Just why are basses like Wals and Foderas etc so blooming expensive?

[TrevorR]

So, I see a load of these threads asking why the cost of Wal basses, Foderas, Alembics, Ritters and the like are so much more expensive than mere mortals can afford? More to the point, why are they so much more expensive than Fenders and the like? “They’re just assembling basses like anyone else. How can they cost so much?”. Well, I was browsing through the Wal bass Facebook page and Twitter feeds today looking at the photos they’ve posted and thought it would be fun to post up a little humourous photo essay exploring why the are so blooming expensive.

NOTE for those who might currently be experiencing a minor sense of humour bypass: this post may contain elements of irony, sarcasm, feeble attempts at humour and should not be taken entirely seriously...

 

[TrevorR]

So just why are Wal basses so very expensive then? Well, I thought a quick tour round their massive, high tech automated manufacturing facility might amply demonstrate why and how they are clearly inflating their prices for what is basically a standard, mass produced item over and above the rest of the mass market bass manufacturers.

Here are the guys from Wal bulk ordering their pre-shaped wood pallets from a cut price timber warehouse...

To minimise stock costs and to maximise turnover, wood is transferred onto the production line as soon as possible. The large output of the Wal factory offsets the losses through warping of unseasoned wood.

Once on the production line CNC routers shape the bodies and create any necessary cavities in a mere matter of seconds.

From there the large workforce of unskilled, minimum wage employees pass the bodies through to the finishing lines.

As with all automated processes, standardisation and reproducible large volume manufacturing is a key to cutting costs to a minimum.

In the automated spraying machines further computer controlled processes ensure that varnish of applied thinly and quickly. The only manual processes needed are a final buffing to a shine.

While the high speed UV catalysed drying is taking place bulk shipments of pickups and bridges from OEM suppliers are loaded into the production line for installation.

Simple, off the shelf, mass produced electronics are also employed to minimise costs.

As soon as large batches of basses are completed they are packed into palleted containers and bulk shipped worldwide to a network of distributors. At every stage remembering the company motto “time is money!”

 

[TrevorR]

And just in case it’s not entirely clear can I add...

 

[GBBSbassist]

Sub'd!

 

[TrevorR]

Sub'd!

Photo glitch... hopefully it works now...

 

[mdogs]

Do we have to do this again?!?!?!?!?

 

[Kevin1960]

I think he forgot to mention the cheap domestic American laborers used to lower the cost even further.

 

[acid bass]

I think he forgot to mention the cheap domestic American laborers used to lower the cost even further.

Damn Americans stealing jobs from hardworking children in Indonesia!

 

[BruceWane]

Do we have to do this again?!?!?!?!?

What, you mean post replies based solely on thread titles 'cause we're too ADD to actually read any posts?

OF COURSE WE HAVE TO DO THIS AGAIN!!!!

 

[AngelCrusher]

What, you mean post replies based solely on thread titles 'cause we're too ADD to actually read any posts?

OF COURSE WE HAVE TO DO THIS AGAIN!!!!

Lol that guy is is the most sensitive TB'er ever.

 

[2112]

 

[Nephilymbass]

So, I see a load of these threads asking why the cost of Wal basses, Foderas, Alembics, Ritters and the like are so much more expensive than mere mortals can afford? More to the point, why are they so much more expensive than Fenders and the like? “They’re just assembling basses like anyone else. How can they cost so much?”. Well, I was browsing through the Wal bass Facebook page and Twitter feeds today looking at the photos they’ve posted and thought it would be fun to post up a little humourous photo essay exploring why the are so blooming expensive.

NOTE for those who might currently be experiencing a minor sense of humour bypass: this post may contain elements of irony, sarcasm, feeble attempts at humour and should not be taken entirely seriously...

This is an interesting story about fodera. notice victor says his first fodera cost $900 in the early 80s . A lot of it is actually inflation. Just like I remember when Mexican fenders were like $300-$350 and musicman SR5s and american fenders were all $999 or less. I’m sure since they have a great reputation some of it is also paying for the name.

 

[Kevan Campbell]

Inflation, rising costs of doing business, having a product that everyone wants...take your pick of those and hundreds of other reasons. I figure that once a player purchases an instrument past a certain price point (and that price point is different for everyone) then the choice of what instrument he or she plays is not just about the instrument and sound itself but also the company, the people working at the company and the values that the company stands for.

This is an interesting story about fodera. notice victor says his first fodera cost $900 in the early 80s . A lot of it is actually inflation. Just like I remember when Mexican fenders were like $300-$350 and musicman SR5s and american fenders were all $999 or less. I’m sure since they have a great reputation some of it is also paying for the name.

Very cool video, I'm always fascinated to learn how these bigger-name players choose their instruments and gear. This one is such a neat story of the character of Victor and Joey and the way that their relationship started.

 

[FilTurd]

I liked it, I think sarcasm is the greatest tool...A+

 

[scuzzy]

It's good to see these things put into perspective. Thanks for the post and sharing the great photos. I wish I could afford basses in that vein, but I understand why they charge what they do.

 

[Watchootognbout]

The basses in question are not the everyday Fenders that you encounter.
Any more than a Bugatti is the same 'ol car that we all drive to WalMart.

 

[Mister Boh]

Just to play devil's advocate, what's wrong with automating some of the processes?

It seems to me like machine made things like necks, body routes, are a good thing because precision is important with string alignment, fret placement, etc.

As long as the QC is there why not leave precise things to a machine?

 

[4001]

Ever play a Wal??
Then A/B that with your typical Squier VM Jazz Bass and tell me.

 

[brianrost]

Last time I was at the Pedulla shop, it was down to just Mike doing all the building himself. Oh, there was a woman running the office.

Don't forget that the prices of mass-produced brands keep rising. On average, today's Fenders cost about 2x what they did 30 years ago in 1988.

 

[micguy]

As long as there are people that are willing to pay more money to get a bass that not everyone else can afford, and that is a bit different, there will be companies willing to do something a bit different and charge more money for it. You can talk about what processes or materials are used that cost more, but really, that's secondary to the fact that there is a market there, and small companies (you don't have to make a lot of basses at $10K a pop to be profitable) will figure out the details necessary to serve that market.