I didn't know the Sire 5 strings were 35" scale. Good info.
That's a little higher than the OPs range, but not by much. The reviews of Sire have have glowing. If I decide to get a jazz bass, that's where I will go.
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Is a high priced bass necessary?
- Thread starter Bklyn_Bass
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That's a little higher than the OPs range, but not by much. The reviews of Sire have have glowing. If I decide to get a jazz bass, that's where I will go.
Funny thing... the most judgemental folks I've come across have not been the people who've spent more on their gear. By a huge margin.
Oh wow, this subject is popular. Forgive me if this has already been said, because I'm not going to search through 10 pages. If you're playing in drop tuning, do yourself a huge favor before you drop a lot of coin on a new bass and get a set of balanced tension Kalium strings. Ask them what gauges they recommend for your tuning needs. It's made the most difference for me since I started playing in CGCF.
The Sire V7 5-strings (I have one of these as well) are 34" scale, though I like them quite a bit. V7 5-strings are $499+ so very well-priced. These are the J-style Sire basses.
The brand-new, just-released-but-no-one-has-recieved-one-yet Sire M7 bass is the one I have on order, and has the 35" scale. Here's a picture of the one I have ordered, just to give you an idea: (this one $699). OP had said "expensive" was over $800 in his book, so this is not "expensive".
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Desired results are what's needed in the studio and live. I mainly play live and for years heard the "you'd better have a Fender" stories but have yet to experience it personally. Maybe because I go in right of the bat with a great sound.
Yeah I understand special needs, almost everybody has them. I still think good tone can be achieved for less $$ than what people may think. I'm not dissing Sadowsky and all the big names, they are there for a reason and there are people using/buying their instruments, and it's all good. I'm truly thinking you can be a pro without these instruments or the high price tag. I get work all the time and you don't see Sadowsky or vintage Fenders when I open up my cases. I get work because I show up on time and know my parts, and becasue I know how to adapt to almost every situation I may get in. I'm no better than anyone else, but the folks hiring me seem to appreciate what I'm bringing in, no matter how high I spend for my gear. And I probably sound good, too.
Never judge a book by it's cover. But I'm sure you already know that.
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I've played on higher priced basses but I have to say my Matt Freeman sig P, sounds as good as many of them. Really it comes down to knowing your budget. Get the best instrument and amp you can afford and work your ass off.
Works out? Not sure what that means, exactly. Sure, comparing basses is always comparing something to something-not-quite-the-same-as-the-first-something. More so when one bass being compared is not out yet. But, I do have 2 Sires; I do have an MTD Kingston; and I have thoroughly researched the M7. It does have a number of similarities with the MTD-K. So, while it's guesswork, these are not uneducated guesses. I'll let you know how it turns out.
Exactly. +1
Whatever works. We're all different, and have different needs and/or taste. And bank account ;-)
There's "good" and then there's "great". If good is good enough just about any bass can accomplish that. Great can be a little harder to come by and no, it's not determined by price. Given the choice, I go for great every time. And great is a very personal matter. I came up through the ranks with basses in every price and quality range. That's why I use what I use.
Works out? Not sure what that means, exactly. Sure, comparing basses is always comparing something to something-not-quite-the-same-as-the-first-something. More so when one bass being compared is not out yet. But, I do have 2 Sires; I do have an MTD Kingston; and I have thoroughly researched the M7. It does have a number of similarities with the MTD-K. So, while it's guesswork, these are not uneducated guesses. I'll let you know how it turns out.
Somehow I ended up with a double quote. I edited it.
If you can find a less expensive bass that stays in tune, doesn't develop neck issues, and has a nice full sound, you're all set. I had a $400 Laravee that was incredible. A $350 Phoenix Phantom that I really miss.
Then again, my Daion literally fell apart on stage, my Mexican Fender's truss rod broke, my Korean Spectre's tuners stripped their gears...
Then again, my Daion literally fell apart on stage, my Mexican Fender's truss rod broke, my Korean Spectre's tuners stripped their gears...
Classical players would chuckle at this. My friend's son had two $25K clarinets when he started college. He went to Europe the next year to study under a great master.
I saw a kickin roots rock band. The bassist had that baseball bat grip sometimes thumb over. He wouldn't need a bass that you could play every note on every fret.
I disagree about cheap basses sounding better than cheap guitars. Good musicians can make an unprocessed electric guitar sound like heaven. Others players do a lot of amp eq and possibly pedals to make it passable to play the first chord. Bass is instantly able to sound bad particularly in a group context.
Your instrument should not fight you or curb your imagination or exploration in any form of music.
Need? Necessary? How about maybe. How about your skills requiring it? How about your ears demanding it?
....and I have a $340. CAN/USA exchange rate, Japanese '51 P that is excellent.
I saw a kickin roots rock band. The bassist had that baseball bat grip sometimes thumb over. He wouldn't need a bass that you could play every note on every fret.
I disagree about cheap basses sounding better than cheap guitars. Good musicians can make an unprocessed electric guitar sound like heaven. Others players do a lot of amp eq and possibly pedals to make it passable to play the first chord. Bass is instantly able to sound bad particularly in a group context.
Your instrument should not fight you or curb your imagination or exploration in any form of music.
Need? Necessary? How about maybe. How about your skills requiring it? How about your ears demanding it?
....and I have a $340. CAN/USA exchange rate, Japanese '51 P that is excellent.
Just buy the bass that you think sounds the best. At that point you've spent all you need to spend. From then on in it's all about your choices and preferences.
Anyone who thinks that their more expensive bass sounds better is right, and anyone who thinks their $200 bass sounds best is right, but whatever you do please don't ask which bass is best, a 4 or 5 string.
Being all set as far as the basics go, I'd agree. Being all set, period... no. For the reasons I've already mentioned.
Good physical quality can be had at most price points. I have a great track record with the majority of my gear regardless of price. Last real problem I had was with a brand new bass that had a scarf joint that was separated when I got to the gig. That was back in the 1980's.
OTOH my little Samick P bass still looks new and is flawless and doesn't match its tiny price. I play it most days at home, great for playing and using a computer.
I don't get it. You asked me why, I told you why and you continue to argue my answer. I was answering your question. You keep saying you "truly think" you can be a pro without it, so I don't know why you asked me in the first place. I am sharing my experience (which you asked me about) and telling you why more expensive gear is used so often in this environment. You are saying you get work all the time, so I don;t even know why you asked me this question in the first place. If it works for you - awesome. I really think that's great. But I have no idea what you would ask me my opinion if you are just going to refute it.
- Aug 3, 2007
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Hell no! You've got some good advice here.
It is naive to think a cheaper instrument is built to the same standards using the same or similar materials and hardware, but that doesn't mean playability is sacrificed.
Instruments have come a long way in the last 20 years. Overseas manufacturing on average, has more stringent quality control and seemingly more pride in the work when compared to older overseas instruments.
I recorded an album with both a $300 bass, and a $2000 bass back in 2008. Today, I couldn't tell you which tracks were which. In fact, I used both basses on a couple of the same tracks. I had to look at my notes and signal chain guide to remember what I used.
It is naive to think a cheaper instrument is built to the same standards using the same or similar materials and hardware, but that doesn't mean playability is sacrificed.
Instruments have come a long way in the last 20 years. Overseas manufacturing on average, has more stringent quality control and seemingly more pride in the work when compared to older overseas instruments.
I recorded an album with both a $300 bass, and a $2000 bass back in 2008. Today, I couldn't tell you which tracks were which. In fact, I used both basses on a couple of the same tracks. I had to look at my notes and signal chain guide to remember what I used.
My favorite bass cost me $350. My second favorite bass cost me $250. I've sold a $500 bass away because I didn't like it as much as the other two, and now have a $1,000 bass for sale because I prefer a different sound.
The first step is to figure out a few basics (you've mentioned a few - scale, # of strings, budget).
# of frets
string spacing
active or passive
thin profile or thick profile neck
rosewood or maple fretboard
pickup layout
style of music you're playing
the list could go on...
All that said, NO, an expensive bass isn't necessary. Use your senses and pick what seems best within your budget. To be honest, you shouldn't be considering spending a lot of $$$ right now, because you don't even know what you're looking for.
The first step is to figure out a few basics (you've mentioned a few - scale, # of strings, budget).
# of frets
string spacing
active or passive
thin profile or thick profile neck
rosewood or maple fretboard
pickup layout
style of music you're playing
the list could go on...
All that said, NO, an expensive bass isn't necessary. Use your senses and pick what seems best within your budget. To be honest, you shouldn't be considering spending a lot of $$$ right now, because you don't even know what you're looking for.
You need experience with some differing brands to get some perspective and find out what you are looking for.
Gig bass vs. Studio bass.. Type of music.. all these are factors to consider. As well as $$$..
Buy what sounds good to you!!
P.S. these guys that bash very expensive instruments and say they can get a better sound out of a $300 bass than a $8000 bass, are usually the guys who have never actually played an Alembic Series-Wal-Sadowsky, etc.. So don't listen to them!!
Gig bass vs. Studio bass.. Type of music.. all these are factors to consider. As well as $$$..
Buy what sounds good to you!!
P.S. these guys that bash very expensive instruments and say they can get a better sound out of a $300 bass than a $8000 bass, are usually the guys who have never actually played an Alembic Series-Wal-Sadowsky, etc.. So don't listen to them!!
Cool your jets. I never meant to attack you or be unpleasant, sorry if this is how it looks. We're having a discussion, that's all. I don't think I disrespected/refuted your opinion. Whatever works for everyone. We're all just a bunch of forumites discussing a topic that's been beaten to death, no need to get all upset. Again, sorry if you feel offended, it's not the intention.
