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Expensive basses - any point?
- Thread starter stoob
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pbd
Commercial User
fit, finish, electonic quality and over all set up are always better on the higher priced guitars. Also the way the frets are dresses is typically better.
my 2 cents worth,
Todd
my 2 cents worth,
Todd
Usually it's the player's rep that first makes the brand (or model) famous. Then the player gets the endorsement offer.
Well, you better start running, 'cause he's right behind you.....with, what looks like.....a bottle of ..... mustard(?)
Whoah, that's some trippy stuff.
I cannot believe that this thread went 66 posts before Brad said something...... 
Brad, are you feeling well? Are your basses feeling well?
Brad, are you feeling well? Are your basses feeling well?
Wow.
Just... wow.
Sure there's a point. It's called spending your money how you see fit. There's a point when it's smart to buy the "almost brand" stuff at the grocery store. There's a point where you need to drive the $200 beater car. There's a point when you have no choice but to buy your clothes at Goodwill. It fills your tummy, it gets you from point a to point b, and it covers your azz. However, when you have the discretionary income to afford the things you want- it's nice to have the "Fender" rather than the Chinese made "Fedner." If you play an instrument, or you collect for a hobby- it's fun to hunt down a desirable piece.
I'm proud of the instruments I've collected. I play them all and I think they're all pretty damn cool. Whether it's my $200 MIJ Telecaster or my $5,000 59 LP Special.
It matters to me- and that's what matters.
1. People should play what they like and can afford.
2. As far as "tone", the bulk of the difference in that (as related to price) is far more evident in acoustic instruments. With advancements in effects, amps, EQ'ing, modelers, etc., you can pretty much make a plank with a telephone receiver pickup sound like anything you want.
3. Having said that, if I were playing super-clean modern pop or lots of jazz or classical material, I'd probably opt for a more refined instrument.
4. I've been through the roller coaster and realized I like a pretty spartan, caveman-type setup. That's just me.
5. I got tired of owning gear that I had to worry about. Different places I've lived have been broken into twice. I don't really care to own many things that are worth so much dollar-wise that I fear them getting marred or damaged or wonder if I should take them to this gig or that.
6. I'm glad there are boutique basses and luthiers who craft works of art. I'm glad there are people who can keep these people in business. But I'm also glad that these days I personally can spend a lot less and have something that is fully functional, decent playing and good sounding.
2. As far as "tone", the bulk of the difference in that (as related to price) is far more evident in acoustic instruments. With advancements in effects, amps, EQ'ing, modelers, etc., you can pretty much make a plank with a telephone receiver pickup sound like anything you want.
3. Having said that, if I were playing super-clean modern pop or lots of jazz or classical material, I'd probably opt for a more refined instrument.
4. I've been through the roller coaster and realized I like a pretty spartan, caveman-type setup. That's just me.
5. I got tired of owning gear that I had to worry about. Different places I've lived have been broken into twice. I don't really care to own many things that are worth so much dollar-wise that I fear them getting marred or damaged or wonder if I should take them to this gig or that.
6. I'm glad there are boutique basses and luthiers who craft works of art. I'm glad there are people who can keep these people in business. But I'm also glad that these days I personally can spend a lot less and have something that is fully functional, decent playing and good sounding.
I started a thread asking a question like this once, and got more than a few angry Harumpfs! and How Dare You Ask That! responses.
Excess must be justified, after all, and doesn't like being questioned.
Excess must be justified, after all, and doesn't like being questioned.
I think there is a point. Better build quality, select tone woods, aesthetics, exclusive electronics (in some cases).
But the real question is does it help you achieve your goal? If a $200 can do it then that's great. If it takes a Fodera then go for it. I have purchased basses as cheap as $350 and as expensive as $3000 and have been happy with all of them.
As I have become a better player I have gravitated toward less expensive instruments. Perhaps that means that something?...
But the real question is does it help you achieve your goal? If a $200 can do it then that's great. If it takes a Fodera then go for it. I have purchased basses as cheap as $350 and as expensive as $3000 and have been happy with all of them.
As I have become a better player I have gravitated toward less expensive instruments. Perhaps that means that something?...
Hi
You need an instrument (and rig) that will not compromise your playng or put barriers in the way of your technique. Less well made basses can be frustrating and it's amazing how your technique improves when a playing bass with a great neck and the kind of tone that lights your fire!
In the end, it's what suits you best in terms of playing style, comfort etc.
My Lakland 4 94 has a superb neck, is overall really comfortable and has all the tones I need, so I can't imagine changing it- ever!
You need an instrument (and rig) that will not compromise your playng or put barriers in the way of your technique. Less well made basses can be frustrating and it's amazing how your technique improves when a playing bass with a great neck and the kind of tone that lights your fire!
In the end, it's what suits you best in terms of playing style, comfort etc.
My Lakland 4 94 has a superb neck, is overall really comfortable and has all the tones I need, so I can't imagine changing it- ever!
john turner
You don't want to do that. Trust me.
threads like this one always remind me of 12 year old boys talking about intimate encounters with members of the opposite gender. they have no clue, so of course they think it's over rated and yucky.
it's cute, really.
it's cute, really.
John Turner, I think you're right -- to a certain extent: There *are* a lot of guys for whom it's all about the sour grapes.
That being said, if I looked at my bass buying habits by asking 'is this $4000 Sadowsky actually $3000 better than this $1000 MIA Fender?', then I guarantee you that all these perfectly good Canadian dollars I've been piling up towards my NYC Sadowsky buy would be doing much more useful things at the moment.
It's just a variant on the 'Is X bass worth $XXXX.XX' question that gets asked ad nauseam around here. My answer is always 'Empirically? Hellm no. But why look at things empirically?'
By the way:
perfektspace6, I figure that, based on your avatar, you either think that the forthcoming Fallout 3 ruins the charm of the two previous games or you really can't wait to get your hands on it.
That being said, if I looked at my bass buying habits by asking 'is this $4000 Sadowsky actually $3000 better than this $1000 MIA Fender?', then I guarantee you that all these perfectly good Canadian dollars I've been piling up towards my NYC Sadowsky buy would be doing much more useful things at the moment.
It's just a variant on the 'Is X bass worth $XXXX.XX' question that gets asked ad nauseam around here. My answer is always 'Empirically? Hellm no. But why look at things empirically?'
By the way:
perfektspace6, I figure that, based on your avatar, you either think that the forthcoming Fallout 3 ruins the charm of the two previous games or you really can't wait to get your hands on it.
john turner
You don't want to do that. Trust me.
ah, the fallout games rule. i played the original wasteland that the first one was based on on my apple ][e. can't wait for bethesda's version.
as for the topic, i wasn't saying sour grapes, i was saying that a whole bunch of folks are talking about a whole buncha stuff that they don't know a whole bunch about.
but what would the internet be without folks offering their considered opinions on something they have no knowledge or experience with?
as for the topic, i wasn't saying sour grapes, i was saying that a whole bunch of folks are talking about a whole buncha stuff that they don't know a whole bunch about.
but what would the internet be without folks offering their considered opinions on something they have no knowledge or experience with?
Inside and outside of the interw3b, everyone is an expert, or at least thinks they are. I guess we're kinda lucky nobody has gone the "people buy expensive basses to make up for poor technique" argument (yet?). Although, I will disclose that I use high end road bikes to make up for a lack of performance!!!
I'm getting pretty tired of the whole "People who think SX basses are decent don't know what they are talking about" business.
I bet I've been playing longer than most of the people on this board have been alive, and I've owned scores of basses, some good, some crud, some great.
I bet I've been playing longer than most of the people on this board have been alive, and I've owned scores of basses, some good, some crud, some great.
I think SX is a unique and new argument to the notion that cheap basses aren't junk any more. The entry level basses have greatly improved since I started playing, which was only about 15 years ago. It's funny that the stuff is often the same price or cheaper and better than the entry level stuff back then.
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