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Does the name on the headstock really matter?

#21
I think I'm in minority here. I do find myself completely in OP's post.

Imagine yourself watching some great bass player on telly or live for the first time and you're amazed by sound you're hearing, that zingy clanky slap bass sound!

Then you want to have/play bass guitar and guess what!? You get it! As for the birthday present, woohoo!

Used beaten instrument with zillion years old flatwounds and 15W combo.

...
 
#23
It does, but it probably shouldn't.

Again, I'm only thinking in terms of resale value. I suspect some people won't buy a Squier over a Fender under almost any circumstances.

So I guess the answer is.... if you like the bass and want to keep it, then no, it doesn't matter. If you want to sell it, then it probably does. Unless you have a particularly savvy buyer who understands that Squier does not necessarily mean inferior.
 
#24
FMOE:
When starting out, not so much, as long as it plays well enough to keep you interested, or gives you the challenge to play junk well. As you progress, yes. You will outgrow the el-cheapo, and want something better. I haven't played in some time, but my best bass was a cheap.....errrrrr....mid-priced Samick. Things have improved in the manufacturing since then, and if I could afford it, I'd probably get a used upper end Fender, or Gibson. Unfortunately, my current budget (nil) won't permit anything in that range. I'm currently eyeing a used Epi Tbird IV (not pro) with 15W Crate amp. Getting that will all depend on certain funds coming in. It may well be gone by the time I get the cash, which is usually what happens.

All in all, it's up to the user.
If I see a player using off brand equipment, and it sounds good, I don't care what the logo says. :bassist:
 
#26
pedroims said:
For re sale purpose: YES
Click to expand...

Very true. Those who replied with absolute "no" comments didn't spend much time thinking about the question. :smug:

And as noted, a certain brand can have a certain tonal signature, build quality, playability, etc. So yes, the name can matter.

Example: all Music Man five string basses have narrow string spacing and EBMM will apparently never build a wide one. I find narrow string spacing uncomfortable. So, I will never own a Music Man five string.
 
#31
Great replies, but this is not about any sort of snobbery or hierarchy in instruments, but more to do with the belief that a better bass will make a better player.

Yes I agree a well made bass in certain situations may be easier to play, and a boutique bass as a rule is better set up and has better margins and tolerances suited to the player which is reflected on the price they pay.

But the crux of what I am looking at is, does having the bass you desired actually make a real difference when learning.

Yes Roscoe been there many times with what instrument they want played, but hey it's their money, so what the hell.

VWbug08 I understand your situation completely.

Dave64o seen that situation so many times, even been part of it at clinics when I use basses brought in because
" there is something not right with it and can I take a look". Usually nothing wrong with it, just the expectation of the player is higher than there actual ability.
 
#33
Hrmm... let's make an experiment xD... I've been playing bass for scant more than a year now... practicing som 3-4 hours a day if I can in any way find that amount of time... My Squier Special 5 P... A bass that has undergone many changes... from large C to assymmetric, from fretted to fretless and so on... Is getting a new friend soon. A handcrafted finnish instrument. Let's see if I suddenly feel I'm learning or progressing faster, or simply playing better when I get it :b

oh and... I think it will... because every time I've become really tired of the feel, playability and sound of my bass, and hereafter modified it, I have played more, and played better. yes it actually sounded better than before even just the day after I had torn the frets out and sanded the fretboard down to make it smooth. But of course maybe this was just because I fitted the instrument better to me and my playing... and not because I though it must be better now that I'd done something with it...

Let's start finding out the 17th of january when I'm getting my bass :b
 
#34
Invalid Link Removed

Of course it matters!

But seriously...having the bass I wanted definitely helped me when I was a kid learning how to play. When I got a Precision, I wanted to play it a lot more than the crap Framus Stratostar I had, it was easier to play, and had a more inspiring sound. So yeah, I think owning the bass you really want does help you psychologically if not for reals.
 
#38
Fergie Fulton said:
Great replies, but this is not about any sort of snobbery or hierarchy in instruments, but more to do with the belief that a better bass will make a better player.

Yes I agree a well made bass in certain situations may be easier to play, and a boutique bass as a rule is better set up and has better margins and tolerances suited to the player which is reflected on the price they pay.

But the crux of what I am looking at is, does having the bass you desired actually make a real difference when learning.

Yes Roscoe been there many times with what instrument they want played, but hey it's their money, so what the hell.

VWbug08 I understand your situation completely.

Dave64o seen that situation so many times, even been part of it at clinics when I use basses brought in because
" there is something not right with it and can I take a look". Usually nothing wrong with it, just the expectation of the player is higher than there actual ability.
Click to expand...

I understand where you are coming from on this. I'm of the opinion that if one is truly dedicated to learning, playing on a bass that is less than ideal (although still playable and stays in tune) actually can enhance one's abilities. But I only mean that in it can help to learn on a less than ideal bass if one's commitment to learning is very strong.

The deeper struggle to play a poorer bass may make one work that much harder at it. Then at some point, picking up a well crafted and well set up bass will be so easy to play that one might see it as all that hard work "paying off". But of course, that would only apply to very committed individuals (of which there have been many examples...people learning to play on some pretty shabby basses in their youth, only to rise above it anyway).

Kind of the opposite psychology at work. But I do see your point being a valid one. Perception is reality and let's face it, many people will look for any kind of an excuse to replace a poor work ethic resulting in poor results.
 
#39
Can't deny it that everyone hears with their eyes. A lot of times I will discount a bass because it's not the brand I like, or the brand I want to be seen playing. As someone with 2 budget basses, I want a nice shiny boutique, but I know I don't need it. Won't buy one in several years, or maybe ever, but I still want it.

To me, where it's made doesn't hold as much water as the name itself. But I can see why people make American made instruments a big buying factor.
 
#40
I think part of my theory comes from my military experience. When in basic training, we did ALL our drills in our combat boots or work boots. Heavy as all get out. We got fast with them on, just from the constant drills. Come final grad parade, with dress shoes on (light as feathers) we were like lightning. That's how I approached playing when I first started. I got pretty good with the POS Pan I had, and when I got my first reasonably well setup bass, I was that much better. As time, and basses went by, I could see, feel and hear the difference.
Of course, starting a bit later than most, I had the self discipline to keep at it. That's the most important thing if your taking up anything, regardless of the brand of tools used.
YMMV as usual.
 

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