I don't mind $4000 basses as long as I get them used for $1500 max 
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The more I look at basses...
- Thread starter Acoustic356
- Start date
I just bought a bass for $300, new. I REALLY like it. Most of my players cost $1k - $2k. Really nice basses can be found under $2k. Then, you could have diamonds encrusted into the fretboard, etc., raising the value to whatever you want. If the diamonds were removable, then you'd have an adjustable-value bass.
It is hard for me to imagine a bass being physically, ergonomically and electronically superior to a really good $2k bass. Functionally, I'd assert that a $7k bass set up perfectly for me and a $2k bass set up perfectly for me would be functionally identical in terms of utility. The difference then becomes merely 1) value and 2) aesthetics. There are some stunningly beautiful basses out there.
It is hard for me to imagine a bass being physically, ergonomically and electronically superior to a really good $2k bass. Functionally, I'd assert that a $7k bass set up perfectly for me and a $2k bass set up perfectly for me would be functionally identical in terms of utility. The difference then becomes merely 1) value and 2) aesthetics. There are some stunningly beautiful basses out there.
We totally need a thread for people whose cars cost less than their instruments. When I add up the purchase prices of all the cars I've ever owned, the total is less than the purchase prices of the instruments that I currently own - and that's only a G&L, a cheap Cort and a cheap Chinese cello.
So yeah...priorities...
Why care what other people pay, have paid, or might be willing to pay for a bass? Discussing money instead of basses isn't very productive, because money is available to different people in different quantities, and no relation to money is universal to humans. Worth is subjective, and ability to spend money individual. One guy might pay full price for a handmade instrument, and the other guy will pick it up at an ignorant pawn shop for pennies - doesn't change the instrument.
If we stick to the facts, a lot of nonsense could be avoided:
A person spending thousands of dollars on a bass to show off on an internet forum and let everybody know how expensive it was, is a moron.
A person spending thousands of dollars on a bass because that person feels it is worth it, and just happens to want to share his/her joy on an internet forum, is not a person that should be subject to criticism.
Most comments on why or how somebody has paid too much for a bass that's not worth it for XX reasons to the person writing the comment stem from jealousy or a misconception that other people have no idea what they're doing.
This forum is meant to share thoughts, questions, joy, and curiousity about basses between people that like basses. Not to discuss something as common as money.
I could probably go on, but I think it could take a wrong turn somewhere
I've been asked many times what some of my basses cost, and it's not because I'm embarrased to let people know how stupid/ignorant I've apparently been to spend that kind of dough that I don't tell them, it's simply because I don't want it to have any influence on their opinion of the instruments. I'll never get the train of thought going "hey, cool bass! How much is it? What, that much?? Eh, now it means nothing to me, in fact I kind of hate it"
Buying expensive instruments doesn't mean disliking budget instruments, or the other way around. If people get defensive and feel they need to get moral support from others in relation to their purchase of a budget or high end instrument, they should probably spend more time thinking about why that is than posting about it.
Alright, I'll shut up now...
If we stick to the facts, a lot of nonsense could be avoided:
A person spending thousands of dollars on a bass to show off on an internet forum and let everybody know how expensive it was, is a moron.
A person spending thousands of dollars on a bass because that person feels it is worth it, and just happens to want to share his/her joy on an internet forum, is not a person that should be subject to criticism.
Most comments on why or how somebody has paid too much for a bass that's not worth it for XX reasons to the person writing the comment stem from jealousy or a misconception that other people have no idea what they're doing.
This forum is meant to share thoughts, questions, joy, and curiousity about basses between people that like basses. Not to discuss something as common as money.
I could probably go on, but I think it could take a wrong turn somewhere
I've been asked many times what some of my basses cost, and it's not because I'm embarrased to let people know how stupid/ignorant I've apparently been to spend that kind of dough that I don't tell them, it's simply because I don't want it to have any influence on their opinion of the instruments. I'll never get the train of thought going "hey, cool bass! How much is it? What, that much?? Eh, now it means nothing to me, in fact I kind of hate it"
Buying expensive instruments doesn't mean disliking budget instruments, or the other way around. If people get defensive and feel they need to get moral support from others in relation to their purchase of a budget or high end instrument, they should probably spend more time thinking about why that is than posting about it.
Alright, I'll shut up now...
I had been Gassing for a bass that ran about $4500. I watched countless YouTube videos and read reports on TB. I finally got to play a used one
at a Vintage store. It played well and sounded good but I looked at my wife and said "Mine sounds better" and she agreed. I just found I was happy
with what I had.
On the other hand everybody buy what you want and can afford. I am happy for you.
at a Vintage store. It played well and sounded good but I looked at my wife and said "Mine sounds better" and she agreed. I just found I was happy
with what I had.
On the other hand everybody buy what you want and can afford. I am happy for you.
The more I look at basses, the more I think vendors are screwing bass players big time.
You will find that having is less satisfying than wanting. - Spock in "Amok Time"
Why buy a $4K bass when you can spend 10% of that and install $4K worth of upgrades
Exactly my thoughts. Anything over $2000 is more hype than value. I played my share of boutique basses (altho' never made the mistake of buying one) and all I can say is they lack the personality a P, a J, a Stingray or a RIC (amongst others) can have, THEY SOUND GENERIC, just how the people playing them usually sound (even solo gods freaks 'round here love -and I profoundly dislike-). The extent of this scam is such that some of them can't even properly setup an instrument. I personally had to deal with an instrument setup by Jerzy Drozd himself and it sucked beyond all reason, action high as f*ck yet lots of fret buzz, terrible intonation, a complete noob "job" (if you can call a kid randomly playing with allen wrenckes so). Sorry if this is harsh, but don't get scammed, an expensive generic sounding piece of fancy furniture adds zero more to your playing/sound/appeal/micropenis than a decent honestly priced $1000-1500 bass.
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I would love to order a new just for me custom bass but I really don't know enough about basses and what I'd want in the perfect bass to get it right. I have a used Alembic Series II bass and It's gonna take a heck of a while to find anything meaningful that is bad about it that only a custom would rectify. So for me any future high end bass purchases are going to be used when they have fallen into my comfort price zone.
Starts that way... I'm already considering an upsale from the Fender American Std P to the Deluxe J. Can't decide, and it's only $1799! Considering I paid $1350, it doesn't seem like so much of a difference...
Buying a used boutique instrument is a great place to park some cash....if you dont trash it it will always be worth what you paid or more.......assuming you did not majorly overpay. As a hobbyist my gear is something I enjoy very much knowing my investment is safe....and actually growing. The 6K i have invested in gear used to be parked in a different hobby. I tell my wife she should thankful I am not into many of the hobbies that consume her decidedly poor extended family......I dont own a boat, ATVs, snowmobiles, 10K worth of guns and ammo.....If i want to collect some highly collectible gear she should be happy!! My Alembic will never be worth less than the 1600 I paid for it used.....those that bought in the 90s did even better!!
Don't take it personally. My point is that $5k for a bass isn't something exclusive to lawyers and doctors. In the grand scheme of musical instruments, it's fairly cheap. Everyone has priorities, a $5k bass isn't a priority for everyone. It isn't for me.
You obviously didn't see my thread on my last mod. They way I work, a $7,000 bass would cost $14,000 by the time I'm done with it, the scale would be wrong, the neck pocket would be sloppy, and I couldn't find an aftermarket pickguard to fit it!
I had been fiending over the new Fender Seafoam Green P/J bass. I played it, then played the Squier Affinity. Tonally, I couldn't tell the difference. The differences to me were the satin finish on the neck, the neck binding, and the block inlays. Nice... but not $700 difference nice. So, I landed somewhere left of the middle and ordered a Squier Vintage Modified Lake Placid Blue bass. On sale... $254.
To me? It has a better tone than my American P... but I love them both!
I've purchased only one (semi) boutique bass, a Pedula MVP. It's been a relatively long time ago. I had some money at that time, it was my first time in the USA and I fell in love. Cost was not that huge (less than 1k for a brand new instrument built to specs.). Today, though I still own it, I generally prefer playing my cheap jazz and precision clones. However, I'd love to at least try a Fodera (I can hardly imagine spending so much money). But this is up to everyone
I have a bunch of basses and guitars. Oddly enough, I prefer the cheap stuff daily.
Agreed. Started from looking at $100-200 Ibanez basses and squiers. Then, Epiphone. Now I look at the expensive fender Jazz's and the ES - 335 along with the rickenbackers.
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Thank you for providing one more person for my ignore list so I can waste a little less time on TB reading posts of no value.Insult? More like micro aggression. People pay a lot more for a vehicle because it's a necessity for most people to get to work. And even if you earn your keep playing bass, you still need wheels to get you to the gig.
Fess up, your Fiat is in the shop again.
The more I look at basses, the less I covet them.
Just play, baby.
Just play, baby.
