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Downgrading from High-End Boutique Basses... Insanity?

#121
Long story short, no, it is not insanity. It is asymmetric or nonlinear customer satisfaction. Think of the following two options:
  1. you find a bill of $100 on the parking lot, or
  2. you lose a $100 bill you had on your pocket
Which of the two emotions that the above described situations brought up feels "stronger" or "bigger" to you?

So, as the monetary values are the same in both instances, should not the emotion feel about the same in "size" also? It does not, and hence what we now understand is that the sense of "value" has little to do with "price". One guy who likes watches can like his cheap divers Seiko as much - or more - than he does his megadollar Rolex.

The psychology of appreciation does not follow pricing.
 
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#122
I love my mid-level Ibanez basses. Sometimes I get an itch to try something newer and "better", and I've played much higher end basses in stores, but they just don't do it for me. Maybe they sound slightly better, but I like dirt, and any tiny detail would be lost from the dirt I use. And the tiny improvement I tone is not worth quadrupling the price of my bass! And those were only $2K, I couldn't justify some of the higher priced ones.
 
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#126
Not Insanity!
Hell no. Playing an instrument, regardless of cost, that doesn't feel good or sound good (provides a sound and touch that lets you express yourself) is the insanity. I have several boutique instruments, I keep going back to my Fender designed instruments. Pbass, JBass, Dbass (Dimension) and Stingray. My boutique basses sound exquisite in my studio. In real life, they somehow just don't do what I need... so they sit. I will never recover the $ I paid for them so I keep them, rarely played.
 
#127
While I have never owned a so called hi-end boutique bass I have bought a few vintage Fenders that set me back a little. Those days are gone as is my chase for basses that I thought I needed to look and sound great.

Today I buy fix it upper's and hunt for old USA Peaveys. They perform as good as anything I have ever owned. I'm honest enough to admit at my playing level and abilities, I have no need for no fancy smacy coffee table looking bass made from the finest woods. Just strap and old worn out bass on me and I'm good to go.
 
#129
Jeff Roller said:
I'm all Dingwall until I'm dead......

But I bought a four string neck through Peavey Cirrus for a friend on evilbay, never played one before, and was so impressed I'm glad it's already on it's way to it's new home!

This is a very good century to be a bass player, lots of sub 300 dollar basses out there that inspire you as an artist.
Click to expand...

Amen brother!!:bassist:
 
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#130
I actually read the whole thread. I have some basses in just about every price range. There are no wrong answers. It depends what you are looking for. My sadowsky fits in a space my fender doesn't and vice versa. They are all tools for different purposes.
Lately, I've been using fenders more because of the playing situation. Fits perfectly in the mix. Actually much better than the sadowsky. I've got a roscoe skb that fits in a totally different sonic spectrum for me. If you can do it with a screwdriver, why use a drill?
 
#131
arrowsun said:
The Super J is Dingwall's "short scale" model, with a 35" B string. It was designed to sound like a Fender Jazz. But I prefer the multiscale design on the Super J over a Fender Jazz because (1) fanned frets are more ergonomic than "straight frets" - at least in my hands, (2) you have a 35" B string, and the scales go all the way down to a 32" G, which rings like a bell, and (3) equal string tension, which again =s more playable.
Click to expand...
Not to mention impeccable build quality, amazing playability, and top notch customer service. Oh, and they are beautiful. :)
 
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#132
TheMartianBassist said:
Hey guys, I know it's not really insanity and that it all comes down to personal preference and playability. I'm mostly curious to see if any of you guys out there have downgraded from high end boutique basses to lesser, perhaps production instruments. Not for monetary reasons! But for tone, playability and comfort!

Here are my examples:

I sold a $7000 MTD 635-24 for a significantly cheaper Ibanez SR5006.

I'm selling a $5500+ Sadowsky NYC Vintage J Bass (currently in classifieds) because I got my hands on a Nash JB75 relic that I like WAY more. Sound and feel wise.

Sold another Sadowsky NYC Vintage P Bass $6000+ for the Fender American 58' Vintage Precision Bass.

Sometimes I feel like a lunatic having sold all those pristine, gorgeous basses but they weren't getting any action, while all the cheaper ones are getting gigged on all the time.

Thoughts?
Click to expand...

We've got guys on here who have high end basses and still boast Squier's quality. I see you as being no different. You like what you like, really. Money has a factor in an instrument but instruments have many factors other than money. That's my thought.
 
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#133
First off I would never take a 7000 guitar into a bar. I'd have to babysit it the entire time. Only way I would seriously consider one is if I was a big touring musician with a road crew that takes care of everything. I like most people dont fall into that category :/
 
#135
If you use one bass way more than the other and you need money, I'd sell the bass you're not using. However, like most things music/gear related, I'd take a breath and ask yourself WHY you don't use one bass. If you find you really don't like it playing or tone wise, but you feel you SHOULD like it because of the cost, sell it and get a nice high end version of what you DO like. If you're not playing it because it's expensive and you feel weird using it, get over it and play it. So, you know, just explore what your actual desires/intentions are and be true to them. If you do that there's no wrong answer.

I have a really nice custom made bass that I almost never play and a Carvin PB4 and home made parts P bass that I use all the time. I've been thinking about selling the custom instrument, but I've hesitated a long time because (no kidding) I feel like it's an insult to the custom builder who did such a nice job on it and was so great to deal with. It plays great, it looks fantastic, but it just doesn't get the tone that is MY tone now and I'm always trying to find a justification for keeping it around and playing it more. So I can understand your dilemma and I'm not living up to my own advice so far.
 
#137
I'm lucky in that the main club I play at I would never worry about my expensive basses so I play em. I have been in places though where I would never take my vintage Guild or my "coffee table PSCB" , I have a Fender for those gigs. As for me damaging it? I never think about that stuff when I play, if I bump a cymbal so be it (thank God that's never happened ) :D As to the OP's question, no it's not crazy play what you want and forget about what a bunch of guys on the internet think. If you really like that "BouTeek Bass " though why sell it, you may want it later and it will cost to get a replacement.
 

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