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Inferior Basses

Which would you respect others for playing more?

  • Total voters
    223
#21
Good question.

I think that anyone who thinks about gear as much as a lot of TBers do make associations with certain kinds of gear. I guess that leads to prejudgments on the players. You know? As if he must be x kind of player/person if he's playing y bass.

If the bass player's any good, he'll usually get respect 'in spite of' his Squier or low-end Ibanez or whatever. Other players may also think that some of those 'inferior' basses can still be pretty decent.

I can appreciate almost all basses, though. It's probably harder when people have major prejudices against brands, like with Fender. I played a Fender at a pretty heavy rock show and one of the other bassists was bashing Fender that night. Strangely, he also complimented my tone. :eyebrow:
 
#22
I have one of those moduli, but I am not a bass snob. I would LOVE a TBC and I am in the middle of getting an SX for a project bass.

There is only one bass that I would absolutely laugh if I saw somebody play and that would be a squier (but not the japanese ones) and that is because of my experience with squiers. I sat in GC and played about 20 of the 30 they had there and like 19 out of 20 had string buzz from hell (and I have a light touch.)

Of course in the back of my mind I would think it's probably a Japanese squier or else he just happened to find the one out of the 20 that was ok. The electronics were pretty crap though too, even though the QC is better on those. They are just CONSISTENTLY crap.

I will only bash brands I have personal experience with. However since wood is organic each instrument is different. I played a nice looking and genuine 64 jazz bass. The sound of it sucked (foot)balls. I have a nice Peavey that I paid $125 for that I LOVE LOVE LOVE. Sounds EXACTLY like my real (but refinished) 62 j-bass... hum and all... but this one i can take to shows and not worry so much. I doubt those 2 instruments will still sound the same in 20 years... but they might. The peavey might sound better :)

Thanks, Joe
 
#23
I play a Gibson Tobias which I hear people bash regularly and is never mentioned in the same regard as warwick or spector but I like it and I will always keep it around even if I get other basses. I loved it then I didn't like it and now I become more attached to it everyday.
 
#24
:cool:
Get the bass you like.
The bass that produces the tone, sound you want.
The bass that feels right to you.
And don't give a s**t what other people think.
I never judge a player on what brand of bass they play.
 
#25
Where are all of these people that actually care about what bass you play?? Where do you guys run into such people?? And why do you care what they think??

I'm 55 years old, I have been playing since I was 10, and there has not been even one time when someone said to me "You're playing xxx brand" and had a negative comment about it.

If you can play, other musicians aren't going to care what it is that you're playing ..... :cool:
 
#26
I've never had an expierience where someone exhibited such snobbery. I've heard people say, "WOW, that sounds GREAT.......for a Squier." However, having played and owned several nice basses, I doubt I would ever play a budget brand bass as my main. Unless it was a one in a million fluke. I would not, though, judge someone for their choice in basses, especially with the price of some instruments that I see sh***y bassists using. My "One" bass is a 1961 P bass. To me, it is the holy grail of basses (for now at least), but I think, within reason, if you're a good player, you can sound good on most basses. Especially since the build quality on alot of budget brands has been pretty nice for the price. Of course, a boutique bass or a pre-CBS Fender is going to blow away a Squier, but really what counts is what comes out of the bass.
 
#27
pointbass said:
Where are all of these people that actually care about what bass you play?? Where do you guys run into such people?? And why do you care what they think??
Click to expand...
Well, pointbass, I have run into them at Music Shops, at open Mike Nights, The buddy of mine that started me on bass (Showed up one day with a Hartke Kickback and he dissed it so much I returned it), and, YES, I Have Run Into Them Here On This Forum. I Will Not Name Names, but I Have stopped participating in threads before because of one particular member and his "Snobish" Attitude.
 
#28
thebassclef said:
Well, pointbass, I have run into them at Music Shops, at open Mike Nights, The buddy of mine that started me on bass (Showed up one day with a Hartke Kickback and he dissed it so much I returned it)
Click to expand...

sure, some people are major gear snobs, but f*** 'em. I'll play any bass that feels good to me, and sounds good in general. I don't give a crap what the name on the label is.
My The Bass Company bass fits both criteria, I love the feel and the tone is worthwhile, so it's my workhorse.

That said...
I won't buy a squire because of their quality issues. Sure, there are some well constructed Squires, but they're definitely the exception to the rule. Likewise I won't pay $500 on a bass that is lesser than another bass I can get for $500. I research, test, try, poke, prod, etc. everything I buy, not just basses. I don't wanna spend $350 on a MiM fender of dubious quality when I can spend that on a TBC that I know has been lovingly setup by Darrell.
I'd rather support someone like TBC who have great QC (in my experience), are friendly, and are willing to make things right if something's wrong with your bass.

Long story short, it's about quality, not name. If all you can afford is a squire don't just send away for one from Musicians Friend. Take that money and shop around to find the best bass you can for the price. Chances are there's a much better instrument right around the corner if you're just willing to look for it.
 
#29
When all is said and done.....great bass playing comes from within! No matter what kind of bass it is. A few months ago I was walking past a local bar and I heard and blues band inside. As I was listening I realized these guys were cooking! I went in and I was blown away by their bass player. An older guy, he was ripping it up. He had the greatest feel and some monster chops. And the sound of his bass was killer. So after a set I went to talk to him.....and to my surprise he was playing this crappy no-name brand bass. The kind you get in Walmart. I mean this bass was crap, the setup was really bad and the strings looked 10 years old. But he could make that sucker sing!

On the flip side....I saw this band and the bassist was using a high end Tobias. Man this guy sucked!
 
#30
I Understand that sound is subjective to the player him/herself, and that QC issues are a factor in most production basses, but what I'd really like to hear is from those who DO shun others because of brand. I know there are some here (I Have met them on the forum). PLEASE, contribute and give Honest Answers. I simply want to understand WHY.

I Am not trying to bash or ridicule anyone for there opinion, and I am not trying to pick a fight with anyone. I am just looking for honesty.
 
#31
jobo4 said:
Touche' Mr Mule. But Fender gets slammed on this forum more than any other brand.
Click to expand...
I agree (more than any import brand, anyway).

My hunches: some of the anti-Fender snobbery is from players. But some of it is also driven (in some cases unintentionally) by dealers and manufacturers of high-end gear who proclaim that "hippie sandwiches rule all", or "this clone is the ultimate Fender-killer".

But I'm far from the only Sadowsky owner who appreciates both Sadowsky and Fender and will always own both. To Roger's credit, he says (and I agree) that Sadowsky basses have their own sound: even those that clone the Fender look do not clone the Fender sound. As for whether the Sadowsky sound is better or worse than Fender -- that will always be subjective.

FWIW, I've owned Fender, Lull, Sadowsky. IMO neither Lull nor Sadowsky capture the Fender sound (nor should they... vive la difference).

So... count me as another Fender defender. :)
 
#32
Interesting time for me to see this thread pop up. I prefer to play a bass for what it is and don't care what name is on the thing.
Now, a weird thing happened yesterday. I went to a local dealer and saw a fretless Spector and decided to give it a shot, since I have been looking for a fretless. The thing totally blew me away with the feel, tone...all of it. (It's the Spectorcore for those wanting to look it up - chambered body, piezo pickup + 1 EMG. Will have pics on my site soon).
Anyway, here in St. Louis a lot of bassists turn up their nose at Spector...usually in preference of Warwick.
My point is, find what you like and play what you like. I got a great bass that is doing everything I could ask for in a fretless - and could care less what it says on the headstock. I have to play the thing...not some bassist watching me saying "He should be playing a so-and-so."
Just my humble input.

Mark
 
#33
It's like that around here, except is has to be Fender. And I mean MIA fender. No MIM's, Squier's, or ever CIJ's (with a few exeptions).

My very first bass was a Washburn XB102. I liked the bass for what it was, a beginner model. I took it to an open mike situation, and was told that I had to have "Professional" equipment to participate.
 
#34
thebassclef said:
but what I'd really like to hear is from those who DO shun others because of brand.... I simply want to understand WHY.

I Am not trying to bash or ridicule anyone for there opinion, and I am not trying to pick a fight with anyone. I am just looking for honesty.
Click to expand...
I probably would never play an Ibanez, and I doubt I'd play an inexpensive import of any kind.

Yes, I DO realize that import quality has improved tremendously. I've played some very cool MIM Fenders, MIK Laklands and MTDs. I know a very good bassist who sold a high-end Zon and has rejected all other comers in favor of his trusty Soundgear: I heard that bass through his AI/EA rig and it does sound really good.

I have often said here that in case of emergency I would sell my high-end axes in favor of something like an MTD Kingston and be satisfied. I've seen musicians way better than me gigging with low-end gear and sounding fantastic (the player is the most important component of all, of course). Still, I can generally afford MIA/boutique gear, so that's what I limit myself to (I do "settle" for MIA Fender... grin).

Why? Part of it is image. Part of it is my idea that by spending more, I'm showing that I'm dedicated (that said, I'm just a semi-pro hobbyist with no desire to go full-time pro). But it's also in my head (though it isn't always true) that USA/boutique gear has more consistent quality control of manufacture.
 
#36
thebassclef said:
Well, pointbass, I have run into them at Music Shops, at open Mike Nights, The buddy of mine that started me on bass (Showed up one day with a Hartke Kickback and he dissed it so much I returned it), and, YES, I Have Run Into Them Here On This Forum. I Will Not Name Names, but I Have stopped participating in threads before because of one particular member and his "Snobish" Attitude.
Click to expand...
Think about, you didn't say you ran into the snobs at real (paying) gigs or studios. The snobs you met are simple posers who shouldn't concern you at all.
 
#37
Fuzzbass said:
I probably would never play an Ibanez, and I doubt I'd play an inexpensive import of any kind.

Yes, I DO realize that import quality has improved tremendously. I've played some very cool MIM Fenders, MIK Laklands and MTDs. I know a very good bassist who sold a high-end Zon and has rejected all other comers in favor of his trusty Soundgear: I heard that bass through his AI/EA rig and it does sound really good.

I have often said here that in case of emergency I would sell my high-end axes in favor of something like an MTD Kingston and be satisfied. I've seen musicians way better than me gigging with low-end gear and sounding fantastic (the player is the most important component of all, of course). Still, I can generally afford MIA/boutique gear, so that's what I limit myself to (I do "settle" for MIA Fender... grin).

Why? Part of it is image. Part of it is my idea that by spending more, I'm showing that I'm dedicated (that said, I'm just a semi-pro hobbyist with no desire to go full-time pro). But it's also in my head (though it isn't always true) that USA/boutique gear has more consistent quality control of manufacture.
Click to expand...


I think image is important to most of us. I'll be the first to admit that I like name brands, and status gear. That said, I love a great deal and great value. That is why I am such a big booster of used and NOS USA Peavey basses.
 

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