 

[J-Bassomatic]

now that you know you like to play the bass, I'd go to music stores and try as many basses as I can to figure out what type of basses appeal to me the most sound/feel/look wise. then, you can search for one that's affordable. used is good.

This is pretty much the best advice on this matter, when you find 'the one' you will know it. Psst, the hitch is there is always more than one.

 

[bouncy]

when one is thirsty, a jug of cheap cold beer will do the job. Wait until you have a chance to try some good craft beer, you will not go back to cheap beer even when you are thirsty.

 

[klejst]

Other than the price obviously which does not necessarily mean it's a bad bass if it's cheap, however other things to consider between a cheap bass and more expensive/"better" bass is (talking about the more expensive/better):
1. Country of manufacture
2. Wood type
3. Scale and weight
4. Electronics and other hardware used
5. Type of bass
6. Brand (although having a name decal'ed on does not grant it superiority necessarily.

I'm sure I'm leaving out some other things however this is the main stuff I could think of.

Rule of thumb is play/use what YOU like and buy what YOU can afford.

 

[sleepyme666]

I’ll add my advice. After such a short period of time it’s seems unlikely to me that you’ll be able to understand just exactly what type of bass would suit you best in terms of sound,feel,scale length, string types, # of strings etc.

Yeah I was just curious in general what the differences are. When I get another one it would probably be at least 6 months from now. I don't need anything too expensive though. I'm not planning to play gigs. It's just something to do in my spare time that makes me happy. Hopefully in the future I'll find a couple friends to play around with for fun.

 

[Bassworship1]

It can be a crap shoot at times as I’ve had $1000 basses that blowed a custom build I had done one time that cost me $5000 lol.

 

[Fender_Bender]

Yeah I was just curious in general what the differences are. When I get another one it would probably be at least 6 months from now. I don't need anything too expensive though. I'm not planning to play gigs. It's just something to do in my spare time that makes me happy. Hopefully in the future I'll find a couple friends to play around with for fun.

My experience is that different basses, particularly different brands, sound and feel different. Play a Fender for awhile and then pick up a Rickenbacker and it’s going to feel completely different. I’m very comfortable with Fender ergonomics, to the point where most other basses would require an adjustment for me. When you have quite a bit of time under your belt you’ll find that the movements of your hands becomes automatic. Anything that forces me out of that comfort zone bugs me. And then there’s the whole string thing .

 

[sleepyme666]

My experience is that different basses, particularly different brands, sound and feel different. Play a Fender for awhile and then pick up a Rickenbacker and it’s going to feel completely different. I’m very comfortable with Fender ergonomics, to the point where most other basses would require an adjustment for me. When you have quite a bit of time under your belt you’ll find that the movements of your hands becomes automatic. Anything that forces me out of that comfort zone bugs me. And then there’s the whole string thing .

At this point it's hard to imagine anything being automatic. I look forward to that day though.

 

[Fender_Bender]

At this point it's hard to imagine anything being automatic. I look forward to that day though.

It’ll happen. Key thing is to practice every day,even if only briefly, in order to keep that familiarity going. Better to do 10 minutes/day everyday than 1 hour once a week.