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I'm not into expensive basses at all.
- Thread starter Rambazamba
- Start date
Maybe 40 years ago. Sorry, not much difference between a $300 bass & a $2000 bass other than finish and a little better electronics. After you glue fretboards on necks, 10 coats of finish on the body, a few pounds of string pressure across the entire bass, the dynamics of the rare Brazilian wood is greatly reduced. No difference in a $5 tuner compared to a $50 tuner as long as it stays in tune.
There is a lot of difference between a $300 and a $2000 bass. You're not paying extra for NOTHING. You are getting higher quality WOOD, FINISH, HARDWARE, ELECTRONICS and sometimes construction.
The key is whether you appreciate (or notice) the difference or not. Some people don't and if it sounds good and looks good to them, that's all they need. And they're not wrong.
I have a $2500 Spector Euro. I've played Spector's lower cost Legend (around $800 at the time) and there is absolutely nothing wrong with the Legend; it's a pretty good bass. But the Euro has a lovely quilted maple top with an impeccable gloss finish, better pickups (US Bartolinis), higher quality tuners (more on that in a sec), and overall it just "feels" like a higher quality instrument. Some may not care about this difference.
Car analogies have been used before so here's a new one. Anyone here play video games? Play a game on an Xbox One and it will play just fine. You're not really missing anything. Now play that same game on an Xbox One X. Now you have higher resolution (up to 4K), more consistent or higher frame rates, and in many cases, faster loading times (faster yet if you switch to an SSD instead of an HD). You can play just fine on the standard Xbox One. You'll still get a great experience. The Xbox One X gives you a little more.
And at the higher end of basses and above (especially above), you're paying for more hands on craftsmanship, finishing and attention to detail along with extra bells and whistles (fancier woods, inlay work and materials, unique finishes). Hours of human labor as opposed to an automated assembly line cranking hundreds of bodies and necks.
Finishes on cheaper instruments may also wear or chip more easily because they're not getting as many layers sprayed on and the proper amount of days in between needed to properly dry and buff (time is money).
That $5 tuner is not going to hold tuning as long as a more expensive one. I had a guitar with crappy tuners and after a few songs with heavy bending or strumming, one or more of the strings would go slightly out of tune. The usually higher gear ratio in a more expensive tuner will help you to tune faster with more accuracy. (That $5 tuner is the Xbox One's HD, that $50 tuner is an SSD
)Now, I'm not saying I don't like inexpensive instruments. Some are truly excellent buys and play and look great. And I agree that at some point you're getting to diminishing returns (as much as I want a U.S. made Spector, no way I will pay $3800 to $6000 (and higher) for a new one!).
I'm just saying that there IS a difference between expensive and inexpensive basses. At the end of the day though, there are many variables and if it plays and sounds great, that's all that matters.
Hey, a human can mess up cutting/shaping/finishing wood much easier than a computer assisted device. Your perfectly painted new car is not hand painted.There is a lot of difference between a $300 and a $2000 bass. You're not paying extra for NOTHING. You are getting higher quality WOOD, FINISH, HARDWARE, ELECTRONICS and sometimes construction.
The key is whether you appreciate (or notice) the difference or not. Some people don't and if it sounds good and looks good to them, that's all they need. And they're not wrong.
I have a $2500 Spector Euro. I've played Spector's lower cost Legend (around $800 at the time) and there is absolutely nothing wrong with the Legend; it's a pretty good bass. But the Euro has a lovely quilted maple top with an impeccable gloss finish, better pickups (US Bartolinis), higher quality tuners (more on that in a sec), and overall it just "feels" like a higher quality instrument. Some may not care about this difference.
Car analogies have been used before so here's a new one. Anyone here play video games? Play a game on an Xbox One and it will play just fine. You're not really missing anything. Now play that same game on an Xbox One X. Now you have higher resolution (up to 4K), more consistent or higher frame rates, and in many cases, faster loading times (faster yet if you switch to an SSD instead of an HD). You can play just fine on the standard Xbox One. You'll still get a great experience. The Xbox One X gives you a little more.
And at the higher end of basses and above (especially above), you're paying for more hands on craftsmanship, finishing and attention to detail along with extra bells and whistles (fancier woods, inlay work and materials, unique finishes). Hours of human labor as opposed to an automated assembly line cranking hundreds of bodies and necks.
Finishes on cheaper instruments may also wear or chip more easily because they're not getting as many layers sprayed on and the proper amount of days in between needed to properly dry and buff (time is money).
That $5 tuner is not going to hold tuning as long as a more expensive one. I had a guitar with crappy tuners and after a few songs with heavy bending or strumming, one or more of the strings would go slightly out of tune. The usually higher gear ratio in a more expensive tuner will help you to tune faster with more accuracy. (That $5 tuner is the Xbox One's HD, that $50 tuner is an SSD
Now, I'm not saying I don't like inexpensive instruments. Some are truly excellent buys and play and look great. And I agree that at some point you're getting to diminishing returns (as much as I want a U.S. made Spector, no way I will pay $3800 to $6000 (and higher) for a new one!).
I'm just saying that there IS a difference between expensive and inexpensive basses. At the end of the day though, there are many variables and if it plays and sounds great, that's all that matters.
Tuners ?? Sorry to disagree, but my cheap bass stays in tune the whole gig, take it home, practice, bring to next gig, guess what, still in tune! I hope the $50 apiece tuners self tune!!
And those things mean something, sometimes. You said "not much difference" but those are big differences.
I mean, you can buy furniture at Ikea. Or you can pay more and get something more solidly built with better materials (real wood) and more variety and uniqueness. They both fill the same role.
Honestly, I don't know how much tuners cost but I'm sure none are $50 a piece. You were being hyperbolic so I used your example. But if your tuners stay in tune that long then maybe they're not as cheap as you think
Sorry if I sounded ugly. If I was financially able to afford a custom bass I would do it in a minute! I only play out 1 or 2 gigs per month and can't justify it. Plus one place we play it gets a little rough. Hate to see toasted people wanting to play on my $3k bass!And those things mean something, sometimes. You said "not much difference" but those are big differences.
I mean, you can buy furniture at Ikea. Or you can pay more and get something more solidly built with better materials (real wood) and more variety and uniqueness. They both fill the same role.
Honestly, I don't know how much tuners cost but I'm sure none are $50 a piece. You were being hyperbolic so I used your example. But if your tuners stay in tune that long then maybe they're not as cheap as you think
Not at all! That's the thing about the internet and texting, it's easy to come across a certain way when that was not the intention. And we're probably all guilty of stubbornness or standing up TOO proudly for what we believe in.
Honestly, these thread are entertaining but at the same time can venture into the silly. I mean, we ALL like different things.
At the end of the day, whatever floats your boat (and doesn't get your goat!)
I am DEFINITELY into expensive basses.
...and cheap basses
...and midrange basses.
...well, yeah.
...and cheap basses
...and midrange basses.
...well, yeah.
Or get a divorce for buying a $5000 bass!!Not at all! That's the thing about the internet and texting, it's easy to come across a certain way when that was not the intention. And we're probably all guilty of stubbornness or standing up TOO proudly for what we believe in.
Honestly, these thread are entertaining but at the same time can venture into the silly. I mean, we ALL like different things.
At the end of the day, whatever floats your boat (and doesn't get your goat!)
You and I both know the bass wasn't the actual reason
Said as someone who has spent about $3k ++ on just bass equipment in past year- the divorce talk preceeded all of this- yet despite that number being far less than an every 2 week take-home amount, that is what she has chosen to focus on...
So I just bought a Collider...and a pedal board...
Music, she is a cruel mistress but I am obviously caught in her clutches over one who doesn't understand or appreciate a passionate (now)-hobby- my only one- that is obviously affordable to me.
Haa!You and I both know the bass wasn't the actual reason
Said as someone who has spent about $3k ++ on just bass equipment in past year- the divorce talk preceeded all of this- yet despite that number being far less than an every 2 week take-home amount, that is what she has chosen to focus on...
So I just bought a Collider...and a pedal board...
Music, she is a cruel mistress but I am obviously caught in her clutches over one who doesn't understand or appreciate a passionate (now)-hobby- my only one- that is obviously affordable to me.
I get questioned on how many basses I own. Just 3!! Most expensive was $700! She has far exceeded that amount at the beauty shop! Am I gonna tell her the last part about the beauty shop??
At the moment, I have 3 basses. All are used and I was able to play (or one like them) 2 of the 3 before I bought them.
LTD B-50 - I bought this one for $120. I played one that a friend had and loved it. I found this one online and pulled the trigger on it. It has a great fit and finish, sounds and plays fantastic and is just fun to play. It has a great neck and is very light.
Squier Affinty PJ - This bass cost me $40 at a pawn shop. Plugged it up in the pawn shop. I was completely blown away by the way this bass played and sounded. It was some kinda nasty though. I gave it a thorough cleaning, new strings and did some minor setup work to it. The fit and finish of this bass is outstanding.
Cort SB10 - This is the newest bass for me. I picked it up yesterday. It Cost me $150. Once I was able to do a little cleaning and minor setup, I put it through the paces for about 3 hours. It plays and sounds fantastic. For a 2000 year model it was in overall great shape. It has some scratches but nothing that is hardly noticeable. This one is solid. The MM style humbucker has great tone all the way through the lows, mids and highs. It has a very comfortable neck and is a very comfortable bass to play. Definitely a keeper.
I do a lot of looking and no matter how much a bass cost, if it doesn't "speak" to me I will not buy it. I cant justify spending a lot of money on basses when 95% of my playing time is spent as a "Spare Bedroom Bassist". I look for the most bang for the buck that fits my needs. These 3 more than exceed my expectations.
LTD B-50 - I bought this one for $120. I played one that a friend had and loved it. I found this one online and pulled the trigger on it. It has a great fit and finish, sounds and plays fantastic and is just fun to play. It has a great neck and is very light.
Squier Affinty PJ - This bass cost me $40 at a pawn shop. Plugged it up in the pawn shop. I was completely blown away by the way this bass played and sounded. It was some kinda nasty though. I gave it a thorough cleaning, new strings and did some minor setup work to it. The fit and finish of this bass is outstanding.
Cort SB10 - This is the newest bass for me. I picked it up yesterday. It Cost me $150. Once I was able to do a little cleaning and minor setup, I put it through the paces for about 3 hours. It plays and sounds fantastic. For a 2000 year model it was in overall great shape. It has some scratches but nothing that is hardly noticeable. This one is solid. The MM style humbucker has great tone all the way through the lows, mids and highs. It has a very comfortable neck and is a very comfortable bass to play. Definitely a keeper.
I do a lot of looking and no matter how much a bass cost, if it doesn't "speak" to me I will not buy it. I cant justify spending a lot of money on basses when 95% of my playing time is spent as a "Spare Bedroom Bassist". I look for the most bang for the buck that fits my needs. These 3 more than exceed my expectations.
I agree. Some people still love tuna melts even though there's steak on menu.
A great example of high quality inexpensive basses are USA Peavey basses in general, especially 80's examples...high quality hardware, excellent necks and pickups and most are under $300 (but climbing slowly)...that kind of quality overall in a new bass is say $800 and up.
Same with a lot of the 70's and 80's Japan basses in terms of overall quality and they can be had for cheap if you find the right brands.
As far as amps and cabs the used market is glutted with heavier high quality gear.....stupid bargain prices on these as the move towards power house class D and small high end cabs continues.
There is no reason to spend a lot if you shop the used market widely and can do setups fret dress etc.
Same with a lot of the 70's and 80's Japan basses in terms of overall quality and they can be had for cheap if you find the right brands.
As far as amps and cabs the used market is glutted with heavier high quality gear.....stupid bargain prices on these as the move towards power house class D and small high end cabs continues.
There is no reason to spend a lot if you shop the used market widely and can do setups fret dress etc.
I don't know man, people are going nuts for Peavey t40 s even if they weigh 13lbs. And the prices here went up from like 350 to 700 in a year.
...great basses, even with the weight... you could pick one up for $200 not too long ago...
I'm not going to play it at 13 pounds, let someone else have at it I've got better standards.
...I wouldn't wear one myself mate, at my age... but they are good instruments...
