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What will a new/better bass get me?

#102
Its all about playing good and having fun at this point. If you see another cool bass you are attracted to check it out it might be fun to slap a new bass around. You have the ace in the hole already. And have nothing to loose!!!!
Imho of course.
 
#103
DJS said:
I play the most simplistic of basses - a 2010 American Standard Precision. It's been my only "real' bass since I started playing 13 years ago. It's lasted 10 years of steady band work and never given me a minute of trouble. Recording engineers seem to like the tone. Other seasoned bass players give me a thumbs up when they see it, hear it and try it out. I feel it's not holding me back, and I've never considered getting another one.

My band's guitar player has gone through about 6 $4000+ guitars in that same time. Last night he showed up with a gorgeous new PRS, and my band leader asked "Hey DJS how come you don't get a new $8000 bass?

My answer was "Because I don't think I'd be able to take advantage of the things that make it so nice." Guitar's response "Well, not sure if I can either, but here we are!"

But then I wondered, is this completely true? Could I buy better playing results with a higher end bass like I can readily buy better bike race results with a higher end, faster lighter race bike? It seems to me that I could hand my bass to Victor Wooten and he'd blow the roof off any auditorium without hesitation. Is this a solid rationale for sticking with what works? Or am I missing out?
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My #1 is my 2014 American Standard Precision. See my avatar pic, that's the one! You will be able to get different tones/sounds if you get a different bass. I don't think you need to spend $8K though. Hell, you don't even need to spend half of that. I paid $1100ish for my '14 AmStd NEW ... (got a great deal because I bought from a place that I have given a LOT of business too, several PRS guitars as a matter of fact) ... looking at what the current AmPro II's go for, and just selling off a AmPro II Stratocaster that was disappointing ... I'm not sure how you best the good ol' AmStd P bass ... especially the older'ish models like yours and to a lesser extent mine. Good luck!
 
#104
DJS said:
I play the most simplistic of basses - a 2010 American Standard Precision. It's been my only "real' bass since I started playing 13 years ago. It's lasted 10 years of steady band work and never given me a minute of trouble. Recording engineers seem to like the tone. Other seasoned bass players give me a thumbs up when they see it, hear it and try it out. I feel it's not holding me back, and I've never considered getting another one.

My band's guitar player has gone through about 6 $4000+ guitars in that same time. Last night he showed up with a gorgeous new PRS, and my band leader asked "Hey DJS how come you don't get a new $8000 bass?

My answer was "Because I don't think I'd be able to take advantage of the things that make it so nice." Guitar's response "Well, not sure if I can either, but here we are!"

But then I wondered, is this completely true? Could I buy better playing results with a higher end bass like I can readily buy better bike race results with a higher end, faster lighter race bike? It seems to me that I could hand my bass to Victor Wooten and he'd blow the roof off any auditorium without hesitation. Is this a solid rationale for sticking with what works? Or am I missing out?
Click to expand...
A new/ better bass will get you just that, a new/better bass. It's a bass.
 
#105
If you think spending more will get you there you're barking up the wrong tree. Much more important will be the way the bass feels to you, especially the neck. Try as many different basses as you can to evaluate the different necks - a narrow nut bass like a jazz, a thin profile neck (Geddy Lee Jazz), an asymmetrical neck, etc.. If you've never played an Ibanez (SR series) pick one up and play it (they feel like a toy to me, but some people love them).

Also, experiment with different strings. String "tension" (i.e., floppiness) as well as neck feel is make or break for me.

Spending extra thousands above what you've already spent will be a total crapshoot.
 
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#106
DJS said:
I play the most simplistic of basses - a 2010 American Standard Precision. It's been my only "real' bass since I started playing 13 years ago. It's lasted 10 years of steady band work and never given me a minute of trouble. Recording engineers seem to like the tone. Other seasoned bass players give me a thumbs up when they see it, hear it and try it out. I feel it's not holding me back, and I've never considered getting another one.

My band's guitar player has gone through about 6 $4000+ guitars in that same time. Last night he showed up with a gorgeous new PRS, and my band leader asked "Hey DJS how come you don't get a new $8000 bass?

My answer was "Because I don't think I'd be able to take advantage of the things that make it so nice." Guitar's response "Well, not sure if I can either, but here we are!"

But then I wondered, is this completely true? Could I buy better playing results with a higher end bass like I can readily buy better bike race results with a higher end, faster lighter race bike? It seems to me that I could hand my bass to Victor Wooten and he'd blow the roof off any auditorium without hesitation. Is this a solid rationale for sticking with what works? Or am I missing out?
Click to expand...
No! Stay with it! Over 50 years playing here. Don't ever be that guy that is sorry for selling that bass!!
 
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#107
ga_edwards said:
Above a certain threshold you're paying for the human factor. The more work is done by hand, rather than a CNC or other automated process, the higher the cost.

Will it make you a better player? Possibly the higher quality and attention to detail will make a small difference. But no more than a professional setup on a less expensive mass produced instrument.

I feel it's more a placebo effect. Plonking a substantial amount of money down on an instrument will encourage you to play it more.

PS, Joe Satriani demonstrates quite well that ability isn't necessarily down to expensive instruments.

Click to expand...

Yeah I rewatch this video whenever I think the gear makes the player, nice reminder.
 
#110
DJS said:
I play the most simplistic of basses - a 2010 American Standard Precision. It's been my only "real' bass since I started playing 13 years ago. It's lasted 10 years of steady band work and never given me a minute of trouble. Recording engineers seem to like the tone. Other seasoned bass players give me a thumbs up when they see it, hear it and try it out. I feel it's not holding me back, and I've never considered getting another one.

My band's guitar player has gone through about 6 $4000+ guitars in that same time. Last night he showed up with a gorgeous new PRS, and my band leader asked "Hey DJS how come you don't get a new $8000 bass?

My answer was "Because I don't think I'd be able to take advantage of the things that make it so nice." Guitar's response "Well, not sure if I can either, but here we are!"

But then I wondered, is this completely true? Could I buy better playing results with a higher end bass like I can readily buy better bike race results with a higher end, faster lighter race bike? It seems to me that I could hand my bass to Victor Wooten and he'd blow the roof off any auditorium without hesitation. Is this a solid rationale for sticking with what works? Or am I missing out?
Click to expand...

The best answer would be "Because I don't need it".
 
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#111
DJS said:
I play the most simplistic of basses - a 2010 American Standard Precision. It's been my only "real' bass since I started playing 13 years ago. It's lasted 10 years of steady band work and never given me a minute of trouble. Recording engineers seem to like the tone. Other seasoned bass players give me a thumbs up when they see it, hear it and try it out. I feel it's not holding me back, and I've never considered getting another one.

My band's guitar player has gone through about 6 $4000+ guitars in that same time. Last night he showed up with a gorgeous new PRS, and my band leader asked "Hey DJS how come you don't get a new $8000 bass?

My answer was "Because I don't think I'd be able to take advantage of the things that make it so nice." Guitar's response "Well, not sure if I can either, but here we are!"

But then I wondered, is this completely true? Could I buy better playing results with a higher end bass like I can readily buy better bike race results with a higher end, faster lighter race bike? It seems to me that I could hand my bass to Victor Wooten and he'd blow the roof off any auditorium without hesitation. Is this a solid rationale for sticking with what works? Or am I missing out?
Click to expand...
Don't let your buddies sickness get you.
 
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#112
Here's what I've learned in the mandolin world, and I'm pretty sure it applies to basses as well:
A $1000 mandolin is probably 2x better than a $500 mandolin.
A $2000 mandolin is not 2x better than a $1000 mandolin.
A $4000 mandolin is not 2x better than a $2000 mandolin.
And so on. It's a case of diminishing return. But if you're willing and able to pay double for that extra 1%, by all means, go for it. Just don't expect a huge return on your investment.
 
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#113
DJS said:
. . . . Is this a solid rationale for sticking with what works? Or am I missing out?
Click to expand...

How can you be "missing out"? Someone else told you that. What do they know?

You're happy with your bass and everyone else is happy with your sound, I'd say you were playing the perfect bass.

Of course you can always by another bass, but only as long as you understand you'll probably sound the same and you'll play all the same stuff and the band won't love you any more than they do now and you've spent a whole load of money and for what?
 
#114
Yeah instead of buying one really expensive bass I just have multiple cheap ones that do differnt things like I have a great sounding 200 dollar austin P bass that I love a 120 dollar SX stratocaster that sounds great and soon to have a 175 dollar Ibanez PJ bass to get some differnt sounds out.
 
#116
DJS said:
I play the most simplistic of basses - a 2010 American Standard Precision. It's been my only "real' bass since I started playing 13 years ago. It's lasted 10 years of steady band work and never given me a minute of trouble. Recording engineers seem to like the tone. Other seasoned bass players give me a thumbs up when they see it, hear it and try it out. I feel it's not holding me back, and I've never considered getting another one.

My band's guitar player has gone through about 6 $4000+ guitars in that same time. Last night he showed up with a gorgeous new PRS, and my band leader asked "Hey DJS how come you don't get a new $8000 bass?

My answer was "Because I don't think I'd be able to take advantage of the things that make it so nice." Guitar's response "Well, not sure if I can either, but here we are!"

But then I wondered, is this completely true? Could I buy better playing results with a higher end bass like I can readily buy better bike race results with a higher end, faster lighter race bike? It seems to me that I could hand my bass to Victor Wooten and he'd blow the roof off any auditorium without hesitation. Is this a solid rationale for sticking with what works? Or am I missing out?
Click to expand...

A thinner wallet?
 
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#119
Really depends how far do you want to go 'high end'? ... Sadowsky, F-Bass, Fedora or CS? ... If you're happy with your Fender P-bass then how about a Music Man Stingray? ... Great basses made in the US and still affordable and they retain their worth so if you change your mind you'll do okay.
 
#120
DJS said:
I play the most simplistic of basses - a 2010 American Standard Precision. It's been my only "real' bass since I started playing 13 years ago. It's lasted 10 years of steady band work and never given me a minute of trouble. Recording engineers seem to like the tone. Other seasoned bass players give me a thumbs up when they see it, hear it and try it out. I feel it's not holding me back, and I've never considered getting another one.

My band's guitar player has gone through about 6 $4000+ guitars in that same time. Last night he showed up with a gorgeous new PRS, and my band leader asked "Hey DJS how come you don't get a new $8000 bass?

My answer was "Because I don't think I'd be able to take advantage of the things that make it so nice." Guitar's response "Well, not sure if I can either, but here we are!"

But then I wondered, is this completely true? Could I buy better playing results with a higher end bass like I can readily buy better bike race results with a higher end, faster lighter race bike? It seems to me that I could hand my bass to Victor Wooten and he'd blow the roof off any auditorium without hesitation. Is this a solid rationale for sticking with what works? Or am I missing out?
Click to expand...
You currently own a better bass than 3/4 of the past hits had on them. It's a billion dollar bass as it sits. Just needs a billion dollar player :)
 

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