Expensive vs inexpensive basses

[TKnights]

I've played both high end and low end basses in my day and I have to say I'm getting a pretty good sound and feel out of some less costly basses . The latest addition to my arsenal is a very inexpensive bass . An Ibanez GSR200SM . My wife bought this for me for Xmas a couple of years ago . I don't know what she paid for it . I think it was a "Stupid deal of the day" from Musicians Friend . She said she liked the way it looked . So did I for that matter . After disabling that crappy active PhatII EQ (The pickups are actually passive) it's turning out to be a very good bass . The construction is solid and it feels and sounds great . I find myself using it more often than my other 4s . Furthermore , it came out of the box completely set up . The action and the intonation were on the mark . So you can keep your Foderas , Alembics , etc . I'm happy .

 

[socialleper]

 

[Kriegs]

 

[mark beem]

I've played both high end and low end basses in my day and I have to say I'm getting a pretty good sound and feel out of some less costly basses . The latest addition to my arsenal is a very inexpensive bass . An Ibanez GSR200SM . My wife bought this for me for Xmas a couple of years ago . I don't know what she paid for it . I think it was a "Stupid deal of the day" from Musicians Friend . She said she liked the way it looked . So did I for that matter . After disabling that crappy active PhatII EQ (The pickups are actually passive) it's turning out to be a very good bass . The construction is solid and it feels and sounds great . I find myself using it more often than my other 4s . Furthermore , it came out of the box completely set up . The action and the intonation were on the mark . So you can keep your Foderas , Alembics , etc . I'm happy .

I'm happy that you're happy.

 

[FC Bass]

So you can keep your Foderas , Alembics , etc .

Everybody's happy

 

[rufus.K]

me too with the cheapies. China rocks!

 

[Anachronism]

What an original thread.

 

[Rosin41]

My bass literally doesn't even have a brand name, and I paid $0 for it. But the feel and sound are perfectly serviceable.

 

[blowinblue]

So you can keep your Foderas, Alembics, etc.

That's exactly what we're going to do!

M. M.

 

[Bass V]

LOL I guess some just don't like it when the good wife nails it with $$ left over for a nice nite out
$200 can go a looong way in making 4 string heaven a reality, congrats on your perfect life! LOL

 

[basslicks]

I play a bowed piece of 2X4 with rubber bands attached to it and it's the best bass sound possible. You can keep your GSR200, I paid $1.38 for my bass.

 

[mdogs]

Just more rationaliazation.

 

[Warpeg]

...So you can keep your Foderas , Alembics , etc.

Thank you for your permission.

 

[Joedog]

All these years as a member, and I've never seen a thread like this before! Who knew?

 

[Blaze Barlow]

Ibanez is Peavey spelled backwards..

 

[Mustang Surly]

As with most things, the closer you get to the really pricey stuff, the more you have to spend for each additional increment of "better". So, while it may not be quite as good as the the super-pricey stuff, moderately-priced stuff it is WAY less expensive.

Based on this assumption, I stick with moderately-priced gear. As a rule, I've found that the materials used in particular tend to be superior to that used for the cheap stuff (though, with CNC machining, the workmanship on cheap stuff is generally far better than it was "back in the old days").

Everyone else is free to do as they please.

 

[felis]

If you've got it - spend it.

If you don't - get a cheap bass and be as happy with it as possible.

 

[Gizmot]

As a member of TalkBass, I don't agree. Maybe I'm just too much of a brand snob, but I honestly feel that I play better and sound better when using good equipment. I certainly enjoy playing something nice much better.

I don't need a $5,000+ bass to play my usual gigs, but I feel better with the nicer basses I usually use (Ric, Warwick, G&L, etc) than something I would characterize as beginner's instruments.

 

[erigod23]

Cheap basses feel cheap. I can't play them. People would laugh at me.

 

[quickfix]

I'm with you on the cheap basses.
Each of my basses new would be around $1,000 Cdn.
Seems to be the sweet spot for quality vs cost.
I can't imagine paying 4-5 grand for a bass.
My guitars on the other hand...worth every hard earned penny.