Do Americans need more expensive basses?

[BawanaRik]

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.

Ask Hank Marvin. Things may have changed but Fender and Gibson are brands with appeal.

 

[zontar]

None of my gear was real expensive--some is middle of the line, some lower, but I love it all.

 

[topo morto]

Err i think there's a distinct difference between beating a dead horse and beating on one. *chuckles*

 

[AaronVonRock]

Err i think there's a distinct difference between beating a dead horse and beating on one. *chuckles*

Just like there is a difference between "helping my Uncle Jack off a horse" and "helping my uncle jack off a horse".

 

[topo morto]

hogwash - I see it equally from both sides around here. Those with high-end instruments love to lord them over those with more meagre gear (if you can't tell the difference you don't need it etc) just as much as guys killing it on affordable gear love to point out that if you can't get it done on a decent, affordable bass - you just can't get it done.

I dunno if it's "lording" but "if you can't tell the difference you don't need it etc." is definitely apparent.

I call BS. Care to site some examples?

http://www.talkbass.com/forum/f8/does-price-=-quality-sound-1043698/ is the kind of thread you want to look in... let's see.... (clicks randomly in middle of thread) posts 211, 257... (clicks back a bit) 84...

 

[darrenmt]

Just like there is a difference between "helping my, Uncle Jack, off a horse" and "helping my uncle, jack off a horse".

Fixed

 

[AaronVonRock]

Fixed

???

Not to be a grammar nerd, but you just added three unnecessary commas.

Ok, I'm a grammar nerd but not a grammar Nazi.

 

[topo morto]

Not, to be, a gram,mar nerd, bu,,,t y,ou ,,ju,s,t a,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, ,u,,, ,,,,,,,,,,,,, ,,,c,,,,,

Fixed

 

[AaronVonRock]

Fixed

That's like reading dialogue in an Irvine Welsh novel.

 

[Major Softie]

???

Not to be a grammar nerd, but you just added three unnecessary commas.

Ok, I'm a grammar nerd but not a grammar Nazi.

Yeah, I'm one too, Aaron. It's one thing to correct people's grammar/punctuation, but it's quite another to do it, proclaim it, and not only have it all wrong, but have "fixed" something that had nothing wrong with it to begin with.

:scowl:

 

[topo morto]

That's like reading dialogue in an Irvine Welsh novel.

In Welshian grammar, the comma is used neither to separate clauses, nor for apposition, but to indicate that someone is injecting skag.

 

[darrenmt]

Just like there is a difference between "helping my Uncle, Jack, off a horse" and "helping my uncle jack off a horse".

This is right too.

I'm sorry my previous error hurt your feelings.

 

[topo morto]

Thanks, it was my pleasure. Feel free to update the tongue in cheek key learnings list as the thread progresses.

So to summarise this page, we should add : Nothing good will come of helping your uncle jack off a dead horse.

 

[darrenmt]

So to summarise this page, we should add : Nothing good will come of helping your uncle jack off a dead horse.

Yes we mustn't forget this point. ;p

 

[AaronVonRock]

This is right too.

I'm sorry my previous error hurt your feelings.

No, it's not correct. I've been teaching English for the past 10 years at universities and international schools. I correct comma mistakes like yours on an almost daily basis.

You didn't hurt my feelings. Peace.

 

[elBandito]

North Korea welcomes you with open arms.

...and what exactly is wrong with Communism? Everything bad that we were told about Communism and what it would do to our countries has come true under Capitalism. The system ain't the problem here...

 

[Roy Vogt]

Late to this party, but the two most expensive 6 strings I own (clocking in at 3K and 6K respectively at Street Price) are Spanish and German instruments. When you consider the prices for Status and Wal as well as the prices for a lot of German instruments I don't think European bassists are shy about spending money on instruments. However, I do think we have a good bit more disposable income here in the US (or did before the 2008 Crash-Ouch!) and so we're not shy about buying expensive basses whether working players or hobbyists.

 

[GregC]

I dunno if it's "lording" but "if you can't tell the difference you don't need it etc." is definitely apparent.



http://www.talkbass.com/forum/f8/does-price-=-quality-sound-1043698/ is the kind of thread you want to look in... let's see.... (clicks randomly in middle of thread) posts 211, 257... (clicks back a bit) 84...

I looked at post 211. Not sure how it could be classified as anything other than a reasonable response to an insulting post filled with speculation. Here's the post he was responding to (I've snipped out the irrelevant part):

BS. People can talk all they want about quality controle, better wood, craftmanship etc... people that have 3000 dollar instruments do so because they can. It's more of a status symbol thing than an actual upgrade over a cheaper bass. Blindfolded...between a well setup Squier and MIA, most of us would not know the difference. At the end of the day the instruments setup, electronics and playability decide which bass is up there with the best. Not a 3000 dollar pricetag, a Fender decal or the fact that a bass is made in the US.

 

[Mechanical]

Instruments are like red wine.

You can get something perfectly drinkable for $10.

But once you go over $20, the quality gets better.

Over $40, and you're at the point of diminishing returns.

IMHO, boutique basses are built by craftsmen for the indulgence of their owners.

 

[WoodyG3]

So we are doing the cheap vs. expensive bass thread again? This time it's with a little social commentary on those of us who live in the USA and our desire to own "shiny things." I guess nobody is picking on Germans who love their German made, fairly expensive Warwicks, because most of them have an oil finish and aren't shiny.