JA, I think you're focusing too much on country of origin and not enough on the quality controls and the quality of the materials used. Secondly, most Skylines are anywhere from modestly to hundreds cheaper than US Fenders, EBMMs and G&Ls. And clearly, when you look at the superior resale values of Indonesian and Korean Skylines vs. US Fenders, the market doesn't seem to have an issue with those prices.
Enjoy the benefits of a premium membership!
Upgrade Account
-
TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
Join free Log in
Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.
Over-Priced basses?
- Thread starter For_Ironys_Sake
- Start date
I agree they are well made. I have felt for awhile that they could lower their prices. They have the highest priced Cort imports of all the manufacturers. A good comparison is the Tribute L-2000. It has active electronics and the US pickups and is made at Cort. I would say it is a direct comparison to a Skyline 44-02. A Tribute is around $650 and a Skyline is twice that at around $1300. Even if you got the Tribute PLEK'd for $200 you would still be about $400 less.
I am not saying tone wise these are comparable basses I am pointing out the fact that they are made in the same Cort factory and both have dual US pickups. I would say the quality is pretty similar overall. So why is the Skyline so much more money? Lakland manufacturers their own pickups so the cost for that can't be that much more right? G&L doesn't sell more basses so it's not a quantity discount thing? I have been wondering this for awhile.
Just to be clear, I'm not trying to knock expensive basses or anything, just thought it'd be a fun topic
none of the basses in this thread seem worthy of being called over-priced. i'm thinking that maybe the numerous boutique versions that look fantastic but are basically cost prohibitive to most of us. i'll pay $1500 all day for an MIA Fender and not look back, but $3500 and up for some of these custom models, forget it!!! i have 6 basses ranging in price from $350.-1200.00 and love them all.
The premise of this thread makes no sense to me.
The question of what a bass is "worth" is 100% determined by what players are willing to pay for it. If Fodera and Ritter and Furlanetto build basses that cost upward of $4000 and have waiting lists for their instruments, then they're clearly "worth it" to the players who are buying them.
Anyone who stays in business building musical instruments (a very competitive market) has done the required research to determine exactly what they can charge and continue to move product. Few builders, from the most boutique to the biggest mass producer, would choose to charge less for their instruments than the market will bear. If MIM Fenders end up hanging unsold in GC's across the country, Fender might decide to drop the price. I'd be surprised if this happened though.
If Fender charged $6000 for a MIA Jazz, they would not sell, and would therefore be "overpriced." But Fodera charges $6000 for basses and cannot keep up with demand... thereby proving that their basses are appropriately priced for the market.
Bass pricing is really not, as this thread suggests, a matter of opinion. It's a matter of mathematics, and a builder that screws up the math is going to know pretty quickly that they've done so.
The question of what a bass is "worth" is 100% determined by what players are willing to pay for it. If Fodera and Ritter and Furlanetto build basses that cost upward of $4000 and have waiting lists for their instruments, then they're clearly "worth it" to the players who are buying them.
Anyone who stays in business building musical instruments (a very competitive market) has done the required research to determine exactly what they can charge and continue to move product. Few builders, from the most boutique to the biggest mass producer, would choose to charge less for their instruments than the market will bear. If MIM Fenders end up hanging unsold in GC's across the country, Fender might decide to drop the price. I'd be surprised if this happened though.
If Fender charged $6000 for a MIA Jazz, they would not sell, and would therefore be "overpriced." But Fodera charges $6000 for basses and cannot keep up with demand... thereby proving that their basses are appropriately priced for the market.
Bass pricing is really not, as this thread suggests, a matter of opinion. It's a matter of mathematics, and a builder that screws up the math is going to know pretty quickly that they've done so.
Ill agree with Warwicks being on this list. Its amazing how everybody talks about the Fender price increases but Warwick has gone out of their minds in recent years. I remember buying a B.O. 4 string Thumb back in 2000 at guitar center. I paid about $1380 out the door after taxes and all with a hardshell. This bass is currently $2500 at guitar center and that is quite the price bump.
Its not that I dont still think theyre beautiful basses.... theyre wonderful. But overpriced to me defines something that costs more than it is worth or costs more than you have to spend to get a similar product or service from somebody else.
Granted warwicks are great but theyre about 30% more than they should be for what they offer.
I know that this is just my opinion and all but I feel that you can get alot more bass for the money.
Its not that I dont still think theyre beautiful basses.... theyre wonderful. But overpriced to me defines something that costs more than it is worth or costs more than you have to spend to get a similar product or service from somebody else.
Granted warwicks are great but theyre about 30% more than they should be for what they offer.
I know that this is just my opinion and all but I feel that you can get alot more bass for the money.
I'm coming around to Johnny Alien's position. Skylines are very expensive considering the prices of the SBMM and Tribute lines. Although a Tribute L-2500 is now closer to $900 than $650, it is still extremely close in quality to a Skyline, pleked or not. The same is true for a Ray35.
I was comparing a L-2000 to a 44-02. The 5 string prices would be different. A L-2500 looks to be $800 and a 55-02 looks to be $1400.
Warwicks...........
I bought my first SSll for 2500 brand new in 03...
Unfortunatly i had to sell it to get through college. I got back what i payed for it.
I looked into buying another one. Best deal i could find for a new one was 4800..... /facepalm
Remember these are no longer hand shaped and are considered a mass production bass company now.
I love warwicks but for 5g's ill buy a custom made fodera.
I bought my first SSll for 2500 brand new in 03...
Unfortunatly i had to sell it to get through college. I got back what i payed for it.
I looked into buying another one. Best deal i could find for a new one was 4800..... /facepalm
Remember these are no longer hand shaped and are considered a mass production bass company now.
I love warwicks but for 5g's ill buy a custom made fodera.
This:
http://bass-guitars.musiciansfriend...nature-PBass?sku=515076&ZYXSEM=0&src=3AGGWXX2
It deserves to be $100 cheaper IMO, but I also can not stand this bass or the man who made it.
http://bass-guitars.musiciansfriend...nature-PBass?sku=515076&ZYXSEM=0&src=3AGGWXX2
It deserves to be $100 cheaper IMO, but I also can not stand this bass or the man who made it.
I've never had a chance to play any Tribute models, so I can't render an opinion there. I'd just reiterate that a ton of players have bought Skylines new or used, and most apparently feel they ended up with a good deal. As the owner of two Skylines myself, I know I feel that way.
I'm not a big fan of the concept of "worth" except on a personal level, but I'll add this:
I own a Tribute L-2000. It is a great instrument, enough so that I sold my US L-1000. That stated, I believe the Lakland Skyline series is priced higher for two reasons. The first is quality of components. The Tribute only sports US pickups. The pre is not the same pre as found in the US line. Same specs, possibly, but not the same. I believe the 02 Skylines have all US electronics. Second, aren't the Skylines inspected and set up at the US factory? The Tributes are not.
Is this worth the price difference? I dunno, but it should account for at least some of the discrepency.
Mike
I have to dissagree with you on that. Ill put my unpleked skyline Joe against any USA Fender jazz at my local music store, and the lakland seems to always come out on top. (even the employees were raving about it) This is just my oppinion, not looking to start a fender vs lakland fight lol
The pre could be a bit of the price difference but Tributes were just as cheap when they had the US pre as well (they originally came with them). They get the PLEK treatment in the US. So if you wanted to you could PLEK the Tribute and it would still be lower priced.
Again....great instruments and as long as they are selling them then obviously people don't have an issue. I have just become a little shocked at their price versus competition from the same factory.
I love their older Korean models that were not PLEK'd. I actually thought the extra money was well warranted when they were paying their top techs to do all of the final fretwork.
Preference is going to be a personal thing. A JO is not a Fender jazz and vice versa even though they look similar. I think the quality on a US Fender is up to par with the Skyline. Many will disagree (which is why that was the first thing I said)
Just throwing it out there. I'd never heard that they used to have a US pre. My L2K, purchased in Feb of 2004 and MIK, was delivered with paperwork that states that the pickup are US, while the electronics are "faithful" to the original design.
Mike
Their website which is not up to date and has old information said that it had a US pre so I know they did at one time. (At least they said they did). But I am not sure when.
