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Latest Thoughts on Boutiques

#21
Boutique or factory or home-made, the important thing is finding an instrument that feels right to you. An instrument that doesn't get in the way, but facilitates your enjoyment of playing bass. It's like shopping for anything. You check out what's out there, find what is most comfortable for you in every way, and ideally stick with it. I've owned or played most of what's out there (although things constantly are evolving and changing) and love the fact that there is no bass I'd rather play than what I have at home...although it really takes the joy out of going into an instrument shop...I think I can live with that. :bassist:

ps. isn't it always funny that those of us posting about how happy we are with our basses are usually the ones who are changing our instruments all of the time? i think i may be finally over all of that drama.
 
#22
I'm starting to think, I just need one bass that jives with me, a backup (if gigging), an EQ pedal or transparent preamp, and a decent amp and cab. (maybe an OD if the amp does offer it, and the band requires those tones.)

What else do you need? Heck, even the EQ and/or preamp is really needed. :o
 
#24
Dr. Cheese said:
Guilty as charged.
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I think I left the STL GTG with more amp gas than bass gas.

Cheese, The fact that almost everyone played the crap out of your SX fretless jazz said a lot about the "boutique bass" syndrome. I loved the Valenti, the Drozd, and the PJ Sadowsky, but there is no way to justify that for me. I'm super happy with my VM P bass, my Japanese EB3 copy, and my new upright. Now to find a cheap Markbass F1.
 
#25
blendermassacre said:
I think I left the STL GTG with more amp gas than bass gas.

Cheese, The fact that almost everyone played the crap out of your SX fretless jazz said a lot about the "boutique bass" syndrome. I loved the Valenti, the Drozd, and the PJ Sadowsky, but there is no way to justify that for me. I'm super happy with my VM P bass, my Japanese EB3 copy, and my new upright. Now to find a cheap Markbass F1.
Click to expand...

I agree about the amp GAS. I want a Promethean bad!
 
#26
I had the same reaction at the Indy GTG last year. Some just flat out beautiful gear there, but I left content (well, I've added two, a fretless and a P since then) with the gear I own.

Frankly, as a self taught player, the high end gear just intimidates me. I don't play well enough to draw out the nuances that a high end instrument provides to a truly accomplished player. It would be like giving me a Ferrari to commute to work. Not that I'd turn it down if anyone wants to offer one. (Bass or Ferrari.)
 
#27
Hello all,

I'll through my two cents in if it worth anything. I've played all types of basses through the years from a Peavey T40 to Yamaha BB300 to Curbow International Exotic Petite. I am addicted to a boutique bass. Love the look and feel of a handcrafted instrument. My latest "problem: is Benavente Bass. I bought one because I loved the look. I bought the next 9 because they are amazing (and one more on order). They are works of art and amazing playing instruments.

I heard a quote a long time ago, but I can;t remember who said it ..... "by the best bass you can afford." Who cares what anybody else says, it's you bass, love it and play it that way.

Steve

P.S. I still miss my Guild Pilot Basses (pre-Fender of course)
 
#28
blendermassacre said:
I think I left the STL GTG with more amp gas than bass gas.

Cheese, The fact that almost everyone played the crap out of your SX fretless jazz said a lot about the "boutique bass" syndrome. I loved the Valenti, the Drozd, and the PJ Sadowsky, but there is no way to justify that for me. I'm super happy with my VM P bass, my Japanese EB3 copy, and my new upright. Now to find a cheap Markbass F1.
Click to expand...

Go to Guitar center's website and search under Used.
 
#29
I think I am over boutiques. I never really had one, but I think I have finally come to terms with myself, my gear, my gigs, my budget, and am quite happy and satisfied with my Yamaha BB605 with Bartolini electronics. It really covers all my gigs and I don't have to think at all when I play it.

I am taking one more stab at the upright sound without the upright and trying a Rob Allen MB-2. I suppose that's kind of a boutique instrument as it is hand made. We'll see how it goes.

If it wasn't for jazz standards and ballads - fretless is nice - I'd be happy with my Yamaha.
 
#30
Bottom line, what works for you works for you.

Given a choice (which fortunately I've had for a long time) I'd still play the basses I play. Personally I don't find GTG's to be that great a place to really bond with an instrument.

We all have different requirements and if as usual someone wants to take that the wrong way, cool. In the meantime the only way to consistently get what I like and prefer is with what I own. They're simple things that can be very hard to find in a single instrument: sets up well, very responsive to touch, kills in the mix. Esthetics are way down the list... I'm far more concerned with these things and I may be far more critical about them than many people. More often than not I'm not blown away by basses I check out, boutique or not. By blown away I mean I want to buy it on the spot regardless of price.
:cool:
 
#31
Brad Johnson said:
Go to Guitar center's website and search under Used.
Click to expand...

I've kept an eye on the used GC markbass stuff. I should probably hold off for a bit since I spent almost a grand this week on bass stuff (:eek:)

Dr. Cheese said:
I agree about the amp GAS. I want a Promethean bad!
Click to expand...

You were playing the crap out of that thing. Totally not my bag, but still a great amp for the money. Considering you could still hear it over hounddog's mesa m6/ epiphany 410, it's worth the money.
 
#34
J. Crawford said:
I see posts daily here of guys selling their high end basses to buy a MIA Fender or Lakland Skyline.

Thats proof enough for me.

Plus, Jaco and Jamerson got away with a Fender. ;)
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Meh, I've known too many guys who are always thinking that the grass is always greener. These are the types who are always buying and selling stuff. Quite often, people buy stuff they can't afford, or unexpected bills come up. Sometimes the problem with boutiques isn't the bass at all, but unrealistic expectations that no real life bass would ever satisfy.
 
#35
spade2you said:
I've known too many guys who are always thinking that the grass is always greener. These are the types who are always buying and selling stuff.
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Guilty as charged. In my defense, I don't have access to much locally so I have to buy and sell in order to try out different basses. I have also learned - maybe the hard way - that the bass I have is the bass I'm supposed to have.

I am set on my main bass - Yamaha BB605 fretted 5 string, active 3 band Bartolini preamp, hum canceling Bartolini jazz pups, 24 frets with DR Hi Beams. I can cover any gig and have for a long time.

I am going to try one more bass - a Rob Allen MB-2 5 string. Hopefully it will be the ticket for my jazz gigs. The Yamaha works as we don't do much "traditional" stuff, but it would still be nice to have something more in the ballpark for standards and ballads.

If it doesn't work out, I'll probably just play my Yamaha and call it good.
 
#36
My latest thoughts on boutiques?
They're still basses in the end.

IMG_9090.jpg


I think its silly to draw a distinction between "boutique" and "not-boutique" bass, play what makes you happy. If you think there is some kudos in being or not being a "boutique" player you are playing for the wrong reason. A bass is a bass, play the bass that puts a smile on your face and stop worrying whether its boutique by some abstract definition that says nothing about how the bass will make you feel when you play it.
 
#37
Mark Latimour said:
My latest thoughts on boutiques?
They're still basses in the end.

IMG_9090.jpg


I think its silly to draw a distinction between "boutique" and "not-boutique" bass, play what makes you happy. If you think there is some kudos in being or not being a "boutique" player you are playing for the wrong reason. A bass is a bass, play the bass that puts a smile on your face and stop worrying whether its boutique by some abstract definition that says nothing about how the bass will make you feel when you play it.
Click to expand...


I don't see a distinction between boutiques and factory basses as instruments. Financially, I do see a difference. The point of my initial post was that I left the GTG feeling good about my basses. They work well for what I want to do.

At the moment I am happy with what I have. I am also a great lover of basses, and I can see me going off and getting something else when the spirit hits me too.:D
 
#38
Dr. Cheese said:
I don't see a distinction between boutiques and factory basses as instruments. Financially, I do see a difference. The point of my initial post was that I left the GTG feeling good about my basses. They work well for what I want to do.

At the moment I am happy with what I have. I am also a great lover of basses, and I can see me going off and getting something else when the spirit hits me too.:D
Click to expand...
See even that distinction is fairly grey, I have an ACG on order that will cost less than a new EBMM SR here. I think Stambaugh and a few other luthiers make instruments taht cost less than some factory models. You can certainly play "boutique" instruments that are low priced. That's why I think the distinction is pointless, you're better off just buying the instrument you like regardless of the label and not worrying whether what you, he or she is playing is a factory bass or a boutique bass (however you wish to define them).
 
#39
Mark Latimour said:
See even that distinction is fairly grey, I have an ACG on order that will cost less than a new EBMM SR here. I think Stambaugh and a few other luthiers make instruments taht cost less than some factory models. You can certainly play "boutique" instruments that are low priced. That's why I think the distinction is pointless, you're better off just buying the instrument you like regardless of the label and not worrying whether what you, he or she is playing is a factory bass or a boutique bass (however you wish to define them).
Click to expand...

You won your case.
 

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