How much should you be paying for a Bass?

[queevil]

So what you are saying, Oldprussians, is that everything that comes out from the same factory should have the same price? Because it's "made by the same operative"?

If you are in the manufacturing line you will know that factories can manufacture your products to any price point. Tolerances, materials. I've seen a ten-fold price difference in the price of small, metal parts due to the accuracy of dimensions, and the accuracy of thickness of electro-plating required. This is large scale, almost fully automated CNC metal part making. What makes you think bass building will not have the same options for tolerances, not to mention materials?

Or do you also think that a MIA Standard P and a MIA Steve Bailey J should be the same price too? You know, since they come from the same factory?

I also sense a lot of racism here. Why EXACTLY is a N.American/Canadian bass BETTER than a Japanese/Korean/Chinese/Indonesian bass?

Exactly. If a Peavey and a Fender (not saying they do, just speaking hypothetically) come out of the same factory the factory will build the instruments to the specs that the company asks for of they won't stay in the manufacturing business for very long. Two basses may come from the same factory and they may be spec'd somewhat the same but that doesn't mean that they're the same instrument in feel, looks and function.

I see these threads often where the OP ask a question along the lines of "is xxxx bass worth the money". That's highly subjective. Is $599 too much for a MIM Fender? Well, maybe to some but they sell them all day long for that much so it is worth it to a large number of people in their target market. Companies price their products at a point that the market will bear plain and simple.

 

[Korladis]

Not sure I've titled this thread well.....

What I mean is How much should you be paying for a non Euro\N.American bass?

It occurs to me...... There are only a few Korean, Indonesian, China instrument factories. The do all the OEM for the big brands!

So.....
Shine do Peavy, Ibanez, and others, as well as their own.
The other companies the others...

Now if a bass has the specs you want, what difference is there if it has Ibanez, Peavey or what ever on the headstock. It going to be built by the same operative! The quality, blind folded is going to be the same!

I one looks at this bass:
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it costs around 300, the Ibanez equivalent costs a bit more, is the Ibanez worth more when its probably made by the same bloke!

Also, stupid Warwick, when the Korean Corvettes come in September priced at around 700, do they really offer 700 worth of bass ,when one speced the same out of the same factory, probably built by the same operative, with a different label costs half or even less that half the price.

Hence above a certain price threshold isn't it better to buy Euro\N.American, where you pay for that Euro\N.American Quality?

I mean if one will pay 700 for a Korean made Corvette std Passive, isn't it better to buy a Cunnuck made Godin Freeway, albeit with less frets?

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Just some thoughts, I wait for the Mad assaults.

What is the Ibanez equivalent to the Peavey Grind NT5? Quick now. Is it speced exactly the same? Does it sound exactly the same? How about feel the same?

How similar is that Godin Freeway to a Warwick Corvette? Does it sound and feel the same?

 

[ehque]

Wow wow wow!

Easy on the racism! Hey I believe one planet one people!

Look I would always but e European car, specially German, or Italian Sports car, over anything! Why? Because there is a heritage in that sort of thing, "Cuore sportivo"! Knowing perfectly how they are made doesn't make you a great car manufacture. Far eastern cars are technically perfect, but just don't "feel" right, they don't have "soul". Yes if you need to go from a to b, efficiently, without breaking down, any far eastern car is good. But people don't just want to travel from a to b, they want to feel good driving it.

No matter how professional the chef is Westerners trying to do far eastern cuisine always tastes rubbish!

Now I have done a research on patterns in music, for example.

Why is it that some people say, that the way far eastern players play music is different to western people. Why is that? Pure racism, or is that anything else? Well, how you compose and play music is directly influenced by your native tongue, due to inflections. So Debussy, sounded like Debussy, because his first language was French! Von Karajan, conducted and produce music like he did and did German music like he did 'cuase he was Austrian. Trust I've heard good western musicians trying to do Chinese music and they were crap!

It DOES NOT MATTER what your genetic material is, but your first language affects everything you do in terms creativity!

Thus a Chinese chap born brought up in Italy, with a first language as Italian, creatively is Italian!

Those who are of dual or triple Mother tongue are really lucky!

God Bless you all!

You might want to re-read what you posted. Are you implying that people like me, "Asians", who grow up in an "Asian" country, should be limited to making "Eastern" music then? That BEFORE you hear me play "Western" music, you KNOW its "crap" or has "no soul"?

Think about that for a second.

 

[Headless Llama]

Very simply...an instrument is worth what you are willing to pay for it. If you like it, then buy it! Period.

 

[oldprussians]

You might want to re-read what you posted. Are you implying that people like me, "Asians", who grow up in an "Asian" country, should be limited to making "Eastern" music then? That BEFORE you hear me play "Western" music, you KNOW its "crap" or has "no soul"?

Think about that for a second.

WOW clam down!

Look as to the "soul", it is well known that Italian cars are said to have "soul", German cars are said to be efficient and Powerful ect. I particular remember, a reviewer saying that although Alfa-Romeo was now German owned the cars still made in Italy, still had that "Cuore Sportivo".

As to Music any one can play what they like but I'll give you an example:

I speak very fluently and Natively English-English, German and Italian, due to my mad Upbringing. Now when I hear an English speaking Opera singing German or Italian it really make me cringe.. The accent is all wrong!

With music, not sung it is much but much more subtle.... But the way people phrase the music, not in Midi-Cubase way but a human is specifically linked to language!

I've heard wonderful Italian singers, try and sing the blues in Italian, and frankly it doesn't sit well. To just Italian speakers they probably didn't hear the difference, and relative to that it doesn't matter!

It is nothing to do with musical ability, racism, or anything form of prejudice.

Every one does things as one feels or interprets, and fine in one sense.

But going back to Opera example if I am gong to buy a record and I spend my Money, surely it is my right to by the record sung by some one with out that foreign accent?


OH and by the way! I love ESP Instruments!

I was thinking of Buying a D-5 or B5E. And I would rather that then over 400 euros buy a warwick made in the far east. You get more for your money.

All I'm saying is if I buy a Warwick it'll be e German Warwick.

unless I get a cheap on very cheap..........

 

[lamarjones]

I can see nothing but the hole you dug getting deeper, Mr. Prussian.

and quite frankly, I don't think it's really racism, I just think your old and your opinion reflects it.

Either way, I agree with barely anything you've stated. which doesn't matter since you disagree with most everything I think whether you know it or not.

 

[oldprussians]

I can see nothing but the hole you dug getting deeper, Mr. Prussian.

and quite frankly, I don't think it's really racism, I just think your old and your opinion reflects it.

Either way, I agree with barely anything you've stated. which doesn't matter since you disagree with most everything I think whether you know it or not.

Oh that a bit unfair........ you don't know about every thing I think. So come on try me........ You might well be surprised!

And anyhow differing opinions, and consultation, and compromise somewhere in the middle, is how one gets to the truth!

As long as that differing opinion doesn't lead to Hate.... I respect the right of any one to have ad hold opposing opinions to me! Its what makes the world beautiful!

And as any mediator will tell you, when one listens with out preconceptions, one finds greater areas of agreement!

 

[lamarjones]

As long as that differing opinion doesn't lead to Hate.... I respect the right of any one to have ad hold opposing opinions to me!

Hey man, we agree there, I can completely be on the different side of opinions without bringing hate into the picture, which is a whole different level. And I don't see that at all with your posts, just to clarify.

 

[oldprussians]

Hey man, we agree there, I can completely be on the different side of opinions without bringing hate into the picture, which is a whole different level. And I don't see that at all with your posts, just to clarify.

I guess I'm just passionate in my Speech, a a little less guarded!

But I might have a prefab disclaimer at the beginning

But don't say I'm old I feel way too much!

 

[THand]

unsubscribed...life's too short. Your OP was answered several times, take it or leave it.

 

[Bassamatic]

I am glad to see that so many of you understand the reality of manufacturing - whether it is in the USA, Germany, Korea or China.

My company manages manufacturing in Asia for our clients. The vendors that we use can make anything from 99 cent toys to expensive medical electronics in the same factory. It all depends on the materials, the design and the quality level desired.

I will suggest that there is little difference in the cost of the raw materials for a guitar or bass, but by the time it is machined, painted, plated, polished, adjusted, tested, etc. there can be a huge difference. It just depends on how good you want it to be.