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Is a high priced bass necessary?

#81
Bklyn_Bass said:
When it comes to guitars, I personally believe that the cheapest guitar can sound good in the hands of a good player but I've been told that the bass is different in that respect.
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No different. The most expensive of my current stable of gigging basses - all Cort B4FLs - cost me $250. The cheapest was $175. I have a Steinberger fretless that I love like no other inanimate object but is far too pricey to take out of the house these days, and hell yeah it's nicer, but I don't miss it and don't need it on stage.

Bklyn_Bass said:
To me a high priced bass is $800+
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All that being said, this site will hit your reset button hard on what "expensive" is. If you want a Steinberger like mine that I just mentioned, be prepared to shell out 5 to 6 thousand dollars. Which is why it doesn't go to club gigs anymore.
 
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#83
Suit yourself. But do your homework, go for tone, and be flexible. You'll be more likely to get a better result that way. Given time, and as much dosh as you can throw at it, a great bass will materialize. More money may speed up the process a little bit :) Good luck!
 
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#87
Bklyn_Bass said:
Before I say anything, I played guitar for 12 years and know the difference between a $200 instrument and a $2000 instrument but I've only been playing bass for 2-3 yrs and am still learning about the instrument. When it comes to guitars, I personally believe that the cheapest guitar can sound good in the hands of a good player but I've been told that the bass is different in that respect. I currently have an Ibanez SR305DX that I bought from a friend for almost nothing and I know that it's a "beginners" bass. My band records and mixes everything in-house and will eventually be playing shows. I can't really afford anything too crazy so my question is, can a moderately/mid-priced 5-string bass be adequate for recording and performing live? To me a high priced bass is $800+. I was looking to get something with a 35" scale and spend around $500-$600. A lot of reviews for basses in that range say things like "Good for practice" etc. Just want some opinions from more experienced players than I. Thanks.
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That really depends on the sound quality of the bass you're looking at. some high-price basses can sound good while other don't really sound that good. there are however many affordable and mid-price basses that sounds just as good as high price basses or better sounding than high price basses. the one way to know for sure is to try them out for yourself at a local music store and see if it sounds good to you. when it comes to buying basses, it really doesn't matter how much they cost, it's the sound quality that matters most. brands like schecter and Ibanez makes good mid-price basses. as long as you got a good set up along with some effects(that is if you use effects on bass), you should be good with an affordable bass or a mid-price bass.
 
#88
Necessary? I hope not! I just thinned my herd down to one budget 5-string.

This is the kind of thread where you get to learn all about OUR personalities. It's like an inkblot test. One of the regulars above cracked me up with his dead-on impersonation of himself. On the other hand, I think he knows his stuff.

I think that you'll do all right within your price range, given the care that you're obviously going to put into your decision. It looks like you're getting some good advice.
 
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#89
Bklyn_Bass said:
Before I say anything, I played guitar for 12 years and know the difference between a $200 instrument and a $2000 instrument but I've only been playing bass for 2-3 yrs and am still learning about the instrument. When it comes to guitars, I personally believe that the cheapest guitar can sound good in the hands of a good player but I've been told that the bass is different in that respect. I currently have an Ibanez SR305DX that I bought from a friend for almost nothing and I know that it's a "beginners" bass. My band records and mixes everything in-house and will eventually be playing shows. I can't really afford anything too crazy so my question is, can a moderately/mid-priced 5-string bass be adequate for recording and performing live? To me a high priced bass is $800+. I was looking to get something with a 35" scale and spend around $500-$600. A lot of reviews for basses in that range say things like "Good for practice" etc. Just want some opinions from more experienced players than I. Thanks.
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no!
i play a $200 Squire more often than my $3k Beauty.

the right set of strings, a good setup and MAYBE a couple upgrades (if NEEDED) all is right with the world :D
 
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#90
In my own experience, I've owned a Rickenbacker, Gibsons, Fenders all in the 2k range. Currently sitting on a 1979 Precision and a Mexican 50's road worn.

My whole life I thought USA was the best period. I never even really considered a Mexican or eastern instrument as my main player.

The 50's road worn just suits me. And it's worth way less than all the other basses I've owned and currently own.

I realized quality comes from anywhere, it's how it feels and sounds. Though you have a better chance with an expensive bass, you can find great basses at every price level. Good luck!
 
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#92
Bklyn_Bass said:
Thanks everyone I appreciate the advice. I don't know why, maybe because it still feels foreign, but bass shopping is intimidating as f*ck to me. The thing with my situation is my band drop tunes. Up until recently, we were strictly drop C and I was tuning CGCFA. About a month ago my 2 guitarists bought 7-strings and are going to be tuning to drop A (AEADGBE). I'm going to be tuning AEADG and that's why I'm looking for a 5-string with a 35" scale. From what I understand that will support a heavier string in drop tuning better than a 34" scale. Unless I've been told wrong...
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For the low detunings you should be a bit more picky in looking, but there are still lots of options. There are plenty 34" scale basses that will do the job. Warwick is a great example of that. A 35" or longer scale length will definitely make things better, though. I've got a Dingwall NG-2 that has a 37" scale on the long end, and I tune in" G-standard", where I have a C to match my guitarists drop C tuning, and a G below that.

The big trick with these low tunings is to have the right strings. I use Kalium strings, specially ordered to give me the exact gauged gauges I need for the low down tuning I play in.
 
#93
In a word: no. Cosmetics and aesthetics aside, the grail, tone and, to a degree, feel is what's important. Whilst I have some expensive (to me) Fender CS basses, this little Jazz that I knocked up last year for around £300 is probably my favourite bass right now.

20160119_125414-1.jpg
 
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#99
Bklyn_Bass said:
Before I say anything, I played guitar for 12 years and know the difference between a $200 instrument and a $2000 instrument but I've only been playing bass for 2-3 yrs and am still learning about the instrument. When it comes to guitars, I personally believe that the cheapest guitar can sound good in the hands of a good player but I've been told that the bass is different in that respect. I currently have an Ibanez SR305DX that I bought from a friend for almost nothing and I know that it's a "beginners" bass. My band records and mixes everything in-house and will eventually be playing shows. I can't really afford anything too crazy so my question is, can a moderately/mid-priced 5-string bass be adequate for recording and performing live? To me a high priced bass is $800+. I was looking to get something with a 35" scale and spend around $500-$600. A lot of reviews for basses in that range say things like "Good for practice" etc. Just want some opinions from more experienced players than I. Thanks.
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Not at all as long as it sounds and plays good and stays in tune. I record and play with a second hand Squier Bronco! I love it and I don't really worry about taking it out.
 

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