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I love High End Gear!!!!!

#21
I'm one for value...bang for your buck type equipment, with the exception of Gallien-Krueger amplifiers and cabinets, and Rickenbacker/Vintage Gibson basses. I really like Ibanez and Yorkville/Traynor for equipment. I've tried Eden, Epifani and other high-end stuff, it's just not for me. I can't ever see myself paying those prices for that stuff.
 
#22
I love high end gear too - haven't got any at the moment per se, but i love going to gigs, and seeing other guys rocking on wals, seis, sadowskis etc etc.

makes me feel happy to be a bass player, and gives me something to look forward to (apart from the endless mountain of things to learn too :D)
 
#23
While I can't stand it when people disparage other people's gear, I wouldn't say a post in favor of high-end stuff really equates to taking a bold stance on TB.:p
 
#24
I don't really see why anyone would care what someone else is using. It's their life and their money, and they are free to do with it as they choose regardless of their abilities. As long as your family isn't starving and wearing potato sacks as a result, go for it! As for myself, I haven't had the opportunity to try any really high-end stuff, and I'm still very much a novice/intermediate player, so the stuff I have (MIM P, Yorkie XM200T) is more than good enough for me now. Who knows down the road though, that may change...
 
#25
i too love high end gear.

i have been fortunate enough to play bucket loads of high end stuff ebtween g2g's, jam sessions, meeting pro bassists, music store displays, and buying/selling/trading. i too started on a metallic(blue in ym case) vester pj bass and a small combo amp(peavy minx) and i know that once i get past this gear speedbump most call college, i will be indulging quite a bit as well. right now im happy to have a lakland as one piece fo gear that i know wont be going anywhere anytime soon.

my only problem is i also have taste for european cars. i bought a saab 9-3se this summer and if my bass playing had gotten the best of me i would probably have a fodera emperor instead, but i love having a sexy car :-P
 
#29
Most of the people are influenced from what they see and hear. How many knowledgable people are talking bass gear out on the streets? very few. Fender did create an affordable instrument and much of the music we listen to got recorded with these basses. Did it end there? NO. DO we just rest in our laurels and say "that's the only thing available"? NOT ME. Not everybody has seen a Farrari live, let alone drive one (let alone OWN one). Having a great car does NOT make us great drivers. The more we grow as drivers, the better we can use the Ferraris and the better we can appreciate them (while we enjoy the ride all along).
 
#31
Flintc said:
.....Sometimes I think those who put down good quality are rationalizing their inability to afford it. But in perspective, top quality basses are cheap compared to top quality in any orchestral (or even band) instrument I know of.
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Right on! I am like the OP, I can hold my own but am by know means a virtuoso when it comes to my ability on the bass. The fact is that everybody is at a different place in thier life and has different priorites. I think some people look down upon people who own a bass that costs several thousands of $$ simply because he/she doesnt have Wooten chops. Some day I am going to own a Fodera........I will never be able to play like VW..........but I will own a Fodera. Does that mean that I am a gear snob. NO! It does mean that I work very hard for the $$ I make and have the ability to spend it how I want. Sure I can get by with a Fender/Ampeg rig. News flash - not having killer chops doesnt mean that 'we' cann't buy prestige basses. Look at this way..........go into a gun store and look at rifles and shot guns. They have guns that range range from a couple hunderd to a couple thousand $$. Any one of those guns is capable of killing a deer. If hunting was 'your' hobby would still use the middle of the road riffle or would have a high end riffle? Same holds true for every other 'hobby'. When your hobby becomes a passion and a way of life - thats when it gets expensive.
 
#32
The question that pops into my mind is just what is "high end" gear, anyway? Probably each of us would have a different way to define the term. The most expensive bass I have is cheap compared to a Sadowsky, Pedulla, Fodera or similar bass. Still, I consider it a high end bass because of the way it's built, the quality materials used, the appearance, and the way it plays and sounds.

I guess my point is that it's dangerous to think that only expensive instruments should be considered "high end." You always hear people say "you get what you pay for" but we all know that's not always true. There are some great deals out there, and there are a few basses that cost WAY too much for what you are getting.

All in my opinion, of course. ;)

Anyway, I'll never put anyone down for their choice in gear. I also think it's great when someone has been playing for a while and finally finds the gear that makes them happy. I'm getting close to that now. (The little brown truck will be delivering something to me this week that may be the final piece to the puzzle!) :D
 
#33
g4string said:
Right on! I am like the OP, I can hold my own but am by know means a virtuoso when it comes to my ability on the bass. The fact is that everybody is at a different place in thier life and has different priorites. I think some people look down upon people who own a bass that costs several thousands of $$ simply because he/she doesnt have Wooten chops. Some day I am going to own a Fodera........I will never be able to play like VW..........but I will own a Fodera. Does that mean that I am a gear snob. NO! It does mean that I work very hard for the $$ I make and have the ability to spend it how I want. Sure I can get by with a Fender/Ampeg rig. News flash - not having killer chops doesnt mean that 'we' cann't buy prestige basses. Look at this way..........go into a gun store and look at rifles and shot guns. They have guns that range range from a couple hunderd to a couple thousand $$. Any one of those guns is capable of killing a deer. If hunting was 'your' hobby would still use the middle of the road riffle or would have a high end riffle? Same holds true for every other 'hobby'. When your hobby becomes a passion and a way of life - thats when it gets expensive.
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And I'll chuckle behind the guys back with the big dollar Parker, Les Baer, Wilson Combat etc. as he get's "taken to shcool" by the guy with Stoeger and a Smith Model 10. :)

Hey, I play very expensive stuff sometimes, and rediculously cheap stuff other times (most of the time) . Doesn't matter to me how much you spent on your equipment. What matters to me is "Am I entertained when I see you play". I have found the price tag of the players bass/rig has nothing to do with how much I'm entertained.

On the other hand, it's easier to forgive someone for not sounding good on a cheap-O Rig. I can tell you I've seen a number of bands play where I said to myself or my bandmates. "WOW! with all the money they have tied up in gear (doesn't matter if it's drums, guitar or bass) , you'd think they'd be able to get a better sound than that"
 
#34
savit260 said:
And I'll chuckle behind the guys back with the big dollar Parker, Les Baer, Wilson Combat etc. as he get's "taken to shcool" by the guy with Stoeger and a Smith Model 10. :)
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Same thing can happen playing music.........Reggie Wooten plays shows in front of thousands of people with a Squire Strat. That dude can play. So ya, I know what you mean.:smug:

I guess I just trying to make a general statement that when you reach a certain plateau in your ability, a good deal of people start utilizing more expensive gear. I guess its like a reward to yourself for all of the hard years of woodshedding, rehearsing, playing in nasty clubs, etc. No matter your skill level, when you contribute a good portion of your life to making music I think everybody deserves to splurge on some nice gear.
 
#35
xgabriele said:
I've purchased diamonds for my wife's engagement ring and wedding ring. Nothing terribly extravagant, but diamonds none the less. I guess I don't get what you are getting at?
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Slave labor, horrible conditions in general...etc...etc...
I bought some for my wife also, I'm not on my high horse. Just saying that its not like people are dying for your high end gear light for the mining of pretty shinny things called diamonds.
 
#36
savit260 said:
On the other hand, it's easier to forgive someone for not sounding good on a cheap-O Rig. I can tell you I've seen a number of bands play where I said to myself or my bandmates. "WOW! with all the money they have tied up in gear (doesn't matter if it's drums, guitar or bass) , you'd think they'd be able to get a better sound than that"
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Oh, and I know what you mean bu that as well.:)

However, when I see stuff like this it is usually guitar players and drummers. I have seen plenty of crappy bands with the guitar that cant play a lick to save his life. But he has some super nice custom Les Paul with some hot rodded tube amp. Usually sitting behind him is the drummer with the Neil Pert 20pc drum kit who cant keep a beat.

I would have to say that bass players seem to be the most modest of your typical musician. However, I can account for this by claiming that most high end gear for bass players is not as available as high end guitar gear. You can walk into any GC in this country and take your pick high end Gibson's, PRS's, or Fender's. My local GC has some real pricey guitars hanging on their walls. However, the nicest bass they have their is a MIA Fender or Music Man. Finding high end gear for bass is a challenge for most.
 
#37
g4string said:
Same thing can happen playing music.........Reggie Wooten plays shows in front of thousands of people with a Squire Strat. That dude can play. So ya, I know what you mean.:smug:

I guess I just trying to make a general statement that when you reach a certain plateau in your ability, a good deal of people start utilizing more expensive gear. I guess its like a reward to yourself for all of the hard years of woodshedding, rehearsing, playing in nasty clubs, etc. No matter your skill level, when you contribute a good portion of your life to making music I think everybody deserves to splurge on some nice gear.
Click to expand...


I understand what you're saying, but many of the guys I know that have achived a fair amount of success play pretty pedestrian (by T.B. standards) basses and amps.

As an example, one of the bands I play with was doing main support for a fairly well known national touring act. The bass player asked if I wanted to use his amp rig to cut down on change over time. I agreed. He was playing a MIA Fender P through an old G/K 400rb with and Ampeg 4x10.

I see more guys playing fancy stuff in cover bands. Not that there's anything wrong with that, but that's been my observation.
 
#39
"High End" gear is pretty affordable when you buy used off someone on TB. I went from a fender jazz traded in excellent condition for a warwick, which I sold as new for another warwick, which I sold and added a couple hundred bucks to get a new modulus q5. When all was said and done, I spent probably $900 to go from fender american standard jazz bass to modulus q5. Ditto my amp experiences, where I have probably spent right around $1000 to go from a trace elliot combo to an eden/aguilar rig. Used market, if you get to check stuff out, makes "high end" attainable for hacks like me who have other things to spend money on. Not everyone who has an outrageous rig and collection of basses got them for new street price. With the exception of Fodera and Sadowsky (MTD, to a lesser degree), a slightly used high end bass can be had for like half of retail. Wheel and deal and you can have a boutique setup for a fraction of the price.
 
#40
xgabriele,

You speak the truth. Why not use gear you can afford? Why not live in a nice condo as opposed to a slum? The slum has a kitchen and a bathroom, not to mention space for a bed...

That said, I only have 1 piece of "high end" gear which is my Bergantino HT-322. The rest of my stuff is just "nice". My whole setup cost me $1850 and I use it professionally.. Oh yeah, and when it comes to professionals, getting the best is nothing to scoff at. Why shouldn't a farmer have the best tractor? I play music for a living... So I guess I'm justified when I get my custom Nordstrand within the next 2 years? :)
 

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