Why do "WE"...

[J Gold]

Wrong forum- mods please move to “posting while high”.

No offense OP, but your perhaps valid and honest point is getting lost in your delivery...

 

[SirMjac28]

Because I'm a poser Sir and curses for making me admit that to the world!!

 

[Smallmouth_Bass]

I once had a teacher who was often asked why he didn't have a custom bass (he had two electric basses, 4-string and 5-string production basses). He said he didn't need one and the ones he had did everything he needed them to do.

I am sure there are many reasons some people go the custom or boutique route: They want something unique that nobody else has, or they can't get the sound, feel or quality out of production models available.

Reasons not to: budget, no need.

 

[Cutter8]

This is NOT another CHEAP/VS/EXPENSIVE thread. Just to be CLEAR.

 

[MatchFive]

I like my $300 SBMM SUB4 StingRay.. I also liked my $350 pawn shop acquired Spector Legend. I personally don't see a reason to spend $7000 on a bass, but if that makes someone happy then go for it.

 

[swink]

I hAve A cheAP kEYBOArd anD my CapS dOESn't dO whAT I wANt bUT I DO haVE aN eXpENSivE BASs

 

[equill]

Here's one back at the OP: who are you, that any of us need to justify ourselves to you? What's your position of authority here?

 

[dkelley]

Some folks appreciate the design, feel, workmanship, and subtle details that go into elite basses. Some folks don't, and think a Fender, which might sound and play fantastically, is all that matters to them.

I certainly appreciate gorgeous exotic instruments, and I love an exceptionally well finished instrument with ridiculously perfect fret edges, tiny subtle details in the way the neck butt ends, I love necks that are thinner on the G string side than the E (B) string side... I love electronics that give me excessive control over the tone, and I like tiny little details like hand made purfling, certain screw colors and finishes, little wood grain details that are there because the builder chose that piece of wood for that specific reason.....

However I'm quite happy with any cheap instrument too, if it plays well and sounds good.

I have actually met bassists who are very literally, even actually admitting to compensating for lack of ability with very expensive basses. But that's their choice, and it's not like they'll get far that way, but if it makes them happy and they can afford it - whatever.

 

[Sixgunn]

Some people like BMW’s. Some are fine with a Chevy. I have several basses that some might call expensive. All of them added up don’t come anywhere close to what a modest new car costs. A modest upright Asian piano costs about what all my basses cost. Even expensive basses are relatively cheap. And nowadays, even cheap basses can be very good. Play something you like that you can afford. Don’t worry about what my instruments cost.

BMW guy here!

 

[bucephylus]

...well... WHY DO some of You need to have "better/nicer" basses, than the PLAYERS that didn't NEED to have a "boutique/custom", in order to get "their SOUND" that You're "chasing?"

Not putting anyone, on "the spot." Just curious...

I "HOPE" that this thread ENDS SOON, with... "TO GET THE SOUND THAT IS ALL MY OWN."

If you walked into a shop and played an instrument that sounded “better” than the bass you are currently playing, wouldn’t you want to own it?

Of course some players have a bit more shading towards collecting; but, most players are simply seeking the best instrument they can afford. Been that way with musicians for centuries and not about to change any time soon. Just try suggesting to a pro orchestral player that they really can just get by with a plywood instrument. I mean, they could; but, that would be not to the point of things.

Most musicians try to play that instrument which best fits the gig.

My $0.019, FWIW.

 

[Spidey2112]

Instead of a single day for tacos, I move that we add an entire taco meal to every day.

Motion granted... addendum to follow.

 

[kesslari]

 

[MYLOWFREQ]

I play what I play because I like the sound, feel, and the look. I make sure it's durable and affordable. Passive p and j bass types fit the bill for me. I think any instrument over a grand is overpriced for a j/p like instrument that has an alder/ash body w/ maple neck and maple/rosewood fingerboard, etc.

Why do people like boutique/custom basses over passive basses? Probably because of the same reasons I do.

 

[fhm555]

I play what I play because Turdly McFurgerson of The Third Story Cat Burglars on Thorazine plays one just like it, except mine has different pickups, different control setup, different finish, wood, and scale length. His is a Cheap Knockoff© series of a Gull Wing Freedom bass and mine is a one off custom made limited edition platinum Gull Wing Super Duper Exceptionally Free bass, (number 116,362 of only 1,000,000,003 ever produced) hand made by children chained to workbenches in Craplacistain and infused with an oil made from seagulls boiled down to a paste, then thinned with a mixture of benzine and foam skimmed from a pot of boiling used Pampers.
Much as I love my new bass I'm having trouble getting that Turdly sound I was so in love with when I heard the first Burglars album. I recently learned the Knockoff© bass McFurgerson plays was soaked in a mixture of pulverized Ox brains and water. Can you believe it? plain old water. I can't believe the Gull Wing people would foist off such an obvious scam on the bass buying public.

 

[socialleper]

Is THERE something "wrong" with your KEYboard?

I play the instruments I play because I like the way they sound and feel. Looks matter a little to me as well. I have to want to play a bass. It just so happens that many inexpensive basses don't do what I want.

 

[rjovin]

Kinda interesting to look through OP’s posting history and see the “Wanted” postings.

Damn it, now i must look!

 

[db59]

Why are you YELLING?

SO I CAN GET MY POINT ACROSS!!
Indeed..
.

 

[BarfanyShart]

If I got a custom it would be because I play short scale, tuned in fifths, I like piezos, plus I want a couple different kinds of pickups with specific blend options, and I need a fretless with an unlined ebony board, with a deep cutaway, and I would really like it with a nitro TV yellow finish, no relicing, no pickguard.
Could I rip the frets off a Ibanez Mikro and have just as much fun, sure, but that's not EXACTLY what I want.

 

[Nephilymbass]

...well... WHY DO some of You need to have "better/nicer" basses, than the PLAYERS that didn't NEED to have a "boutique/custom", in order to get "their SOUND" that You're "chasing?"

Not putting anyone, on "the spot." Just curious...

I "HOPE" that this thread ENDS SOON, with... "TO GET THE SOUND THAT IS ALL MY OWN."

Because I’m humble enough to know I need all the help I can get

 

[Adjectives]

I have 3 basses. My first was my Indonesian Schecter Diamond series 4 string; it's still comfy/familiar to me and is my home/practice bass. (I think it cost $250 used a decade ago at GC) recently got a MiK Spector 5 string jazz. It was $300 used, and once I had it set up my Mike Lull's(Paul actually) it plays phenomenally.

My 75' P came into my life during my highest income earning year to date. I was looking for something nicer with a sound I liked. The moment I played it, there was something about it. Went back to play it 4-5 times over a month, even my violinist wife commenting on how dark and beautiful it sounded. The flats on it are most likely the original strings as it belonged to a Seattle jazz guitarist (Al Turray) and was just a studio bass it's whole life.

Needless to say after some haggling I paid $1,800 with tax and all. I feel it was SO worth the money and I'm glad I was in a place to buy such an expensive(in my opinion) instrument. It has no monetary value to me now, it's just my instrument.