But you keep the $300 one 'cause it's got "that sound", right? Sometimes, cheap is just the thing...
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Expensive vs inexpensive basses
- Thread starter TKnights
- Start date
But you keep the $300 one 'cause it's got "that sound", right? Sometimes, cheap is just the thing...
The can of worm have been open once again.
Personnaly I only have 2k and more instrument for a very long time.
I did moved home not so long ago and my dad told me that when you have good tools, then you work better and faster instead of being pissed off.
So yeah, my 2k+ instrument do give me the result I seek easier and faster than a 400 stuff. Simple as that. If you're happy with your less expensive stuff and you get the result you seek. Well good for you.
Personnaly I only have 2k and more instrument for a very long time.
I did moved home not so long ago and my dad told me that when you have good tools, then you work better and faster instead of being pissed off.
So yeah, my 2k+ instrument do give me the result I seek easier and faster than a 400 stuff. Simple as that. If you're happy with your less expensive stuff and you get the result you seek. Well good for you.
the cheapo guitars and basses out there today absolutely blow away the cheapo stuff of yesteryear. you haven't lived until you've tried playing a sears silvertone guitar. they even had a model that came with a case that had a built in amplifier. everything you needed to become a rock star!!
Some people decorate their homes with art. Other people desecrate their homes with items you can buy from Target and Bed Bath and Beyond.
Mr.Ace
Bass players rule!
- Sep 8, 2015
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I should have bought 25 cheepO basses instead of my Fodera?!?! 
I have a high end ibanez .(if count high end idk ),but the company actually count it as high end models .
Ibanez makes great basses .they are solid and have a great feel .
Compare to Amercian basses (mostly fender ) i prefer them much much more .
In music opinion ,when some elections get changed ,the sound get much much much better.
I mean if you buy it x $ the qualty will be 2x .
Ibanez makes great basses .they are solid and have a great feel .
Compare to Amercian basses (mostly fender ) i prefer them much much more .
In music opinion ,when some elections get changed ,the sound get much much much better.
I mean if you buy it x $ the qualty will be 2x .
I love $300 basses, myself. Land a good one, throw that much in parts at it and they are every bit as compelling to play as hugely expensive stuff.
For what a bass “is” and actually “does” I can’t see spending more than $800 for one. I mean what are you REALLY getting. Handmade? Better electronics? Please. Oh....oh. Hand made. Again....please. I don’t think a Squier Affinity is gonna cut it either but a CV is closer to the “vintage” Fenders than most $1200 Fenders. Made in America means one thing and one thing only. You pay more. Hope I don’t upset any of you. Oh, I gig regularly with sub $800 instruments and have NEVER had a problem. If you have never gigged I don’t respect your opinion btw.
Ibanez makes solid products from the top of their line to the bottom. I have a couple NYC Sadowskys, USA Fenders, a Japan Fender, 3 Lakland Skylines, a Starfire, and a few that aren't coming to mind right now. My go tos have become some of the parts basses I've cobbled together, or radically modified. Good electronics and hardware on good wood, decent fretwork and a thorough setup are all you can ask for. I've also cobbled together a few that left me ice cold, so it's not just 'proud papa' syndrome.
I aim for a weight of 8lbs, physical comfort and a tactile responsiveness. You are more likely to get these things in a higher end instrument, but that doesn't mean they don't exist in a 'lower end' instrument. Those are just fewer and farther between. Congrats on yours. If you like it, you got a winner.
I aim for a weight of 8lbs, physical comfort and a tactile responsiveness. You are more likely to get these things in a higher end instrument, but that doesn't mean they don't exist in a 'lower end' instrument. Those are just fewer and farther between. Congrats on yours. If you like it, you got a winner.
TKnights: good job on finding a bass that you like!
That's what it's all about!And you must have a cool wife if she buys basses for you!
I have a P bass, a J bass, and a Ric bass. All three made in the USA. I've had expensive Custom Shop basses in the past and although they were nice, they weren't really any nicer than the basses I currently own. I'm very happy with my current stable of basses!
I say, it doesn't matter *WHAT* you play, what matters is *THAT* you play! So rock on!
I am pretty sure that not many people are going to respect you at all...
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Only if I gig?
Yes, because playing an instrument on a stage with other people is different than playing by yourself.
Or is playing in a hole in the wall dive bar different than playing in a music venue? Or only if its a world stadium tour?
What a stupid statement.
And before you start assuming, i've been "gigging" for over 30 years.
Why do you care what anyone spends and how they use it?
I spent 700 on a Fender MIM Jazz. I had to replace all the pots and jack. Also replaced the pickups.
I spent double that on my Ric. Havent had to do anything but play it.
Apparently that extra cash got me something.
Oh so you’ve never played a quality handmade instrument. Got it.
A Sears Silvertone bass was my "entry drug". I swapped a 6 string electric guitar to a used furniture dealer that had the bass and Guild Thunderstar amp in their showroom. That......was the beginning of the end.
Not sure that I agree with the OP, but a good set up definitely goes a long way.
I also doubt that anyone here will disagree that entry level instruments available today are exponentially better than those made 25 years ago.
I also doubt that anyone here will disagree that entry level instruments available today are exponentially better than those made 25 years ago.
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 more costly basses . The latest addition to my arsenal is a very expensive bass . A Music Man Bongo 6 HH . I bought this for myself for fun a couple of weeks ago . I do know what I paid for it . I think it was a solid deal from TB classifieds. My wife says it looks like a viking rock-star bass. So do I for that matter . After changing nothing at all with the top notch electronics, 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 , i set it up to my preferences like every other bass I've acquired . The action and the intonation are now on the mark . So you can keep your Foderas , Alembics , etc ......unless I get the discretionary funds to purchase them, as I'm sure they are fantastic instruments.
What’s the best weight for metal and plays like buttah?
The cheap basses of today are not the cheap basses of yesterday.
I've played basses that were under $600 that you would think were over $2,000.
I've played basses that were under $600 that you would think were over $2,000.
Luxury! We never had rubber bands. We had to fillet old bicycle inner-tubes and attach them to particle board strips using gum collected from under old restaurant tables. Still played in perfect tune and intonation with action to die for. Amazing tone too!
Alembic and Fodera? I fart in their general direction!
Try titanium. I don't have the specs but my old Ebony 45SU was quite lightweight for its class (made of titanium and macassar ebony, plus some kid leather and high tech plastics), and the movements were like buttah.
