Price vs Quality

[Big Hoss]

I was in a photography class and noticed something interesting our class field trip. One classmate was a doctor and had at least three times more invested in his equipment than the instructor (who was a serious professional). The comic part was that the doctor continually produced the worst pictures in the entire class. The instructors were always spectacular. He clearly had an eye.

I see expensive equipment as being created for those that can afford it. It has nothing whatsoever to do with their ability to play or even their seriousness about it. It has to do with what part of their budget they are willing to commit to it.

I'll tell you right now that an exotic sports car is no more reliable than a Kia.

I would like to add "or able to" on the part of committing a chunk of budget... I'm not broke, or even close to it, but I am also married, have financial responsibilities, and I would have a VERY hard time justifying a $2,500.00 bass to my wife. That would cut too deep into my family budget. Now if I was making money playing bass, and was cutting into "extra income from playing" budget, then it would be reinvestment into an income stream and it would be MUCH easier to justify.

 

[bassburner]

I went with $800 and my basses range in price from $300 to $3500. Based on the average quality of most basses off the line I haven't played one yet that didn't need a good setup. Additionally, the used market here is sparse between Music Go Round and Guitar Center there are 2 used Fender basses (excluding Affinitys). I have to rely on factory quality and I can't expect any new basses to come off the line perfect. My personal benchmark is the quality of the frets especially any tang and from my Squier VI to an MIA Fender and various Ibanezes in between and that's just all over the place regardless of cost. Once a bass is setup nice and you put the pickups and strings on there that you want I couldn't see a practical reason to spend more than $800 whether it's used or budget new. Now spending extra for aesthetics is fine. I'll do it myself but you're not getting more bang for you buck in terms of the practicality of the instrument.

Additionally, I take into consideration what I can do with the instrument. I would buy a $2500+ vintage Fender but I would never take it out to your average bar crowd. They're too valuable and easy for someone to walk off with. I would really only trust using it at practice or in the studio, which I'm rarely in. So I have a $2500+ bass that sits on the wall vs an $800 bass I can play out regularly with. Seems like an easy decision for me.

 

[Big Hoss]

I went with $800 and my basses range in price from $300 to $3500. Based on the average quality of most basses off the line I haven't played one yet that didn't need a good setup. Additionally, the used market here is sparse between Music Go Round and Guitar Center there are 2 used Fender basses (excluding Affinitys). I have to rely on factory quality and I can't expect any new basses to come off the line perfect. My personal benchmark is the quality of the frets especially any tang and from my Squier VI to an MIA Fender and various Ibanezes in between and that's just all over the place regardless of cost. Once a bass is setup nice and you put the pickups and strings on there that you want I couldn't see a practical reason to spend more than $800 whether it's used or budget new. Now spending extra for aesthetics is fine. I'll do it myself but you're not getting more bang for you buck in terms of the practicality of the instrument.

Additionally, I take into consideration what I can do with the instrument. I would buy a $2500+ vintage Fender but I would never take it out to your average bar crowd. They're too valuable and easy for someone to walk off with. I would really only trust using it at practice or in the studio, which I'm rarely in. So I have a $2500+ bass that sits on the wall vs an $800 bass I can play out regularly with. Seems like an easy decision for me.

Theft while gigging is also a VERY valid point... Why spend ultra bucks on something with a high chance of growing feet and walking off, particularly if you play venues with less than spectacular security...

 

[Polfuste]

For 300, you can find used some pretty good squier, which after a set up can face any gig.

 

[Robroy]

If a high end instrument makes you want to play more, and be a better player, then it's worth it to you. I don't think there is any fault in that. By the same token, if you love rockin' an old beat up $75.00 pawn shop Squier and it works for you then great! It's all about playing the music. The instrument is just the tool to do the job.

Yes, that is why someone still living in his mom's basement may opt for a $2500 bass. He's willing to give it a high priority in his budget.

In my case, I need to play something that looks, feels and sounds nice. I can get that NEW for $109. And with those prices, I can use basses as props. And I have. The look of your instrument, just like your clothes, affects how the crowd sees your band.

 

[Robroy]

For 300, you can find used some pretty good squier, which after a set up can face any gig.

My $139 SX has faced MANY gigs, and gets lots of compliments, especially from other musicians.

And I've been playing it as it came out of the box.

 

[Clark Dark]

I clicked $900 initially but I changed it. The price of my Gecko 5 Wide was $875 for the finished body and neck. I bought a Wilde/Lawrence P/J pup set and Aguilar OBP-3, Gotoh tuners and an ABM bridge which topped everything up to around $1,200.

 

[lfmn16]

Yes, that is why someone still living in his mom's basement may opt for a $2500 bass. He's willing to give it a high priority in his budget.

Pretty snarky comment. Some of us make enough money to pay all our bills (including our own homes), save for retirement, have money left over AND own high end basses.

 

[Robroy]

This is the reason I might pay more for an instrument: appearance:

 

[Robroy]

Pretty snarky comment. Some of us make enough money to pay all our bills (including our own homes), save for retirement, have money left over AND own high end basses.

It wasn't meant to be snarkey. My point was that if it is REALLY important to someone, they may be willing to set aside a higher proportion of their budget to it than someone else would. I've said for years that pretty much anyone with a job can afford a Rolls Royce - if he's willing to live in it.

 

[bassburner]

It wasn't meant to be snarkey. My point was that if it is REALLY important to someone, they may be willing to set aside a higher proportion of their budget to it than someone else would. I've said for years that pretty much anyone with a job can afford a Rolls Royce - if he's willing to live in it.

So what you're saying is that if you're going to spend a lot than it should be a hollowbody so you can sleep in it?

 

[Big Hoss]

Hey guys, I hope nobody is getting the impression I am faulting the guys buying high end equipment for their choices. Everyone has to make decisions based on their resources, priorities and requirements. That's life.

I'm not sure for me personally, even if I won the lottery, I don't know as I would buy a high end bass until I knew I would take full advantage of its features. My biggest musical inspiration, and one of the biggest reasons the Bass got my attention back in Jr. High plays a beat to snot Pawn Shop 72 Jazz Bass... If the artists name weren't attached to the instrument it would be most likely worth only a bit more than a new Squier Vintage Modified Jazz... Not what I would consider exactly high end...

That bass player? Geddy Lee.

I'd like to see / hear the guys playing the mega bucks basses outplay Geddy... I know that sounds snarky, it's not meant to. I just don't know that the instrument is all that much of your playing... At a certain point there is a diminishing return.

 

[Robroy]

So what you're saying is that if you're going to spend a lot than it should be a hollowbody so you can sleep in it?

Nailed it!

Actually, I apologize for the misunderstanding. I was using an over the top example just to make the simpler point.

Funny side note: I bought a Scion FRS about 18 months ago and have put 52k miles on it driving to work. I make good money in IT. Where I live, houses are roughly 400+ yards apart. My neighbor's son (three houses down), who lives in their basement, bought one identical to mine about a week before I did. He works at a very low paying job. But mine is stock and his has tons of monifications. It's important to him and he really can "afford" it.

I'm trying to build a house, a barn, a garage and install 40 solar panels and the accompanying hardware. I can't "afford" it.

But I'll have a KILLER rehearsal space.

 

[Robroy]

Hey guys, I hope nobody is getting the impression I am faulting the guys buying high end equipment for their choices. Everyone has to make decisions based on their resources, priorities and requirements. That's life.

I'm not sure for me personally, even if I won the lottery, I don't know as I would buy a high end bass until I knew I would take full advantage of its features. My biggest musical inspiration, and one of the biggest reasons the Bass got my attention back in Jr. High plays a beat to snot Pawn Shop 72 Jazz Bass... If the artists name weren't attached to the instrument it would be most likely worth only a bit more than a new Squier Vintage Modified Jazz... Not what I would consider exactly high end...

That bass player? Geddy Lee.

I'd like to see / hear the guys playing the mega bucks basses outplay Geddy... I know that sounds snarky, it's not meant to. I just don't know that the instrument is all that much of your playing... At a certain point there is a diminishing return.

There is a phrase we like to use regarding the buyers of stuff you can augment your hi-fi with for ludicrous amounts of money: More money than brains.

It's terrible in the super high end hi-fi world. But that doesn't really apply to this stuff - much.

 

[DwaynieAD]

I get really annoyed with the boutique guys who talk down on squier or other low end. but I'm sure the boutique guys get tired of the squier guys who talk down on them for buying what they buy. why does it matter what someone else plays?

 

[Robroy]

I get really annoyed with the boutique guys who talk down on squier or other low end. but I'm sure the boutique guys get tired of the squier guys who talk down on them for buying what they buy. why does it matter what someone else plays?

It is the same gland that makes us racist. Seriously. Differences scare people because if something is different it may be better.

 

[bassburner]

Je suis Squier

I have no filter ... too soon?

 

[OutToPlayJazz]

Yes, you definitely get what you pay for. I've played what you US-types would consider as three thousand plus basses professionally for the last twenty five years. I love the quality and they give me the sound/playability I want. Does that make me a bass snob? Nope. I just like what I like. That's not to say I haven't had $300 Squiers as well, either. I've had quite a few of them and they're great basses for the money, but not what I want or expect in an instrument that helps me earn my living.

I'm very lucky here in the UK - Two out of my three main basses are made within three hours of me, so in effect I have Rob Green and Status and Martin Simms at Enfield as my luthiers. It's a nice place to be. Yes, the instruments aren't cheap, but I definitely get what I pay for. Damned good instruments that I love to play.

 

[bassburner]

Basses are like prostitutes. The more expensive ones might have nicer features but the end result is the same.

 

[lfmn16]

I'd like to see / hear the guys playing the mega bucks basses outplay Geddy... I know that sounds snarky, it's not meant to.

It's not a contest, but there are plenty of outstanding players who play mega buck basses.

I just don't know that the instrument is all that much of your playing... At a certain point there is a diminishing return.

Most of the people that don't understand the high-end and/or boutique basses haven't played them - and I don't mean picking up a poorly set up bass at GC and playing for 2 minutes while some ding dong wails on Eruption right next to you.

The thing that makes a boutique bass worth it to many of the people that buy them is that they get the bass exactly how they want it - neck profile, pickups, body, color, setup, etc., etc., etc. That's one of the reasons that you can pick up a bass I think is perfect and go, "meh." It's built perfectly to MY tastes, not yours.