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Is a high priced bass necessary?
- Thread starter Bklyn_Bass
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- 5-string
Classical instruments are an excellent example of you get what you pay for. If you practice as much as these folks do you would not argue whether they know how effective the instrument is at producing every inflection and tone they are producing.
It's interesting that people who don't want, can't afford, don't see the reason for, an expensive bass feel put upon by those who do and can.
There are snobs who drive Porsches. There are people who love cars who drive Porsches. The latter are having a personal experience with how that car responds to the same laws of physics that the inexpensive car responds to. It's the Porsche owner's choice to afford or budget to drive what gives this feeling.
You judging them for being in a Porsche is your issue. If you feel "less than" because you can't afford one then deal with your feeling. No amount of money or expensive things will make that feeling go away.
It's interesting that people who don't want, can't afford, don't see the reason for, an expensive bass feel put upon by those who do and can.
There are snobs who drive Porsches. There are people who love cars who drive Porsches. The latter are having a personal experience with how that car responds to the same laws of physics that the inexpensive car responds to. It's the Porsche owner's choice to afford or budget to drive what gives this feeling.
You judging them for being in a Porsche is your issue. If you feel "less than" because you can't afford one then deal with your feeling. No amount of money or expensive things will make that feeling go away.
Not really cheap though....Remember he paid £35 for the Hofner in 1961.....over £700 in today's money. Quite expensive actually, especially when you consider the same German built Hofner today will cost you over £1,500.
I think it REALLY depends...but a great AMP and lotsa practice with your hands makes a difference.
That said folks, a cheap instrument quite often leads to another costly investment; if people buy quality basses and guitars initially I think they learn what works for them, because they practice more.
That said folks, a cheap instrument quite often leads to another costly investment; if people buy quality basses and guitars initially I think they learn what works for them, because they practice more.
Is a high priced bass necessary? Nope. Is a high priced bass better? Mine was for me. I bought my bass because I wanted it not because I needed it. And not to impress anyone either. I've yet to encounter anyone who has even heard of Fodera. Get the best you can afford and go with it.
I just bought a *gasp* guitar. I thought about an Epiphone or Squier, but I went ahead and got an AmStd Strat. I know it'll more than pay for itself. It'll be a great instrument to continue to my guitar playing growth on, and it'll save me from spending money on a cheaper substitute that id eventually upgrade from.
Yup, I discovered exactly the same thing. So I was getting GAS to know if a Fender-jazz 6 string fretless is something or is it nothing. Well a quick check of the Fender price list showed that an experiment to find out is way out of the reasonable price range. But then, suddenly Rondo is Selling SX fender-clone 6 strings for a song. THERE is the answer. So I order two. The plan was to have one converted to fretless and one fretted and live with them for a while to see if there is something worthwhile there or not. But in modding and setting up I discover that the bass with flats vs the same bass with rounds is like night and day. Clearly what I needed was not TWO 6 string Fender basses but THREE of them: Flats, Rounds and fretless! And that's what I have now.
So OK, they are just CHEAP Chinese SX basses but they give me the idea. So later if I really, really want to go this way, sure I can order three Low end basses for a fortune or maybe try to find some of the used discontinued Steve Bailey basses. But's that's only if the idea inspires me enough to make it worth that kind of money. For now $200 basses work just fine and the ability to buy three of them makes the "education" even more than I would have hoped for!
There is an inflection point at which there are diminishing returns.
For me, it is around the price of an American Standard - these basses have all the bells and whistles; beyond this, you are paying for customisation and name.
For me, it is around the price of an American Standard - these basses have all the bells and whistles; beyond this, you are paying for customisation and name.
Respectfully disagree. Once you get past a certain point you are paying for very nuanced details but the point of diminishing returns is relative to the person I think. Personally I love vintage frets. I will gladly pay more to have them on my basses. It's a small thing, but well worth it for me. To some though it wouldn't be.
Not in the slightest. That's not to say many aren't nice instruments but for me, I'd rather buy a $300 bass, change the pups and hardware out with stuff I want, end up with about $600 in it and like it leagues better than a $1500 bass. My dual P Mockingbird with Hipshot ultralights sounds better than any P bass for double the cost. My old Kamans with EMGs, hipshot hardware play better than any $1500 bass I've owned.
Now that's not to say those expensive basses aren't worth it, because they are. I'm talking bout personal preference.
Cliff Burton did most of his playing on $500-700 Arias. In fact he recorded with them.
Are expensive basses great? sure, sometimes although I've seen just as many that definitely weren't worth the price. But you can play something far cheaper and with the right modifications still be well under the cost of stock expensive basses and play and sound better. Play what sounds good to you ears and feels good in your hand. If you're ok carting it around on stage all night and it sounds good, then rock on.
Now that's not to say those expensive basses aren't worth it, because they are. I'm talking bout personal preference.
Cliff Burton did most of his playing on $500-700 Arias. In fact he recorded with them.
Are expensive basses great? sure, sometimes although I've seen just as many that definitely weren't worth the price. But you can play something far cheaper and with the right modifications still be well under the cost of stock expensive basses and play and sound better. Play what sounds good to you ears and feels good in your hand. If you're ok carting it around on stage all night and it sounds good, then rock on.
- Jul 3, 2004
- 1,300
- 641
- Disclosures
- Endorsing Artist: Ernie Ball MusicMan Guitars
Over thinking and looking at Talkbass is Not going to help you.
1. It should be comfy on a strap
2. It should sound great
3. It should make you happy
That's about it bro - the the other stuff is well - fluffy stuff - which is # 3 - that's where all the price - maple Vs alder - tort Vs - j Vs p crap comes in
1. It should be comfy on a strap
2. It should sound great
3. It should make you happy
That's about it bro - the the other stuff is well - fluffy stuff - which is # 3 - that's where all the price - maple Vs alder - tort Vs - j Vs p crap comes in
None of these are high priced.
Wolf.$550.00
Tune.$560.00
Washburn.$307.00
Wolf.$550.00
Tune.$560.00
Washburn.$307.00
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buldog5151bass
Kibble, milkbones, and P Basses. And redheads.
My n1 bass, a Brubaker Brute, was 450$ Canadian used (roughly 3.50$ USD). Definitely not a high end bass, but with the right strings I get compliments on my tone.
I vote "unnecessary"!
I vote "unnecessary"!
If "Show n Tell Gear" reasons for other gearheads opinions is important to you and you really give a poop about about what they think then, by all means, upgrade it.....just understand that there are also many players, like myself, who never judge people on their gear nor give a two sh**ts about it (and are actually more impressed when you can make a budget bass sound awesome. Hint: new strings and a proper setup)....
but the main thing is this: Play for the band/music and your audience. If youre onstage worried more about what other players think of your gear instead of giving 100% motivating the crowd in front of you with the bass that you have (remember, most of them arent musicians), then (IMHO) youre playing music for the wrong reasons.....
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Haven't heard of Fodera? Where are you playing, Birthday parties?
