• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

Do Americans need more expensive basses?

Status
Not open for further replies.
#202
GBassNorth said:
I've just read this entire thread from beginning to end and as best I can tell we've officially come to the following conclusions in response to the original question:

1) If you're from the UK you're clothes are a mess.
2) Communism solves all social problems and Capitalism has killed millions.
3) Basses made in the US are over rated
4) No one has ever had a legitimate need to buy an expensive bass
5) Any bass that exceeds the cost of a basic functional bass (i.e. Squier Bronco bass) is expensive
6) Americans work hard and don't have time to play, drive, or have orgies
7) A vacation in New Mexico for a family of four costs $10,000
8) UK bands in the '60s that played Gibsons lusted after our expensive and rare Fenders made in America
9) Drinking wine out of crystal is better than drinking it out of plastic
10) Buying Chinese products supports slavery
11) Bill Wyman played cheap guitars that cost orders of magnitude more than a Squier bronco bass
12) You can buy a Fender Made in America by Mexicans or one made in Mexico by Mexicans - same goes for pizza

I'm really confused, what was the original question?
Click to expand...

Updating for new insights...

13) You can drive to work in a Yugo or a Benz
14) The Great Wall of China can't be seen from outer space by the naked eye
15) There's a difference between beating a dead horse and beating on one
16) if you have an uncle named Jack, don't let him get near any horses
17) [DEL]Its[/DEL] It's possible to be a grammar nerd without being a grammar Nazi
18) North Korea welcomes all like minded people with open arms
19) From this time on, all bass players should always play their instruments blindfolded during performances, then nobody in the room will be able to tell if it's a cheap or expensive bass
20) Instruments are like red wine, any bass exceeding $40 is at the point of diminishing returns
21) Germans don't like shiny objects
22) UK bass players are incapable of playing an instrument with more than four strings

That about sums it up so far, but I'm still confused - what was the original question?
 
#203
I'd have to toss my hat in (for basses at least) for Japanese or Asian-made instruments. I love my Ibanez basses (especially the MIJ ones) and like modding them to get the sound I want. The feel on them is what really sells me.

I am getting to be quite the GK fanboy when it comes to amps though...might have to say that I prefer American-made amps (well, semi American-made)
 
#204
I've played more "playable" Import basses than "playable" American basses.

Why do people think that American guitar makers are so much more qualified then Asian makers. The all use the same machines and same techniques.

I realize some basses come with better hardware and electronics but that hardly warrants all the extra money companies like Fender demand.
 
#206
Bassbubble11 said:
...
I realize some basses come with better hardware and electronics but that hardly warrants all the extra money companies like Fender demand.
Click to expand...

Fender & Gibson has been making gear on name alone for nearly 30 years. That current Fender basses are as nice as they have ever made them should be telling: They are nice, but they are hardly mind-boggling (and don't get me started on Gibson... ick!). The one thing that you get buying a Fender or Gibson that you do not get buying a Carvin or similar bass is *resale value*.

That's about it.
 
#208
smcgov said:
I don't remember Mark King or John Entwistle playing Ibanez
Click to expand...


http://www.rockmine.com/Ox1.html


"The various Musician models were endorsed by several high-profile musicians, including The Police's Sting[10] U2's Adam Clayton, Fleetwood Mac's John McVie and The Who's John Entwistle.[11]"
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ibanez_Musician_Bass

There's a really prominent german bass player, Helmut Hattler, who was playing Ibanez roadstar basses for a long time. Ibanez wantet him to play the more expensive models, but he prefered the cheaper ones and rejected to do so.

Dirk
 
#209
SanDiegoHarry said:
Fender & Gibson has been making gear on name alone for nearly 30 years. That current Fender basses are as nice as they have ever made them should be telling: They are nice, but they are hardly mind-boggling (and don't get me started on Gibson... ick!). The one thing that you get buying a Fender or Gibson that you do not get buying a Carvin or similar bass is *resale value*.

That's about it.
Click to expand...

Thankfully I buy basses to play......... not to resell.
 
#211
587_zps48610f15.jpg
 
#213
Considering Paul McCartney was able to inspire generations of people to start playing electric bass and write and record tons of number 1 hits and he started out using a cheap Hofner "Gibson copy" I would say, no, we don't NEED expensive basses. Some people want them though. There might even be advantages of some expensive basses vs cheaper basses, but most of the time I think those advantages are advantages that only the player will know.
I do think we get a bit too obsessed with gear sometimes. Most people here will agree that the most important thing in your tone is your fingers and how you play. Victor Wooten is going to sound like Victor Wooten no matter what he plays, same with Flea, McCartney, etc. So if we all agree that our tone comes from our playing why do we spend more time "Gasing" for different gear rather than playing?
 
#214
sxaxsx said:
So if we all agree that our tone comes from our playing why do we spend more time "Gasing" for different gear rather than playing?
Click to expand...
Looking at shiny stuff is way easier than sitting down with a metronome for a few hours every day, thinking about scales, chords, keys, techniques, and then findings or creating situations to apply all that. Both give you a good feeling, but shopping and buying something valuable takes way less effort for that temporary high.
 
#217
sxaxsx said:
Considering Paul McCartney was able to inspire generations of people to start playing electric bass and write and record tons of number 1 hits and he started out using a cheap Hofner "Gibson copy" I would say, no, we don't NEED expensive basses. Some people want them though. There might even be advantages of some expensive basses vs cheaper basses, but most of the time I think those advantages are advantages that only the player will know.
I do think we get a bit too obsessed with gear sometimes. Most people here will agree that the most important thing in your tone is your fingers and how you play. Victor Wooten is going to sound like Victor Wooten no matter what he plays, same with Flea, McCartney, etc. So if we all agree that our tone comes from our playing why do we spend more time "Gasing" for different gear rather than playing?
Click to expand...

It may all be in Victor's fingers, but he still mostly plays his Foderas!

Why? Because this is AMERICA! I don't think 9 SX basses are too many! I can balance that with my Alembic, Ken Smith and Modulus! Hey, I love all my basses and each one gives me something unique that I want. What each cost is irrelevant. Tone is where you find it. Sometimes it's cheap and sometimes the only way you can get it is to open your wallet and fork out.

But before we yankees start to strut too much, I'd point out that the maker of most expensive bass on the planet is German. (Jens) But I would also point out that in putting it up for sale he shipped it to Los Vegas.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back