The number of people on the market for a $3k bespoke bass is significantly smaller than the number of people on the market for a <$1k bass. A $1k bass is more than good enough for the vast majority of hobby bassists, especially in uncertain times.
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What goes on in your head when purchasing a bass
- Thread starter xxcody2gunsxx
- Start date
I know I'm an outlier here that will skew the results, but I tend to buy a new bass about once a decade. Despite being an obsession around these parts, resale value or ROI isn't anything I consider when I'm looking to purchase. I buy what I want and what I need. If that's not readily available I buy close enough and mod it. I am in the early stages of planning a boutique build commission in the next year or so and resale value won't even enter my thought process. I don't care what it may be worth to other people later. Life is too short to play something other people might be interested in buying later, I'm gonna play exactly what I want to play. Having ranted about what doesn't go through my line when buying, what does go through my mind is the feel (if purchasing in person), the sound, the features, and the aesthetics. If those are all correct for me or close enough to mod to get exactly what I want, I'll move on it.
There is a chihuahua in my mind that barks insistently until I send the money.
First of all, I'm with you on not getting why people chase after Fenders or FSOs, and I say that as someone who has a few of them. I want basses that nobody else has. I have embarked on a several year journey of buying basses I want from lesser-known-in-America guitar makers. First up is a Maruszczyk Frog, which I hope to be getting in a couple of months. Lynn Ellsworth is building me a Ric-inspired bass that should be done this year. I am currently in discussion with Adamovic, and if I think I can afford it, I'll be starting an Adamovic Soul build this year and getting it next year. Up after that are Padalka, Mayones, and Eye basses, and probably others.I'm wonder the thoughts that one has when purchasing a bass these days? New or Used.
The reason I ask is that it seems that people will pass up a prestige like bass with all the bells and whistles ,handcrafted from a small time luthier company that costs a lot of man hours and $$ to make ,for a Well known name that doesn't hold a candle these days to the quality or craftsmanship of these small time luthiers .
I.E . I spent 5k on a well crafted bass from a small business owner .I sell/trade it for 3k "no bites" even offer it to a Rickenbacker 4003 for a trade and get blown off
Yet when I throw out a name brand "fender with issues "or even a Pat Wilkins bass they come running .
Right Now I have very awesome deals to be had with a couple of Lower Groove Basses on the market Yet, Everyone is jumping on the brand wagon for a cracked Warwick I also have for sale .
I dont get it .
Link to my reverb page. codys-boutique-51
So my thought process goes something like:
"That looks fantastic! And unique! I want one!"
"What are its upsides? Are there any downsides?"
"Can I get an accurate idea about how it sounds and how it feels? What does the guitar maker say about it? What do others say about it?"
"Can I afford it?"
I'll say this about the Lower Groove basses. They look like they're willing to break free of convention, which I appreciate -- but it looks like they're only dipping their toe into the pool of uniqueness. I'd probably like the basses more if they were a little more daring. As it is, none of their basses appeal to me.
I've owned everything from garden variety half-ass basses all the way to Alembics. Believe me, most guys want the same 3 or 4 basses every one else plays (this is where it gets just like Harley-Davidson) while telling themselves I want to be different. Once you get into the handbuilt, small-builder basses, these can be anywhere from a little to way off the beaten path, and the further away from those old standbys, the harder they are to sell, and you're almost guaranteed to lose money on them as generally they're very specialized and the selling prices required for anyone making a few dozen a year to suvive are far and away past the cost structures of the large commercial builders.
Just stroll throught TB and look at all the question threads or NBD's, and how by far the majority of them are Fenders, Fender clones, Rics, Music Man, and G+L vs. the same threads for the small builder products.
Just stroll throught TB and look at all the question threads or NBD's, and how by far the majority of them are Fenders, Fender clones, Rics, Music Man, and G+L vs. the same threads for the small builder products.
I buy basses to fill a specific need. I make sure it fills that need, that it feels good in my hands (if buying in person), and that I can afford it. Then I buy.
My 1st bass I bought because I wanted to play bass.
My 2nd bass I bought because I wanted an ABG.
My 3rd bass I bought because I wanted a fiver.
My 4th bass I bought because I wanted a red bass.
These are all basses I've bought so far. I still have all four and use them. So I guess I did well.
My 1st bass I bought because I wanted to play bass.
My 2nd bass I bought because I wanted an ABG.
My 3rd bass I bought because I wanted a fiver.
My 4th bass I bought because I wanted a red bass.
These are all basses I've bought so far. I still have all four and use them. So I guess I did well.
TBH, I don't trust small time luthiers for quality, unless they have a well established reputation. I believe a bigger company with established quality protocols is a much better bet and place for my money. Plus, they almost always provide a quality instrument at half the price, even if the "small time luthier" counterpart is made incrementally better.
Outside of that - these days I'm only going to even consider buying a bass it provides a MASSIVE value or fills a very long standing desire or need. Even then, with prices the way they are, I think less and less about buying new instruments and cherishing the ones I do have.
Outside of that - these days I'm only going to even consider buying a bass it provides a MASSIVE value or fills a very long standing desire or need. Even then, with prices the way they are, I think less and less about buying new instruments and cherishing the ones I do have.
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Well, Fenders are just cool basses. They also get the job done. If they don't get the job done…a swap of parts will get it done. In my mind, it's difficult to beat a bass that has a very strong pedigree, is widely customizable, is aesthetically pleasing and is affordable. That is what went through my mind regarding my Fender purchases.
I have played some nice basses at various music stores. I always felt they were sterile in tone…lacking character.
I have played some nice basses at various music stores. I always felt they were sterile in tone…lacking character.
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I couldn't thing of anything less cool than a Fender. They are the McDonalds of basses. They keep the world fed but they don't taste very good.
Fender's are so ubiquitous that I couldn't think of anything else that lacked more character than a Fender.
If I'm simply pooling mental resources to make a basic decision, I call myself Mr. Zilla, but I also like to consult with Future Me. Sometimes I'll also check in with Past Me to see if he recalls a similar dilemma, it's chosen course of action and its results. If I'm chastising myself for having done something regrettable, it's usually "Matthew!" even though I'm clearly yelling at Past Me.
I've never met anyone named Self, but my Dad calls my sister's husband Seth. My sister's husband's name is Sean.
I don't know what Sean calls himself, but I'm ready to believe he'd be more inclined to go with Seth instead of Self.
I dont flip instruments or anything like that and I dont have much experience owning multiple basses but I can share my thought process with you.
I'm a simple, younger girl who is practical. I got my first bass as a gift and I started learning fast, whether we are talking about the music theory and playing to doing my own setup. I am very independent and I do my own thing and it has worked fine for me so far in life and in my music as well.
When I was looking for an "upgrade" from my starter bass, my thinking was that I wanted an instrument that I wouldnt have to part with and which would serve me for years to come, hopefully my entire life. I knew i wanted a 6 string because I just really enjoy how big they are and how I thought it would make me feel to play one, so indeed i did get a 6 string.
I did consider a 4 string, briefly... But I got back to thinking that a 4 string is too small and it just doesnt fit my character or personality at all. I like a challenge and Im a person with a lot of endurance so a 6 string it was.
I considered a MM bongo but after a while it seemed too big body wise and it kind of looks like a toilet seat so I passed on it. Then I looked at spector and they have an euro 6 but it didnt sound and look good enough for the price so I was very on the fence about it, way too expensive for what it was offering so I thought the value proposition was just not there.
Then I looked at Warwick and first i wantedaa bubinga corvette but I kept coming to a thumb and everything from the sound to the body and Woods and quality just screamed "please own me and play me for the rest of your life", so...
I own a 6 string thumb now!
The only other option i considered was a custom hollow body adamovic but I dont have that kind of money to my name, so I passed on it
Hope it was interesting to read my post!
I'm a simple, younger girl who is practical. I got my first bass as a gift and I started learning fast, whether we are talking about the music theory and playing to doing my own setup. I am very independent and I do my own thing and it has worked fine for me so far in life and in my music as well.
When I was looking for an "upgrade" from my starter bass, my thinking was that I wanted an instrument that I wouldnt have to part with and which would serve me for years to come, hopefully my entire life. I knew i wanted a 6 string because I just really enjoy how big they are and how I thought it would make me feel to play one, so indeed i did get a 6 string.
I did consider a 4 string, briefly... But I got back to thinking that a 4 string is too small and it just doesnt fit my character or personality at all. I like a challenge and Im a person with a lot of endurance so a 6 string it was.
I considered a MM bongo but after a while it seemed too big body wise and it kind of looks like a toilet seat so I passed on it. Then I looked at spector and they have an euro 6 but it didnt sound and look good enough for the price so I was very on the fence about it, way too expensive for what it was offering so I thought the value proposition was just not there.
Then I looked at Warwick and first i wantedaa bubinga corvette but I kept coming to a thumb and everything from the sound to the body and Woods and quality just screamed "please own me and play me for the rest of your life", so...
I own a 6 string thumb now!
The only other option i considered was a custom hollow body adamovic but I dont have that kind of money to my name, so I passed on it
Hope it was interesting to read my post!
I'm wonder the thoughts that one has when purchasing a bass these days? New or Used.
The reason I ask is that it seems that people will pass up a prestige like bass with all the bells and whistles ,handcrafted from a small time luthier company that costs a lot of man hours and $$ to make ,for a Well known name that doesn't hold a candle these days to the quality or craftsmanship of these small time luthiers .
I.E . I spent 5k on a well crafted bass from a small business owner .I sell/trade it for 3k "no bites" even offer it to a Rickenbacker 4003 for a trade and get blown off
Yet when I throw out a name brand "fender with issues "or even a Pat Wilkins bass they come running .
Right Now I have very awesome deals to be had with a couple of Lower Groove Basses on the market Yet, Everyone is jumping on the brand wagon for a cracked Warwick I also have for sale .
I dont get it .
Link to my reverb page. codys-boutique-51
what goes on in my head?
Yay! I got something shiny and new!
There isn't a lot that goes on in my head, generally if I pick up an instrument and like it enough I'll find a way to bring it home. That happened with the Oct 2019 Ernie Ball BFR release, (fretless stingray). Walked into Sam Ash, saw it, played it, had to have it and did some stupid credit thing to get it.
I also like to stick to new instruments. Used instruments just introduce too many variables for me (meaning potentially dishonest sellers). The only exception to that are the Alembics I've bought.
With regards to the smaller, more boutique builders, there are a couple out there I've seen I think I would like to own, but without the ability to play one first its just too big of a commitment as many do not offer a return policy
I had one bass for 52 years. A 1969 Telecaster Bass. I bought it a week after seeing Ron Wood play one in the Jeff Beck Group. That was the impetus.
About ten years ago I bought a Spector NS-2 JA-R that I kept for two years. Nice bass but I wanted a neck-thru PJ I couldn't afford then.
After retirement I had the time to peruse music again. I felt a desire to have two more to complete the 60s Fender Trinity with a Precision and a Jazz Bass.
The choices were myriad, and confusing. Time spent on TalkBass, a lot of research elsewhere, and perusing many photographs later I made my choices.
As much as I think I'd like to have a Spector Forte4 and an NYC Sadowsky, I think it's time to leave it alone.
That said, selecting a couple more basses was far easier than navigating the new world of amplification. A Phil Jones Bass Double Four replaced an old Peavey and a few pedals followed.
Now I'm looking at a smallish Mesa Boogie rig, have preordered an SW115 cabinet, but have yet to pull the trigger on an amp.
Need, desire and wherewithal have to meet at some point.
About ten years ago I bought a Spector NS-2 JA-R that I kept for two years. Nice bass but I wanted a neck-thru PJ I couldn't afford then.
After retirement I had the time to peruse music again. I felt a desire to have two more to complete the 60s Fender Trinity with a Precision and a Jazz Bass.
The choices were myriad, and confusing. Time spent on TalkBass, a lot of research elsewhere, and perusing many photographs later I made my choices.
As much as I think I'd like to have a Spector Forte4 and an NYC Sadowsky, I think it's time to leave it alone.
That said, selecting a couple more basses was far easier than navigating the new world of amplification. A Phil Jones Bass Double Four replaced an old Peavey and a few pedals followed.
Now I'm looking at a smallish Mesa Boogie rig, have preordered an SW115 cabinet, but have yet to pull the trigger on an amp.
Need, desire and wherewithal have to meet at some point.
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It's actually quite simple to figure out (in my view). "Known quantity" is the term you're looking for. People tend to stick with what they know.
If I see a Mike Lull, or MTD, or Spector bass (or some other popular hand-ceafted brand) that I know was $5K new and is going for $3K .... and it's a bass I really want... I'm all in. These three brands, and several others, are known quantities.
But if I never heard of the builder....
1) All I have to go on about the original price is your word.
2) All I have to go on regarding quality of the build is you word.
3) I don't know you. So your word means very little to me. (Nothing personal. I'm sure you're a great guy who never speeds up at yellow lights and rescues kittens from drowning in nearly frozen rivers.)
In short, there are no "known quantities" for me. A total stranger is selling a "$5,000", "custom", "high quality" bass I never head o. Unless that bass is something I've dreamed of all my life and found it when I found your ad, I'm going to be hesitant. Simple as that.
Shortest version? You're asking buyers to "take a chance" by spending $3K on a bass they've never heard of from a buyer they don't know. That's going to be a hard sell.
For the record, I own a bass that is not a household name. Brand loyalty has nothing to do with it for me.
If I see a Mike Lull, or MTD, or Spector bass (or some other popular hand-ceafted brand) that I know was $5K new and is going for $3K .... and it's a bass I really want... I'm all in. These three brands, and several others, are known quantities.
But if I never heard of the builder....
1) All I have to go on about the original price is your word.
2) All I have to go on regarding quality of the build is you word.
3) I don't know you. So your word means very little to me. (Nothing personal. I'm sure you're a great guy who never speeds up at yellow lights and rescues kittens from drowning in nearly frozen rivers.)
In short, there are no "known quantities" for me. A total stranger is selling a "$5,000", "custom", "high quality" bass I never head o. Unless that bass is something I've dreamed of all my life and found it when I found your ad, I'm going to be hesitant. Simple as that.
Shortest version? You're asking buyers to "take a chance" by spending $3K on a bass they've never heard of from a buyer they don't know. That's going to be a hard sell.
For the record, I own a bass that is not a household name. Brand loyalty has nothing to do with it for me.
I always think about ROI. But not in the classic sense of Return On Investment being in dollars.
I think of Return On Investment with regard to how it will make me a better player and enhance my experience.
If I believe a piece of gear will help me improve I have no problem spending the money and never think about the flip.
What goes through my head... Will she accept the excuse I make for buying yet another bass, or will I end out losing this bass in a divorce settlement.
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