Is a high priced bass necessary?

[BassGreaser]

$800 is high priced? Not in my book, but each their own.

OP, whatever you do, don't look in the DB classifieds.

Those guys shell out.

Yeah we do.. I had a "student model" hybrid upright that cost me $3500.

 

[Plutonium244]

I can totally hear how many digits are in a bass's price.

Except for Sires which sound like four digits, but are only mid-three-digits.

 

[GK Growl]

I play bar bands, and I never saw the need to have a high priced bass. I let the road take its toll, I walk away from my bass and turn my back on it often, leave it on stage between sets and in general don't give a damn. Now, if I was taking it up a notch, lets say, like BassCliff and other "more pro" players here, well, I would go shopping. There just isn't a need for it. I did upgrade my Schecter with a new Aguilar preamp and Seymour Duncans, and have a good sound, but after that, I just don't see the need.

Agreed. I leave my basses on stage, in stands, propped against cabs and just generally wherever and could really give a crap. Meanwhile, my guitarists with their 2K Les Pauls and Parker Fly guitars are putting them in cases between sets and are always worried. One of them mentioned that he needed to do what I do so he wouldn't worry the whole time.

 

[socialleper]

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.

Very little is "necessary" in any of this. That said, you get what you pay for. Due to the wonders of globalization, you can get very well made instrument for cheap. 20 years ago "value" oriented basses were junk.

What does "beginner bass" mean? It means no frills, whatever paint, OK quality control, flat sounding electronics, ugly woods (basswood, agathis, plywood, or ash\alder with unattractive grain patterns). It means cookie cutter, generic, but serviceable.

The trick for what you asked for will be finding a 35" in scale. That is a sort of a perk and not too common in less expensive 4 strings. Some 5s have it, but just adding that string will raise the price. ESP\LTD and Schecter make a fair number of 35" scale basses, maybe start there. To the best of my knowledge Fender and Ibanez don't really do 35" scale.

 

[holdfast]

No. If yer not earning excellent coin and/or planning to re-sell at a profit, don't fall for the hype. Save your money and rock whatever works for you. If it sounds good, is comfortable to play and stays in tune yer good to go.

I've said it before. If you learn to do your own set-ups and basic repairs it helps you to see these instruments as chunks of wood with bits of steel, plastic and magnets. You also get bonus points if there is a cool story behind that awesome el-cheapo that you brought back from the dead, and are now gigging with.

 

[DwaynieAD]

my stock squier affinity cost me 150 brand new and sounds absolutely incredible. My other more expensive basses also sound incredible. The real difference, on my basses at least, is the feel of the more expensive ones. they just feel more substantial and complete.

to your question about 35" scale. I play drop A with medium-light strings on a Fender Jazz V (34" scale) with no trouble for years. gigged, recorded, made money.

 

[GK Growl]

Now, if I was taking it up a notch, lets say, like BassCliff and other "more pro" players here, well, I would go shopping. .

I still don't think I would because what defines "pro"? The cost of a bass?

 

[Rogatien022]

Respectfully, I'll disagree with this one. I rarely use an amp anymore. Amps, although fun, aren't really all that practical, particularly if you travel. A decent bass and a decent DI or pre amp is all you really need. By decent I mean a bass that is quiet, in good working order and set up for your preferences; it doesn't need to be a high-priced instrument. A bonus to leaving the amp at home is your house engineer (whether a dedicated pro or the band's guitarist) will love you and you'll have less to schlep! You'll get a better sound in your wedges or in-ears if the monitor mix doesn't compete with a stage amp. And no, I'm not talking strictly about ginormous stadium stages. This works wonders all the way down to the coffee shop gig.

+1

Agreed

 

[Ross W. Lovell]

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.

ALL the ones used for gigs are under, some way way under $1000.00 though most were bought used. Have quite a collection with a couple over $7K. Those are played regularly but for personal events.
Current favorite put together from a new barely used instrument, less than $400.
Far more invested in amplification, two setups. One easily movable, one not so easily movable. Somewhat old school.

 

[Ross W. Lovell]

My two "best" basses happen to be the two cheapest ones I have. Also, I think the bargain instruments of today are much better overall than they were back in the old days so I don't think you need to spend much money at all. If I were you I'd look through the forums on this website as a start, there's always really good stuff there

Agree with you here, 40 years ago not much out there for decent instruments at low prices used was the only way to go and those were harder to find before the 'net.

 

[AngelCrusher]

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.

Definitely not in your case. I only really started using more expensive basses when I went into session work.

 

[Honch]

No- and these uber-priced basses are COMPLETELY unneccessary- law of diminishing returns.

If you paid more than $2000 and the sucker wasn't built exactly the way YOU want it, something is wrong. You are paying to play someone else's dream model.

Yes, exactly. See the other recent Fodera thread about their recent 11.600 USD Fodera Mini MG bass. Suits one person perfectly, Matt Garrisson (whoever he is), and the dream bass of his. Now, how about us others dream model? Why should we even pay for having "our dreams bass" when it's really "someone elses dream bass"?

 

[ThePresident777]

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.

The $8000 basses use the same crappy primitive bridges that the $80 basses do.

This looks great to me: Schecter Stiletto Stealth - Satin Black, 5-string

 

[Rogatien022]

Definitely not in your case. I only really started using more expensive basses when I went into session work.

Please do not take this wrong, I'm not playing smart ass but why did you go expensive for session work? What was wrong with your basses, why did you NEED to go expensive for sessions?

I just find it sad that brands and looks have so much to weight in...

 

[JES]

MTD Kingstons are in your range and 35" scale. Very good instruments. And to answer your question in the thread title: no. I like fancy basses. But most of the music I love was made with a Fender Precision.

 

[AngelCrusher]

Please do not take this wrong, I'm not playing smart ass but why did you go expensive for session work? What was wrong with your basses, why did you NEED to go expensive for sessions?

I just find it sad that brands and looks have so much to weight in...

No idea what the bolded part means.

I went expensive for session work because tone plays a much bigger factor for me. And the more you work in the studio the more precise your ears get tuned to what you really want tonally. For me, I really prefer the PreCBS Fender tone. And there are some incredible luthiers that specialize in those types of basses. I didn't need to go crazy expensive for basses, but I got a lot pickier, and the basses I really wanted all sat in around the 2-3k range.

 

[DreadyDiggs]

My most expensive bass was $450 used. I've got constant work and a great sound. So I'm good.

If I bought an expensive bass it would not be to say I have an expensive bass. I'd have to desire certain features that command a more expensive price tag. Luckily I don't so I can keep that money in my pocket for something else.

 

[Honch]

I would say through experience that regarding just tone and quality there's pretty not much above 3 K that can be bettered in longevity, holding up for touring, great sound, versatility, playability, (no dead spots, no neck dive etc etc) or even innovation. After past a certain point it turns out diminishing returns, bling, and other things. There's maybe just one reason to be able to buy a 1 million dollar bass. If that you know FOR SURE that within one year you can sell it for 2 million dollars. Without even touching it. It's not more than a conversation piece. Fill it with diamonds and so on, it's just a bass in the end. I'll bet you're better off buying something else for 1 million dollar that will be a way more profitable investment, than ANY bass. Or instrument for that matter.

You want that exotic wood, and finish, and metallic flake color, or whatever. You want the looks. It's the same with cars. It doesn't speed up or have more road safety if you choose that gran expensive color, and lacquer, or flashy hubcaps. After a certain point it's beyond visibility, and as I told you earlier, about the Rolex bling watch... did it help you to keep time?

10-15 years ago that limit was around 2 K, though. I have to revise that option as general price index goes up.

 

[NeonVomit]

Yeah we do.. I had a "student model" hybrid upright that cost me $3500.

Yeah totally, I got my double bass for an absolute STEAL - as in, the seller was practically giving it away - a lovely Romanian-made student model for 1200 euros (I've seen the same exact model on sale at retailers and online for between twice and three times that).

As for the amp thing, well... a good amp can make a bad bass sound decent. A bad amp can make a good bass sound bad, IME. If you're going to shell out for an expensive bass with a really nuanced sound, make sure you've got an amp that will let those nuances shine. With the class D stuff available these days that will fit in your gigbag and a lightweight cabinet at under 12kg, you can take your sound almost anywhere. Plus a good class D head isn't that much bigger than a DI box/preamp, and if there aren't any cabs around you can just use it like that.

 

[BobDeRosa]

"Necessary" is open to interpretation. What's necessary is an instrument whose sound makes you and your bandmates happy and that you enjoy playing. It needs to be a quality instrument but it doesn't have to cost a lot of money.