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Do Americans need more expensive basses?

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topo morto

Mar 22, 2010
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Lloegyr
#1
Was looking at Invalid Link Removed on a UK-based bass forum, about the age old question of 'are more expensive basses really better?'.

Interested to see the difference in opinion in that thread compared to the 'cheap vs expensive' threads on this site, where there often seems to be a majority who feel that more money gets you more performance, at least until you get to a couple of thousand dollars or so.

What gives? Are Brits just so poor that they can't bear to admit that they can't afford a decent bass? Or so talentless that they can't tell the difference? Or is it that Americans are just more easily taken in by the lure of something shiny?
 
#3
topo morto said:
Was looking at Invalid Link Removed on a UK-based bass forum, about the age old question of 'are more expensive basses really better?'.

Interested to see the difference in opinion in that thread compared to the 'cheap vs expensive' threads on this site, where there often seems to be a majority who feel that more money gets you more performance, at least until you get to a couple of thousand dollars or so.

What gives? Are Brits just so poor that they can't bear to admit that they can't afford a decent bass? Or so talentless that they can't tell the difference? Or is it that Americans are just more easily taken in by the lure of something shiny?
Click to expand...

A lot of it is due to how the spin on American Made products was played out across the world. Back in the day, there was a HUGE emphasis put on american products & they were touted as better than elsewhere. This helped build their brands & reputation within North America. It was less influential elsewhere.

Nowadays, that logic doesn't really apply but it has carried over. It will slowly go the way of the dodo, as more of the people who grew up in those generations pass on.
 
#8
There generally are advantages to a more expensive bass. Quality of parts, electronics, fit, finish. Warranty can also be a consideration - as might resale value. There's also the "status" factor. Will you still have GAS if you buy the cheaper - but not if you buy the more expensive one? A good example is a Gibson Tbird vs an Epiphone Classic Tbird, the former being about 3 x the cost (in Canada anyway). Is the difference in cost justifiable (an individual decision)?, do you care if it says Gibson or Epiphone on the headstock?
 
#9
AaronVonRock said:
I think a good quality, good sounding bass can be bought for US$500-600.

I saw the Rig Rundown with Ben Sheppard from Soundgarden and his main bass on the last three Soundgarden tours is a MIM Fender P.
Click to expand...

You can get a good quality bass for 500.00,no argument there. Some of us,like me,want better than that. USA made Fenders and Music Man for me.
 
#10
In the real world made in USA hasn't meant much since the 70's, and even less since the 90's. I have owned quality US made instruments over the years. What I do appreciate is that a person can get a quality instrument today in their price range, or make a marginal one a good one. Back in the 60's and 70's when a lot of us started playing, that wasn't the case.
Like it or not, we're in a world economy now and even the big US corps have to have a number of price points and offshore products or components to survive. Welcome to the real world.
 
#11
I'll answer this topic with the five terms that apply best in this case and others alike it.

Selective perception
Selective abstraction
Generalization
Supposition
Prejudgment


What that means is that none of the strategies mentioned so far are even remotely sufficient enough to come to a logical conclusion of this completely irrelevant question. That is, of course, my subjective opinion which is dominated by a far more relaxed view of the world and the people and actually embracing people doing stuff differently instead of sitting on my porch holding up a shotgun as a monumental representation of something very much smaller in my life.
 
#12
topo morto said:
What gives? Are Brits just so poor that they can't bear to admit that they can't afford a decent bass? Or so talentless that they can't tell the difference? Or is it that Americans are just more easily taken in by the lure of something shiny?
Click to expand...

This gives -

Consumer Prices in United Kingdom are 30.20% higher than in United States
Consumer Prices Including Rent in United Kingdom are 26.19% higher than in United States
Rent Prices in United Kingdom are 17.33% higher than in United States
Restaurant Prices in United Kingdom are 48.30% higher than in United States
Groceries Prices in United Kingdom are 12.94% higher than in United States
Local Purchasing Power in United Kingdom is 28.78% lower than in United States

Now take into account that Americans are paid higher salaries and pay MUCH lower taxes, and you have a people that can afford to buy nicer things.
 
#13
GretschBassist said:
I'll answer this topic with the five terms that apply best in this case and others alike it.

Selective perception
Selective abstraction
Generalization
Supposition
Prejudgment


What that means is that none of the strategies mentioned so far are even remotely sufficient enough to come to a logical conclusion of this completely irrelevant question. That is, of course, my subjective opinion which is dominated by a far more relaxed view of the world and the people and actually embracing people doing stuff differently instead of sitting on my porch holding up a shotgun as a monumental representation of something very much smaller in my life.
Click to expand...

Huh ? I guess he said, If ya dig it, ya dig it. Dig it ! :bassist:
 
#19
awilkie84 said:
A lot of it is due to how the spin on American Made products was played out across the world. Back in the day, there was a HUGE emphasis put on american products & they were touted as better than elsewhere. This helped build their brands & reputation within North America. It was less influential elsewhere.
Click to expand...

You are correct. "Made in America" always meant more in the US than internationally. Many American products are looked at as being inferior, such as cars and beef.

Personally, I don't think a MIA Fender is worth double the price of a MIM or even a MIC. But the fact that it's "Made in America" is important mainly to Americans.
 
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