Price Point Sweet Spot

[Double E]

I know the answer is somewhat subjective, but I am curious what the general population here thinks is the best price range to get the best bang for your buck.

 

[OxJohnson]

I gotta say 400-800 as far as street prices go. After $800, the differences elude my ability. I am sure there are folks where this is NOT the case, but for me that is true. The other thing about it is that after that point I would become OCD about the darn thing and worry about every little thing! I am sure that I will grow past that stage at some point, but even when I played guitar, I reached my limit at about $700.

Ox.

 

[Coop Soup]

It's weird. I actually picked 800 - 1200, as all of my instruments have had a selling price in this range, but I've found the most amazing deals in the next level down.

Stingray - $500
Traded that and my '92 Ibanez SR800 (got for $200 and an Ibanez RG750 guitar in '92) for a Warwick Corvette FNA-5 even up (in 2000).

Traded my Warwick for a 2003 MIA P and $300 (this was in 2004).

Now I'm just waiting for the next amazing deal to fall in my lap.

The worst deal I missed was a 1975 Jazz for $300. I still have nightmares about that.

 

[Alvaro Martín Gómez A.]

On brand new instruments, I think around the 1300 USD neighborhood (bought at a store in the U.S.).

 

[OxJohnson]

On brand new instruments, I think around the 1300 USD neighborhood (bought at a store in the U.S.).

Out of curiosity, what were you thinking of that falls at this point and what makes them stand out?

Thanks,
Ox.

 

[Alvaro Martín Gómez A.]

Out of curiosity, what were you thinking of that falls at this point and what makes them stand out?

Thanks,
Ox.

Well, of course there are very good-sounding basses that fall below that price tag but IME, and with the exception of my (now gone) Carvin BB75 (Carvins are an special case since their prices are factory direct), most of the times I've found something that leaves me unsatisfied, specially in the setup area: Pickups that aren't easily adjustable, slightly noisy pots, necks that need to be shimmed if I want them to be the way I like (which means bridge saddles that can't get the strings as close to the fingerboard as I want)... stuff like that (I'm very picky about setting up my basses, BTW). Haven't had a single complaint with basses from 1200 USD and up at U.S. stores.

Of course, and I've said before, TalkBass has taught me to appreciate cheap instruments, but I still think of something near that price tag as the minimum for a "flawless" instrument (again, talking about brand-new basses bought in an U.S. store).

 

[Alvaro Martín Gómez A.]

On brand new instruments, I think around the 1300 USD neighborhood (bought at a store in the U.S.).

Hmm... I was thinking of 5-string basses, which are what I play the most. Deduct US$200 for 4-stringers.

 

[Rakie]

5 String, USED $800-$1200

 

[bongomania]

The very best basses I've played were in the $800 to $1200 range used, and that includes everything from vintage classics to modern standards to boutique specialties. For new-in-store pricing I like the USA Deluxe Fenders which can go for less than $1200, and it seems like you can step into a nice EBMM for a similar amount.

 

[James Hart]

my stable empty.....

The ONLY thing I'm doing is calling Fred @ Bee to build me another just like my current 7.

 

[Rob Mancini]

I just ordered a B stock SX PJ in white, and it was $90, so I would have to say $90 is the price point

 

[Jjango]

I voted $800-$1200. I have paid less for great gear, though.

 

[fullrangebass]

The 2000+ range allows me to look for THE bass for my needs and desires, as well as finding very fine instruments at a very reasonable price

 

[Rob Mancini]

The 2000+ range lets me get a divorce

 

[Brian D]

I'd say $800-$1200 used is where you can find great deals.

 

[Dr. Cheese]

Although I prefer spending much less, I think $1,200-$1,600 is the sweet spot because at that point, you can buy the best new production basses like Cirruses, Stingrays, G&L, USA Fender, Skyline, and some nice Warwicks. Used, you can get Zons, Modulus, Roscoes, Alembics, Warriors, LEJ, etc. if you take your time.

 

[not_jason]

I'm a champion of cheap gear. I voted 200-400. The only instrument I have that goes above that is my standard J-Bass, which I drove higher in value with a J-Retro. I almost never play it anymore. I replaced it with a 300 dollar MIJ Squier. My second in command is an Epiphone that, again, cost 300 bucks. After that, I play a 99 Squier Affinity P, which is about as low end as you could possibly get. I'd be lucky if I could sell that thing for a hundred bucks.

Often times I pick up expensive instruments at the store and I can tell why they are expensive. And it's not that I wouldn't like those features and that build quality, but I can't justify the price. In a lot of cases, I feel like the right set up can make any hunk of junk feel like a million bucks... or at least 5 or 6 hundred dollars.

Another benefit of cheap instruments for me is that I feel a stronger connection to them. They prioritize their forms and functions differently than high end gear, and I find that it often results in instruments that I feel ideologically at one with. I get where it's coming from and it gets where I'm coming from.

 

[bassmodder]

I voted the 400. I like used gear that was treated well and looks new. Who else will know it was used if you can't even tell?

 

[Lon86]

For some odd reason, I rarely buy new basses anymore.

Kind of the same attitude I take with cars.

I like 'em a bit used so I don't feel bad modifying them to my taste.

Plus, it is fun looking around for deals.

I just bought a '06 3ts Highway 1 P for $400...it had EMG pickups...

Took 'em out, put in the original pickups, now it is getting more playing time than my vintage Fenders and Rics.

So you never know..,.

 

[Ric5]

My price range starts at $1 and goes up to around $2000 ... anything in that range is fair game ...