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Entry level= $700? Really????

#81
goatghost said:
IMO (street prices, new)...

$299 and under = entry level
$300 to $799 = mid-range
$800+ = high end
Click to expand...

I agree with this but let me mod it a little

$299 and under = entry level
$300 to $799 = mid-range
$800-1500 = premiere quality
$1500 + = high end/boutique level

You could gig all day with a bass from any price range and the truth is 99% of the audience won't care what you have and what your sound is......you can get a passable tone out of even the most elementary of basses and it will work for most situations. Will more expensive basses be easier to play and provide unique tones yes!
 
#82
kellyrojo said:
I agree with this but let me mod it a little

$299 and under = entry level
$300 to $799 = mid-range
$800-1500 = premiere quality
$1500 + = high end/boutique level

You could gig all day with a bass from any price range and the truth is 99% of the audience won't care what you have and what your sound is......you can get a passable tone out of even the most elementary of basses and it will work for most situations. Will more expensive basses be easier to play and provide unique tones yes!
Click to expand...

Well stated kellyrojo. Let me try to dissect it just a bit further....

$299 and under = bargain brands and entry level
$399 to $799 = mid-range
$800 to $1,500 = premium quality
$1,500 to 2,200 = high end
$2,200 and up = custom and boutique

This is GUIDELINE not hard and fast rule, as some customs (Carvin, DP, Stambaugh, a few others) could come thru at under $2,200, but in general, this is probably pretty accurate.
 
#83
Entry level in this case just means products from a given company that are priced at the lower end of the scale of THEIR prices.

If you are talking about entry level instruments in general, then you can argue about the prices, but within a brand's selection the entry level prices will be those that are in a lower range than their 'regular' or 'premium' or 'original' line-up, if they exist.
 
#86
malthumb said:
Well stated kellyrojo. Let me try to dissect it just a bit further....

$299 and under = bargain brands and entry level
$399 to $799 = mid-range
$800 to $1,500 = premium quality
$1,500 to 2,200 = high end
$2,200 and up = custom and boutique

This is GUIDELINE not hard and fast rule, as some customs (Carvin, DP, Stambaugh, a few others) could come thru at under $2,200, but in general, this is probably pretty accurate.
Click to expand...

I agree with this. I would even go as far as adding a $5000 plus for a "super boutique" category, or whatever you wanna call it. Some Spector USA models, some Warwick models, some Fender custom shop models, and stuff made by individual luthiers.
 
#90
Using MSRP as the actual price for a bass? Really????

Seriously, MSRP is useless as a comparison tool. No one pays that price, and every manufacturer seems to use a different percentage to discount from MSRP to set MAP.

Granted, the actual street price of $600 is still above what I would consider "entry "level".
 
#91
I didnt know if I'd stick with it when I first started, so the $100 used Ibanez GSR suited me just fine for the first 2 years. Honestly, for "entry level" I'd just want a bass with 2 pickups so I can play with tonal combinations (you may decide you like just the top pickup, in which case you'd maybe want a P to be your upgrade).
 
#93
Now that you mention it, there are only really two classes.

1) The basses owned by the poster, which are the greatest in spite of their low price (or as a result of their high price).

2) Other basses, which are all under or over priced and only suitable for use by misguided people who don't know better.



:D
 
#97
Buy what feels and sounds good and what's in your budget. PLENTY of basses that are perfectly decent and can last a long time for under 500 bucks. It's like a car - I've had my cheap ass Saturn SL1 for about 9 years and it's only needed minor repairs and starts up every time. Conversely, my co-worker just took her brand new Lexus LS in for a new transmission.

Same thing with basses. A price tag doesn't mean you won't get a lemon, or a diamond in the rough.
 

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