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Some Pros use cheap basses
- Thread starter Hevy T
- Start date
Someone earlier in the thread said that many pros don't preoccupy themselves with getting expensive or exotic basses. I think that for those pros they see the bass as a tool. They are not preoccupied with the tool itself; they are more concerned with what they create with that tool. That's what got them there.
Take a hammer for example. If you are carpenter, you will want a good quality hammer that is well designed (ergonomic, well balanced, durable etc). It is not to difficult to make a good solid quality hammer these days.
Now, you could also buy a hammer with a rare and exotic carved wood handle. Maybe you can have some cool inlays, and a special wood stain. The hammer head could be made of an expensive and exquisite looking metal alloy. This hammer is made with special care and attention do detail.
If you have the money you can choose either hammer for a job, but having a more a expensive hammer will not improve your hammering skills or help you build a better house.
Same with basses. Once the you reach a certain practical level of quality, comfort, durability and tone( which can be had for pretty reasonable prices now), any more money you want to spend is up to you and ok by me. I have both "cheap" bass and a custom build, and they both work on stage equally for me. As long as I am making good music the audience doesn't notice or care.
Take a hammer for example. If you are carpenter, you will want a good quality hammer that is well designed (ergonomic, well balanced, durable etc). It is not to difficult to make a good solid quality hammer these days.
Now, you could also buy a hammer with a rare and exotic carved wood handle. Maybe you can have some cool inlays, and a special wood stain. The hammer head could be made of an expensive and exquisite looking metal alloy. This hammer is made with special care and attention do detail.
If you have the money you can choose either hammer for a job, but having a more a expensive hammer will not improve your hammering skills or help you build a better house.
Same with basses. Once the you reach a certain practical level of quality, comfort, durability and tone( which can be had for pretty reasonable prices now), any more money you want to spend is up to you and ok by me. I have both "cheap" bass and a custom build, and they both work on stage equally for me. As long as I am making good music the audience doesn't notice or care.
Jim Carr
Dr. Jim
- Jan 21, 2006
- 16,223
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- Disclosures
- fEARful Kool-Aid dispensing liberal academic card-carrying union member Musicians Local 72-147
Bass playing is no different from any other human activity, people like nice toys/tools and they think it will help them become better at that activity. And, I actually think it does, to some extent, maybe not just as much as we might think or hope.
Go to any forum, be it golf, photography, painting, capentry, whatever, and it's the same everywhere. People discussing new gear, and people discussing why gear is not the answer.
I just like playing with nice toys better than playing with less nice toys, but have no illusions of it instantly making me a great player.
Go to any forum, be it golf, photography, painting, capentry, whatever, and it's the same everywhere. People discussing new gear, and people discussing why gear is not the answer.
I just like playing with nice toys better than playing with less nice toys, but have no illusions of it instantly making me a great player.
I told myself I'd leave this thread alone because it became so stupid.
This post is logical, and for the most part I agree. But, I have found a custom bass that DOES improve my playing. Every other bass I own, cheap or expensive, is pretty much the same as far as playability. But there's one bass I own, which happens to be expensive, that brings my playing to a new level. It feels better, it has very good fret job, but beyond all that it just becomes a part of my body.
Maybe I'm lucky that I've found such a bass. For 22 years I would have agreed with the above post, but then a bass came along that changed all that. For me (I repeat, for ME) a quality, boutique bass changed the way I play for the better. And not just a little, but by a lot! So I know it's not in my head.
From my photography I can honestly say better equipment gives you better (technically, at least) pictures. It doesn't make you a better photographer, but because the camera is better (faster, exposes better, etc) the resulting photographs are instantly somewhat better. I think that can apply to music as well, better gear gives you better sound, and a better setup can make it easier to play. Still, that effect is small compared to what you yourself have to bring in terms of skill, artistry, etc. However, if the new tool helps you instead of fights you, that could make a difference instantly.
Bass playing is no different from any other human activity, people like nice toys/tools and they think it will help them become better at that activity. And, I actually think it does, to some extent, maybe not just as much as we might think or hope.
Go to any forum, be it golf, photography, painting, capentry, whatever, and it's the same everywhere. People discussing new gear, and people discussing why gear is not the answer.
I just like playing with nice toys better than playing with less nice toys, but have no illusions of it instantly making me a great player.
Well stated in both posts...
- georgestrings
Cool. It goes the other way too. Many find that one "cheap" bass that does the exact same for them. The good thing is that many "cheaper" basses have reached a certain level of quality, tone, comfort, etc. that as "Pro" you don't necessarily need to spend to much unless you so choose.
artist signature Deans are hand-built customs.. they are not the "less costly" imports that you buy for $299.99 at MF or GC... even though they resemble the mass produced instrument, they are in no way like the mass produced instrument.. the exception to this, was when Dimebag Darrel came back to Dean.. he actually played Korean import Deans for a short time..
if you enjoy your "cheap bass", that's all that should matter..
if you enjoy your "cheap bass", that's all that should matter..
I'll be honest...I just got my first Mike Lull bass, a T5....brand new this bass is 3500.00...I was pretty disappointed with the bass, but I also received a 90's MIJ ESP J-Four in the same trade which blew the Lull away. I think it's the luck of the draw sometimes. Even more expensive boutique pieces have their flaws at times. The Lull had a bad neck and needed fret work...the ESP was perfect.
I'm really surprised at this. I've never heard anyone say anything bad about a Lull before.
+!...
Lull basses are plek'd; hard to imagine one leaving the shop needing fretwork, and a bad neck?
I've had (2) Lulls, played many and they all were top-rate.
Not saying I don't believe you, but still-seems strange from a shop like Mike Lull.
Trust me. I was really bummed out. It was a used piece I got in a trade so who knows what happened to it along the way I guess.
