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Poll for fun

1 upper end bass or 2 basses that are half as expensive

  • 1 upper end bass (like a Sadowsky Metro)

    Votes: 75 35.4%

  • 2 that are almost as good (Am. Fender, Musicman, G&L)

    Votes: 137 64.6%
  • Total voters
    212
theophilus762

theophilus762

Nov 4, 2006
1,342
43
39
Arlington, VA
#1
Here's just a thought I've been wondering about. My parents are granting me about $2000 for a college graduation present, which will obviously be bass related, but I've been thinking about this...

Would you rather buy 1 upper end bass like a Sadowsky Metro, or 2 other basses, say a Fender American Standard Jazz and a P bass or a used stingray?

100% of my playing is for church worship services, although our takes are a bit more rockish than the recordings sometimes. Thus, I don't need that much versatility.

I'm just curious what you guys would do based on your own circumstance.
 
#2
I'd save at least half of it and put the other half to a nice used bass on the TB classifieds. Buying used basses that other people need to sell and saving at least half of anything you can afford to a good habits to get into for the rest of your life. You might as well start practicing them now! :)
 
#5
Mojo-Man said:
:cool:

My simple rule.

"Get the best bass you can afford"

One great bass is better than two average basses.

Plus, if you sell.
You will get better resale on expensive bass.
Click to expand...

Normally, I would agree with this. I have a Sadowsky UV70 which I absolutely love. I'm sure the OP would be quite happy with something like that. But in this case, I might recommend that he go with an '08 MIA Fender Jazz AND P. I don't really look at those as "average" basses. I think they're very good basses, and he'd have a variety. Plus, if he bought both at the same time, he might be able to get a better price on the "package" deal.

Either way, I don't think he loses. Get the Sadowsky and you'll be very happy. Get the two American Standards and I think you'll still be very happy. What is your own gut telling you to do? That's the real question.
 
#8
I voted on getting one. I don't know, if I had the extra money to be able to actually afford one, that's what I'd probably do. I've been a one-bass man for the last 10 years and I don't really see that changing much, so I just don't see the need to have multiple basses (at least for myself).
 
#10
It's a tough choice. But, look at it this way. If you have presently 0 basses, then 2 would make sense. But, if you've got a bass, or two, go for the Sadowsky and don't look back. Or, what about your amp? You happy with it, 'cause that's how I'd spend it. I have more amps than basses right now, and that's ok too.
 
#13
I voted for getting 1 nice bass because that's exactly what I did. I had 3 decent basses, a modded Lakland 55-01, a Warwick Corvette, and a Tobias Renegade. I found myself using 1 bass and leaving the others to collect dust, even though I was wanting a different tone altogether. I went ahead and sold 1 of my basses, a 12 string acoustic guitar, and all my electric guitars and picked up a really nice custom bass. As a matter of fact I was so pleased with my purchase I realized that I didn't need my other 5 string so I sold that too. I wouldn't compromise quality with quantity. That what I did for years and now I've finally got a bass that has the tone and feel that I want.
 
#15
It sounds like you're not 100% sure what you want, I mean, there's quite a difference between a Jazz and a Precision. I would not buy an upper end bass unless I was nearly 100% sure that the neck, pickups, etc. were exactly what I was looking for.
 
#18
i would buy lots of things not just a bass
i have found that i have a certain atraction for "cheap" basses, so i would buy a MIM fender as much, a nice amp, a MIM fender guitar, a nice guitar amp, a couple of pedals, and other little toys to have more fun, IMO lots of nice toys are funnier than a nice bass
 
#19
The '08 Fenders are really, really nice. Why not try the Jazz and P out and then see if the Sadowskys are much nicer? Or mabey you can even do well with one '08 Fender and save the rest for a crazy good amp?

I think I would buy a nice '08 Fender Jazz (shop around, not every bass is the same as the next) and save the rest for an amp you've been looking for. I see you have two Aguilar cabs (210 and 410) which are great. Ever play a tube head? Most go for a little more than a grand so you could put the left overs towards a tube head.

You'd then have a very versitile setup with a good bass (upgrade potential) and a combination of cabs and heads (whatever tube head and you'd have your little mark).No matter distance you're traveling or venue you're playing, you'd be set!
 

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