The only thing that could get me to exceed the 1000 $ mark would be the takamine tb 10....other than that ...i am fine...at least at this point in time...
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So what does a $25k bass actually get you?
- Thread starter FollowMeDown
- Start date
I don't know about $25k, but if you want to know just how much better maybe a $5k bass is to that of a $1 or $2k bass, I suggest you take an NYC Sadowsky for a test drive.
Better invest in making your fingers play like they're worth 25k. Then, only then, even a 300$ bass will kick some serious a$$.
Prices on the true-vintage instruments market are highly inflated as, likely, the good ones are becoming scarcely available, whereas there's a sort of myth or hype according to which every vintage instrument has to be necessariy better than their modern counterparts ... this may likely be the case for the majority of the pre-CBS or post-CBS-first-years instruments, which have been maintained in good overall conditions, with non-degaussed magnets and straight necks ... I'm actually surprised to find sometimes on eBay or Reverb ads relevant to vintage instruments which aspect will barely classify them as good firewood ...I see your point - that you don't think the amounts of parts and labor of a bass guitar don't fairly add up to this sum of money.
but people (in the vintage market mostly..) pay it - so you or i can't define what a bass is or is not worth. also if it's made of solid gold it would be worth a lot more - so there's always that hypothetical as well
Talking about Fender's instruments, for instance, the build quality of their Custom Shop can definitely be considered on par if not better than that chracterizing the work of the 50's or 60's employees at the Fender, Fullerton's shop ... people liking relic-looking instruments can order them with various degrees of relicing ... what may we be talking about 4k over dollars? Better than 6/8k for an old instrument in my opinion (it's my opinion of course) ...
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I couldn't make a $25K bass sound any better than my $150 Peavey Foundation
On the other hand, perhaps there's more than a little defensiveness from those who know they spent a ridiculous amount of money and are looking for positive reinforcement.
I think there's a bit of both going on here. Just saying.
Why does someone take a 12k mototcycle and drop 30~40K on customizing it?
Why does someone take a 10K shotgun and have 50K worth of gold filled hand engraving done on it?
Why does someone go see a luthier and commission a 25K custom bass?
The same simple answer fits for all the above as well as any other question about how someone else spends their money.
Because they can and they want to.
The value of the item to it’s owner is whatever they see it as, and without putting too fine a point on it, it’s nobodies business or concern what that value is. Unfortunately it seems to be a popular pastime to judge others by one’s own standards or limitations. Just because you can’t understand why does not make it wrong, wasteful, or egocentric. It just makes it a personal decision by someone else. You are no more required to like it than they are to need your approval to do it.
Why does someone take a 10K shotgun and have 50K worth of gold filled hand engraving done on it?
Why does someone go see a luthier and commission a 25K custom bass?
The same simple answer fits for all the above as well as any other question about how someone else spends their money.
Because they can and they want to.
The value of the item to it’s owner is whatever they see it as, and without putting too fine a point on it, it’s nobodies business or concern what that value is. Unfortunately it seems to be a popular pastime to judge others by one’s own standards or limitations. Just because you can’t understand why does not make it wrong, wasteful, or egocentric. It just makes it a personal decision by someone else. You are no more required to like it than they are to need your approval to do it.
deepestend
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A $25K bass has a lot of cosmetic bells and whistles.
You can spend way less for a bass from a great shop that is basic but has quality wood that is fitted together well, has a great neck, a great nut, great fretwork, and quality hardware for way less. That will run you a few thousand because that's what the time, experience, and materials actually cost.
You can also get a decent squier and have someone set it up to be the best it can be and it will sound pretty good too.
It's all what's worth it to you, but $25K is excessive and I'd think that there are diminishing returns after $3-$5 in terms of actual playability.
You can spend way less for a bass from a great shop that is basic but has quality wood that is fitted together well, has a great neck, a great nut, great fretwork, and quality hardware for way less. That will run you a few thousand because that's what the time, experience, and materials actually cost.
You can also get a decent squier and have someone set it up to be the best it can be and it will sound pretty good too.
It's all what's worth it to you, but $25K is excessive and I'd think that there are diminishing returns after $3-$5 in terms of actual playability.
You get to spend the remaining millions of your lottery winnings, because that's the only way I could ever afford to buy a bass that expensive.
Well put. There's nothing for anyone to understand about why someone would buy something you shouldn't or wouldn't. The question itself lacks introspection. This is easily one of my favorite topics.
Spending $25k on a bass doesn't mean a person has to go into debt. It doesn't mean they'd have to be rich. Or a great player. Or that they'd have to use all of their strings all of the time. Or any of the standard issue silliness associated with this topic.
Think. It can be a fun exercise.
I have a bevy of expensive basses and that seems to confuse some people. Some are even bold enough to ask what I do for a living. So i magnify that confusion by explaining that i acquired more basses when i was between day jobs than any other period. Because i had more free time. Which brings up what should be a "duh" point: owning a $25k bass does not mean that's what you paid for it.
People spend the equivalent amount on other things like cars... it's the same amount of money yet many think its "different" money. When I see someone spend $20k tricking out a $5k car I say more power to them. I don't have get it personally, they made the decision.
Or vices... perfectly reasonably to blow thousands on cigarettes. weed, alcohol, etc. with nothing positive to show for it. But if someone spends thousands of dollars of their money on music gear (or appears to) people bug out. It even comes with the assumption that that is the only thing they spend money on and they should spend it on charity... as if others have seen a tax return.
Think.
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I was in a music store a couple of years ago that had a Pre CBS Fender Jazz with lots of wear. They were asking $11,500. I jokingly asked if it was going to sound $10,000 better than my MIA Jazz Deluxe. The owner laughed and said "of course not".
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Really? Do you buy the cheapest "everything"? If not, you're spending irresponsibly. 25k may be irresponsible to you but you're not in the same economic bracket as everyone. A blanket statement like that, reeks of envy.
For 25 grand you could buy 250 Ammoons and have money left over for a decent amp and a couple of pizzas.
