So what does a $25k bass actually get you?

[EatS1stBassist]

For 25 grand, that bass better show up at the door with Jessica Alba, asking to come in for coffee.....

Way way more than coffee!

 

[BigBigGuy44]

It would get me anxiety, that's what it would get me. Can't imagine having that on display unless it was protected in a locked box of bullet-proof glass in my impenetrable fortress surrounded by a moat of hungry crocodiles– stuff I'd be able to afford if I bought that bass. And then gigging with it, the thought of that would give me a heart attack.

Never park your car in a public lot. Don't buy a house. If you have life insurance, I would suggest you cancel it so that you can sleep at night.

 

[Sixgunn]

At some point doesn't paying huge money for a custom boutique build become less about the music and more about self-gratification?

Not saying anyone is right or wrong here. It's your money, spend it as you wish.

Not necessarily, in my opinion. But even so, isn't music about self gratification, primarily? A bass that someone likes/loves, irrespective of the cost, makes them enjoy playing more, then it's money well spent.

 

[bassballs27]

I can think of lots of other equally poxy looking things that you can get for absolutely nothing.

But does it play and sound like a Fodera?

 

[MD]

Other musicians might have other priorities. Both should be cool.

And that's exactly what they are, their priorities.

 

[alaskaleftybass]

The Ritter Royal Flora Aurum, was built by Jens Ritter from Germany.

This luxurious bass has a body carved from a rare, solid piece of maple while the nut is carved from 10,000-year-old mammoth ivory.

The fingerboard is decorated with a floral inlay pattern made of 24-karat gold. There's even a black diamond set in platinum decorating each leaf.

The bridge, tuner buttons and knobs are cast in gold. The knobs hold an additional embellishment: they are both topped with brilliant-cut diamonds (3.3 carats)

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Somebody might buy it but will they ever play it?! Reminds me of this young idiot in a commercial who bought a luxury car and then stops for a burger and slobbers all over the leather and his obviously expensive wardrobe. Sheesh... some people...

 

[blue4]

Somebody might buy it but will they ever play it?! Reminds me of this young idiot in a commercial who bought a luxury car and then stops for a burger and slobbers all over the leather and his obviously expensive wardrobe. Sheesh... some people...

What? How dare you question anyone's choices of either vehicle or burger! What do you think this is, a casual conversation among friends!? Obviously you are delusional with jealousy .

 

[lowendmafia]

I love these threads where people just pat themselves on the back for playing cheap gear... Play what you want or what you can afford, literally no one cares other than you.

 

[Sixgunn]

What? How dare you question anyone's choices of either vehicle or burger! What do you think this is, a casual conversation among friends!? Obviously you are delusional with jealousy .

I know! Casual conversations are for agreement only. Not the place for substantive discussion. Intelligence might rear it's ugly head!

 

[iwearpumas]

At the end of the day, all it gets you is a fixed ego.

 

[Sixgunn]

At the end of the day, all it gets you is a fixed ego.

And you know this, how?

 

[chadds]

That’s a starting price for a good upright. My friend’s son went to study in Belgium with two 25k Clarinets.

 

[iwearpumas]

And you know this, how?

Because I own expensive gear. It just makes me feel like I have better Basses than everyone else to some extent. Also makes me happy that my basses sound simply amazing.

 

[J_Bass]

You guys should spend more time at the DB side. 25k is cheap over there. And they gig with the basses, walk around with them, etc., etc..

 

[Sixgunn]

Because I own expensive gear. It just makes me feel like I have better Basses than everyone else to some extent. Also makes me happy that my basses sound simply amazing.

Yeah, I own some expensive gear but honestly, it does nothing for me, ego wise but like you said, they make me happy and make playing very enjoyable. No one that I know would even know that they're "high end" lol.

 

[iwearpumas]

Yeah, I own some expensive gear but honestly, it does nothing for me, ego wise but like you said, they make me happy and make playing very enjoyable. No one that I know would even know that they're "high end" lol.

Exactly, it’s actually funny. We know how good our stuff sounds, but unless you’re an audiophile or lover of tone, you would never really appreciate the difference. Sometimes I like pulling my bass out and everyone goes wow, or tell me how good the bass sounds, but aside from that, it’s just bragging rights and self gratification.

 

[Gianni "Orlandez" Orlati]

the donations those people have made are probably tax dodges

For sure ... it’s a money circle ..

 

[Gianni "Orlandez" Orlati]

Exactly, it’s actually funny. We know how good our stuff sounds, but unless you’re an audiophile or lover of tone, you would never really appreciate the difference. Sometimes I like pulling my bass out and everyone goes wow, or tell me how good the bass sounds, but aside from that, it’s just bragging rights and self gratification.

It’s a more a question of design specs. and tone we are used to not of fancy woods and being audiophiles of not ... Fbass instruments are good but the model I appreciate more is the latest 40th anniversary model that’s basically a high-end PJ bass with custom onboard preamp and top notch pickups ... however its basic design is that of a PJ bass ... this is one of the reference tones I have in my mind... of course, the Fbass, being a high end instrument, will have a super-straight and balanced setup which will allow the strings to freely ring for long times, frets placed at exactly the right position etc... this is what makes the difference ... this excellent bass, however, is sold at about 4K something ... not certainly 25 or even 6/8k

 

[chadds]

It’s inappropriate to state why anyone but you has the basses you do.

We are all different and have different reasons for our purchases. You can’t know unless you know me why I play a booteeqee (I do) or a $340 Fender (I do).

 

[chadds]

I do have to address, the audience does care about tone. Ignore it at your own peril.

They may not know “why” but they know “that” you sound good. Price doesn’t buy good tone.