Is a high priced bass necessary?

[Charlzm]

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.

You absolutely must spend at least $2000 or else you will be laughed off any stage or album you're on.


By those people...

 

[Rogatien022]

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.

I just thought you wouldn't be able to get the session work because you were playing "sub standard" basses, that's the bold part explanation.

Well times have changed I guess, in my studio time - years ago - I showed up with very "meh" equipment, and I did my parts. Then the studio engineer worked his magic to make the band sound good as an ensemble, and I believe that's what they are paid for - high dollars even. I'm not dissing high dollar equipment, as I said in a previous post get what you can afford, nothing wrong with that. Some have the luxury to be able to own very expensive gear and they should do it without hesitating. But my experience tells me that it's not needed on stage or in the studio.

 

[Yogi Bear]

Play what you can afford and what you like playing. I honestly feel terms like "beginner bass" are more marketing hype then anything else.

 

[Ric5]

Is a high priced bass necessary?

Nope!

 

[Plutonium244]

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.

The new Sire M7 five-string has a 35" scale length. I have one arriving in about 2 weeks. It is not "inexpensive" but not expensive either, at $699. That looks to be a phenomenal bass with the Marcus pre-, selectable series/parallel/humbuck pickups, flame maple top, adjustable string spacing, and so on. My expectation, having researched it a bit, is that it'll be approximately comparable (but with better pickup options and preamp) to a MTD Kingston in quality, which go for about $1300 new. So, better than a MTD Kingston, not as good as an MTD. Pretty good niche to be in for a $700 bass.

 

[Charlzm]

I can play bass on a budget bass but I prefer my expensive basses.
For studio work? It's more on the rest of your gear that's is more important imho.
Remember most recordings on all records were either done on a fender p, j, or a stingray.

Depends on what records you listen to.

 

[MegaSwing]

If you want to spend a lot of money, a high-priced bass is absolutely necessary.

 

[Ccarson26]

A high priced bass is only necessary if you can't get what you want out of a cheap one.

Some people need a Fodera, some get by with a Squier. There is no one size fits all.

Exactly Right!!

 

[City]

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

I think it is a concept of perhaps, how you would be looked upon....for better gigs. The old, he don't play a fender so just how "pro" is he. I think its (the thought) out there at times. I would hate to turn away a chance of better gigs for me or the band....for instance, if I wanted to be that bassists in the country circuit, I'd see myself getting a Fender and probably a Fender USA. I'm to old to be that guy, but I'm still having fun. I would still be mad if my bass got lifted, probably mad as hell, but I wouldn't be "CRUSHED".

 

[MegaSwing]

Get an ampeg svt and even the cheapest squier sounds amazing!

+1
Even an instrument of other-worldly quality and feel is limited by the rest of your signal chain.

 

[higain617]

Having significant experience with both, I can safely say that cheap basses usually sound better than their similarly-priced guitar counterparts.

 

[Ccarson26]

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 you can throw at it, a great bass will materialize. More money may speed up the process a little bit Good luck!

Exactly Right!!

 

[AngelCrusher]

I just thought you wouldn't be able to get the session work because you were playing "sub standard" basses, that's the bold part explanation.

Well times have changed I guess, in my studio time - years ago - I showed up with very "meh" equipment, and I did my parts. Then the studio engineer worked his magic to make the band sound good as an ensemble, and I believe that's what they are paid for - high dollars even. I'm not dissing high dollar equipment, as I said in a previous post get what you can afford, nothing wrong with that. Some have the luxury to be able to own very expensive gear and they should do it without hesitating. But my experience tells me that it's not needed on stage or in the studio.

I don't want my clients "polishing turds" as we call it. I want them to have a great tone from the beginning. That is one reason I continue to get work. I never got turned away from a session for a "sub standard" bass, but I have always at least invested $5-800 in a used Fender at bare minimum.

Additionally I have worked as a producer enough to where I really developed my hearing to what I wanted and needed in a bass tone. That has a huge influence in why I gladly spend the money with certain luthiers.

 

[Rogatien022]

I don't want my clients polishing turds. I want them to have a great tone from the beginning. That is one reason I continue to get work. My experience is different then yours it appears.

Yes it does. I do not agree on the "turd polishing" part lol but hey, to each their own. Nowadays, it's difficult to obtain "turd" with the variety of what's on the market, with the quality of said "meh" instruments.

 

[AngelCrusher]

Yes it does. I do not agree on the "turd polishing" part lol but hey, to each their own. Nowadays, it's difficult to obtain "turd" with the variety of what's on the market, with the quality of said "meh" instruments.

Its just a term, kind of harsh, but essentially boils down to this - get a great tone tracking in before you touch it in the mix. That is a key component to a great sounding record and a major factor in getting work a a session player.

 

[Rogatien022]

Its just a term, kind of harsh, but essentially boils down to this - get a great tone tracking in before you touch it in the mix. That is a key component to a great sounding record and a major factor in getting work a a session player.

Absolutely. I truly think you can get there for less $$ than people might think, from what I've experienced.

 

[kimokeo]

Not necessary at all, IMO. I very seldom find myself playing my expensive basses as I am always afraid something will happen to it incidentally. With that said, my Ibanez SR505 is usually my bass of choice. It plays and sounds just as good (maybe better) than the expensive ones. If not the Ibanez, it will be one of my SX's.

 

[Ccarson26]

Necessary? No, but I own three expensive basses and no cheap ones. I found what I like and unfortunately for me they cost a pretty penny

I found the exact same result.. after 10 years of searching!!

 

[AngelCrusher]

Absolutely. I truly think you can get there for less $$ than people might think, from what I've experienced.

Again, I have specific needs in a bass that not everyone has. I also have a lot of peers that have great gear. You won't see many pros show up for sessions that don't have a killer bass collection which usually includes some really nice older Fenders and boutique copies like Sadowsky, Lakland US, Moollon..etc. It's the current state of how recorda are made. The best is required from all players. That goes for drums, guitar, keys..anything now.

 

[Plutonium244]

Part of getting work sometimes, either in the studio or live, is "right bass for the project". Your Spector bass is great, but if you're going to tour with a roots country thing for a month, it might be best to have a '51 P bass repro or something... and that artist wants you to look/sound the part. If you're going to record some metal music, you probably don't want to use your Epiphone Jack Casady semi-hollowbody. I don't have every bass for every situation-- glaring deficiency is I should have a P bass-- but I have options.