Who prefers mass produced over boutique?

[Cygnus X-1]

This is not meant to be a slam to any higher end bass owner(s). I figured since there are players who like for example, a MIM Jazz over its MIA counterpart. Why not ask the same of owners of boutique basses who also own regular off the shelf basses.

So after lusting, fantasizing and saving up mucho dinero on a finely crafted $3000-$6000 bass, who actually prefers playing their mass production bass?

 

[fenderhutz]

Me.

I would never shuck out more than 1300-1500 bucks on a bass. Call it a tool, call it a work of art or whatever you want. It's a waste of money but people are free to do as they choose.

My main bass after having a literal ton of expensive and cheap basses is a MIM FrankenJazz that I use to compare all other basses to because it plays and sounds better than almost any other bass I have played to me. (Warwicks, Ernie Ball, USA Fenders, etc.)

If people want to pay the money, let them. I however like the fact I get to play my instrument to know I like the sound before I am stuck with a bass that might not sound good.

Every bass is different, as opinions.

 

[Phalex]

Strangely enough, I do. I played a Ric for years, but my MIM Hoppus P-Bass is my go to axe. I never intended it to happen, but it's comfy as all get out, sounds awesome, and I don't care so much when the lead singer whacks it with a mic stand. (Yes, it has happened more than once.)

 

[Figjam]

I like them both for what they are, however mass produced basses are what I can afford and justify. I get just as much pleasure out of them. If it is well made, has good fretwork, and sounds good, im happy. I want to feel that the bass I am playing is not limiting me. I want my limitations to be my ability, not my gear.

 

[Baird6869]

I like them both for what they are, however mass produced basses are what I can afford and justify.

+1.

I almost pulled the trigger recently on a $4000 F-Bass but after playing my 2 Sadowsky Metros while mulling the F Bass purchase over, I decided that the Sadowsky Metro is a damned fine bass, sounds just as good (but obviously different) as the F-Bass, cuts as good or better in the mix and all I really need. And at 1/2 the price.

Hard to justify bringing a $4000 bass to a $100 gig IMO. Then again so is bringing a $2000 Sadowsky!

I guess the Jazz style of basses (and Stingrays) are just my style.... and I am trying to never spend more than $2000 on a bass. Hopefully I can stick with that!

 

[rodl2005]

Me too. I s'pose if I COULD actually afford one & that "boutique Luthier" actually BUILT sumthin that I totally designed, I MIGHT change my mind.... but all the boutique basses I've seen I think Look "BLAH" IF I DID design one it'd probly end up looking like a Ric, or a P, a J, etc... anyway

 

[StyleOverShow]

I believe that a good musician can make musical sounds out of just about any instrument, but if I could afford a truly great one, and it would be an upright for me at this moment, I would go for it in a hot minute. There are dozens of details that are attended to in a non-production line instrument, and IMO, their sum makes a much better looking, sounding and feeling piece.

 

[JCartwright]

I'll stick with my custom gear,

After playing shuker and skjold custom basses for a couple of years i really can't see a reason to go back, these basses really give you the sound of your fingers not of a J bass or a stringray or whatever...

Going through the design process with a luthier, waiting all that time for it to built, and then receiving an instrument which is unique and incredibly resonant, that isn't an experience you can get from any off the wall production bass.

Just my two cents though...

 

[lorenk]

+1.


Hard to justify bringing a $4000 bass to a $100 gig IMO.

+1000000000

plus...i just dont feel punk rock playing something that costs two months pay

 

[unclejane]

This is not meant to be a slam to any higher end bass owner(s). I figured since there are players who like for example, a MIM Jazz over its MIA counterpart. Why not ask the same of owners of boutique basses who also own regular off the shelf basses.

So after lusting, fantasizing and saving up mucho dinero on a finely crafted $3000-$6000 bass, who actually prefers playing their mass production bass?

I've found that I sound the same on both boutique/high end instruments and low to mid quality mass produced instruments.

There are mild differences in tone, say when I'm playing my tobias 6 string (tho mass produced, definitely a high-end instrument) vs my G&L's, but overall it's the same mud and out-of-time playing on both .

My tobias basic 6 string was the most expensive effort so far to find a bass that would make me a better player and I can confidently say that plan didn't work. Fortunately, I got it used for about 1200, but sure enough it didn't turn me into Steve Bailey by a long shot.

My G&L L2500 is my main bass at this point and the one I prefer to play. Even it is higher quality than my abilities can justify.

Apart from the justification issue (i.e. what my hands really deserve ), I haven't played a boutique instrument yet that I like more than anything else. So I go for the midrange quality basses myself.

If I were gigging and became a better player that might change, but not right now.

LS

 

[joeyl]

I assemble my own, and I also play Fenders. I cannot afford boutique yet, so I am irrelevant to the question, so please ignore me

 

[soong]

For me, its just a matter of discerning a $3000+ bass from a decent mass prodcuced bass. For me the only difference is aesthetics, so i wont spend that much.

A good, well built mass produced bass will do me!

 

[allexcosta]

Me, I've got a few boutique basses, but my Lakland DJ5 sees all the action...

 

[Brad Johnson]

Guess it depends on what boutique basses you're playing. I like lots of production basses and recommend them on a regular basis but my go to, night after night basses are almost all fairly high end. I like to let basses do what they do and the basses I use do what I want.

And since I own them, I don't have to justify using them, no matter what the gig is paying

I am on the hunt for a used Classic 50's Fender P bass.

 

[Geddy Claypool]

The most expensive bass I'd buy would be a new Ricky 4003 (if I had the funds..).

..that is, unless a Geddy Wal bass comes along.

 

[FL Knifemaker]

I've owned about a half dozen, somewhat expensive customs but play an old Ibanez P bass and a Darkstar equipped Peavey T45 most of the time. I don't play gigs. I play basses that provide the sound I want to hear.

 

[Boone3882]

The most expensive bass I'd buy would be a new Ricky 4003 (if I had the funds..).

..that is, unless a Geddy Wal bass comes along.

Same here, Ricky 4003 that's all I need. I've never played one but they sound nice. Boutique basses aren't for me. I'm currently content with my EBMM Sterling (which is my fav one atm)and Fender MIM P/j.

 

[Dr. Cheese]

All things being equal, I think most players will take the higher end instrument if they can. What is common is to see someone go from a coffee table bass to a Fender or Musicman style bolt-on. Now that boutique Fender clones are more common, going to a Fender style bass does not always mean going to a cheaper instrument.

 

[Shy Guy]

I prefer production to semi- boutique, things like MIAs (7ender) and warwicks, both of which have custom shops but also mass produce and have their special or ltd editions. (fyi I own an MIA P and a Std Corvette )

 

[bassbully]

Call me dumb but if i had big bucks to spend on a bass i would go vintage Fender...... way vintage. Its not going to happen so my MIMs will do just fine