I'm not into expensive basses at all.

[Snibborwocky]

There are a VERY few high end basses I would love to own but, knowing full well I will never get that chance unless I win the lottery. That being said, I really like lower priced instruments and eventually modding them to my liking. It makes it a bit more fun and creative and something you can call your own that no one else has the same exact instrument of.

 

[Vinny_G]

You know, some say that woods matter, some say that it's the electronics. Some say that it's the weight of the bass, some say it's the anti-aging cream that you put on your strings to deaden already dead strings. Some even think that you can put strap locks without tightening them for 30 years and are surprised when they let go.

So what matters in the end, what is a the lowest common denominator on which we can all agree? What is a good bass? Is it a bass that's well built, that feels comfortable in your hands, and has a good sound? Okay then, a $200 bass can do that (maybe add $50 for the skin care products if you want to have the muffled sound of the 50's).

 

[stringthrough]

If it's solidly built, plays nicely and sound good to your ears, enjoy!

Having owned some very expensive basses (all now gone) - Sadowsky, Elrick, Lull, Fender CS, Steinberger (US), Lakland - - I've become a "middle feeder", happy to own instruments in the $500-2,000 range. Mexican Fenders, Indonesian Ibanez's and yes, a couple of US-made, non-CS Fenders.

 

[baileyboy]

For me, it's not whether the bass is expensive or not, however, it must be one that is lightweight and has good tone so I can gig with. Because I may want to sell it one day, I stick with basses I know I can break even or make money in a resale... USA Fender.

 

[DirkP]

Might just be me, but what I don't like about the contemporary Squier CV and mexican Fender instruments I tried are the necks. They feel and sound kind of hollow to me. I own a lot of Fender basses (japanse mid- and upper class, a 1974 P, a 1978 Jazz, 2 from the US vintage series) and one thing I liked on all Japanese Fender instruments including the early Squiers are the necks. I don't feel or hear a difference in quality between a JV Squier or Fender Japan bass and a > 2.000,- Fender US Vintage bass. Otherwise the budget Fender and Squier instruments looked o.k. They might use cheaper materials on the Squiers, so the fretwire might wear down much faster.

But is there any difference in construction or material of the necks on the cheaper contemporary instruments, that justifies my impression?

 

[john_g]

Ha ha ha ha hah ha ha ....i gotta go lay down for a while

 

[Rambazamba]

Yes, you all are right. Different strokes for different folks. I had always thought I'd really like to have a vintage P Bass, custom color, all the bells and whistles. But I don't. I don't need this in my life. I have played a lot of high end instruments and I get what people like about them. But it's just not important to me. To me, an electric bass is much more a tool than, let's say, an acoustic guitar. The one I use to play in dark, crowded rooms full of smoke and probably rather wasted people. The other I use to play a lullaby to my kids. (This is of course a pretty rude exaggeration but you might know what I mean...)
Diversity is a fantastic thing!

 

[Beej]

Reading it through, I'm starting to realize you don't mean higher quality, you literally mean "expensive"? I would never own a vintage Fender either, but that's because they are collector items at this point, and so they command an enormous premium unrelated to their playing qualities. I think of "expensive" as something that costs more than a "dollar store bass" but also goes beyond matching that level in aesthetics. So a Fender custom shop is in the same camp as a Squier in my view.

Everyone's level of affordability is relative. A Fender to me (flamesuit on) is like a Toyota Camry. Great car in a base model judging by sales numbers. If you want it special, you can get it outfitted in full leather with a higher power engine and custom suspension and you have a performer...but it looks like a Camry. I can also mod a Camry to perform like a Porsche, but if I can afford a Porsche, why not buy one?

 

[FunkHead]

I just hope that you can accomplish what you want on your bass.
If you can create music and you don’t feel limited then you are golden.

It took me 40 years to find my bass Soulmate. I worked many many hours of Overtime to afford it.
Then it took me 1 year to find my favorite strings for it.

It’s no Squier but just as good IMO.

 

[arbiterusa]

I'm having a great time with my Squiers and I don't see any reason at all to buy more expensive basses. Anyone else?

I've owned both a bound n' blocked seventies Jazz and a Squier Classic series Jazz.

The Squier beat the seventies bass in every possible category. Not even close. Now, the seventies bass was an extreme example of just how bad Fender's QC could be back in the day, but still...

 

[chadds]

Jaws was never my scene and I don't like Star Wars.

Oh Yeah?
I don’t like bass.

 

[5StringBlues]

Oh Yeah?
I don’t like bass.

 

[Samatza]

Nothing at all wrong with Squier, I have a Squier Jazz with EMG’s that’s killer and I use it a lot.
When I wear them out I buy another and swap the pickups and keep going.
High end basses are well, a cut above in some ways and I’ll use them for studio work and on big production shows where I need absolute pristine sound but the Jazz cuts it just fine, love that bass!

 

[SmokinJoe992]

While many here are really into high end basses from the big players, exclusive boutique instruments or rare vintage gear, I'm absolutely totally fine with my Squiers.

This is 100% honest: I have zero interest in "upgrading" or replacing them with basses that cost 10 times as much or even more.
They sound like they are supposed to do, they are rock solid, they look really cool, they feel good, I enjoy playing them a lot and I'm not afraid of lugging them around on tour or keeping them in my practice room. What more could I ask for?

I'm not even in the "more cheap is more good" camp: I've got a very expensive custom built cabinet for example. But when it comes to cabs, it really makes a difference what you pay for imo. Same with amps or synths. When it comes to basses, not so much. I'm having a great time with my Squiers and I don't see any reason at all to buy more expensive basses. Anyone else?

For the record: I've got a chinese CV Jazz Bass, a fretless Jazz built from VM parts and a VM bass VI. I replaced the pots in all of them and they all are strung with La Bella flats.

To those who are totally into expensive basses: it's all good, I don't mean to offend you. If it's your thing, who am I to judge?

I tend to agree with this I am a MIM Pbass and Strat guy myself and I don't ever see myself getting anything above that. I am kind of the same way with cars. I can afford more, but when you just need something to get you from point A to point B I don't see the point. For the music I play and the places I play them I just don't see the need for anything more. I also always buy instruments and cars used.
I also agree that the amp has way more effect on your sound in a live situation.

 

[mattj1stc]

I'm kind of similar to the OP. I definitely don't like to go too low in terms of price or quality. Yes, you can sometimes find a real gem for very little money if you're both lucky and willing to look around a lot. However, I usually gravitate towards somewhat better solutions. For me, that's meant a bass that I got new for between $800-$1500 USD. My thinking was that cheaper was probably riskier in terms of quality and more expensive was just too much to spend. I ultimately chose a Lakland Skyline 55-64 (5 string Precision - got it for around $1000 new several years ago) after owning many others. I'm sure that a Lakland US made bass would be "better," but I don't know that what makes it "better" would make any difference to me or how I played or sounded. Also, It would cost 3-4 times more money, which again is just too much. Don't get me wrong, if you have the money and you value what's being offered, spend whatever makes you happy. I'm just where I'm at.

 

[skydivingninja]

I've upgraded both my squier instruments to ones that cost around $500 each: a MIM J-bass and a PRS standard. Love 'em both, have felt no need or urge to save up for a fancy new J-bass or any fancy bass. You see people like Nick Reinhart or Steven Wilson (back in the 90s) playing Squiers, or Peter Hook and David Sims playing cheap copies of more famous basses, and you realize the brand on your headstock really doesn't matter that much.

 

[Sue Egypt]

"The Fox and the Grapes is one of the Aesop's fables. The story concerns a fox that tries to eat grapes from a vine but cannot reach them. Rather than admit defeat, he states they are undesirable"

 

[bucephylus]

While many here are really into high end basses from the big players, exclusive boutique instruments or rare vintage gear, I'm absolutely totally fine with my Squiers.

This is 100% honest: I have zero interest in "upgrading" or replacing them with basses that cost 10 times as much or even more.
They sound like they are supposed to do, they are rock solid, they look really cool, they feel good, I enjoy playing them a lot and I'm not afraid of lugging them around on tour or keeping them in my practice room. What more could I ask for?

I'm not even in the "more cheap is more good" camp: I've got a very expensive custom built cabinet for example. But when it comes to cabs, it really makes a difference what you pay for imo. Same with amps or synths. When it comes to basses, not so much. I'm having a great time with my Squiers and I don't see any reason at all to buy more expensive basses. Anyone else?

For the record: I've got a chinese CV Jazz Bass, a fretless Jazz built from VM parts and a VM bass VI. I replaced the pots in all of them and they all are strung with La Bella flats.

To those who are totally into expensive basses: it's all good, I don't mean to offend you. If it's your thing, who am I to judge?

The bass needs to fit the gig. If your bass(es) meet the needs of all of your gigs, then you are done.

What should normally drive more costly investments in instruments is getting something your bass can’t do. Aspects like fretless, B strings, weight, balance, scale lengths, tone etc can all lead to working with a builder that offers more options. But, spending that extra cash should be based on aspects which could be used in a realistic sense on the gig.

Of course, some folks just like nice things, and that’s fine too. Just saying that player needs can drive more costly instrument upgrades.

 

[And I]

I've worked hard and been fortunate and could afford an expensive bass but don't really have one. My most expensive one is $725 sticker price. With new pickups, tuners, preamp, and the fretwork it needed recently, I've spent about $1400 on it. Expensive, but still more of a high-medium than a high-end price. And the bass I'm playing more these days was $350 new, with about $250 sunk into new tuners and new preamp...

I like tinkering / soldering/ upgrading...

 

[Koshchei]

I like very light, well balanced basses with tight string spacing, and a very resonant/punchy mid and upper midrange. Rickenbacker is pretty much it, in this regard.

Squiers punch above their weight, but the basic formula has to work for you. Sires are also fantastic in this regard.