• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

for "high-end" bass owners...

B

basshead5

Feb 15, 2009
19
1
58
Sidney, NY
#1
As a longtime player on a very tight budget, I have resigned myself to playing low and mid-level instruments (Squier, SX, Ibanez, etc) and try to make them play and sound as good as possible. But, sometimes I feel my technique is kind of hindered by the instrument.

My question is for those that started on lower-end basses and eventually made the jump to a more serious instrument (Fodera, Zon, anything in the 4 figure range). If you didn't have that much disposable cash lying round, how did you make the financial commitment to upgrade, and when you did, how did your playing change? What was the experience like for you playing a high-end bass for the first time?

thanks in advance....
 
#2
First of all, so-called "low" and "mid" level instruments today are often of very good quality--sometimes superior to the higher-end axes of yesteryear. In my experience, the better work-horse instruments such as CIJ & MIA Fenders and MMs have better fretwork, hardware, and a generally more solid feel. I have never owned a boutique instrument, but the few I have played are very nuanced and often gorgeous to look at. In my case, it wasn't till my kids grew up and some financial pressures eased that I could justify better instruments. Also, until I reached a certain level of proficiency, I would have been embarrassed to be seen with an instrument that was "too good" for my ability. I say that if your gigging regularly, then you should be able to justify setting aside some of your pay for a pro-quality instrument--or two!
 
#3
Soap box: Just wait until you can afford one. Spend a little time in the classifieds and you'll often see someone having to sell their dream bass at a loss because an unexpected bill came up.

Not to bash your choice of basses, but the age of web boards has brought about a nice assortment of small independent luthiers that don't even need to advertise. Cliff Bordwell and Chris Stambaugh come to mind when I think of top notch builders who make killer stuff at a very reasonable price. Sure, Fodera has recognition, etc, but I built my Stambaugh as a bit of a Fodera clone and am extremely satisfied with the outcome.
 
#4
basshead5 said:
But, sometimes I feel my technique is kind of hindered by the instrument.
Click to expand...
As long as your instrument is correctly set up, this is a bad reason to want a high end instrument IMHO.
They may be beautiful, more comfortable and easier to make sound good but they won't expand your technical possibilities.
I paid for my basses wih gig money and hobby money. As long as you don't get in debt for something as trivial as a music instrument, anything goes IMHO.
I went toward luthier instruments because I couldn't find the options I desired on the market. It led to expensive options.
Now obviously, everything I do could be done on a well prepared $1000 bass.
 
#6
Rocky McD said:
The higher priced instruments help your ego much more than your playing. A good player can sound very good on a used $50 Squier.
Click to expand...

If I could sound as good on a used $50 Squier as I could on my Rob Allen, I would have never purchased it....er, them.

s2-1.jpg
 
#8
My 1st bass was a Japanese copy of a 51 P bass, It sounded ok but was very hard to play. Finally in 1969 I bought a Rickenbacker. My playing leaped forward in strides because it was set up so much better & it sounded better as well. When I changed to a Fender P in 1973 it was just another bass that sounded good but was no easier to play. After that I played a myriad of basses over the years ( Tele, Yamaha, custom Newman Jones, Gibson EB3, PV Foundation, P bass fretless....etc.). Then I bought a custom 5 string from Rob Elrick. I had it made just like I wanted with a 36" scale, phenolic fretboard, neck thru & Barts. It is by far the best of the lot & HAS inspired my playing & paid for itself many times over.
 
#10
Back in the day when I played with a band, I used fender p's and gibsons. Nice axes, but when I finally opened up my wallet and bought an Alembic, man oh man my playing really changed, for the better! A high end bass can really make a big difference, As a builder I take more time with fret work, neck carving, wood selection, pick ups, ect. Custom builders also listen to there customers, they make their living by word of mouth, not production of "how many can we build this year".
 
#13
spade2you said:
If I could sound as good on a used $50 Squier as I could on my Rob Allen, I would have never purchased it....er, them.
Click to expand...

I'd bet you get at least 10 responses saying you don't know what you are talking about or you are wrong or you only bought it to show off. I've never seen a 6-string fretless $50 Squier! Bass is an intensely personal instrument - they don't all feel and the players don't all respond the same way to an instrument.

My response to those who criticize the money I spent on my basses - I bought what I like, get off your soapbox.

Dan K.
 
#16
Dan Knowlton said:
I'd bet you get at least 10 responses saying you don't know what you are talking about or you are wrong or you only bought it to show off.
Click to expand...

Well, the truth is, I'm really a n00b compensating for a lack of technique and practice. I mean, what does a piezo fretless player know about technique? :p Having put music on the back burner for cycling, I'm amazed how anti-gear musicians can be. If I totally crush someone on a more expensive bike than mine, I don't take any additional joy. If someone crushes me on a cheap bike, they don't do a victory dance and celebrate.

In regards to all basses being able to play the same when set up, that's true to a certain extent. High or medium action shouldn't be a problem on any bass from $50 to $5,000. When you get to low or ultra low action, things get a little tighter. Luthiers often take pride in how tightly they plane the fingerboard and how well they fret the bass. It's very hard to duplicate this on basses that are quickly assembled.
 
#17
Dan Knowlton said:
Bass is an intensely personal instrument.
Click to expand...

I'll agree with this, for sure. I know a couple guys who absolutely LOVE buying a beat up/cheap bass and modding the crap out of it. They wouldn't pay more than $200 for a bass. I also know a player or two who has to have "the best" and refuse to even THINK about a used bass.

To each their own! :)

As to the argument of Squier vs. boutique... I think it's also a personal thing. I've picked up some pretty nice basses that I've put back on the hanger without a second thought because it didn't feel right to me. However, I can say this... now that I've had the opportunity to get into some nicer basses (Modulus, Fender USA, Peavey USA Cirrus), I find that little things make the difference. For example, the USA Fenders have string-thru-body which makes a big difference IMO (particularly on the 5-strings) when compared to the MIM Fenders. I took the plunge on a custom Stambaugh, and am very much looking forward to seeing what a one-of-a-kind, hand-built bass feels/plays like for exactly the reason spade2you mentioned!

Basshead5, to answer your original question (one answer anyway): It'll probably sound like a plug to some, but maybe you could get a Musician's Friend/Guitar Center card. I've had a MF card for a while now and it's great. You get 1-year, no interest financing. I've bought pedals, a Shuttle 6.0, a couple different basses (Ibanez, Spector, a USA P-bass V just last week), etc. with it. As long as you're responsible with money, it's a great way to go.

Side effect: it's a good way to build your credit rating, too. Buy an amp, pay it off. Buy a bass, pay it off. Buy _____, pay it off. Get cool gear, build your credit! :D lol

Just my .02. :)

5sg.
 
#18
Orpheus55 said:
First of all, so-called "low" and "mid" level instruments today are often of very good quality--sometimes superior to the higher-end axes of yesteryear. In my experience, the better work-horse instruments such as CIJ & MIA Fenders and MMs have better fretwork, hardware, and a generally more solid feel. I have never owned a boutique instrument, but the few I have played are very nuanced and often gorgeous to look at. In my case, it wasn't till my kids grew up and some financial pressures eased that I could justify better instruments. Also, until I reached a certain level of proficiency, I would have been embarrassed to be seen with an instrument that was "too good" for my ability. I say that if your gigging regularly, then you should be able to justify setting aside some of your pay for a pro-quality instrument--or two!
Click to expand...

+1

Beautifully said.

I'll add that in my case I purchased most of my high end instruments in my very early twenties before I was married & had kids. In my case, I ran up some credit card debt, but lack of mortage, multiple car payments, utilities, food, medical & car insurances, etc. really allowed me to run it back down very quickly - if you stay focused & intent on paying it off fast, otherwise that debt can hang with you for a very long time. Selling & trading them became the means to move from one high end instrument to another. It's getting into that initial price range that is the difficult part. However, I've bought MIA Fenders after being married, etc with nothing more than patience & saving several months of pure gig money. I agree that "entry" level instruments are of a much higher standard than 20-30 yrs ago. If you're chops are built up enough, the axe you play, unless it is literally falling apart, should matter little as to what limits you. Chasing a certain look or specific tone inherent to one particular high end axe is another matter altogether. :cool:
 
#20
I own three basses that set me back between $4K and $5K each and I love them all dearly. However, on half my gigs I still count on my less than $2K Fender Jazz (which I also love dearly). A lot of my love for more expensive basses is based on an appreciation of attention to detail and aesthetic elements. These instruments do sound fantastic and play beautifully (to me), but so does my Fender. I don't necessarily equate boutique basses with superior playability or tone, and I play just as well on my Fender as I do on any of my other basses.
 

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back