Inferior Basses

[bmc]

I've been playing for 35 years. No one has never approached me to complain about my gear. I don't it's very professional or polite to put down someone elses gear choices at a gig. I don't care who it is. I would think less of an individual if they did so. It is arrogant.

 

[abngourmet]

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.

I'm lucky to own 22 basses, with number 23 on the way. I have vintage Fenders, newer MIA Fenders, an MIJ Jazz, Gibsons from the '70s and '80s, Ricks from the '70s, a recent Lakland, a 2004 Pedulla MVP, two Alembic Essences from the '90s, and three Alembics, 2004-2004, a '79 Stingray, and a Bongo, amongst others. Honestly, there isn't a single brand I would shun if it sounded and felt right to me.

The only brand I shun is Warwick. I shun it simply because everytime I've ever picked one up, it sounded, played, and felt horrible to me. I know a lot of guys here and elsewhere like them, and happily own and play them. I've just never liked them, though I've tried them.

Personally, I'm always willing to try something, brand be damned. And like another who's already commented, I can only comment on something I've tried. Generally I don't bash things - one man's pleasure is another's poison as they say.

I own both boutique and production basses. All of them appeal to me for one reason or another. I will say that with a boutique bass, you get what you pay for. The craftsmanship in my Alembics far exceeds that in my Fenders, for example. But that's OK. I like my Fenders for other reasons, and it works for me. Not every situation calls for a Fender, nor does it for an Alembic, Gibson, Pedulla, etc. So be it. It's great to have the choices we do today. There's a bass out there for everyone, regardless of cost or name brand recognition.

Bottom line: get what you like, play what you like, and care not about what others think. You're playing the instrument, not them. If they keep giving you grief, walk away.

True story: in Iraq, I played with a group called the Baghdaddys. I had an Alembic Essence there. None of them had ever heard of Alembic until I walked in with my bass. Not one of them ever told me it was crap, no good, etc. Now, I did give them grief in a joking way about playing PRS, Gibsons, etc., but it was all in good fun. Choice of an instrument is a very personal thing, and I think we'd all do well to respect each other's choices, and not take it so seriously.

My two cents,

Alan

 

[thebassclef]

Choice of an instrument is a very personal thing, and I think we'd all do well to respect each other's choices, and not take it so seriously.

My two cents,

Alan

Thank you.

This is what I would like to see happen. When we, the Keepers of the Low End, go to music stores, or to any other venue, and see a NOOB, offer up constuctive advice without the criticism. If nothing else, offer a suggestion for an alternate bass within THE SAME PRICE RANGE as the one they are playing. Help them, and our craft will be better empowered through us, and the NOOB will pass this along someday as we did for him/her.


Let's all be open minded about each and every situation and not jump to conclusions based on what we think to be true.

Remeber, we are all here for this reason, to hold down the low end and get those Booty's Shakin!

 

[Fuzzbass]

If I saw someone playing a high end bass, I would draw the conclusion they were willing to spend a lot of money on a bass. Nothing more.

That's the correct conclusion to draw, IMO. That said: when I see someone with a Smith or other high-end boutique, I can't shake the assumption that the guy has pro level skills. It certainly isn't always true, but in my experience it's true far more often than not.

OTOH, it's absolutely wrong to judge a person by a low-end bass. I think we've all known pro-level musicians who struggle to make ends meet... it's tough to do so working full-time in the music biz. I've seen and known plenty of players with low-end gear but high-caliber skills.

 

[bassplayer666]

i think the real respectablility comes from the player rather than the bass. if i seen someone who wasnt very good playing a boutique bass, id just think he had more money than skills. but, if i saw a great player on a squier (unlikely i know) id respect him more than the guy with the super cool bass, because he plays what he likes and doesnt care what other people think.