Have we all been tricked!?

[Isaac_James]

Some things do get better with price (in general, there are plenty of individual exceptions that I won't waste time going into). How the neck feels in your hands. How reliable the wiring is, how well the strings stay in tune, how easy it is to set up and stay set up just how you like it.

Generally speaking again, I think there's a point of diminishing returns somewhere around the $1000 mark. I have a ~$400 Squier Telecaster guitar and just got my kid a $200 Squier mini strat, there's a clear difference in quality between the two. Most of my basses were in the $700-$900 range when I bought them new, they're all solid workhorses without a lot of fancy bells and whistles. I've also got a Rickenbacker 4003 that cost me just over twice that much. Is it better? Yes, in some ways. Is it twice as good? Nah. At some point you are paying for prestige and looks or for special features that you may or may not ever use. But down near the bottom of the range, you typically get more bang for your buck.

 

[superiorpine]

Everything makes a difference in tone. wood, strings, electronics, cables, amplification. Most are audible in an isolated hi resolution setting. When playing in a room with other people and instruments and much if not most of the minute esoteric differences in tone disappear. Some of us spend more time practicing than playing live or recording, and each person's experience in this endeavor, each persons appreciation for what they have drives the market. That and affordability. Marcus Miller said in a long time ago interview something to the effect of get one bass and make sure you can do everything you need to do on that bass. Go figure. The debate rages on!

 

[BassicJazzy]

Everything makes a difference in tone. wood, strings, electronics, cables, amplification. Most are audible in an isolated hi resolution setting. When playing in a room with other people and instruments and much if not most of the minute esoteric differences in tone disappear. Some of us spend more time practicing than playing live or recording, and each person's experience in this endeavor, each persons appreciation for what they have drives the market. That and affordability. Marcus Miller said in a long time ago interview something to the effect of get one bass and make sure you can do everything you need to do on that bass. Go figure. The debate rages on!

You are absolutely correct, and every "isolated bass track" I've ever heard proves it. Nuances disappear in the mix. You can listen to Paul McCartney or Chris Squire, Gods of the bass, play scratchy isolated tracks on YouTube. When you hear the mixed versions with the band all those little scratches, finger noise, fret noise, etc. disappears.

I can accomplish the same effect in my practice by simply downing a couple beers before I play.

 

[MultiScaleMale]

Play what you want, want what you play. Don't go in debt for something fancy

 

[Wasnex]

I'm not sure if this has been posted or not (I know it has too many strings) but this video is super interesting. I find myself often lusting after high end instruments because they are supposed to far superior. Prime example I have a MIM Fender p but always scope out stuff like Nash or even some of the custom shop instruments knowing they have to sound so much better. After watching this video I simply ordered a lollar p pickup convinced that as far as sound goes it will be there. I know things like playability can be argued but with cnc and a quality setup do they play that big of a difference? I know this is an argument that happens almost every week and I'm not knocking anyone for indulging in high end instruments at all.

Years ago a store I frequented got in several Fender Precision Specials fresh from the factory. Aside from different colors, they were all supposed to be the same. I played through most of them and the sound, playability, and weight varied considerably from bass to bass. I thought a few stood out as better than the others. However since evaluating a bass is largely subjective, it's quite possible you would have ranked the basses different than I.

Was I fooled? I don't think so. There are good basses, and not so good basses, and price is not always the determining factor.

 

[mambo4]

If you list everything that impacts tone, in order of how much impact it has, wood is very far down the list.
assuming basic solid construction choices

 

[Fuzzbass]

The quality of lower-priced imported instruments keeps going up. If I didn't have the budget for boutiques then I would happily play an MTD Kingston, MIM Fender, etc.

But I'm an older phart with some disposable income, and I've spent it on some boutique customs. As many have said, this is NOT because I believe the tone will be superior --and likewise, I'm sure I could find lower-priced instruments that provide the comfort and ergonomics I need. The reasons I buy boutiques include the following:

• Superior build quality: usually superior, but definitely more consistent than production line
• Superior customer service: depends on the builder, but I do my research ahead of time
• Customization options! Depending on the builder, I may have dozens of options covering appearance, playability, electronics

Speaking of customization: Nordstrand was willing to build me this 5 string P-bass with the crazy modular pickup idea that had been rolling around in my brain for years. It features a rotary switch that allows any opposing pair of coils to be selected, plus all four at once.

AFAIK it's the only pickup config of its kind in the universe... which makes sense because it's so damn weird, but the point is, I couldn't have bought it "off the rack".

 

[WI Short Scaler]

Play what you want, want what you play. Don't go in debt for something fancy

Exactly. I will continue to play my Fenders and Squiers, get dissed by elitists, and my basses will still inspire me.

I support your ambition to play whatever floats your bobber.

 

[monsterthompson]

That video is 4 years old. It definitely made the rounds (and probably flats, too).

 

[MonetBass]

This video gets posted at least once a year. And argued to death in other 'tone wood' threads. In a quick search, I find threads about guitars made from concrete, cardboard, and Lego. Guess what? They all sound like guitars.

 

[HMZ]

Sorry I was distracted by your stupid hat.

 

[brianrost]

I'm not sure if this has been posted or not

Yes it's been posted here before.

All you need is a Danelectro bass to realize all the "tone" formulas go out the window.

I've got a vintage Dano, pre-CBS Fenders, Steinberger…guess what I think.

 

[BigJohnAZ]

Yes.

We've been tricked.

It's a plot. It always was. It always will be.

It's human nature, we are never satisfied, and, that's ok. It makes the world go 'round.

 

[KevInDaBassment]

Oh yes, we've seen this video before


I look at it in terms of "Weight of impact" rather than a "Does/Does Not" affect the sound of a bass. I have strong doubts that the color or type of paint I select will make an audible difference. I also think overall weight is more about comfort and balance than tone (i.e. - the idea that heavy basses sound "better").

A change of strings is going to have the most objective, demonstrable difference when it comes to variables on a bass. I'll also say the "electronics" in general is next on the list (pickups, pickup height, pot values, onboard EQ, etc) of impact. Anything else is up to how it affects your technique/dexterity, then the remainder is likely getting lost in the signal chain or mix.

For me, it's just being honest about what I want and what it's actually doing for me as I play. I like daphne blue on P and Jazz basses, but not really keen to get an Ibanez SR bass in that color...I prefer natural finishes on those. Satin necks feel better to me than gloss and I generally like maple fretboards on those blue basses. IMO those have zero impact on my tone, but it does make me aesthetically pleased with the bass, which means I'll enjoy playing it more.

Frankly, you'll find good apples and bad apples in every tree. If you got a great Squier Sonic Precision, congrats and enjoy that fine bass. Got a terrible quality Fender Custom Shop bass or Rickenbacker? Sucks...hopefully you can get a refund or something. It can happen at any price point, just ask yourself if what you're getting is worth what you're paying.

 

[MultiScaleMale]

Exactly. I will continue to play my Fenders and Squiers, get dissed by elitists, and my basses will still inspire me.

I support your ambition to play whatever floats your bobber.

Who are the elitist that diss Fenders and Squirers? I see that stated on TB but have never seen it occur myself. The only bass I've dissed is that all green Dean that every Guitar Center had for awhile.

 

[carsonchilders]

I've come away from all of these conversations with these take aways:
-pickups matter a lot
-strings matter a lot
-the feel of the instrument matters a lot

I don't really have to care about tone woods, etc. I have to pick up an instrument and decide if this feels better/worse/different than the ones I already have. Just like how I reach for a thunderbird or chunky p bass or a hofner for the way it makes me play and approach the song.

I don't care what the instrument is made out of. I'll leave that to the maker to decide what they value.

 

[5StringBlues]

I had a girl once.



Once.

 

[MonetBass]

I had a girl once.



Once.

 

[Pimpernel Smith]

As a medical instrument maker, I have to commend this guy in the video, with his dead on scientific approach and his critical thinking.

 

[EdwardofHuncote]

Spend a little time with a Jeannie and you get used to being tricked.