I think Fender is seriously crazy!

[negativefx]

I met Abby at the Corona plant before I knew who she was. I quickly realized I was not worthy of shaking her hand when I saw all the pics at her bench of rock stars bowing at her feet. I also met Cruz, Yuri, and a few other master builders. I was most impressed by the work Yuri does. Cruz is known for his relics and attention to detail on the reissues. Yuri however does all the insane one-off builds with ridiculously detailed inlays and artsy designs. Cool stuff. Whether or not its worth it to you for a master built Fender, they are absolutely the most experienced and skilled builders at the plant. Master built guitars are touched by three people: the builder, the painter, and the apprentice, and they're all much much more experienced than the assembly line. It takes years before an employee can move off the line into the custom shop, and even longer before they can apprentice for a master builder.

 

[smcd]

Yes the quality is better with a higher priced instrument (better be) that I agree but is the playability and sound? In most cases NO!
So maybe you can get that mid level bass up to snuff with a few mods and guess what save allot of money.

But some here think they need the bells and whistle's but to most who hear you playing its just bass...just bass, cheapie or high end.

As for the MIK. I have been buying, selling and trading instruments for years both cheap to vintage. You are not telling me anything I do not know but thanks for trying.

In general, the sound and playability of pricier basses is DEFINITELY superior to basses priced in the $400-$800 range. You may not be able to tell the difference, but many - even most players can. High end basses aren't made for casual listeners, so you can't really say "the audience can't tell the difference". Most listeners can't tell the difference between a synth and a bass guitar.

What's important is that you are happy, so if a $400 bass sounds great to you, that's awesome. But there's a huge market out there for basses that cost more than $800. In fact, the vast majority of players buy more expensive gear once they can afford to do so. Look at the pro's, studio players, etc. Most don't play low dollar instruments. There's a reason why.

 

[bassbully]

In general, the sound and playability of pricier basses is DEFINITELY superior to basses priced in the $400-$800 range. You may not be able to tell the difference, but many - even most players can. High end basses aren't made for casual listeners, so you can't really say "the audience can't tell the difference". Most listeners can't tell the difference between a synth and a bass guitar.

What's important is that you are happy, so if a $400 bass sounds great to you, that's awesome. But there's a huge market out there for basses that cost more than $800. In fact, the vast majority of players buy more expensive gear once they can afford to do so. Look at the pro's, studio players, etc. Most don't play low dollar instruments. There's a reason why.

So you must be a pro then? Ok.... my bad!
I'm just a cheap bass player with a tin ear... what do I know?

 

[SIFJiggy]

In general, the sound and playability of pricier basses is DEFINITELY superior to basses priced in the $400-$800 range.

This is 100% wrong.

This quote would be accurate if every bass you've ever played had quality that directly correlated to the price tag. I haven't played as many basses as half the TBers out there - but I have played some TOILETS over a grand.


1. subjectivity
2. style of music/genre
3. players rig (botched sound due to accompanying gear)

 

[smcd]

This is 100% wrong.

This quote would be accurate if every bass you've ever played had quality that directly correlated to the price tag. I haven't played as many basses as half the TBers out there - but I have played some TOILETS over a grand.


1. subjectivity
2. style of music/genre
3. players rig (botched sound due to accompanying gear)

Re-read what I wrote. Focus on the first 2 words.

 

[stonewall]

I agree with you SMCD with a collect like yours i would tend to believe your opinion

Current Setup: '66 Fender Precision
'68 Fender Telecaster Bass
'78 Fender Jazz
'89 Fender Mary Kaye Precision
'90 Fender Mary Kaye Jazz
'80 G&L L-1000
'81 G&L L-1000
'81 G&L L-1000
'81 G&L L2000E
'97 G&L L-2000
'00 G&L ASAT semi-hollow
'86 PRS Curly Bass
'87 Ken Smith BT Custom
'88 Warwick Thumb Bass
'66 Ampeg ASB-1
'66 Ampeg AEB-1
'67 Ampeg AEB-1
'70 Dan Armstrong Lucite Bass
'75 Gibson Les Paul Signature Bass
'78 Gibson Les Paul Signature Bass
'80 Musicman Stingray
'84 Musicman Sabre
'00 Lakland 4-94
'95 USATK
'83 BC Rich Eagle
'86 BC Rich Mockingbird
Clement s.c. fretless 4-string
Lightwave Saber VL4
Surine Esprit Series I
'78 Peavey T-40
'80 Peavey T-40
'81 Peavey T-40
'86 Peavey Foundation
'87 Peavey Dyna Bass
'89 Peavey TL-5
'89 Pevey TL-5 fretless
'89 Peavey Sarzo Signature
'90 Peavey Sarzo Signature
'92 Peavey RSB
'94 Peavey Fury
'94 Peavey Palaedium
'97 Peavey B-Quad
'99 Peavey Cirrus (US)
'00 Peavy Millennium J/MM
'00 Peavey Millennium J/J
'00 Peavey Millennium P/J
Yamaha SBV-500
'75 Ibanez Black Eagle
'81 Ibanez Musician
'83 Ibanez Musican

or listen to BASSBULLY,s opinion
Current Setup:
89' MIK Squier II (black) P
60's Mayfair Beatle bass copy
Phalex Custom CORN Bass ( sweet corn model)

 

[SIFJiggy]

Re-read what I wrote. Focus on the first 2 words.

OK so you basically said, "Most of the time, it works every time"

Got it.

 

[Pet Sounds]

As a rule, expensive basses ARE better than budget basses. When I pick up an American Standard and compare it to a Chinese Squier, I can tell the difference. Not that the Squier isn't a totally decent bass for the money, but given a choice, the vast majority would take the US Fender. Contrary to what you think, Fender et.al. don't slap an $800 premium on a bass just because it has a "Made in USA" decal on the headstock. Pretty much everything is better quality on an American Standard in comparison to a Squier. That's not an opinion, it's a fact.

I'm glad your MIK Squier is making you happy. But you'd have a difficult time getting $100 for that bass, were you to put it up for sale. You could be the greatest salesman on Earth, but the only one who would be interested in your bass is you. There's a reason for that, and it's not because everyone is gullible or stupid. People recognize quality, and are willing to pay for it.

That's the truth.

 

[smcd]

OK so you basically said, "Most of the time, it works every time"

Got it.

Is English your primary language?

 

[smcd]

So you must be a pro then? Ok, my bad!
I'm just a cheap bass player with a tin ear... what do I know?

I don't know if you have a tin ear or not. But you did say these things -

To me in most environments we weekend warrior, non- professionals play in nobody including myself would know if a guy was playing a $100 bass or a $10,000 bass its just bass we hear...period.

But some here think they need the bells and whistle's but to most who hear you playing its just bass...just bass, cheapie or high end.

 

[SIFJiggy]

Is English your primary language?

"In general, xxxxx is DEFINITELY xxxxx" is an oxymoronic statement.

Yes, I do good with words. - I'm just pointing out you are trying to establish that one thing is better than the other definitively - and that's not true.

 

[bassbully]

I agree with you SMCD with a collect like yours i would tend to believe your opinion

Current Setup: '66 Fender Precision
'68 Fender Telecaster Bass
'78 Fender Jazz
'89 Fender Mary Kaye Precision
'90 Fender Mary Kaye Jazz
'80 G&L L-1000
'81 G&L L-1000
'81 G&L L-1000
'81 G&L L2000E
'97 G&L L-2000
'00 G&L ASAT semi-hollow
'86 PRS Curly Bass
'87 Ken Smith BT Custom
'88 Warwick Thumb Bass
'66 Ampeg ASB-1
'66 Ampeg AEB-1
'67 Ampeg AEB-1
'70 Dan Armstrong Lucite Bass
'75 Gibson Les Paul Signature Bass
'78 Gibson Les Paul Signature Bass
'80 Musicman Stingray
'84 Musicman Sabre
'00 Lakland 4-94
'95 USATK
'83 BC Rich Eagle
'86 BC Rich Mockingbird
Clement s.c. fretless 4-string
Lightwave Saber VL4
Surine Esprit Series I
'78 Peavey T-40
'80 Peavey T-40
'81 Peavey T-40
'86 Peavey Foundation
'87 Peavey Dyna Bass
'89 Peavey TL-5
'89 Pevey TL-5 fretless
'89 Peavey Sarzo Signature
'90 Peavey Sarzo Signature
'92 Peavey RSB
'94 Peavey Fury
'94 Peavey Palaedium
'97 Peavey B-Quad
'99 Peavey Cirrus (US)
'00 Peavy Millennium J/MM
'00 Peavey Millennium J/J
'00 Peavey Millennium P/J
Yamaha SBV-500
'75 Ibanez Black Eagle
'81 Ibanez Musician
'83 Ibanez Musican

or listen to BASSBULLY,s opinion
Current Setup:
89' MIK Squier II (black) P
60's Mayfair Beatle bass copy
Phalex Custom CORN Bass ( sweet corn model)

Geez layoff I already said what do I know. In general we agree to disagree around here. With my tin ear and all what do I know. You have to be a pro and spend big bucks to know the diff...gosh

BTW..that's all I have left...sold all I had to buy a boat...kept my guitars thou..

 

[bassbully]

I don't know if you have a tin ear or not. But you did say these things -

Yes me and allot of my past and former bandmates, producers etc...they just hear bass...just bass

 

[Sixgunn]

I like the Dusty Hill signature Precision Bass. $200.00 worth of wood and materials CNC'd into a $5000.00 masterpiece... Yeah.....

 

[BurningSkies]

In general, the sound and playability of pricier basses is DEFINITELY superior to basses priced in the $400-$800 range. You may not be able to tell the difference, but many - even most players can. High end basses aren't made for casual listeners, so you can't really say "the audience can't tell the difference". Most listeners can't tell the difference between a synth and a bass guitar.

What's important is that you are happy, so if a $400 bass sounds great to you, that's awesome. But there's a huge market out there for basses that cost more than $800. In fact, the vast majority of players buy more expensive gear once they can afford to do so. Look at the pro's, studio players, etc. Most don't play low dollar instruments. There's a reason why.

I would agree with this. In general, you get what you pay for, or people would all be playing 300$ basses and there wouldn't be high dollar basses. Pay more and you have a better chance at quality fit and finish, higher grade components and often a better chance at the tone you want.

Also the knee jerk reaction that because its Mexican made, it must be cheaper or junkier or not as 'worth' the money is false. While people DO take advantage of the wage disparity and/or the regulatory laxness of some countries of production, that can also mean that with a few extra bucks spent you can get a much nicer piece of gear.

 

[punkjazzben]

If you buy expensive basses, clap your hands
If you buy expensive basses, clap your hands
If you buy expensive basses and you rub it in our faces
If you buy expensive basses, clap your hands!

Now sing it with me!

 

[kohntarkosz]

"In general, xxxxx is DEFINITELY xxxxx" is an oxymoronic statement.

Is that an example of pleonasm or tautology I see before me?

 

[Lownote38]

Erm.... they aren't copies and are actually superior instruments? Have you ever seen or played Roscoes, MTDs or Ken Smiths?!

Ther'es this site: google.com - you should try it.

Yes, and I like Fender basses better. That goes for Lakland and Sadowsky as well.

 

[SIFJiggy]

Is that an example of pleonasm or tautology I see before me?

Probably more pleonasm. I used "oxymoronic" to illustrate the characteristics of an oxymoron contained within the quote. I may have been to wordy and could have used "self-defeating" in it's place.

Thanks for catching that

 

[JimmyM]

I have bought expensive and cheap basses. Of course, my version of expensive (over $1000 new) is probably considered cheap to some. Found some cheapos that I absolutely love, found some I unloaded after a while. But when it comes to Fenders, I end up preferring the Japanese and American lines over all. They're generally lighter, have better fretwork, and feel better in the hands.