Quality vs Quantity?

[Flaked Beans]

I have what I'd rather have... several basses in excess of $3k.

i'll give you $350 for your aj signaure and that's my final offer.

 

[Flaked Beans]

I have what I'd rather have... several basses in excess of $3k.

BTW pics or no $3k basses

 

[Ian Lewis]

would you rather have one $1500 dollar bass or 5 $300 basses?

I've played many basses and they all end up sounding like me, so...I really only need three, no two, no one bass, so I spent as much as I could afford on a really good one, that feels and looks good.

 

[Stub Mandrel]

Here we go... I've had one of these basses for nearly 30 years, the other for nearly 25.

The Fender Performer is exceptionally nice to play and sounds great. I would rank it as a $1,500 bass actual value (I paid £80 for it, grubby and lost in the corner of a practice studio).

The web suggests the Hohner would be about $450 s/h if it wasn't completely battered, not least having been converted to a lefty, back again and resprayed. My brother gave it to me.

Completely unbiased, as they are both mine and I'm very happy with them, they play very differently (B2 has heavy strings, broad, shallow neck, Performer very light, narrow d-shaped neck) but are both lovely to play. The Performer sounds like a Jazz bass but better. The sound of the humbuckers on the B2 is rich and surprisingly bright, awesomeness incarnate - I bet flea would love it

 

[Brad Johnson]

i'll give you $350 for your aj signaure and that's my final offer.

Thank goodness for that.

 

[Brad Johnson]

BTW pics or no $3k basses

That might be seen as rubbing it on.

 

[Kevin Colt]

never paid more than $400 for a bass, of course most of them were used so I guess I'm null and void.

 

[BamaBird]

Id RATHER have 5 --3000.00 basses--- if anyone is handing out stacks of cash, please.......otherwise Id rather have five low dollar basses

At present I have in the "collective" 28 guitars/basses--- (Im a hoarder) ALL bought for small $ and can be flipped for profit anytime--(they are more fun than a savings account-- they look better-- and they return greater profits!) most purchased broken or non working or somewhat battered -- repaired and fixed (its a hobby)
I do have 1 and only one "dearest $" guitar -- took 30+ years to find and get one-- 1970 all original (original case even) Gibson LEs Paul Recording guitar--

 

[rockscott]

I think you can buy a decent bass used for $300. I think you can buy a very nice bass for $1500. I have 5 basses at present, a mustang,SG,artcore,epiphone abc & a birdsong. The spending range to purchase all 5 was $300 to $1100. All tolled I have $3400. invested. I think I would rather have 5 cheaper basses than 1 high end, as all my basses have their own distinct tone!

 

[dabbler]

Quantity is easy, but define quality. What is it?

This really is part of the problem in answering the question.

For me variety is the spice of life, I don't play for money, so it's just a hobby, and yes I have a lot of cheaper instruments.

But "quality" means different things to different people and while some are talking about longevity, the ability to last a long time under heavy use, i suspect that many of today's "cheap" basses last as long as many fenders of yesteryear. Some equate "quality" with tone, but you can get great tone out of any decent platform with the right elements (pre, pups, strings, whatever), even though tone is a very subjective thing. Some equate "quality" with feel, but that is even more subjective than tone.

So, why do I like having a bunch of value basses? I like the variety, I have learned what each configuration has to offer, I have learned a lot about setup, modding and yeah maintenance, and I like basses (guitars too). I enjoy playing, AND modding and maintaining them, AND I like looking at them. Oh yeah, and buying them didn't cause me any financial hardship.

Different strokes for different folks. I probably do come up as a hoarder in some people's estimation, that's fine. Others who just want that "one" come across as snobs in some people's opinion. But in the final analysis, it doesn't matter to me what you think about my choice, and I don't judge anybody for their choice. Diversity is a good thing and we all have different things to add to the conversations here BECAUSE of those different perspectives.

This thread has had some interesting responses, but what would make it REALLY interesting is if people would describe what they mean by "quality". To some, it may actually mean, if they are honest, a name on a headstock... and that's OK too. But "quality" when applied to an item used to make aural art (aka music) is VERY much defined by the hands, eyes and ears of the user... and those definitions are every bit as diverse as we are as individuals and the music we make.

It's all good.

 

[Stub Mandrel]

Oops.

I accidentally bought a "Squier Vintage Modified Jaguar Bass Special Short Scale Candy Apple Red". priced at the equivalent of $259, but I got a discount

Tried it out on a Fender Rumble which made it sound a bit dull, but once the stazi go out I will get it into my wee Orange and see what it can do.

I blame this thread.

I once had a play with a Fender Mustang and it was great fun, I couldn't resist an affordable short scale. For me it's about having instruments that feel, sound and play differently; while I can understand people who want 10 different models of the same bass, that's not for me.

P.S. I couldn't have bought it on a whim if it was a $1500 bass...!

P.P.S. LOL! I've had enough fun to pay for it already and it sounds surprisingly good. I might fit full jaguar plates and controls to it

 

[RAYMOD]

I Would easy choose a German Sandberg for 1550$ compare to Peavey Cirrus USA.

 

[IPRAYB4IPLAY]

It totally depends on what level you are on with your playing. Do you play in bands, are you a beginner, do you play professionally ? If you sit in your house all day and play your Bass or Basses you would be stupid to pay over 300 for a Bass however if you make or have a lot of money why not treat yourself with a nice instrument and play it in the house. But if you are playing in bands or on a professional level trust me at some point your going to need at least 1, not necessarily expensive but well made bass, whether it be machine or hand crafted, It all depends on what level YOU are on. Fret and buzz are not cool. So you pay for what you get bro !!!

 

[Stub Mandrel]

So you pay for what you get bro !!!

Sometimes! I tried out a Warwick at the same time which did fall into the $1500 category, although it was very lovely the pretty multi-laminate neck felt rather uneven and badly finished, the Squier's neck is a perfect stain finish...

 

[MikeyMikerson]

Always quality. I've had multiple mid teir basses, but I have downsized to just 2 top tier basses. I couldn't be happier!

 

[ppiluk]

I prefer quality over price, however you can easily find a great quality bass at a reasonable price.

 

[MynameisMe]

I have to say that my American Standard Jazz Bass is definitely a step above my MIM but I still play them all. I am more likely to mod my cheaper basses because the components that come with it could use it and they are definite upgrades over the original. To each their own.

 

[GIBrat51]

I would rather have the bass I want - whatever it is. And, if I want it, I really don't give a s#*!t what it costs...

 

[davidlwillism]

would you rather have one $1500 dollar bass or 5 $300 basses?

Two $300 basses.

 

[Zonked]

With today's modern technology you can have both....quality and quantity for reasonable money.

Nowadays we are very lucky! You don't have to spend a lot of money for fully professional, ergonomic, great playing, and sounding instrument.

Still, I don't need a lot of basses.

I can get the job done with any of my three basses.