Professional Bass Players Who Uses Budget Instruments?

[Ritter667]

The Khruangbin Laura Lee thread got me thinking which other professional bass players uses "lower end" budget instruments live or in the studio, or even has one as their main bass?

I did a search but couldn't find any similar threads.

https://www.talkbass.com/threads/laura-lee-of-khruangbin.1336890/

 

[Winslow]

I don't know about bass players, but I vividly recall the guitarist playing with Jeff Lynne's ELO at Hyde Park in 2014 wielding a "strat" for some numbers which, to a sharp eye and/or in close-ups, was revealed to be a Squier. It's front & center in this number:



Just goes to show a craftsman can make the most out of even "basic" tools.

More power to those who do so.

 

[Ritter667]

I don't know about bass players, but I vividly recall the guitarist playing with Jeff Lynne's ELO at Hyde Park in 2014 wielding a "strat" for some numbers which, to a sharp eye and/or in close-ups, was revealed to be a Squier. It's front & center in this number:



Just goes to show a craftsman can make the most out of even "basic" tools.

More power to those who do so.

I think it shows that production of instruments has come a long way, and that the budget instruments out of a production/batch that turns out more lucky are not merely basic tools, or at least relatively easy and cheap can be turned into genuinely great instruments.

That however doesn't make the old saying "It's a poor craftman that blames it on his tools" any less true.

 

[doctone]

I like the idea very much, because I think that an instrument is a tool that just should work for you and not hold you back. I'm not sure, but I think have seen videos where Marcus has used a Sire on tour?

 

[Moving Pictures]

Allen Woody, the original bass player for Gov't Mule, played an Epiphone RumbleKat as his main bass. He made that bass sing and it could sound like thunder in his hands.

 

[lermgalieu]

I remember at ACL a year or two ago, guitarist for Spoon was rocking several Squiers, can't remember now what models.

 

[Low Main]

It has become a point of pride for some guitarists and bassists to play low cost instruments.
The better known ones have techs that can set up a cheap axe to play and sound great.
I think Joe Dart played a mongrel MIM Jazz for a long time before getting his EBMM signature bass.
There's probably a list somewhere of players who feature budget basses in their work.
Personally, I love it if I can play well and then have someone do a double take and make a face like "What The Fox, a Squier?"

 

[ximun]

https://www.talkbass.com/threads/biréli-lagrène-defretted-classic-vibe-jazz.1421240/

 

[Prodigus Filius]

The Khruangbin Laura Lee thread got me thinking which other professional bass players uses "lower end" budget instruments live or in the studio, or even has one as their main bass?

I did a search but couldn't find any similar threads.

https://www.talkbass.com/threads/laura-lee-of-khruangbin.1336890/

Um cough cough
https://www.talkbass.com/threads/pr...sicians-who-choose-to-use-cheap-gear.1170649/

https://www.talkbass.com/threads/pro-musicians-playing-cheap-basses.1188487/

https://www.talkbass.com/threads/6-popular-bassists-using-affordable-bass-guitars.1449665/

https://www.talkbass.com/threads/excellent-players-who-play-a-cheap-basses.160526/

https://www.talkbass.com/threads/good-bassists-with-bad-cheap-gear.802065/

https://www.talkbass.com/threads/famous-bassists-who-uses-entry-level-bass.716964/

 

[PFBASSO]

Amos Heller uses a lot of fender and Yamaha production basses with Duncan pickup swaps. Check out his instagram

 

[ximun]

But since yesterday he has a very nice signature model Lull PJ

 

[Geri O]

I, of course, am fine with folks playing what they prefer, regardless of what it is.

And this has not happened here (yet), but it's grating when someone comes and points out folks like me saying I have no justification for playing the expensive bass that I do (down to one, getting slightly pragmatic in my old age) and then lists player after player playing inexpensive instruments.

How would those guys like it if I started a thread claiming "you ain't sh$t unless you spend $2500 or more on your instrument!"?

Frankly, I don't care enough for such behavior.

But I would appreciate that feeling to be reciprocated in my direction.

While I'm at it, I could say something about the pointless nature of such threads as this.

But I won't….

 

[DuluthDank]

I don't know about bass players, but I vividly recall the guitarist playing with Jeff Lynne's ELO at Hyde Park in 2014 wielding a "strat" for some numbers which, to a sharp eye and/or in close-ups, was revealed to be a Squier. It's front & center in this number:



Just goes to show a craftsman can make the most out of even "basic" tools.

More power to those who do so.

When it comes to pros playing Squiers, my first question is whether or not it's one of the early MIJ ones. If not, then I might actually be mildly surprised.

 

[Smith357]

Depends on your definition of Budget, almost every player of note has a story about finding a great used instrument for cheap in a pawn shop.

 

[PFBASSO]

But since yesterday he has a very nice signature model Lull PJ

Didn't see that one lol

 

[fdeck]

I belong to a family of string players, and can attest that choosing a high quality instrument is an absolute pain in the patootie. Most real world musicians would welcome the day when someone figures out how to mass manufacture an instrument that can be used for pro-level work. It might be controversial... for a few weeks. I've already seen it in the fiddling world -- people with quite respectable credentials playing (relatively) budget instruments.

 

[doctone]

(...)

While I'm at it, I could say something about the pointless nature of such threads as this.

But I won't….

Thank you. Interesting that you go to such lengths commenting on a "pointless" thread. I can see nothing but a a legit question and no offense at all from the OP.

 

[Geri O]

Thank you. Interesting that you go to such lengths commenting on a "pointless" thread. I can see nothing but a a legit question and no offense at all from the OP.

Oh, my…..

I thought that's how things worked around here.

I stand corrected.

 

[doctone]

No worries. Who am I to tell how things work around here?

 

[J Wilson]

I always say you should always play what helps you make your best music; in light of this thread, whether it's $20 or $20,000, have at it. Actually, why is it anybody's business but yours?

All you really need is a solid axe that will get in tune and stay in tune, holds a proper setup for you steadily, the right neck and overall weight, and is quiet electronically. Past that, of course it needs to look right and have a native tone that suits you.

Regardless of the name on it up there by the keys, these requirements can be met in many price ranges. These things are all you really need. Everything past that and purchase price is up to YOU.