Italy in general specializes in luxury products. Be happy Markbass are moderatlely priced
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Michael League Signature Bass
- Thread starter Dr. Cheese
- Start date
If I'm gonna spend that kind of money on a bass, it ain't gonna be for THAT bass. Probably a decent-enough instrument in its own right, but yeah...no. 
It is the pb hot pickup, not the 60s...Pretty nice sounding bass. But I agree with the good doctor thinking it's not for me either. They must be awfully proud of it to ask $7400. It is still just a PB when all is said and done. You don't get a dose of Michael League's talent to go with it.
Interestingly enough, I installed the same Aguilar 4P-60 Bacci is using on my Squier Matt Freeman PB. And I can get a tone that's virtually identical of his.
Michael League has a PB tone that hits me right where I live. The sound of his famous pawn shop PB was my inspiration for getting that pickup in the first place.
My Squier is also very light on a strap and has what's probably the most effortless neck of any bass I've ever had the pleasure of playing. Maybe it doesn't have a "good story," some exotic wood mumbo-jumbo, or a fancy provenance behind it. But I'm 100% contented with my inexpensive modded Squier.
Many years (and seven or eight PBs later) I finally found my "forever PB." Who would have ever thought it would end up being a $375 Squier with a pickup swap? Not me That's for sure
Many years (and seven or eight PBs later) I finally found my "forever PB." Who would have ever thought it would end up being a $375 Squier with a pickup swap? Not me That's for sure
I would!
Cool bass. But as plenty of us (I include myself here as well) are always complaining about prices let me ask you this:
For artist signatures, which is better:
- The actual bass the artist plays, that costs what it costs but is true to spec
- A cheaper, watered down copy that gets you X% there, but in the end is a batch of compromises
IMHO, the former. Eg. I might not like the price of an Indonesian made Steve DiGiorgio bass, but would I rather buy a cheaper version without all the actual bells and whistles? Most likely not. That's why I never jumped on the budget Attitude basses either. If it's a Sheehan bass I need the stereo output and scalloped fretboard
For artist signatures, which is better:
- The actual bass the artist plays, that costs what it costs but is true to spec
- A cheaper, watered down copy that gets you X% there, but in the end is a batch of compromises
IMHO, the former. Eg. I might not like the price of an Indonesian made Steve DiGiorgio bass, but would I rather buy a cheaper version without all the actual bells and whistles? Most likely not. That's why I never jumped on the budget Attitude basses either. If it's a Sheehan bass I need the stereo output and scalloped fretboard
Harsh take incoming: Mixed feelings on signature models. I've never seen one that has moved me to the point of needing to buy one. It's just another piece of wood with strings on it that is marked up because of allure and advertising. Pat Metheny is my favorite musician of all time, but I don't need his overpriced Ibanez to butcher the solo from Third Wind. I can do that just fine on whatever is hanging on the wall. When I see a signature factory production model guitar/bass over $1800 (and I understand this one is handcrafted in Italy or whatever so it's a bit different), it screams elitism and feels like accessibility is hindered- especially for people like young music students who haven't found their path yet but idolize their influences and want the look of a sig model to keep them inspired. We all come from different walks of life and have different decimal places in our bank accounts. If it's gonna cost $7500 to try and fail to sound like someone else, I'm gonna spend $1000 or less and sound like me.
No thanks on the wormwood. It's another gimmick like the floyd rose speedloader.
No thanks on the wormwood. It's another gimmick like the floyd rose speedloader.
Not trying to rain on parades, but those wormholes are perfect for collecting dirt, dust and moisture. Forget polishing the body. Those holes will fill up with polish, which traps moisture and leads to no good. First, kiln dried "roasted" woods and now wormholes chewed through the body?? What next....basses with partial carves and broken strings?? I've got some tree bark with woodpecker holes in it. Only 10,000 bucks a piece...free shipping.
It just sounds like a P bass. The eaten up look of the body doesn't match the modern look of the rest of the bass. Nice looking fingerboard and head stock.
I don't think "associated" is the term - his bass for many years was (maybe still is) a beat up old P - I don't think he and the folks at Fender have any relationship about his gear.
Yep. Sure the "fit and finish" is different, but my MIM with Lindys sounds as good as my US Lakland Glaub with the same Lindys once the tape starts rollin'...
Sorry, but not a fan of the look, the sound or the tone of that bass. The price doesn't help either. Coming up next, the John Doe signature bass.
How about a heavy Pbass with live termites in it? Then it gets lighter and lighter over time.
well uh markbass are moderately priced because most of their stuff is made and outsourced to Indonesia/(was it China before)?
A better example would be GR bass. the are pricey but compared to handcrafted wormwood, they're reasonably priced carbon fiber.
- Aug 21, 2003
- 11,619
- 18,701
- Disclosures
- A-Designs Mike Lull GK Tsunami Cables GHS Strings RMI Basswitch Nordstrand Pickups Darkglass
Remember this…
At the end of the day, it's a $7500 alder body P bass.
prehaps a real nice one, but nonetheless a $7500 alder body P bass.
At the end of the day, it's a $7500 alder body P bass.
prehaps a real nice one, but nonetheless a $7500 alder body P bass.
