If tone really is in the fingers...

[Jehos]

...why does most every top notch bassist or guitarist play instruments that cost thousands (sometimes tens of thousands) of dollars? Why aren't they just playing $300 basses and guitars off the rack from Guitar Center? I mean, if tone is really in the fingers, it shouldn't matter right?

Tone is in the fingers. Looks, intonation, and feel are all in the instrument.

 

[Kijuer]

Well do

...why does most every top notch bassist or guitarist play instruments that cost thousands (sometimes tens of thousands) of dollars? Why aren't they just playing $300 basses and guitars off the rack from Guitar Center? I mean, if tone is really in the fingers, it shouldn't matter right?

If you were a bass manufacturer, which bass would you give a top notch artist to promote your products?
If you were a bass pro, would you rather play a f***ing expensive, top-build quality bass that you're given for free thanks to your endorsement deal, or a cheaper one that, no matter how great it sounds, is still made with lower quality components (and you don't want tuning pegs falling off the headstock while you play, do you?) and maybe can't endure a relentless, mechanically stressful touring life as other models?

 

[cnltb]

Since when does cheap mean inferior? How many guys do you see playing their own Squier (or cheaper alternative) artist series guitar or basses? It's built to their specs and tone is in the fingers right? Tone is not in the fingers.

Whilst cheaper often does mean inferior in one aspect or another,(unless you 'know some one') I edited my post to express more clearly , what I mean.

 

[Lowbrow]

Tone is not 'just in the fingers.' That tired old line is a handy put-down masquerading as wise advice that TBers like to throw around.

 

[juggahnaught]

...why does most every top notch bassist or guitarist play instruments that cost thousands (sometimes tens of thousands) of dollars? Why aren't they just playing $300 basses and guitars off the rack from Guitar Center? I mean, if tone is really in the fingers, it shouldn't matter right?

:-(

Because they can. There are bassists who aren't top-notch who play these instruments as well.

Owning a faster car does not make you a better driver.

 

[ixlramp]

Obviously it's a silly phrase not meant to be taken literally.

 

[groovaholic]

Ergonomics, feel, tactile feedback...use the tool that helps you get the job done

 

[Ellery]

Perhaps tone is in the fingers, but some of us need a little help. Those who don't need help, want to boast by shoving it down everyone's throat every chance they get, to the point people have to fire back by challenging the idea with a post. Perhaps. Only a theory.

 

[nilorius]

Tone is in the bass and also in the fingers. The point is how you can use that tone in both sides.

 

[Runlikegregg]

because they look cool. and also expensive basses are often much more comfortable to play.

 

[Yellow Bang66]

That's a question that's been asked throughout history. And not one the people creating the fuss are comfortable answering. Because the the truthful answer doesn't reflect too well on them.

I need more better expensive hands/fingers then. stupid me forl ooking/Gassing at new basses/gear,and listening, so intently to all those planks of wood! I want those tony iommi finger tip thingys too. if it's true!

 

[zon6c-f]

...why does most every top notch bassist or guitarist play instruments that cost thousands (sometimes tens of thousands) of dollars? Why aren't they just playing $300 basses and guitars off the rack from Guitar Center? I mean, if tone is really in the fingers, it shouldn't matter right?

Not true; fingers are one aspect in the equation

Also includes: head, heart, amp, strings and bass of choice and pick when needed !

 

[FenderP]

Tone is the whole signal chain - your fingers (or a pick), strings, pickups, wood and the bass itself, amp choice, etc. How you play influences, of course, but the HH Stingray isn't going to really sound like a P exactly. However, Geddy still sounded like Geddy on the R40 tour no matter what bass he played but each bass had a different "sound".

So the argument really is around "your sound". You need to understand what that is in your head and you can dial it in whether it is a $300 instrument or a $30,000 one. I've done that on other people's basses and amps.

The small differences - fit/finish, playability, neck shape, etc., all matter too. No one is saying that a $300 instrument is bad. Today's $300 instruments are far superior in most cases to those when I was growing up BUT to say someone should just play a Squier/Epiphone/whatever and call it a day is ridiculous. We all have reasons for liking what we like. Some instruments help us get there, others won't.

Play what you can afford and makes you happy. If all you ever want is a Squier and are happy, cool. If you aspire to own something else? Awesome. J Wilson's post is spot on.

So to me, I think it's in your head. Now, for sure, it's a better-sounding 'me' on Alembic than $5 Squier pickups, worlds apart construction-wise for sure, but the Squier JW ain't bad considering the cost differential.

 

[TNCreature]

Because concrete rigid statements never tell the whole story.

 

[And I]

My tone is ONLY in my fingers. I don't even have a bass.

 

[Fergie Fulton]

If you get a chance to play a Double Bass try it... Then you hear why "tone is in the fingers"... Its an old saying based in the truth of acoustic instruments, better technique meant better tone.

 

[Volker Kirstein]

...and maybe can't endure a relentless, mechanically stressful touring life as other models?

^^^^
THIS

I went through 3 basses my first year hard gigging.

And two combo amps.

 

[bassrique]

The $300 number was thrown out so I'll say that $300 will get you a gig-worthy bass these days. It's not expensive for modern machines to make good wood parts that fit together well for what used to be a price that would buy something 25% as good 15 years ago.

Much of what adds to the price is the pretty stuff. The relatively inexpensive add-ons one can add to a gig bass can make it very good. If it gets dinged or stolen, you needent have a bird like you might with a boutique bass.

Go to the music shop and have someone hand you basses with you having a blindfold on. Most of the tonewood talk is overblown or even misunderstood.

Save your money for amps/cabs.

 

[two fingers]

...why does most every top notch bassist or guitarist play instruments that cost thousands (sometimes tens of thousands) of dollars? Why aren't they just playing $300 basses and guitars off the rack from Guitar Center? I mean, if tone is really in the fingers, it shouldn't matter right?

Most of them are endorsed. The rest are famous/successful enough that they can afford whatever bass they want..... even if it's going to get banged up on the road.

If I make a living making ice sculptures with a chainsaw, I'll either be endorsed by Stihl, or buy several REALLY nice chainsaws with my sculpture money..... even if I could get the job done with an off-the-shelf-at-Lowes $99 chainsaw.

End of story.

Your question makes no sense.

 

[nostatic]

Lets see what some others think:

Ask not what your tone can do for you, ask what you can do for your tone.
- John F. Kennedy

An unexamined tone is not worth playing.
- Socrates

The only tone we have to fear is tone itself.
- Franklin D. Roosevelt

I'm a great believer in tone, and I find that the harder I work, the more I have of it.
- Thomas Jefferson