Who prefers mass produced over boutique?

[jim777]

I have only mass produced basses, and I love them lots. They are great playing and sounding basses, no matter what they cost me.

That said, I have to honestly say that there was absolutely nothing about the Smith 6 string Elite that I played recently that held me back in any way, shape, or form. Anything that I could do I could honestly do better on that bass immediately, and I never had that happen before. It allowed me to be better than I am on any of my own basses because there was nothing about it that I had to struggle with. The action, playability, and sound were all absolutely insane. It was simply a better instrument than any I have, or have had in the past. So yeah, if I had to choose between boutique and my mass produced I'd go with boutique (if I could). And you can bet your paycheck I'd play it at $100 gigs as well, like I'd play any of my basses, no matter the 4 grand price tag.
It might have been no different from any other bass to someone else, but it was magic to me.

 

[Guest043]

After looking through all the comments, it seems to me that no one has stressed how personal the selection of an instrument can be. From $100-tens of thousands, I played an instrument that a friend or colleague has treasured as their most prized possession and been unimpressed, and vise-versa. Obviously the deciding factor many of us face when selecting a instrument is money but, as many of us have seen, money in not always the deciding factor on the instrument.

money isint always the deciding factor, but to many people it is.

to a person with a "real job" that just gigs and plays for fun, because its a passionate hobby, a $3600 bass might not be reasonable.

however to someone to plays full time, teaches, does sessions, i think any price is worth getting something that you think is "the best."

 

[Brad Johnson]

This is a strange thread. Why not ask guitar players why they'd rather play Fender Strats and Teles and Gibson LPs and SGs over boutique guitars. 90% of guitar pros would wonder at the question. We bass players may be more flexible, but at least 50% also scratch our heads at the need. The vast majoiry of great guitar tone in tunes come from those pretty standard axes. Same for great bass recordings. Unless boutique IS your sound, why would one pay $3-6K for one?

Because sound is not the only factor. It's a point people regularly miss.

 

[Jared Lash]

Because sound is not the only factor. It's a point people regularly miss.

More important than that, why would we be listening to guitar players anyway?


It's also very interesting to me that people talk about "classic" tones when at the time they were being made were anything but. James Jamerson didn't initially want to move to the electric bass. People had played a fretless before, but not like Jaco. Musicman's and their active electronics were very forward leaning basses when they came out.

My point is that it's a bit ironic to look back to those basses and tones when the people making them were looking forward with the newest gear of the day.

 

[beggar98]

There's a lot to be considered here.

The first point I'll make, and I think most would agree, is that 95% of custom basses are better overall instruments than 95% of mass-production models (my percentages may be off, but you get the point).

The second point is that what a player wants, needs and is willing to pay for is 100% (very sure about the percentage here) individual.

Finally, anyone who read the AJ cover story in this month's BP can see the value of boutique builders. The history of the 6-string bass was very interesting to read about, and without boutique shops like Carl Thompson, Ken Smith and Fodera there would be no 6er. Now there are plenty of mass-produced 6-string basses. The same can be said for active electronics. Its hard to knock the boutique side of things while you enjoy the mass-produced fruits of their innovation.

And to throw my hat into the analogy ring, I think boutique basses are like custom tailored suits. Yeah, you can buy a perfectly acceptable suit for $100-200. You can buy a very nice off-the-rack suit for $1500-2000. But a suit custom tailored to fit you, in your choice of fabric, built by a master craftsman is worth the extra money to some people. the difference in quality can't eb argued, only the difference in value.

It should also be noted that you can buy 2 suits, 2 shirts, 2 ties, 2 belts and 2 pairs of socks all for $99 at the Hollywood Suit Outlet. I recommend the royal purple 6-button single breasted with mustard shirt and tie and alligator belt. You dig?

 

[mambo4]

I'll just chime in with my reason for playing boutique gear:
personalized customer service!

If my equipment breaks, I can correspond directly with the person who made it, or who started the company, and feel confident that my concerns will be addressed on a personal level.

the fact that my bass sounds awesome and plays like butter also helps

That said, If I had spent the money on an SX p-bass clone and the rest on lessons, I would probably be a better player.

 

[Brad Johnson]

That may have been the best thing I ever read from you, Brad. I really wish we were more happy for each other, and not so bent on dogging each other's choices. Whether it is something I would want or not, I certainly respect the choices of my fellow TB'ers.

My honest take on this is that dogging someone else's choices is just a manifestation of a problem within your self. As someone who came up lusting after a Tiesco Del Ray 4 stringer because it was a huge step up from what I was playing, my attitude when I saw someone with "nicer" gear than me was never jealousy, it was always "Good for them. Maybe one day I'll be able to do the same".

Otherwise imagine how arrogant I would've been when I got my Fender Telecaster bass copy (just like Verdine's!!!... kinda ) from Western Auto (yes, the old hardware store back in the 70's).

 

[Eric Perry]

I love my Yamaha RBX765A and my Conklin Groove Tools... And my SX jazz basses as well...

But NOTHING feels and plays like my custom Conklin. It's simply amazing. I'll admit, I like the tone of my Groove Tools more (the GT jsut sounds growly and gnarly), but man, that custom is simply art. It's currently for sale, and the ONLY reason is 'cause I could use the cheddar.

 

[joemagar]

money isint always the deciding factor, but to many people it is.

to a person with a "real job" that just gigs and plays for fun, because its a passionate hobby, a $3600 bass might not be reasonable.

however to someone to plays full time, teaches, does sessions, i think any price is worth getting something that you think is "the best."

Sorry, I think you may have misunderstood. I was saying that while players are limited by their budgets, despite what things are "worth." Conversely, there are many instruments our there that defy their price tags.

I was just emphasizing that the instrument that is ideal for you may be a $3600 bass, and for someone else and $1000 Fender. One guitar player I play with has plays a $450 electric, and a $7000 acoustic, and swears by them both.

 

[Eric Perry]

Us vs. them is completely voluntary. Just be happy for what you have, work harder if you're trying to achieve more and be happy for others, period. Whatever they may prefer.

Best post of the thread, right there!

 

[JimmyM]

There's a lot to be considered here.

The first point I'll make, and I think most would agree, is that 95% of custom basses are better overall instruments than 95% of mass-production models (my percentages may be off, but you get the point).

The second point is that what a player wants, needs and is willing to pay for is 100% (very sure about the percentage here) individual.

Finally, anyone who read the AJ cover story in this month's BP can see the value of boutique builders. The history of the 6-string bass was very interesting to read about, and without boutique shops like Carl Thompson, Ken Smith and Fodera there would be no 6er. Now there are plenty of mass-produced 6-string basses. The same can be said for active electronics. Its hard to knock the boutique side of things while you enjoy the mass-produced fruits of their innovation.

And to throw my hat into the analogy ring, I think boutique basses are like custom tailored suits. Yeah, you can buy a perfectly acceptable suit for $100-200. You can buy a very nice off-the-rack suit for $1500-2000. But a suit custom tailored to fit you, in your choice of fabric, built by a master craftsman is worth the extra money to some people. the difference in quality can't eb argued, only the difference in value.

It should also be noted that you can buy 2 suits, 2 shirts, 2 ties, 2 belts and 2 pairs of socks all for $99 at the Hollywood Suit Outlet. I recommend the royal purple 6-button single breasted with mustard shirt and tie and alligator belt. You dig?

No, I don't dig. As you said, right next to the purple suit is a perfectly acceptable conservative suit in dark blue, gray or black for the same price. Maybe you won't look like a billionaire oil man, but you'll be covered in business situations.

I also don't think 95% of custom basses are better than 95% of mass produced basses, either. If that were true, everyone would play custom basses, and they obviously don't. Besides, people care way more about suits than they do basses. You might not be taken seriously if you show up for a meeting with a billionaire oil man in a $100 suit, but you can do a gig with a $100 bass and nobody will say a word to you about it except other musicians. And who cares what they think?

 

[beggar98]

Sorry, I think you may have misunderstood. I was saying that while players are limited by their budgets, despite what things are "worth." Conversely, there are many instruments our there that defy their price tags.

I was just emphasizing that the instrument that is ideal for you may be a $3600 bass, and for someone else and $1000 Fender. One guitar player I play with has plays a $450 electric, and a $7000 acoustic, and swears by them both.

It should also be noted that a pro buying a $3600 bass is also buying a $3600 tax write-off, at least in the US. Not sure what effect that has on someone's decision...

 

[peterpalmieri]

I am waiting to hear the story of the well off pro with a stock Squire or SX Jazz that was so awesome it replaced a Lull, Sadowsky, Alleva, Pensa, Celinder, Custom Shop Fender and an all original '62 among others.

There have to be at least a few amazing stories...

 

[beggar98]

I also don't think 95% of custom basses are better than 95% of mass produced basses, either. If that were true, everyone would play custom basses, and they obviously don't.

They don't because of the cost. It would be interesting to see what percentage of the people who can afford a high-end bass buy boutique. Just looking at the CDs sitting on my desk right now, most of these guys can buy whatever they want, and they either play custom or vintage (or URB, but that's a whole other can o' worms).

 

[JimmyM]

It should also be noted that a pro buying a $3600 bass is also buying a $3600 tax write-off, at least in the US. Not sure what effect that has on someone's decision...

It has zero with my decisions. Even though you get a tax deduction, it's not worth as much at tax time as not spending the money in the first place IMHO. Then again, I'm a working stiff musician, and maybe if I was in a higher tax bracket, it might make more of a difference.

 

[Eric Perry]

...I also don't think 95% of custom basses are better than 95% of mass produced basses, either...

Nor do I.

 

[Handyman]

There is never a need to justify the price point of any bass, IMO.

Please explain this to my wife. Please?

 

[Brad Johnson]

No, I don't dig. As you said, right next to the purple suit is a perfectly acceptable conservative suit in dark blue, gray or black for the same price. Maybe you won't look like a billionaire oil man, but you'll be covered in business situations.

I also don't think 95% of custom basses are better than 95% of mass produced basses, either. If that were true, everyone would play custom basses, and they obviously don't. Besides, people care way more about suits than they do basses. You might not be taken seriously if you show up for a meeting with a billionaire oil man in a $100 suit, but you can do a gig with a $100 bass and nobody will say a word to you about it except other musicians. And who cares what they think?

I just wear my $100 bass and a smile whenever I have my meetings with billionaire oil men. It's a tradition.

 

[Brad Johnson]

Please explain this to my wife. Please?

First, you need to understand that.

 

[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?

Wow, I didn't expect that this thread would turn out this way, seriously. I think many have offered some great experiences but others have tried to turn it into an "US vs Them" debate.

I'm not saying is one better than another. I'm not saying that guys who buy boutique are wasting their money. All I was asking was if after spending a large of money on a boutique bass did anyone still prefer playing their mass produced bass over the boutique, that's it. I'm really sorry that the thread has been perverted into "us vs them". It shouldn't have been.

Why is it ok for guys to get into friendly discussions about liking their made in mexico bass vs their made in the usa, but this is seen as a personal attack. Again, I haven't had the opportunity to play a finely crafted hand made bass (as I'm sure many have not). So I asked for those who have and have been answered greatly and generously buy the majority.

again, thanks
Mike