Evolution of Bass Guitars

[Freekmagnet]

An interesting article from Premier Guitar popped up in my news feed this morning. In asking what people are paying for when they spend money on expensive basses, it seems like they are not looking to pay for innovation.

Will the Electric Bass Continue To Evolve?

 

[Snaxster]

In asking what people are paying for when they spend money on expensive basses, it seems like they are not looking to pay for innovation.

Hello. Albeit I have yet to read the article, this appears to me a case of confusing presence with cause.

Firstly (I happen to believe), innovation is not like reliability (such as staying in tune) or refinement (such as ease of playing) for example: it cannot be gradually established and propagated; rather it occurs only rarely within long periods of anyone trying to innovate. If so, then buyers who value applied innovation either 1. wait and don't buy until the next instance of it, or 2. buy whatever is for sale. I would say there is mostly 2 going on.

Secondly, if it's true that they are not looking to pay for innovation, then probably they are motivated by things that don't require it. Non-professional players are the bread and butter of the music making equipment market. Professional players assert standards for utility and excellence, but they are the numerical exception. Non-pros don't need innovation (though any of them might be fascinated by it), and pros cannot afford to wait for it (they have work to do).

Lastly, innovation is not synonymous with improvement. So any instance of it that does not solve a practical problem for players likely will not sell much beyond the appeal of its novelty to any players who don't have a practical need for it.

 

[mongo2]

For a bass I prefer my latest DIY concoction of just a recycled fretted maple short scale neck with a rosewood fingerboard and a plastic nut, inexpensive but sufficiently functional tuners, paulownia body, adjustable bridge, single pickup and a jack. Another version has a wooden bridge and rudimentary wood tailpiece screwed to the body. That's my idea of innovation and de-evolution.

 

[SleepyShark]

IMO the EBMM DarkRay is the most interesting innovation I've seen from a mainstream bass producer: DarkRay | Basses | Ernie Ball Music Man

It was smart of them to treat it as a new thing - almost like a sibling of the StingRay - rather than making it the new standard for the StingRay.

Someone like Fender isn't in a great spot to innovate - the P and J crowd generally want a traditional P or J. The basses are great for their intended purpose and they're iconic. Fender tried making the Dimension, but from what I can tell its value proposition just wasn't there for the Fender audience on a grand scale.

To Fender's credit, though, they have steadily "improved" the design in subtle ways over the years, thought I'm sure loyal pre-CBS heads would disagree there. I think it's easier than ever to find a Fender bass you vibe with straight off the line.

 

[metron]

I think bass will continue to see innovation and the bass player community on average will continue to reject it because Leo got it right in either ‘51, ‘57, ‘60, ‘76, or ‘80.

In all seriousness though, some will accept it and many will not. Then the innovations will be discontinued, then they will become popular.

 

[chadds]

Innovation and refinement continue to appear in the work of good luthiers. The public is influenced by writers to demand or reject innovation.

Go to cars. People don’t understand why someone drives a Porsche. When innovation in steering and suspension designs become standard in a Camry people cheer. Doesn’t mean they would wish to pay for it. They have to. They can’t experience how much safer they are.

When I drive a 1965 car in great shape I appreciate the design and art. Same with a Fender bass. It does what it does. I love that. I know how to make music on it. Reducing the attraction of a booteequee to a fancy top is missing the years of design and development that make them really exceptional compared to a stock Fender.

Problem is the improvements aren’t necessarily visible. You feel them when you play them.

 

[chadds]

Leo kept to innovating. That the verbal community only respects two models is bizarre. Musicians obviously didn’t care and bought plenty of Music Mans and made hits with them. The refinement of G&L, innovation in pickups, structural rigidity etc were cutting edge and boutique in a more “mass” produced instrument. (The finishes and Birdseye maple necks were an extra treat.)
Point is journalists and common folk can't see these.

 

[TN WOODMAN]