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What makes an expensive bass expensive?
- Thread starter TinyE
- Start date
- Oct 3, 2004
- 536
- 616
- Disclosures
- Jackie endorses Sire guitars,EBS amps and pedals,Dunlop Strings,Evidence Audio cables,and iGiG cases
I don't own a Fodera, I've had the privilege playing a few of them over the years.I was just stating to that guy that although they've made incredible instruments, Fodera, Ken Smith, MTD or any other expensive bass won't guarantee it to be the best bass.he says a wise person once said "u get what u pay for", an even wiser person once said "it's the player and never the bass"
Or buying brand new jeans with holes and tears. Relicing (is that a word?) is a fashion statement. The relic'd bass can be a stinker or a player's dream.
If a boutique bass takes 6 months to build and it costs $6k, minus the cost of the materials, hardware etc, - then minus the rent for a luthier's shop - how much profit goes into one handmade bass? I would say 'not much', but I'm not 100% certain.
- Oct 3, 2004
- 536
- 616
- Disclosures
- Jackie endorses Sire guitars,EBS amps and pedals,Dunlop Strings,Evidence Audio cables,and iGiG cases
I don't hate on relic basses,I've played a few Sandberg basses that are "road worn" and sound amazing!! Only thing is,I wouldn't dare pay that much money for an instrument that's copying true vintage instruments.
At least with the Sandbergs,they go all out with the wear...they even take chunks of wood out of the body as opposed to having a photo blemish(for lack of a better word)
They make incredible sounding axes!If you're gonna pay that much,you should at least be getting the real thing...just my opinion.
Having said that,what someone else wants to do with their money is fine with me.If the bass sounds/feels great,cool and congrats to em!
hi, do you play professionally/full time?
playing and feel and life condition are way way way more important than gear... gear is just a tool/mirror of our life condition.. its not really seperate from us. thats why we play our best when we let go and stop thinking/analyzing.. imo gear would be last on the list of things needed for better playing or tone. taste, feel, technique, theory, and most importantly love and dedication towards music and our instruments will actually help us be better musicians without super expensive gear...
i would rather have good taste and a feel of the music than have great gear and no feel.. JS
This is a terrible false dilemma. I know plenty of folks with nice gear who are better musicians than me by a long shot. I also know some folks with expensive instruments who are still, well, working on it. You don't have to forgo nice gear to become a better musician. Often, the tone, taste, feel, technique, and dedication can be enhanced by the acquisition of a fine instrument - when a player gets the tone, playability, and specifications they have longed for. This, believe it or not, can actually make someone practice more!
I'm planning out a custom build right now that will hopefully combine all of the elements and specifications I want in an instrument - from the look and the tone, to the string spacing and the fretboard radius. After playing for years, and having had dozens upon dozens of instruments in my hands, I'm fairly certain I know almost exactly what I want in a bass. In order to realize this dream bass, I will be going to a custom builder (not sure exactly who yet) because I know that I can get a level of quality and fit & finish that would be hard to come by on a production line bass, and because they just don't make the bass I want on a production line. This is an instrument that will totally work for me, although clearly doesn't work for everybody given the lack of a model with my specifications from any of the bigger brands.
Just Thumpin'
Commercial User
- Mar 7, 2008
- 4,534
- 1,664
- Disclosures
- Manager and Partner, Fodera Guitars (10/14/09 - 12/16/19)
To answer the OP...
Sourcing and using only the finest materials, proprietary electronics and hardware, low volume, labor costs, treating employees fairly (with things like profit sharing, retirement package and health insurance) and being 100% made in a country with high labor costs (by global standards) -- in our case, the USA.
Regards,
Jason
Sourcing and using only the finest materials, proprietary electronics and hardware, low volume, labor costs, treating employees fairly (with things like profit sharing, retirement package and health insurance) and being 100% made in a country with high labor costs (by global standards) -- in our case, the USA.
Regards,
Jason
I hope this doesn´t go for quality also! I´m not saying that USA can´t do quality basses but.....by all means...there are others out there too and not only in the USA.
Just saying...
Just Thumpin'
Commercial User
- Mar 7, 2008
- 4,534
- 1,664
- Disclosures
- Manager and Partner, Fodera Guitars (10/14/09 - 12/16/19)
I should have said "in a country where labor costs are high by global standards." BTW, the OP was about what makes instruments expensive...and that is what I was responding to...
Regards,
J
Regards,
J
I hope this doesn´t go for quality also! I´m not saying that USA can´t do quality basses but.....by all means...there are others out there too and not only in the USA.
Just saying...
I don't hate on relic basses,I've played a few Sandberg basses that are "road worn" and sound amazing!! Only thing is,I wouldn't dare pay that much money for an instrument that's copying true vintage instruments.
At least with the Sandbergs,they go all out with the wear...they even take chunks of wood out of the body as opposed to having a photo blemish(for lack of a better word)
If you're gonna pay that much,you should at least be getting the real thing...just my opinion.
Having said that,what someone else wants to do with their money is fine with me.If the bass sounds/feels great,cool and congrats to em!
When we are talking about expensive basses (subjective, I know) I tend to agree. I would much rather have a real '62 Jazz with mojo than a Custom Shop Relic of a '62, but I would probably never play it for fear of something happening (ironic, I know, since we are talking about relics, but I mean mostly real breakage or theft)
Now talking about Sandberg, they are not that expensive (again, subjective), but I would not pay for the Hardcore Masterpiece, that seems high to me, but I would rock a standard Hardcore aged all day long, especially in white or pink...
cheating at what? Do you assume that a guy playing a bass with real mojo is good? Conversely, do you think a guy playing a new, shiny bass is bad? How about if they play a $20,000 Fodera (good) or a $200 SX (bad)?
Playing a relic'd bass is NOTHING like lying about a service record, it's not even near that level of "wrong" (I don't think playing a relic is wrong at all, of course) and frankly I think that your comment was asinine.
- Oct 3, 2004
- 536
- 616
- Disclosures
- Jackie endorses Sire guitars,EBS amps and pedals,Dunlop Strings,Evidence Audio cables,and iGiG cases
I totally understand your reasoning behind everything you say about more expensive instruments but as far a more expensive guaranteeing you'll never have to buy another bass? That's not true...what if you're on a gig and the show calls for an authentic Hofner hollowbody,or vintage Gibson EB-3 sound?
I doubt Fodera will match that tone unless they make something I don't know about.Of course,being the master craftsmen that they are,they could probably make a killing copy.I'm more referring to the Emperors,Monarchs,etc...
There are companies that have integrity with their building that can make a bass that's not as flashy to look at that can cover tons of playing styles,play comfortably,stay in tune, and the whole nine but to pay $6000-10,000 for something you can get with paying less than $2000 isn't necessary.
If it were,Marcus Miller would be playing his Fodera every night instead of his Jazz...and he can afford any bass in the world.
I'm not trying to sound mean but buying 100 different basses in the last 6-7 years doesn't sound like a bass problem,it sounds more like you weren't sure of the sound you wanted.That's something you gotta know before you end up wasting precious money.
Fortunately,I had a sound in mind and I took my time to find what I needed at the time.After I got halfway decent on bass,
I was able to land a few nice gigs then,an endorsement deal.The basses I have are quite amazing but still are overpriced in my opinion.They don't cost nearly as much as some of the custom shops.Remember,it's always the player and never the bass.Too many professionals playing "lesser" instruments and making numerous hits and playing stadium tours with em.
I'm glad you found your sound though...most people aren't so lucky to have something they totally believe in once in a lifetime.
- Oct 3, 2004
- 536
- 616
- Disclosures
- Jackie endorses Sire guitars,EBS amps and pedals,Dunlop Strings,Evidence Audio cables,and iGiG cases
When we are talking about expensive basses (subjective, I know) I tend to agree. I would much rather have a real '62 Jazz with mojo than a Custom Shop Relic of a '62, but I would probably never play it for fear of something happening (ironic, I know, since we are talking about relics, but I mean mostly real breakage or theft)
Now talking about Sandberg, they are not that expensive (again, subjective), but I would not pay for the Hardcore Masterpiece, that seems high to me, but I would rock a standard Hardcore aged all day long, especially in white or pink...
We are on the same page brother! I have a '74 jazz that NEVER leaves the house unless I'm taking it to my tech! haha!
The custom shop bass are definitely cool but as you say,they don't have the "MOJO"!!!!
Sandbergs are really,really,nice!! I played a few at NAMM and was quite impressed! I have a buddy that represents them here in the U.S.
If you ever get a chance,checkout the Marlowe DK jazz model!! KILLER signature jazz bass made for this internet teacher from Denmark.I played one of his at NAMM and it totally blew me away...still my ol trusty Fender would stand up to it an any situation.
We are on the same page brother! I have a '74 jazz that NEVER leaves the house unless I'm taking it to my tech! haha!
The custom shop bass are definitely cool but as you say,they don't have the "MOJO"!!!!
Sandbergs are really,really,nice!! I played a few at NAMM and was quite impressed! I have a buddy that represents them here in the U.S.
If you ever get a chance,checkout the Marlowe DK jazz model!! KILLER signature jazz bass made for this internet teacher from Denmark.I played one of his at NAMM and it totally blew me away...still my ol trusty Fender would stand up to it an any situation.
I'd love to check out a Sandberg, but there are none in my area. As you say though, the MIA Fenders are on the same level.
Of course it's the player. Those basses make very little sound if you don't touch them.
Yet, if you don't have to wrestle with an instrument isn't that a good thing?
I do think some wrestle is a part of paying dues as you acquire more and more skill.
This topic can be apples and orange juice. Are we discussing vintage, reissues, Custom Shop or expensive refined versions of the trusted Fender? Sort of a different category than say a Smith designed to be what it is.
Yet, if you don't have to wrestle with an instrument isn't that a good thing?
I do think some wrestle is a part of paying dues as you acquire more and more skill.
This topic can be apples and orange juice. Are we discussing vintage, reissues, Custom Shop or expensive refined versions of the trusted Fender? Sort of a different category than say a Smith designed to be what it is.
I get that a builder's effort goes into building these basses...but at what point does the price become more prestige & less build quality improvement?
How does your 74 jazz get any mojo if you don't use it at gigs?We are on the same page brother! I have a '74 jazz that NEVER leaves the house unless I'm taking it to my tech! haha!
The custom shop bass are definitely cool but as you say,they don't have the "MOJO"!!!!
Sandbergs are really,really,nice!! I played a few at NAMM and was quite impressed! I have a buddy that represents them here in the U.S.
If you ever get a chance,checkout the Marlowe DK jazz model!! KILLER signature jazz bass made for this internet teacher from Denmark.I played one of his at NAMM and it totally blew me away...still my ol trusty Fender would stand up to it an any situation.
