When (beginner, intermediate, advanced, ...) can one truly appreciate a high-end bass?

[BobKos]

My answer is - When you can pick up the better bass and immediately spot the better tone and playability - or lack thereof in some cases - you are ready to move to a more refined instrument. If you honestly can't feel or hear the difference, why bother?

I have to say my life was pretty happy till I played an Alembic Epic. Wow! I LOVED playing that bass. It taught me SOOO much about what I would like and dislike in an instrument. It taught me how crappy my technique is because EVERY NOTE good and bad was clearly audible. It taught me how a real bass should be build and how everything should work together without compromise. It was the best money I ever spent on a bass. I no longer have it because I found my true home in modified Jazz Bass pattern instruments. Good ones that cost alot of money. And good ones that also happen to be inexpensive ones. But I am so thankful for that Alembic.

 

[Frank77]

Another reason not to go all out crazy custom as a beginner is that you don't really know what your preferences are until you've tried a lot of different instruments.

+1. My listening interests and playing style have evolved a lot over the years, and unless you have a magic bank account of forever unlimited funds, it's probably a better idea to wait until you've found your own style and your own "voice" before spending big bucks. Not so long ago I had a custom bass built, but only because after about 20 years of playing, I know exactly what kind of neck profile, pickups, controls, woods, etc. I prefer. As a beginner I wouldn't have known where to begin to spec a custom bass - it would've been a very expensive shot in the dark.

 

[alaskaleftybass]

For beginners a $199 bass nowadays with a proper setup will suffice until the player is competent. And, like a good percentage of young people today, the player decides they don't want to play bass, if they buy a name brand they can get a return on their investment.

On the other hand, it bothers me when I find a usable bass online and it's covered with bumper stickers of the kid's favorite bands or anti-social slogans. Goof-Off does a good job removing the sticky. But for the beginner, if they become proficient, and they want to do this for a living, eventually as they can afford it they can go on a hunt for their next step bass.

 

[alaskaleftybass]

Some people can’t like very expensive instrument or more than 4 strings. It isn’t in their DNA.

a lot of people here are rockers and old rockers and Fender is the poopie for that style of music... could they rock on a Whatever-expensive-brand ? Yes but the sound and feels may be to sophisticated.

you see a lot more high end or more than 4 string in metal and jazz fusion than in rock.

Expensive brands are too sophisticated for rockers and old rockers? And all old timers uses 7enders? I disagree with both assumptions.

 

[OptimalOptimus]

Expensive brands are too sophisticated for rockers and old rockers? And all old timers uses 7enders? I disagree with both assumptions.

I said « may be » Too sophisticated

 

[QweziRider]

So, when in our journey from bloody-nosed beginner to decent amateur or gigging pro can we REALLY begin to appreciate what a good instrument offers compared to a mediocre one,

I'll use my own example as a beginning guitar player a squillion years ago. My first was an $8 piece of garbage from a thrift store. I did my best. I thought I was making headway. Then my parents got me (and I worked all summer to pay it off) a pretty decent Epiphone acoustic - not amazing high dollar by any stretch of the imagination, but light years beyond that other piece of garbage I was learning on. I immediately appreciated the difference.

 

[Nobis17]

You have the money and want to spend it on something high end, do it. Who cares if you are a virtuoso. I have a stingray special, and it inspirés me to continue to play. It isn't a Fodera, but it isn't a squire either. To each his own

 

[QweziRider]

...but a $1500 Fender American Pro is still a lot cheaper than most band instruments.

Yeah, let's talk oboes/English horns (my wife) and tubas (my daughter). I'm still a cheaper date than those two combined.

 

[alaskaleftybass]

I said « may be » Too sophisticated

What characteristics of high end basses might be too sophisticated for old rockers? Does it involve the lack of technical comprehensive ability? I'm not trying to pick a fight but enlighten you to the capabilities of older musicians. A lost of the foundations of modern computing was built by "old rockers." Coding and data compilations were not automated as they are today. That required great comprehensive abilities.

That's what irks me about TV commercials. They depict 'old timers' as people who need child-like electronics because they don't know how to use the controls of a phone tablet or laptop. I'm 68 and i'm still working. I can build a computer from scratch. I do network programming and teach young people computer skills.

Just my 2 cents. Peace.

 

[JimmyM]

I appreciated high end basses immediately upon starting with my cheap Framus Stratostar in the 70's, then going to local stores that carried better ones. Nobody said you had to be good to appreciate high end stuff

 

[JimmyM]

What characteristics of high end basses might be too sophisticated for old rockers? Does it involve the lack of technical comprehensive ability? I'm not trying to pick a fight but enlighten you to the capabilities of older musicians. A lost of the foundations of modern computing was built by "old rockers." Coding and data compilations were not automated as they are today. That required great comprehensive abilities.

That's what irks me about TV commercials. They depict 'old timers' as people who need child-like electronics because they don't know how to use the controls of a phone tablet or laptop. I'm 68 and i'm still working. I can build a computer from scratch. I do network programming and teach young people computer skills.

Just my 2 cents. Peace.

Word! Hell, I just started a new job where I have to learn several different software systems and entering codes for different products and I'm 59. True, I'm not a beginner at computers, but that's just stupid to think because you're old that you can't learn new stuff. You may not WANT to learn new stuff, but there's no reason in heck you can't if you're of somewhat sound and disposing mind. All in the head.

 

[alaskaleftybass]

Word! Hell, I just started a new job where I have to learn several different software systems and entering codes for different products and I'm 59. True, I'm not a beginner at computers, but that's just stupid to think because you're old that you can't learn new stuff. You may not WANT to learn new stuff, but there's no reason in heck you can't if you're of somewhat sound and disposing mind. All in the head.

 

[monkeyfinger]

For me, part of appreciating a high-end bass is knowing what I want and need from my instrument. When you invest in a high-end instrument you are investing in the unique perspective it brings to your playing and the musical expression you envision. To do that, I have to have a good idea of what my musical vision and playing style is. That took many years for me to understand. My suggestion is to really think about what you want to do with the instrument, and find the bass that best suits your vision for your budget.

 

[Drifter8230]

For me, part of appreciating a high-end bass is knowing what I want and need from my instrument. When you invest in a high-end instrument you are investing on the unique perspective it brings to your playing and the musical expression you envision. To do that, I had to have a good idea of what my musical vision and playing style was. That took many years for me to understand. My suggestion is to really think about what you want to do with the instrument, and find the bass that best suits your vision for your budget.

You have encapsulated what I was trying to say very eloquently! I agree 100%

 

[Gilmourisgod]

My first bass was a 1978' RIC 4001, $450/with HSC, another $15 for the Roto Swing 66 strings, and out the door I went. The only bass I'd ever played at that point was a POS P bass copy, and my bass teacher's mid 70's CBS P, which was also a POS. It was like handing the keys to the Jaguar to a 16 year old with a learners permit, but I never regretted it. Everything came easy on that bass, and it sounded great, which made me want to play it. I later learned that I "shouId" be horrified by lack of concession to ergonomics, but I played like a dork with my elbow stuck out, so I never noticed. I was the only kid in my school with a RIC, and the cool factor alone was intoxicating. I earned every penny to buy it working teenage scutwork jobs, so I didn't feel the least bit spoiled owning it. Get the best bass you can afford starting out, these days that's a hell of a lot easier than it was in 1978. The level of even really cheap basses exceeds most of the high end stuff Fender was cranking out at the time.

 

[Chad Michael]

I have made lots of money with the cheapo MusicYo "Tobias" (see photo to the left and below), as well as the high - end Pedulla ThunderBass.

They both have booty in the tone, and paid for themselves so well that they helped support my family.

 

[Bill Clifton]

New here. Picked up a couple fretless basses to take up from where I left off years ago. But this discussion caught my eye because I also am amateur analog photographer. The same discussion comes up in those forums. Of course you want the best tool to convey your creative work but ultimately its not the tool it's your creativity that that can get beauty out of any bass. Move up when there's an actual need to. Just my opinion!

 

[Chad Michael]

Have also gigged with the Lakland DJ5 that I bought from Doc Cheese, simply because I fell for the sound of a J that I always thought of, and remembered hearing for decades...

Moral of the story: one cannot put a price on the enjoyment or potential.. of a bass. You work with it, it works with you, music happens. The band and audience don't care what you paid in dollars, they care about the time you have invested in making your band sound good.

 

[Ruknrole]

IMO you can appreciate a high end instrument even if you don’t know how to play.
That being said, as a beginner player, it might take some time to figure out what you really like or need.

 

[Bill Clifton]

IMO you can appreciate a high end instrument even if you don’t know how to play.
That being said, as a beginner player, it might take some time to figure out what you really like or need.

A beginner with a high end bass? No disrespect, if you have the money, but I see a lot of high end used basses on Guitar Centers site.