I think that pretty much nails much of the whole thing. I confess that playing bass is only a part of who I am. I paid a LOT more for my bicycle than my bass collection combined.
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Price vs Quality
- Thread starter Technotitclan
- Start date
I understand your point, a custom made instrument will be geared more towards the player. I completely understand a professional player buying such an instrument. It's the same sort of thing as buying custom made sports equipment. It gives you that extra bit of performance, comfort and style.
However, I feel like some people have some sort of expectation bias when they pick up an expensive boutique bass. This means one only believes information that agrees with their expectations, but they will discard, disbelieve, or downgrade conflicting information. If they played a mass-produced bass that was missing 5% of the features they want they'd still find reasons (or ignore them) to make it seem closer to 50%. It's their money, but it does get tiring to listen to those sort of conversations.
I've personally found the sweet spot for a new instrument is about 1200. That gets you 90% of the playability and a good sound without going way past the point of diminishing returns. There are also some basses in the 400-600 dollar range that hit the 80% mark IMO.
Of course if you're making a significant amount of your money playing bass you may want to spend more. In my profession we do the same thing--for example I have a mechanical keyboard that cost me 200 bucks. That is easily 4-10 times what most people pay for one. Some people would say that's ridiculous but it's worth it when you're typing all day 5 days a week.
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Where the price point is will depend on your own finances & ability to pay for it, what you're using it for & your personality among other options
From the poll my personal number is lower than most of yours, although my last bass purchase (SR500F) was the most I've paid for a bass or guitar
From the poll my personal number is lower than most of yours, although my last bass purchase (SR500F) was the most I've paid for a bass or guitar
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?
This has a name; it is called a Double Bass (or Upright bass)
I guess it all depends. My Stingray 2EQ was a good 400 quid cheaper than a 3EQ model. I'm really still not sure why - made in the same factory, same build quality, same attention to detail. Surely a mid-frequency control cannot cost that much? It just makes me feel like I really got a bargain out of it.
Wait...you're citing the work of an undergrad student as the authoritative word on the topic?
And his basis for comparison was comparing how the waveforms LOOK?
If you can't hear a difference, then by all means, you shouldn't pay a difference.
But to suggest that this study is the final word on the topic?
Read some physics books -- look at the effects of density and elasticity on propagation of sound waves.
There is a lot to be learned.
Go on then, start some threads on *as yet undiscussed topics* instead of just whinging all the time!Well if we don't rehash the same divisive, tired old topics, we would actually have to think of something new and interesting to discuss.
How about the abysmal state of spelling on TB?
It's whining, not whinging.
Somebody woke up on the wrong side of the bed this morning.
I bought a MIM Fender 50's Precision. I got a square deal from L&M, and I believe I got more than I paid.
How about the abysmal state of spelling on TB?
It's whining, not whinging.
Somebody woke up on the wrong side of the bed this morning.
You may need to expand your vocabulary a little bit.
http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/whinge
Can you see the irony in your post?
It's just another entry into the old tonewoods debate - it makes a difference, it doesn't make a difference, it makes a little difference, it makes a lot of difference, I know what I hear, all hearing is subjective, yadda, yadda... Nothing new to see here. It's just an old dead horse. Move along.
Actually since I live in America and this is a British usage, I think I'm just fine.
Of course, if you have nothing better to do ...
Actually since I live in America and this is a British usage, I think I'm just fine.
It's the world wide web...and you started it with your snarky "spelling police" attitude. Thought I'd respond in kind.
Yes, and both words are used, almost indiscriminately. No need to call someone out on their spelling. Certainly not on this site.
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With all due respect, I think you are missing the point that my post was in response to his complaining about my complaining:
It was a gentle (or maybe not too gentle) jab at his suggestion for a 'yet undiscussed topic.' In reality I hate the spelling police, particularly the Squier/Squire police.
I did not suggest it is the final word. Please don't make up things I never said.
It was a contribution to the discussion, not a definitive authoritative word. Sorry if it offends your prejudice.
Here are my thoughts and why I don't think the wood has little or any effect. I would be interested to know what is incorrect about my reasoning:
Electric instuments usinging magnetic pickups create the sound by the metal string cutting through the magnetic field of the pickup. With acoustic instruments, the wood is light and thin and does create enough vibration to affect the instruments tone because the vibrations of the body, particularly the face, affect the vibrations of the string. The wood has no direct effect on the pickups. With a solid body, I don't think the mass of wood produces enough vibration to materially affect the tone.
I also think that with active electronics, you lose even more of any thing other than the string vibrations. I believe the nut, the bridge, and the strings have more affect than the wood body.
Do you have any studies or articles you can point me to that supports your opinion? I really would like to read them.
