Travis Dykes - Cheap vs Expensive Basses (Can PROs Hear the Difference)

[wintremute]

This video reinforces my theory that a solid player can make a cheap bass sound good.



I searched, but didn't see this already posted. So if I missed it and another thread already exists, my apologies.

 

[kodiakblair]

So if I missed it and another thread already exists, my apologies.

Dr Cheese started a thread on it last December but it's worth repeating as your theory holds water


Photo below is Tony James, ex-Generation X/ Sigue Sigue Sputnik. Every now and then he teams up with former band mate Billy Idol and Pistols Steve Jones and Paul Cook, they do the bigger European festivals. Tony is at Glastonbury there, crowd is 80,000 and he is playing a Gear 4 Music Chicago bass.

Retail on that bass is £99.99.

 

[JonathanPDX]

These things are always so dumb. The question is not "Does a $10K bass sound significantly better (whatever that even means) than a $200 bass?" The question for a working pro is:

Does this thing feel ergonomically comfortable when I'm playing for hours every single night, 100+ days per year, for the next decade?
Is it stable and reliable enough that I don't have to worry about something breaking down or failing on stage or on the road?
Does it combine with all the other elements of my rig, the stage rig, and the overall band's needs and goals to sound the way they are paying me to sound?
Is it easy to play so I stay healthy and minimize the wear and tear on my hands, joints, and tendons?

Maybe Joe Blow can't hear the difference between a pawnshop P-bass and a custom Sadowsky, but a touring pro might FEEL a big difference on their hands and shoulders by having a higher quality instrument.

 

[Trouztrouz]

every single night, 100+ days per year

Well at least Joe Blow knows how many days are in a year.

 

[JonathanPDX]

Well at least Joe Blow knows how many days are in a year.

lol obviously I'm referring to "every gig" which tends to take place at night.

 

[sean_on_bass]

Electric bass technology at the basic level has never really changed that much since the instrument was invented. it absolutely can be cheap now while still being effective. Been that way for a long time now.

 

[Stylee Mousse]

Funny tho, with feel. I'm sharing my practice space studio with a new band. I plugged in the band leader's Squier P. It sounded ok, was setup ok, but the feel?

Felt cheap and kinda "bonky". Nothing like my G&L - missing a solidity, density.

Could I sound good playing it? Sure. Would I like doing it? Nope.

 

[sean_on_bass]

Funny tho, with feel. I'm sharing my practice space studio with a new band. I plugged in the band leader's Squier P. It sounded ok, was setup ok, but the feel?

Felt cheap and kinda "bonky". Nothing like my G&L - missing a solidity, density.

Could I sound good playing it? Sure. Would I like doing it? Nope.

with the cheaper price point you really gotta find the right one. some truly do feel cheap like you've experienced. i swear the Squiers in the early 2000's just all sucked compared to the ones we see today.

 

[Low Main]

I hadn't seen this before, enjoyed watching it.

I've had Squiers that were well made and enjoyable to play, but I don't think they sounded as good as this Squier.

Maybe a follow up video could be the guys listening to the Bart Soeters Bass Sounds clips.

When I saw the first Soeters clip, in my wildest dreams I never thought I'd say I can do without the Rob Allen but I love the Ric. WTH?

 

[TeaTime]

Kodiak nailed it up above - can I do what I do with a $300 Squier? Sure, sort of. From experience I know the constant maintenance involved will quickly make me regret the decision. I need always-on reliability. I need an instrument that I selected because it fit my body and playstyle, minimizing physical stress. I need something that has the specific sound for my playstyle, instead of the lowest common denominator P sound required by inexperienced sound techs.

I've been in the room with a pro who plays 20,000 - 40,000 seat shows fairly regularly. He will go on at the slightest provocation about how expensive instruments are dumb and all you need is a low-end P. Oh, also, he has 6 of them in a rolling case, and a bass tech who constantly restrings and maintains them between every show, and a small sound crew who are familiar with it, and a stage hand who is ready to do a fast swap whenever needed.

Yeah, that might have cost $400, but he's not living the $400 lifestyle.

 

[Pep]

Well at least Joe Blow knows how many days are in a year.

 

[Pep]

I read this the first time it was posted by Dr. Cheese with all the comments. There are pluses and minuses for everyone. Some guys can get buy with a "less expensive" bass. (Notice I didn't say cheap and there is a difference)

I buy whatever checks all the boxes for me whether it's $600 or $5000. Most of the ones I find that fit me are usually no lower in price than $1500. There have been some lower than that, but very few.

 

[InnerCityBass]

These things are always so dumb. The question is not "Does a $10K bass sound significantly better (whatever that even means) than a $200 bass?" The question for a working pro is:

Does this thing feel ergonomically comfortable when I'm playing for hours every single night, 100+ days per year, for the next decade?
Is it stable and reliable enough that I don't have to worry about something breaking down or failing on stage or on the road?
Does it combine with all the other elements of my rig, the stage rig, and the overall band's needs and goals to sound the way they are paying me to sound?
Is it easy to play so I stay healthy and minimize the wear and tear on my hands, joints, and tendons?

Maybe Joe Blow can't hear the difference between a pawnshop P-bass and a custom Sadowsky, but a touring pro might FEEL a big difference on their hands and shoulders by having a higher quality instrument.

Except no touring pros would EVER use a P bass, right?

 

[Marihino]

Last time, when in a similar thread I've mentioned my Fender Marcus Miller (upgraded with a Sadowsky VTC) and my Yamaha BB as probably objectively best basses I've owned, they were also referred to as non-ergonomic $50 pawn shop wonders, that may be sufficient for unskilled amateurs, and not for mega talented narcissists who play fusion covers at home on a 23 pound $9000 76-fret monstrosities while sitting down (and somehow simultaneously using shoulder health as an argument that more expensive equals better every time).

 

[JonathanPDX]

Except no touring pros would EVER use a P bass, right?

That's not what I said, but if it strokes your ego to think all the pros play the same bass as you then sure, go get 'em tiger.

 

[Marihino]

I've been in the room with a pro who plays 20,000 - 40,000 seat shows fairly regularly. He will go on at the slightest provocation about how expensive instruments are dumb and all you need is a low-end P. Oh, also, he has 6 of them in a rolling case, and a bass tech who constantly restrings and maintains them between every show, and a small sound crew who are familiar with it, and a stage hand who is ready to do a fast swap whenever needed.

Do more expensive basses not require restringing and maintenance on tour?

I've mentioned my favourite/best basses above. I've played since 1995, gigged ever since, jazz clubs, large venues, big festivals, cruise ships, studio sessions, weddings etc. Cheapest bass I've gigged was probably a Harley Benton PB-50, next one up an SX Jazz. Both good and reliable, great sounding instruments, made with solid materials. Played the aforementioned Fenders and Yamahas even more, owned custom Warwicks and Mayones (not any more, just a preference thing). A good tool is a good tool. I've only ever been asked about my proficiency as a musician, not a pricepoint of my bass. Said that, there were specific requests to bring a 5-string or a P-style bass on occasion.

 

[crazycloud]

Last time, when in a similar thread I've mentioned my Fender Marcus Miller (upgraded with a Sadowsky VTC) and my Yamaha BB as probably objectively best basses I've owned, they were also referred to as non-ergonomic $50 pawn shop wonders

I'm not a particular fan of either bass (don't hate them, just not my particular cup of tea), but even on my worst day, that's really harsh.

 

[crazycloud]

Do more expensive basses not require restringing and maintenance on tour?

I agree with the rest of your post as well - well made instruments, at any pricepoint are fine and tdecent inexpensive gear generally doesn't need constant work, break or are otherwise unreliable.
I play mainly Soundgears these days after having had a lot of boutiques through my hands over the years, almost all of them have gone.

 

[MartinB]

A cheap bass is not necessarily poorly designed or poorly constructed.
An expensive bass is not necessarily well designed or well constructed.

 

[MojoPin]

This video reinforces my theory that a solid player can make a cheap bass sound good.

It's always been obvious to me that any truly creative person can make a tub bass sound good if they put their mind to it. It's all about creativity, technique is can also take a back seat as well if the individual can overcome any limitations they have in other ways whatever that may be.