Does having a better, high-end bass improve your playing?

[shadow_FIX]

To a degree, you're right. For example, I started on a MM copy and eventually bought a Stingray. Both were setup equally well, and both play(ed) just fine. The overall feel, sound, and playability was definitely better (to me) on the Ray though. It was one of those "how did I ever get by playing that?" situations.

That being said, I've played some $200 basses that felt GREAT, and I've played some $1000 instruments that feel like utter crap. Most of this is to blame on the setup, however, but there is something to be said about the craftsmanship of the instrument.

If it doesn't feel right, perhaps you should try a different bass. For example, many many people love Warwick basses, but for some reason they just don't feel right in my hands. I've tried a decent number of them...just can't get into it!

 

[Calaverasgrande]

There is also that setups vary depending on playing style. My Sterling has a medium to low action for fingerstyle and pick. My magnum has quite a bit of relief to the neck for playing with a pick very hard without bottoming out on the frets. Likewise for slap you want a different setup.
So a high end bass setup for a very aggressive bassist may appear to be poorer than a low end bass with a very low setup. I actually hate that super low action thing. Gets in the way of dynamics!

 

[SanDiegoHarry]

If you can't play, you can't play.

That said, a better instrument *should* be easier to play. A cheap instrument will often require you to "Fight" it to do what you want - and that's no good.

The key concept here is ease of play - appearance and tone mean nothing if you can't play the thing, right?

 

[anonymous122511]

If you can't play, you can't play.

That said, a better instrument *should* be easier to play. A cheap instrument will often require you to "Fight" it to do what you want - and that's no good.

I think that has been very true in the past but when I pick up a CV Squier Jazz I think it's more possible than at any other point in the history of the bass guitar to have a cheap instrument that plays great and sounds good. Given the amazing quality of sub-$500 basses these days I don't see why a beginner not yet fully committed to the instrument would spend more.

 

[gnjpowell]

Yes it can. I believe you want a bass that is better than you are a player. Could be better setup or a better bass or both. An inferior playing or sounding bass will slow your progress and hold you back. Ideally all of your equipment should be better than you are. You will grow into it as you advance Vs being held back by inferior equipment. All IMHO. Want to be a better skier? FOLLOW a better skier than you are... go where he goes... turn where he turns... do what he does...

 

[kjpollo]

IMO playability is all about the setup and 99% of the basses out there can be set up well. Sound is a much different story. Since this is TB, I say buy another bass.

lowsound

"since this is TB, I say buy another bass WITH TORT"

Fixed it!

 

[spade2you]

In my experience, high end basses tend to be much more sensitive as instruments. They respond to and transmit every nuance, and so allow a very wide range of expression.

This is a double edged sword - good technique is rewarded with expressive, inspiring, beautiful tone. But every clank and buzz of poor technique stands out like a sore thumb.

LOL, I think the sensitivity forces players to develop very clean technique OR hate all boutique basses forever and ever!

 

[Dbassmon]

Practice improves your playing.

 

[TRichardsbass]

Short answer: Yes, to a point.

+1

Higher end instruments usually are "beefier", have more comfortable profiles on body and neck, have smoother, more navigable coatings on the neck back, and often are actually thinner in many ways. The pickups are usually better, meaning better overall sound and many times higher output for lesser effort, and have much better nuts and bridges that allow better setups and often allow the instrument to stay in tune better.

So, yes, to a point, your playing will be "better." Your sound will be a little better, and your playing should be more comfortable, therefore better.

However, I agree with others, a poor set up on a great instrument will sound and feel worse then a great set up on a mediocre instrument. Also, at some point, it does all come down to you. Don't expect better slap tones if you can't slap, don't expect the miracle of Jamerson to come out of your fingers just because you have a '62 P.

Now, when it comes to recording, no matter what anyone says here, a computer and software CANNOT make up for the sound of a cheaper bass recorded. In my 30+ years, my new basses, like my 1990's Danelectro Longhorn Reissue, Korean copy, cannot even touch the sound of my vintage Dano longhorn, nor can it come close to competing with my Jerry Jones Longhorn copy.

 

[Hobobob]

For harmonics on an electric bass, you have to emphasis the bridge pickup otherwise it sound very very thin and not loud

Only if your bass sucks at reproducing harmonics. My bass has no problem with harmonics with the pan knob dead center.

 

[cahir231]

Thanks for all the replies, folks!

Four comments/clarifications:

To the question posed, I think a high end bass will improve your playing, because it will magnify any signs of poor technique and force you to correct bad habits. But depending on your style of music, that may not be a needed or even wanted thing

I personally prefer (and am working on) jazz, progressive, avant-garde styles (probably stemming from my classical background), but I'm still very much in love with blues, rock, even some metal. I'm kind of a musical universalist in this sense...I enjoy at least a part of most everything that comes my way. With this in mind I feel it may be good to have an easily adaptable instrument in the future...

If you can't play, you can't play.

That said, a better instrument *should* be easier to play. A cheap instrument will often require you to "Fight" it to do what you want - and that's no good.

The key concept here is ease of play - appearance and tone mean nothing if you can't play the thing, right?

I am no virtuosic player as of yet (having only seriously practiced ["seriously" meaning consistent 4-7 hour sessions] for a couple months), but I'm ultimately aiming for as fluid and spotless a technique as possible. That being said, I don't feel that I'm so bad of a player that the bass has nothing to do with the problem. Having already played a string instrument, bass comes pretty naturally and simply to me. Maybe I'm not good enough to overcome the bass's limitations yet, but...eh, as it is, more practice will probably solve a lot of things. It's just frustrating not being able to even try certain things because your sound is abominable.

However, I agree with others, a poor set up on a great instrument will sound and feel worse then a great set up on a mediocre instrument. Also, at some point, it does all come down to you. Don't expect better slap tones if you can't slap, don't expect the miracle of Jamerson to come out of your fingers just because you have a '62 P.

Point taken. Once again, I'm not as well-rounded a player as I hope to be eventually, but I'm not so terrible of a player that these concepts are way out of my league. The way it is right now, I can't bring myself to practice slap because the resulting sound is too bad (even though doing the same thing on that other, better bass I mentioned previously made a nice, compact, appropriate sound), so currently, I'm going nowhere in that area.

There is also that setups vary depending on playing style. My Sterling has a medium to low action for fingerstyle and pick. My magnum has quite a bit of relief to the neck for playing with a pick very hard without bottoming out on the frets. Likewise for slap you want a different setup.

Apologies if this is a ******** question, but does this mean I need to change my setup for each playing style to get the best sound? What if I want to switch between various styles within the context of one song, i.e., fingerstyle to a slap section, then back to fingerstyle, then a tapping section, etc.? (obviously this is a hypothetical situation and most likely rare, but still...for the sake of knowledge and experience...)

 

[SanDiegoHarry]

I think that has been very true in the past but when I pick up a CV Squier Jazz I think it's more possible than at any other point in the history of the bass guitar to have a cheap instrument that plays great and sounds good. Given the amazing quality of sub-$500 basses these days I don't see why a beginner not yet fully committed to the instrument would spend more.

I would agree that cheap instruments are more playable than ever - much more so than they were when I was starting out.

 

[littlepope]

That is like saying, does having a rich wife/girl friend keep you from getting sick? Depends ...if she can cook or not.

I played an expensive Alembic. If I have to alter my attack and hands to play any given song, then it is not for me. Any bass should play effortless in your hands. t should be IMO an extension of your craft & thoughts.

(do not try to play chords on a 30" scale bass if you have been playing 34" basses all you life!!!) U are asking to punished.

DJ

 

[spade2you]

I would agree that cheap instruments are more playable than ever - much more so than they were when I was starting out.

Very much agreed and it has only been about 15 years since I've started. They still have more than a little ways to go compared to a few of the luthiers who specialize in a meticulous setup.

 

[Gus Borden]

Playing a better quality bass can be a lot more FUN. But in theory, it won't make you any better.

I play what would be considered mid-level basseshere on TB. Off-shore MTD Kingston basses. Owned a Warwick or two before. I have also owned a few Squiers that were some damn solid instruments.

I would say rake it to a pro and spend $40 or $50 on a proper set up. It will definitely make a difference. You can even upgrade the pickups if you wish for a relatively small sum. You will find lots of good advise here on TB for that type of thing. Get the most out of that Squier before you kick it to the curb. You may be surprised.

I am definitely not saying don't buy a better bass, but from your posts you haven't tried a lot of different basses, before you plunk down your hard rained money, do the rounds. Go to all the music shops and play as many different basses as you can to see what will speak to you. Forums and other people's opinions will only get you so far. Personally playing more basses will get you the input you need.

Good luck, I'm through rambling!!

 

[MonkeyBass]

Yes... if it's the right bass for you. No, if it's not.

I've had some cheap basses in my 20+ years of playing that have kicked the a$$es of some higher end models. But, those same instruments that didn't work for me may work for someone else.

Right now my favorite bass is on the pricey side but it just happens to really play well.

 

[bassbenj]

I like playing different instruments. They can be inspirational, just due to their uniqueness or difference from what you usually play. It could be cheap or expensive, but only you can determine what inspires you. Sometimes to me playing something modern with super low action inspires. Other times it is something vintage, that may not play the best but just has that "vibe".

But at the end of the day, you've got to find inspriation from within.

This is it exactly. A high-end bass will never make you a better player. It may, however enable you to make better MUSIC! A low-end bass can do that too.

To play better you need a bass that works. As everyone here has said that is about a proper setup or whatever the problems are. All my cheapo basses play just fine. If they don't, they get worked on until they do. And if they are beyond hope they get sold. We are not talking tons of cash here. I do most of it myself.

But the tone and inspiration an instrument gives you is a totally different thing. That is all about the music. And I might add is independent of the cost of a bass. Sometimes the absolute best instrument for your music is one that looks like it's been laying in a swamp for years. (Note I said LOOKS. Remember what we said above about all your instruments being setup to play well no matter what they look/sound like). And sometimes it's the highest end of the highest end. Music is funny that way. When something sounds right is IS right, and what it cost is totally irrelevant.

And finally let me add that sometimes a high-end bass can make your playing WORSE! When I got my Alembic, for years it was too much bass for me. Too much skill required to bring out it's best. Too many options without me having the experience to choose. And simply too much control required in the fingers to keep the music restrained. Happily, all such problems are fixed by practice. Sometimes it's better to stay with a bass that limits you to doing only a few things. That lets you concentrate better on the things it does do!

 

[queevil]

Well, I've given this a little more thought. I love mountain biking so I'll use it as an analogy. Some riders are so talented that they ride well on any bike. I'm talking about world class riders who consistently rank in the top 10 or 20 in the world. Many of them race bikes that break the $10k mark easily. Why so much money? If they're so talented why wouldn't they ride a $1 or $2k bike or even a wal mart bike? They would still ride better than most people if they did.

Here's what I realized a long time ago but never really thought about it in the context of playing bass. When a person is extremely talented with a high level of ability at any given pursuit they usually are capable of doing very well with low end to mid level equipment. However, if you give that person the very best equipment that money can buy be it, a mountain bke, golf clubs, running shoes or a bass guitar it allows that person to wring out that last 5 or 10% of unrealized ability that they might not have on cheaper equipment.

I think the same thing can be said for bass. For someone like me jazz basses are good enough right now. For someone like Adam Nitti, he gets to realize most if not all of his potential with his gear and he should.

 

[mongo2]

I just play the damn thing, whatever it is.

 

[prd004]

If you're not satisfied with the way an instrument feels and sounds, I think it will have a negative effect on your playing. If an instrument inspires you, then you won't put it down!

I agree with the previous posters that a set up seems to be in order. Even the most expensive basses need setup maintenence to keep their playability up to par, and cheaper instruments skimp on the setup.

Slaping and poping takes a ton of practice, it's a difficult technique to controll. So keep working at it.

Lastly, if your bass is setup properly and it feels/plays right but your tone is still not good, I would think about a better amp.