So, What makes expensive basses expensive?

[honeyiscool]

I think if you want to make a car comparison, it's really like comparing a Corvette vs. Ferrari. The Corvette is an astoundingly fast performance car that is stupidly fast in the hands of an expert and doesn't lack in raw ability, but the Ferrari lets you know you're driving luxury. In a race, a good driver in a Corvette can beat just about anyone, but an excellent driver in a Ferrari is going to be tough to top.

 

[EduardoJoel]

You crashed your Isuzu 8 times?

Yep it was back in high school. Only 3 of them really bad. But it still drove. The rest were swipes or other cars crashing into me from behind. We used to play this game where we would touch cars on the high way. I was pretty stupid back then.

 

[aborgman]

Are you so sure about that? I haven't heard so many screamin' great stories from people driving Kias...

Neither have I... but I have heard from several people with Ferraris about their reliability, especially when temperatures drop below about 50F.

 

[kenfxj]

If you can afford the car, you can afford the maintenance.

Of course. In fact it's part of the experience.

I'm going to guess that there's a greater percentage of Ferrari's of any given production model still on the road than Kias of the same year.

True, but that's because of resale. It's worth it to keep a Ferrari running and in good shape. I should mention that while I neither own nor desire a Kia, their quality has risen substantially over the last few years.

On the other hand, my expensive bass takes no upkeep, although the strings I use cost me 40 bucks instead of 20 bucks...well worth it.

Yeah, but imagine that if every 4th or 5th song a string would break or the bridge would pop off or the electronics would suddenly just die. It would play better than any bass you'd ever tried for those first 3 or 4 songs though!

 

[BurningSkies]

Of course. In fact it's part of the experience.

True, but that's because of resale. It's worth it to keep a Ferrari running and in good shape. I should mention that while I neither own nor desire a Kia, their quality has risen substantially over the last few years.

Yeah, but imagine that if every 4th or 5th song a string would break or the bridge would pop off or the electronics would suddenly just die. It would play better than any bass you'd ever tried for those first 3 or 4 songs though!

See, all of this is why it's a completely silly analogy. My MIJ Fender Jazz, my Dingwall Z/V5, NONE of them break down. The Z/V5 plays faster and more comfortably, has better overall tone, and has way more tones under the hood. Its also got way better craftsmanship, not to mention flashier looks.

 

[klokker]

The best bass player I know (plays in the best regional funk band around here, fabulous musician) has 3 modified Squiers that he uses. Blows everyone away.

 

[kenfxj]

See, all of this is why it's a completely silly analogy. My MIJ Fender Jazz, my Dingwall Z/V5, NONE of them break down. The Z/V5 plays faster and more comfortably, has better overall tone, and has way more tones under the hood. Its also got way better craftsmanship, not to mention flashier looks.

Well of course. Just having a bit of fun. Cars and guitars are two of my favorite topics of discussion.

I had a Ford once that was made in Canada. MUCH rather have a Dingwall.

 

[Boyakasha]

Brand name.

 

[Antny]

Wow, this thread took a weird turn.

 

[cycler]

Beauty is in the eye........

Well...sometimes, they look like this:

 

[kenfxj]

So, What makes expensive basses expensive?

Basically a combination of exclusivity, craftsmanship, quality of materials and components, and customizability.

I'm not entirely sure that last one is even a word.

 

[aborgman]

What makes a bass more expensive?

Customers willing to pay the price.

 

[EduardoJoel]

So if sound is the only thing that matter, you could possibly take a "cheap" bass and upgrade to a facsimile of a very expensive bass' sound.

 

[xaxxat]

What makes a bass more expensive?

Customers willing to pay the price.

Cha ching!

 

[Dr. Cheese]

OP, if you are genuinely happy with what you use, be happy and save your money!

At least you will be able to fill your gastank!

 

[chadhargis]

It all boils down to what makes you happy.

If you are happy with a $200 Squire and can play the daylights out of it, then you won't see the cost of a boutique bass as offering any value.

I keep coming back to the example of James Jamerson. He played a Fender P with a more than likely warped neck, ultra high action, old flatwound strings, and he never cleaned the bass. Just let the dirt pile up. He made hundreds of hit records, became a world renowned player, defined a genre, and inspired thousands of players....all on a bass that cost very little.

Jaco Pastorius yanked the frets out of a Fender Jazz bass and played it like a god. No custom made boutique for him.

Paul McCartney made history playing a Hofner and later a Rickenbacker.

See if you can guess who's gear list this is...see any boutique models??

1 Fender Jazz Bass circa 1972
2 Fender Jazz Basses circa 1996
1 Fender “Geddy Lee” Model Jazz Bass
1 Fender “Jaco Pastorius” Jazz Bass Fretted
1 Fender “Jaco Pastorius” Jazz Bass Fretless

Answer is Geddy Lee....no doubt a prolific bass player and one of the best of all time. No one can argue that his sound isn't one of the worlds best. Would he sound better playing a $12,000 Alembic? I'm sure he could afford one if he wanted one.

The list goes on...

How much better does a $5000 bass sound than a $1000 bass? Where is the tipping point?

Sure, I'd LOVE to have a custom made boutique bass, and if the good Lord gives me the means, then I'll have one someday just for the sheer joy of owning something beautiful and unique. But it won't sound any better than I'm able to play it.

 

[Calaverasgrande]

I think people that can't be bothered to budget for "expensive" basses like to dismiss them with adjectives like exclusivity, expensive, boutique etc.
But when compared to other modern day luxuries like a car ($15,000 or more brand new) or a widescreen TV ($1000 and up) they really arent that expensive.
I've played everything from cheap Squiers to Zons and you know what there is a lot of difference. A lack of dead notes, more tonal options than "good enough", and "suck".
It's pretty easy to walk into a store and find a domestic Lakland and Lakland Skyline, or import and domestic G&L. The differences are in the fit and finish. The set up of the bass, fret dressing etc. I tried to get along on cheap basses for a long time. And it is possible. But why cheat yourself.

 

[Altitude]

Overwhelmingly, the cost difference is due to higher per-unit production cost and much higher per-unit cost of materials, both being higher because of the lower production numbers.

Quality and scarcity are on the list somewhere too, but it would still cost a bunch more to pay a luthier to build an exact copy of a Fender from identical materials. Mass production brings down per unit cost, all else constant.

 

[EduardoJoel]

I always argued that if it something you use to earn a living, meaning it pays off then no expense is too great.

But can a better bass elevate you as a player. The say "A Good Craft Man Never Blame his tools." And maybe it's true.

 

[mikezimmerman]

See if you can guess who's gear list this is...see any boutique models??

1 Fender Jazz Bass circa 1972
2 Fender Jazz Basses circa 1996
1 Fender “Geddy Lee” Model Jazz Bass
1 Fender “Jaco Pastorius” Jazz Bass Fretted
1 Fender “Jaco Pastorius” Jazz Bass Fretless

Answer is Geddy Lee....no doubt a prolific bass player and one of the best of all time. No one can argue that his sound isn't one of the worlds best. Would he sound better playing a $12,000 Alembic? I'm sure he could afford one if he wanted one.

Well, you did leave out the Wals (3 of 'em), which could arguably be classified as "boutique". I'm sure he owns many others, as well--that's not an exhaustive list of the basses he owns, just the ones he's touring with right now.