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Entry level= $700? Really????

#21
Here's an idea. Why not forget the labels and play what you want and like.

Graham Maybe said he played a no name P/J bass on the recording of the Look Sharp album. It's one of my (and many others) favorite bass albums of all time. There are countless examples of great things done with $200 (or entry level) instruments. That was just the one that came to mind cuz I'm on a Joe Jackson kick. People play what they like. The whole notion of entry level is ridiculous to me. And the basses don't come with a big stick on them that say "entry level" either. I'm surprised Fender even labels them as such.
 
#23
Essen said:
I wouldn't call a 700$ bass entry level, but IMO there's not that much of a point starting with a 200$ bass either. I'd rather buy a decent bass that will last for years, instead of buying one that soon becomes obsolete.
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My GSR200 is far from obsolete. And given that I dropped some EMG's in there I doubt it will be for a while.
 
#25
I bought my daughter a Squier Bronco relatively cheap, brand new. Set it up, and it played amazingly well, and had a really good sound to it. Now, if she decides to keep it, and keep playing it, we'll likely drop in some Duncans and upgraded electronics so she has a little more tonal range. If she goes on a world tour, however, we'll probably upgrade her basses. LOL
 
#26
I perceive there to be three basic levels of basses:
Beginner (100/200$ squier affinity, rogue, ibanez mikro, etc.) for bedroom play by beginners.
Entry level (300/500$ squier cv or vm, cheaper peaveys, some ibanez) for practice and gigs. They play better and have better tone than beginner basses.
Professional ($750+ Fender, Warwick, Spector, g&l, mtd, mm etc) that play and sound the best of the three.
These are just generalizations, so no hate please. I realize that there are $200 squiers that kick enormous amounts of a$$ and perform better than some $1200 basses.
That fender mp fits my definition of entry level :)
 
#27
Timmah said:
I perceive there to be three basic levels of basses:
Beginner (100/200$ squier affinity, rogue, ibanez mikro, etc.) for bedroom play by beginners.
Entry level (300/500$ squier cv or vm, cheaper peaveys, some ibanez) for practice and gigs. They play better and have better tone than beginner basses.
Professional ($750+ Fender, Warwick, Spector, g&l, mtd, mm etc) that play and sound the best of the three.
These are just generalizations, so no hate please. I realize that there are $200 squiers that kick enormous amounts of a$$ and perform better than some $1200 basses.
That fender mp fits my definition of entry level :)
Click to expand...
Is Ibanez in the professional etc? I've played some pretty expensive Ibby's that IMO rival some Warwicks and MM's.
 
#29
Danni Moe said:
Can somebody help me figure this out? My "entry level" Ibanez cost me $169 and MSRP is $200. MSRP for the Fender Modern Player Jazz is $699.99. Fender's site says it's an entry level instrument. Several people told me that an "entry level" bass is one you get when you start taking lessons, it doesn't cost a crap load of money and you can gig with it if you want but by the time you start gigging you will have modded it, replaced it or acquired a second better quality bass. Is a $700 bass really an "entry level" bass or is my perception of "entry level" off?
Click to expand...

U mad br0?
 
#33
Danni Moe said:
My GSR200 is far from obsolete. And given that I dropped some EMG's in there I doubt it will be for a while.
Click to expand...

No its not obsolete, and I'm sure its pretty nice. But there is much more to a good bass than pickups. Entry level basses usually do not have near as good hardware, fit and finish, and fret work as a higher end instrument.

There is a reason for the price difference. I have a Squier Vintage Modified Jazz that Has been extensively upgraded. It sound and plays very nice, but this was after a fret dressing, nut replacement, electronics upgrades, tuning machine upgrades, and full setup. In the end I have as much money in it as a more expensive bass.
 
#37
Danni Moe said:
Brah, I'm 16, $700 a sh*t load of money.
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Which is exactly the reason that basses are made in so many price ranges.
It seems that you are upset that they make basses that cost more than you can afford. My advice to you is to enjoy what you have until your situation changes and you can afford something nicer.
 
#38
1: Fender's MSRP is unusually high, and I believe that bass goes for around $500-600 for retail.

2: Fender basses are not what you can call entry-level. Squier is the entry-level.

3: In my mind, I see said bass as the entry-level to Fender, kind of like a coming of age; you are entering the field where such an instrument sucks.

Neen any clarifications? I'll clarify if I'm not too lazy :D
 
#40
Hopkins said:
No its not obsolete, and I'm sure its pretty nice. But there is much more to a good bass than pickups. Entry level basses usually do not have near as good hardware, fit and finish, and fret work as a higher end instrument.

There is a reason for the price difference. I have a Squier Vintage Modified Jazz that Has been extensively upgraded. It sound and plays very nice, but this was after a fret dressing, nut replacement, electronics upgrades, tuning machine upgrades, and full setup. In the end I have as much money in it as a more expensive bass.
Click to expand...

I find the fret work on my GSR excellent. The ATB's fret work sucked compared to my GSR. Then again, I'd go $200 Fender over $200 Squire any day.
 

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