The more I look at basses...

[jimmykicker]

Probably true. Just saying for me I'm not risking it. I've been ripped off a few times in my 44 years. I can't justify spending so much on a bass that I can't play it out without obsessing over something happening to it. To me it kind of sucks the fun out of playing. I play in wedding group mostly which is less of a threat than a club gig for sure. None of my basses are "trailer queens". They all get played, tossed around, dropped, scratched, dinged, sit outside in all kinds of weather etc (no rain of course). Course a lot of you guys are real pro musicians. I'm a "very active" weekend warrior at best. I'm considering buying my most expensive bass right now. $750.

Insurance isn't a bad idea either. What do you guys recommend? I do have a lot of stuff to lose in general.

 

[Eilif]

I'm considering buying my most expensive bass right now. $750.

Insurance isn't a bad idea either. What do you guys recommend? I do have a lot of stuff to lose in general.

That's about my most expensive electric bass as well.

As for insurance I'm not sure. More knowledgeable folks than I will know more, but I think in some situations you can have it put on your home insurance, even if it's out of the house. The cutoff might be if you're using it professionally.

 

[jimmykicker]

That's what I thought. I have some additional contents coverage. Just very worrisome to consider all of it going up in a fire. My house is well protected though with alarm system, cameras and a pug named Mugsy. Well the pug isn't much security....

 

[bass32]

Nice basses. The reason I asked is because I had a similar experience but different "outcome" (if you will) to gave me a self corrective (guess I can call it that) revelation. I bought an high-end jazz bass that I really liked but something was still missing. After multiple purchases after that one, I sold the bass because I came to realize that I really don't and never really liked single coil jazz styled basses. I was trying to force myself into them. I actually prefer single pickups like a P or Stingray. Even on my HH, I only prefer 2 of the 5 settings. Either the top or bottom coils only.

So I'm curious as to whether it's the same with you?
FF

The p-bass was widely used on recordings starting in the 50's-60's. It's the sound I heard growing up. So that's what I started out with, a 1975 p-bass which I still own.
I started playing Jazz basses around '89. First one was a Power Jazz Special, my first active bass. Then I wanted to try 5 string's and I bought a Jazz Plus, also active. Kept that bass for a long time. I've had a few others come and go, but those were the main ones.
My ears and preferences change throughout the years. I guess I've gone full circle because these days I do prefer the passive p-bass thump. I can use it on any song we play, but there are songs that I would rather use the Jazz. So it becomes more of a right tool for the job sort of thing.
I can dial in a close p-bass tone on the FCS Jazz. Tone wise it's close, but it just don't have that p-bass thump.....if you know what I mean.

 

[hsech]

If somebody pays 30k for a car and it lasts only four years, they need to shop smarter. Did you happen to buy a Fiat?

A better comparison for me might be $5k for a Yugo.

 

[bucephylus]

This is a really good discussion topic. I almost think something like this should be a sticky in the forum.

I have a few random thoughts. My background is that I purchased my first "boutique" bass in 1976, an Alembic Series I LSB, and have since bounced back and forth between a variety of garden variety Fenders and other "boutique" builds.

First of all, the right bass depends on the gig, IME. And, there are different needs/expectations for what the bass should deliver, strongly dependent on the gig. Second each player needs to decide what their playing objectives are; and that's a pretty personal decision, which can also change a lot with time.

Aspects in favor of the "boutique" builders.
1) There are some very smart and really nice people making them; which may not affect the actual music, but can be an important personal element.

2) There are some technical advantages, which may or may not be important. For example, the Alembic Series preamp/pickup engineering design remains the state of the art (IMO/E) 40+ years after its development. The Sadowsky preamp addresses much of the Jazz Bass related input issues (IMO/E). The Modulus graphite neck addresses certain structural aspects. etc etc.

3) Many ""boutique" builders offer specification control of characteristics like weight, scale length, neck dimensions, and other important elements above and beyond mass production designs.

Aspects against "boutique"builds:
1) They are more expensive.

2) Many gigs prefer or require standard Fender bass tones, which the "boutique" bass may not produce.

3) Player preferences change, and the used market for non-standard specification basses is small.

4) Some "boutique" pickup/ preamp systems sound absolutely jaw dropping solo at home, but can pretty much disappear in certain gig mixes.

Aspects in favor of standard Fender basses:
1) People, such as club managers and band leaders, know their sounds.

2) The P Bass is perfect as it has been since the split coil pup was developed.

3) Various mods for the J Bass make it competitive with "boutique" basses in terms of adaptability.

4) They have "Fender" on the headstock.

Aspects against standard Fender basses:
1) A player may need to cycle through a lot of them to find the right one.

2) They do have limitations.

3) They generally are not as well made in terms of fit and finish details.

I have and use both kinds. I tend to go to the Fender first, and it does most of what I need. The "boutique" Fender style basses are also very useful. The non-Fender "boutiques" are fascinating; and a player can spend a good amount of time and money trying to sort out what they like the most.

 

[Shortie]

Just play, baby.

Yup - more time looking=less time playing.

 

[DrayMiles]

Last time I bought a cello bow I picked out a nice looking one, sawing away, and the dude is hovering around doing that shop dude thing where they fuss around opening up cases and laying out stuff (perhaps sir would like to try *this* one). Anyway, I'm A/B-ing my old bow and the one I had my eye on, so I'd just put down the new bow and had my hand reaching out for the old one again and the shop dude smooth as silk just slides a third bow into my hand. Give this a go. Sure, why not.

So I play about three notes and wow! Fireworks, the sound of angels singing, the earth moved. Danger Will Robinson! PUT THE BOW DOWN NOW!!!! (says my inner voice). So with palpitating heart and shaky hand I put the bow down and sure enough, the crafty bugger had slipped me his top of the line bow, a cool $5K worth, and I was within half an arpeggio of becoming a helpless addict. This was the succubus of bows. Now, I'm the world's poopiest cellist, so if even I heard the call, this was a seriously dangerous bow.

Moral of the story: I *always* look at the price first.

BUT...

Now you know the difference as far as the sound is concerned, so in the future, if you have the funds... You might go back and get the bow that spoke to you...

 

[GIBrat51]

The more I look at basses, the more $4,000 does not seem like a lot of money to spend on an instrument.

... and, well if you're going to spend $4,000, why not spend $7,000 and get what you really want?

I know the feeling... sorta. It is fun to look, and if you like what you see - and can honestly afford it - hey, it's a (still mostly) free country, and it's your money... Since I have (almost) every bass I want, looking without wanting is pretty much all I do these days. And, I'm in the happy position of being able to afford what I still "need" to complete my herd. If and when they do come along - which, in my case, is not real likely - I can get them. But, that only makes the looking more fun..

 

[Nephilymbass]

I wouldn't pay over 2k unless it was a totally custom instrument. And not even like typical customs. I'd want to have input on the body shape and everything

 

[drakson]

I was looking at a more expensive bass but like I said in a previous post I played a couple and the one I had sounded better. I then also looked at the kind of
music I play in the band. Mainly Classic Rock, some Blues and some newer stuff. Anyway it just seemed like my P bass, EBO, and my Epi JC bass which is much like the Gibson hollowbody back in the day, I think EB2 maybe are the sounds I hear in those songs. I am getting a Jazz from the same maker as my P which has the Jazz neck. So then I have two basses with the same neck that I really enjoy playing. Like a previous post on here some of the boutique basses
while having a beautiful sound is just not the sound I associate with the music I play.

 

[LowEndOperative]

A perpetually late friend of mine would often call me on the way to somewhere we're supposed to meet telling me he'll be ten minutes late. I'd say okay. When 10 minutes had passed, he'd call saying if I can wait 10 minutes than I can wait 20 minutes. He thought it was hilarious.

I wonder if he'd take that tack if he was owed money from a delinquent lender. Just sayin'.