I hear a little known company out of Fullerton CA makes some decent instruments. They're in AZ these days.
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Stepping down from high end basses
- Thread starter sidonbass
- Start date
- Apr 20, 2009
- 2,618
- 4,664
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- Endorsements: your name could be here, Mr. Sadowsky!
I believe that you can find a bass under $1,000 that will make you happy to play it.
There are a lot of guys that don't take their expensive basses out of the house. It seems like these basses own the player not the other way around.
I have six basses and they range from $1100 - $2000. I doubt i will ever need to spend much more than $2000.
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Well I'll say this. I like the MIM Fender active deluxes better than the American Elite. I like the finger board radius better, and just the overall feel of the instrument. You like what you like and it really doesn't matter what others think.
<<<That's my expensive bass, over there. The only problem with playing a 6.8 lb. bass with a 31" scale is that everything else feels like driving a truck.
Mr.Ace
Bass players rule!
- Sep 8, 2015
- 1,120
- 1,050
- 49
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- Endorsed by Fusion ( maker of killer gig bags)
I have a Fodera, and don’t see myself ever downgrading. Unless finances dictate otherwise.
There are tons of really nice, top notch basses out there around the $1k mark. Especially used. There are a few in the classifieds right now that I’d put up against anything. I think you’ll find tons and tons of options you’ll be happy with out there.
I don't really see the point in downgrading from a Sadowsky Metro unless you really don't like the bass or really need the money. A used metro will score you between 2000 and 2500 bucks, so after you bought your new $900 bass you are looking at a one month of rent/mortgage payment and maybe a few utilities and groceries (depending on how you live), and puff the extra money is gone. I know what I am talking about, I once sold a $4,000 Warwick for 1200 bucks to catch up on past due heating bills. Downgrading from a Fodera or Alembic to a used Jazz Bass would be a different story since the cash on hand would be much larger. I would keep the Metro.
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Yes, after years of owning and never bonding with several Laklands, Smiths, Musicmen, Alembics, Sadowskys, etc, I've returned to the humble P bass and Hofner 500/1 as my number ones.
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In the linked video Scott Devine compares an $11,000 Fodera to the "cheapest bass" he could find an Amazon. He plays both in a blind listening test and at the end of the video he asks you to determine which bass was which. I correctly picked the Fodera, but just barely.
Based on my recent playing and listening experience I believe that there is, on average, virtually no difference between a bass in the $500-$750 range and one costing many times more. That may not have been the case 15 or more years ago, but today I believe it holds true.
I'll buy the cheaper bass and pocket the difference - more money for more basses, better beer - its a WIN-WIN!
Based on my recent playing and listening experience I believe that there is, on average, virtually no difference between a bass in the $500-$750 range and one costing many times more. That may not have been the case 15 or more years ago, but today I believe it holds true.
I'll buy the cheaper bass and pocket the difference - more money for more basses, better beer - its a WIN-WIN!
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I picked up a slightly used Peavey Cirrus 4 string this past winter. It’s a great bass.
I’ve sold four Dingwalls, and a ton of other gear. I’m considering selling the last Dingwall and just having the Peavey as my only bass.
There are so many great choices for well under a grand. Especially on the used market.
I’ve sold four Dingwalls, and a ton of other gear. I’m considering selling the last Dingwall and just having the Peavey as my only bass.
There are so many great choices for well under a grand. Especially on the used market.
no I would never sell my high end bass for a cheaper bass. why would I want to fight my instrument to achieve the same result?
my friend puts on a really great open jam and I sometimes go. kids are always amazed at how easy it is to play my bass compared to anything else they have tried. sure you can do anything you want with a low end dumpster fire but why make it so hard on yourself?
my friend puts on a really great open jam and I sometimes go. kids are always amazed at how easy it is to play my bass compared to anything else they have tried. sure you can do anything you want with a low end dumpster fire but why make it so hard on yourself?
BassByBaldSteve
Supporting Member
- Nov 17, 2011
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- Endorsing Artist: Fodera Basses, Aguilar Amplification
The law of diminishing returns certainly kicks into high gear once you clear two grand, that's for sure. I've owned a lot of boutique basses (both customs and standard Js), all clocking in around $4000-$5500, and the Fender American Elite V I just got blows them all away at less than half the price. I cannot honestly say that the boutique basses were better at all, at least to me, let alone $2000-3500 better. That's a ridiculous concept even. It's a jazz bass. There is only so much you can do with one. Heck, the Fender Jazz Bass Plus V I used to gig and tour, and have listed in the classifieds right now (sorry - had to plug it), plays and sounds about 95% as well as any of them did, too.
I think to the OP, the Sadowsky Metro line is a great sweet spot, though. I had one of those and it was a fantastic instrument that was priced right. But if you need to make a money move and still stay on killer J basses, there is no choice outside Sire, as least IME. The bang for buck quotient on those Marcus Miller V7s is utterly insane. Nothing on the market is even remotely close to that value. I was stunned when I played mine.
That said, if you're looking for something super specific, like an Alembic, MTD, Fodera, yeah, you're gonna spend serious money on it. Is it worth it? Well, if you get the instrument, connect with it, and truly love it, of course it's worth it. That applies to any purchase that yields an emotional return for the buyer, be it a watch, car, house, leather jacket, or bass. But, you know - A $120 Casio G-Shock will keep more accurate time than a $7000 Rolex Submariner.
I think to the OP, the Sadowsky Metro line is a great sweet spot, though. I had one of those and it was a fantastic instrument that was priced right. But if you need to make a money move and still stay on killer J basses, there is no choice outside Sire, as least IME. The bang for buck quotient on those Marcus Miller V7s is utterly insane. Nothing on the market is even remotely close to that value. I was stunned when I played mine.
That said, if you're looking for something super specific, like an Alembic, MTD, Fodera, yeah, you're gonna spend serious money on it. Is it worth it? Well, if you get the instrument, connect with it, and truly love it, of course it's worth it. That applies to any purchase that yields an emotional return for the buyer, be it a watch, car, house, leather jacket, or bass. But, you know - A $120 Casio G-Shock will keep more accurate time than a $7000 Rolex Submariner.
I have a bass that costs close to $6K new that I found in a pawnshop for under $1,100. Everyone with a high end bass has not paid top dollar.
Do you actually need the money, or do you just not like the fact that you own a high-end bass that doesn't get used as much as you like? If its the latter, I would keep the bass. You never know when you will find yourself needing a good electric bass. If its the former...been there, done that...completely understand.
