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Expensive basses - any point?

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#62
NickyBass said:
It's kind of funny....You don't hear violinists, violists, cellists, pianists, saxophonists, trumpeters, clarinetists, flautists, oboeists, buglers, french horn players, basoonists mallet percussionists, etc talk down to people who play 'expensive' violins, violas, cellos, saxophones, trumpets, clarinets, flutes, oboes, bugles, french horns, basoons, vibes, etc.

Is this like a 'rock and roll' thing?
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Because it's all about having attitude, dreams, and we're all equal n' stuff. The poor rise up from rags to riches, etc. Hmmmmmm, one of these days, I should write a frickin' book about the psychology of musicians.
 
#63
Mikeyd74 said:
At the risk of having my head chewed off....
There isn't much of a point. Unless you are looking to impress other bass players here at talkbass or a handful of people at shows that might say, "Hey, that's a pretty bass."

I'm more into the function of a bass then it's aesthetics, which is usually what you are paying for with a higher end bass. I've played quite a few super high end basses at the stores and I've only been impressed by a couple of them, but nothing impressive enough to warrant the price tag. How much time do you actually spend staring at your bass while you are playing it anyway?
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So are you saying some of the world's top players that play expensive basses are doing it ONLY for show? Like Richard Bona, Victor Wooten, Andrew Gouche, John Patitucci...
 
#65
Alembicplyr, you avatar just kills me. LOL :p

I just realized all my current electrics I got for $400-$500. (Okay, I'm in to a couple for a little more after parts/repairs.) Of course they were all used. They're all 15-30 years old. ('78 P, '80s Steinberger XP-2, '80s Warmoth Wide 5, '80s Yamaha BB1600, '90s Yamaha BB5000AF, '78 Musicmaster) I've had some higher-priced pieces that didn't work as well for me so I let them go. No one of these electrics covers everything. Some have quirks that bug me and I'd like to fix or replace them eventually.

By contrast, I dropped $3K on my upright & pickups and it was worth absolutely every penny. I love the way it plays, love the way it sounds and after 10+ years of full-time gigging it's never given me a problem.

Would I scrape up $3K for an electric about which I could make the same claims? Heck, yeah!!!
 
#66
Bagpipes are main instrument. The Highland variety.

With Highland pipes, tone is EVERYTHING. I own three sets. One I paid $300 for the drones, another $2k for the drones, and the third about $5k. The $2k set has silver mounts and sounds great. The $5k set is an exact reproduction of 130 year old pipes. Real ivory trimmings. Tone to DIE for!! However, my $300 pipes sound *almost* as good as those that cost 10x as much. They look like shite...very old, all dinged up. When I want to bring out the *bling factor*, the cheap set stays at home, regardless of how good they sound.

When I play for myself and other pipers, my best set comes out. There is just something *special* there...wonderful harmonics not heard in cheaper, mass-produced instruments. Those who know the difference compliment the tone again and again. Don't get that with "lesser made" pipes.

Piobaire
 
#67
If you have to ask...
:smug:


;)

Oner of the things that many take offense with is the idea that someone can notice things they don't. "What, are you saying you're better than me???":mad:

Trouble is, some people can hear and feel things you might not. Personally there are few things as annoying as a great looking bass that just sounds or feels "okay". I can honestly say that for the higher end basses I own, if they weren't beasts playing-wise and tonally, I wouldn't own them. Now would someone who likes high action or always plays with a ton of effects have the same appreciation? Maybe not.

My basses consistently give me everything I want when I use them. As much as I dig many lower end instruments, it's rare to find one that'll do everything my other basses do... as effortlessly as they do.

So yeah, for me there's a point.
:cool:
 
#68
Mark Wilson said:
So are you saying some of the world's top players that play expensive basses are doing it ONLY for show? Like Richard Bona, Victor Wooten, Andrew Gouche, John Patitucci...
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In some ways, yes.
Musicians at that level have the luxury to be able to afford those types of high end basses and ironically they sometimes don't even have to pay for them.
It's very lucrative for these companies to endorse these artists. It's no doubt that people will go out and get their favorite bass heroes bass no matter what the cost. Will they sound just like their favorite bass hero? Of course they won't.

Are you suggesting that what makes those top players so great is their expensive basses?
 
#70
Mikeyd74 said:
In some ways, yes.
Musicians at that level have the luxury to be able to afford those types of high end basses and ironically they sometimes don't even have to pay for them.
It's very lucrative for these companies to endorse these artists. It's no doubt that people will go out and get their favorite bass heroes bass no matter what the cost. Will they sound just like their favorite bass hero? Of course they won't.

Are you suggesting that what makes those top players so great is their expensive basses?
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Not everyone gets their bass for free. Fodera has stated that Victor has paid for his basses.

Does a Fodera make you a better player? Hard to say, but I briefly touched one a few years ago. The neck simply felt like it was made for my hand, even though it was made for someone else. The action was so low and buzz free that it felt like I only had to think about a note. The real problem is that 99.99999% of people who say that Fodera et al. aren't worth the money haven't played one.
 
#71
So right! You can have the most expensive gear in the world, and even that won't save you if you can't play! Better to cut your teeth on cheaper things and work your way up when you're ready.
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I disagree. You should start out on the best instrument you can possibly afford. This isn't necessary the most expensive, but it's the one that is most helpful to you in hearing such things as dynamics, and inferior technique, and poor intonation.

My basses consistently give me everything I want when I use them.
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This is really the goal to shoot for. If everything you want can be provided by an inexpensive bass, and you've tried out enough very high-priced basses for long enough to know they don't add anything you want, you'd be nuts to spend the bux.

If a bass doesn't excite me when I pick it up and play it, or give me a sense of real satisfaction when I set it down, even after playing it for years, then it doesn't get much play.
 
#76
hey guys are we including vintage basses in the expensive bass catagory or just new high tech ones. I love taking one of my original 51 precisions out and playing it at a gig, although I think I could play a reissue and enjoy it as much!!!!!
 
#78
Bflat said:
hey guys are we including vintage basses in the expensive bass catagory or just new high tech ones. I love taking one of my original 51 precisions out and playing it at a gig, although I think I could play a reissue and enjoy it as much!!!!!
Click to expand...

I love using my DIY version of the slab P bass. Great tone, and the fact that it's just under 6 lbs helps.
 
#79
The build quality and tone of my Modulus Q5 is simply incredible. It was expensive, and I waited a long time to get it, and it is worth the price *to me*. There is a particular personality about it that I love, and do not find in any other bass.

You may find that you get what you want from something that is far less expensive. It's highly personal whether or not there is any point in going after an expensive bass.
 
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