I think I stop believing in expensive basses!

[nostatic]

As many have said, this is a "golden age" of instruments. Globalization and automation have created a situation where someone can spend a few hundred dollars and get a *really* nice, and in some cases beautiful, instrument. And I don't think anyone argues with the law of diminishing returns - that is a fact with any product. Really the only question at hand is what an INDIVIDUAL considers to be their "sweet spot" for price/performance, and what VALUE they place on the details and factors beyond the basic parts of the bass.

Where people seem to get hung up is that they insist on applying their individual definitions of value on others. Cost is an absolute figure. Value is relative and interpreted. I can understand why someone wouldn't pay 5 figures for a Fodera Yin Yang Deluxe. But seems that person should be a little more open to the idea of someone else doing so. I get why people buy Porsche GT3s - even though I know most will never track them. I can't really afford to do that. But to those that can, more power to them.

 

[BigEarl]

In following this thread one thing jumps out at me. Someone builds an object, prices it expensive and says it's better. Someone else may experience that object and say it is better ...because it's expensive! Someone else works real hard and sacrifices to own that expensive object and is happy with his desire/fulfillment.

That's called "America", friend.

The one thing I CANNOT abide is the person who owns the expensive object and ridicules anyone for owning anything "less".

That's called an "Ass****".

 

[lucas vigor]

In following this thread one thing jumps out at me. Someone builds an object, prices it expensive and says it's better. Someone else may experience that object and say it is better ...because it's expensive! Someone else works real hard and sacrifices to own that expensive object and is happy with his desire/fulfillment.

That's called "America", friend.

The one thing I CANNOT abide is the person who owns the expensive object and ridicules anyone for owning anything "less".That's called an "Ass****".

Yep, and I have NEVER done that. What I am ridiculing are those who say that their massively less expensive object is better or equal to the hi-end gear.

Hey, I don't play boutique instruments now, and never did. I started on something that was probably cheaper then an SX. But if I had the money, I would get a sadowsky or Fodera. Not to look down on those who don't have them, but simply because it would be fun to play and own one of the best.

 

[labrador]

Well my son has a squire and I own a modulus I do see a difference but I smell what your cooking.

 

[nostatic]

The one thing I CANNOT abide is the person who owns the expensive object and ridicules anyone for owning anything "less".

That's called an "Ass****".

Who has done that in this thread?

I do see a fair amount of the opposite though...

It's the interwebs...where everyone is 6'1", has a phd, and is good looking.

Oh well, 2 out of 3 ain't bad

 

[nickbass79]

Who has done that in this thread?

I do see a fair amount of the opposite though...

It's the interwebs...where everyone is 6'1", has a phd, and is good looking.

Oh well, 2 out of 3 ain't bad

"My apartment smells of rich mahogany and I many leather bound books..."

 

[lucas vigor]

"My apartment smells of rich mahogany and I have many leather bound books..."

But do you play the yazz flute?

 

[nickbass79]

But do you play the yazz flute?

"You know I don't speak Spanish..."

 

[Calaverasgrande]

Really?...fender and musicman is considered to be mid-priced. I would of thought that any basses higher than $600 or $700 is considered expensive. or at least I consider it to be expensive. personally I would spend no higher than $600 for a bass. maybe $700, but no higher than that. plus I don't need to spend like thousands of dollars on a good playing bass. I've played affordable bass guitars that sound just as good as high priced basses or better sounding than high priced basses. when it comes to buying a bass, it really doesn't matter how much they cost...it's all about personal taste in sound quality. If I was going to buy a high priced, I would most likely would buy a high-end Ibanez soundgear bass. but other than that, I'm very satisfied with affordable and mid-priced basses.

After buying a couple instruments that happened to cost over $1000, I sincerely don't even consider basses under $600 anymore. I of course make exception for older Ibanez basses, the discontinued Musicman SUB and some other outliers. But I generally find all those cheap "Musiciansfriend" basses to be starter basses with cheap finishes and bad setups that will usually need a pickup swap and more before they are decent.
And even then you are stuck with one of those goofy 3 piece necks in a lot of cases (not 3 piece lengthwise, headstock/neck/fboard).

 

[SteveC]

The one thing I CANNOT abide is the person who owns the expensive object and ridicules anyone for owning anything "less".

That's called an "Ass****".

I think it's usually the other way around. I think people who own expensive basses are often ridiculed by those who don't. I have a $1,000 bass (bought used for $600) and have a $3,000 Roscoe on order. I don't care what anyone plays or why. I would expect the same from others.

I don't, however, claim my Geddy Lee jazz is a better bass than my Roscoe. It's just not logical.

 

[Aureus]

Some valid points made. However, I believe one expects a much higher level of customer service, as well as a modicum of influence into the development of the finished instrument, within a discussion of "expensive" or "boutique" instruments.

Also, I believe there exists a sense of entitlement when it comes to certain levels of product(s). For example, if you're just getting started, it should be a no-brainer that you'll be playing a Squier, or maybe a MIM or CIJ, or MIA Fender vs. a CS. Not that it doesn't happen, but why would you dump the money into a Fodera the day before your first lesson?

Once you've been playing (and like most areas of life), you start daydreaming about that "next-level" instrument. For me, for a long time, it was a Warwick. I just HAD to someday own a Warwick (I've owned and sold three, and have held on to one).

Now that I've been playing for a while (20 years in music at the education/hobby/semi-pro/weekend warrior...in that order...levels) I finally ordered a custom bass. Why? Because it offers the things I've wanted in a bass for years, but haven't found in Fender, EBMM, Warwick, Sandberg, and Lakland basses. I've really dug basses made by those companies, but there was always something missing.

On a final note, I'm at a place in my life where I can comfortably afford a custom bass. I'm not selling my first born to finance. It's the bass "imagined" after years of "if only this one bass had THIS...,or if only this bass was a little more THIS....". Did my old Honda Civic Coupe get me to work everyday? Yes. Does my Infiniti do it with more style? Yes. They both serve the same function. However, as a middle-aged business professional, I feel as if I am entitled to own my Infiniti. I've worked VERY hard to get where I am. I ensure that my family is well taken care of before any thoughts of hobbies are addressed. When I pop the trunk, I'd like to put my first custom bass in there before driving to a jam session with my friends. Because, again, I've worked hard to own it.

What a great read !

I always think, like everywhere in life, the upgrades in the boutique range get smaller for huge money. Example: There most likely is a big difference between a 500$ and 1500$ bass (wood, finish, sound, quality, handling, active) but most of the time only a small difference between a 5500$ and a 6500$ bass. There you might only get a different finish or inlays or slighty different pickups, for a 1000$. But I'm totally one opinion with your post ...

Just curious, which Warwicks did you own, and which one did you keep ?

 

[lucas vigor]

I think it's usually the other way around. I think people who own expensive basses are often ridiculed by those who don't. I have a $1,000 bass (bought used for $600) and have a $3,000 Roscoe on order. I don't care what anyone plays or why. I would expect the same from others.

I don't, however, claim my Geddy Lee jazz is a better bass than my Roscoe. It's just not logical.

I wouldn't go so far as to say the bargain bass fanboys have ridiculed those with expensive basses....but they have engaged in a fair amount of bragging about and over-hyping thier own 180 dollar basses. I mean, REALLY....you own a sadowsky, a pre-CBS fender and a 2008 MIA and it is the SX you bring to the studio and play live instead? When I first read that, I was inclined to think that the poster who said it was really just very unique....but the fact that he had 100s of people who agreed with him...that was something I never understood at all. It is reverse-elitism, nothing more!

 

[spade2you]

I don't, however, claim my Geddy Lee jazz is a better bass than my Roscoe. It's just not logical.

Exactly. Too much this vs. that where folks are seeking what's better.

 

[MikeBass]

Yes. I have been playing bass for a long time.

Sorry, I can't believe you can.
You may be able to tell a difference, but not accurately which is which.
And even then, I really don't think you could tell a difference.

And I also have been playing a long time.

Sure, the difference between a passive jazz and a pre-amp'd humbucker'd bass is obvious at times.

 

[lomo]

Sorry, I can't believe you can.
You may be able to tell a difference, but not accurately which is which.
And even then, I really don't think you could tell a difference.

And I also have been playing a long time.

Sure, the difference between a passive jazz and a pre-amp'd humbucker'd bass is obvious at times.

Neither do I. The ONLY way to tell if you can differentiate is to do it blindly and repeatedly.

 

[lucas vigor]

Sorry, I can't believe you can.
You may be able to tell a difference, but not accurately which is which.
And even then, I really don't think you could tell a difference.

And I also have been playing a long time.

Sure, the difference between a passive jazz and a pre-amp'd humbucker'd bass is obvious at times.

well, too bad. I can. It's not at all hard to differentiate between a bass that costs 100 dollars, and one that costs 4000. But why don't you tell the Fodera guy why his bass sounds the same to you as a 100 dollar bass made in china. Go ahead.

 

[capnsandwich]

My turn for an analogy on this thread so far:
It's kind of like eating. Yeah, you could stop at McDonalds, pick up a Big Mac value meal with large fries and a coke, or you could sit down at a steakhouse, get the best porterhouse on the menu, eat a HUGE baked potato and drink an awesome micro brew. The end result is more calories and a good chance of taking a dump before you go to bed. However, I love a good porterhouse!

 

[lucas vigor]

Our instruments range in price from $4,750 for a Standard 4-string to $30,000 for a 6-string Solid/Acoustic Hybrid. That said, the vast majority of the instruments going out the door (quantity-wise) end up costing between $4,750 and $10,000.

When you strip out all of the exotic woods and "cosmetic" options (i.e. things that do not effect tone), our Custom basses run between $6,150 for a 4-string and $8,550 for a 6-string (using the Bolt-on build method). Those are street prices and include any scale length, neck profile, pickup spacing, bridge spacing, body thickness and contours...all of which can be spec'd to the customer's desires at no additional charge.

The two Standard Models most ordered (our Yin Yang Standard and Emperor 5 Standard) cost $4,750 and $5,750 respectively.

All of that said, if a customer chooses a neck-through build type, super-exotic top, Dual Coil Pickups with matching wooden pick-up covers, a 9-piece neck, lots of inlay work, etc., prices can definitely get north of $15,000...

Our current Price List is always posted here:

http://www.fodera.com/PublicPages/PriceLists.aspx

Regards,

Jason

Jason, several of the posters here are saying that as regards tone, the 180 dollar cheapo budget bass is identical to yours, and that no one can tell the difference blindfolded. What do you have to say about that? or is the statement they are making so ridiculous that it doesn't even deserve a response?

 

[capnsandwich]

Jason, several of the posters here are saying that as regards tone, the 180 dollar cheapo budget bass is indentical to yours, and that no one can tell the difference blindfolded. What do you have to say about that? or is the statement they are making so ridiculous that it doesn't even deserve a response?

On a CD, after you process the bass signal (going direct of course), compress it, mix it with the other instruments (usually way down in the mix), and master it, it's hard for even a well experienced, Grammy winning producer to tell the difference. And even more so, why would he care if it sells albums?

 

[lucas vigor]

On a CD, after you process the bass signal (going direct of course), compress it, mix it with the other instruments (usually way down in the mix), and master it, it's hard for even a well experienced, Grammy winning producer to tell the difference. And even more so, why would he care if it sells albums?

There are plenty of styles of music where you can hear the bass cleanly, and clearly....and where hi-fi tone is mandatory.

Ever heard the Yellowjackets? The recordings they do are so clean you can practically hear Jimmy Haslip farting.