Right, he bought one because it was cheap and he couldn't afford a Fender or Ric, at that time.
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Why worry about price?
- Thread starter Dr. Cheese
- Start date
I'm on a couple message boards (other than this one) and I'm just REALLY tired of the threads worrying about the cost of instruments.
I honestly think that a significant portion of the people who are into guitars or basses are mainly interested in getting a "score" more than fulfilling any musical or creative need. Also, at my little repair shop, I get a ton of people who just drop by to say, "Lookee what I just got, and I only give $$ for it! WooHoo!!!"
Frankly, I could care less what (my or especially anyone ELSE'S) bass cost. But I couldn't even really tell you what most of my basses cost me. I don't look at them as dollar signs or investments, I don't weigh their worth by how much they cost. And I'm neither impressed or envious if anyone has a 10 grand instrument. Good for them!
I honestly think that a significant portion of the people who are into guitars or basses are mainly interested in getting a "score" more than fulfilling any musical or creative need. Also, at my little repair shop, I get a ton of people who just drop by to say, "Lookee what I just got, and I only give $$ for it! WooHoo!!!"
Frankly, I could care less what (my or especially anyone ELSE'S) bass cost. But I couldn't even really tell you what most of my basses cost me. I don't look at them as dollar signs or investments, I don't weigh their worth by how much they cost. And I'm neither impressed or envious if anyone has a 10 grand instrument. Good for them!
Ya, but it is nice to have a few other options. I mainly play an old Ric in my 60's cover band. But also do gigs with a pop oriented band that has many key changes in songs....for that I pull out the 5 String jazz bass.....and of course I have a P bass with flats because it's the law.
Those instruments are so pricey they can’t afford multiple instruments. If Fodera and Alembic were our only options we likely wouldn’t have bass harems.
buldog5151bass
Kibble, milkbones, and P Basses. And redheads.
Isn't that point of this thread - the price? If people stopped looking at a bass as an accessory, but their tool, having a collection would not be important. I see lots of threads here where bassists have a collection of (for example) precision basses - the primary difference being color and other cosmetic options. When is the last time you saw a carpenter with a collection of different colored claw hammers?
I'm more worried about reading here at TB " I could care less" over and over, it's "Couldn't" people
You "could" care less, isn't drawing the line in the sand like you think you are
You "could" care less, isn't drawing the line in the sand like you think you are
I remember when I bought my fretless RSD last summer. More than a few people said they would not buy one because the peghead does not say Sadowsky. Many people are waiting for this year’s version because they will be labeled Sadowsky. Headstock labels have made a difference to me at times too, so
I cannot criticize anybody for that attitude.
I just say close your eyes and ask if you can hear the label on the headstock.
I cannot criticize anybody for that attitude.
I just say close your eyes and ask if you can hear the label on the headstock.
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Why do the "basses are tools" people get so butt hurt over collectors? Are you a only a real player if you have the same two basses you've had for 30 years? Geddy and Entwistle have/had HUGE collections, and they're pretty serious players. Give it a rest.
I don't know, but I'll take a stab at an answer.
- I don't think anyone is butt hurt.
-If people want to spend their time collecting basses and obsessing over prices and bench racing specs on the internet, more power to them. But some people are annoying about it. As in, constantly popping into threads about modding and feeling the need to offer their unsolicited remarks about "resale value". Seems that "collectors" have a hard time understanding the mindset of people who like to mod and people who see their bass as a tool and bought it to play it. Those types aren't butt hurt, just trying to explain to the collectors to shut up about resale value already.
-As far as I know, Geddy didn't get into collecting until much later in his career. He pretty much recorded and toured most of their earlier albums with just a few basses. Plus, No one here is Geddy or Entwistle, so I'm not really sure how that fits into the conversation.
I am for folks enjoying their basses in whatever way their basses give them joy.
My concern with starting this thread is to not let obsessing over pricy gear keep a player from learning and improving.
I don't know. My father-in-law has a ton of tools in his garage. He's too old to even be messing about fixing stuff, but he loves picking random stuff up whenever he's in a Lowe's or Home Depot. Guy just loves tools, I guess.
But come on, looking at musical instruments as merely tools isn't fun. Sure, it's a tool for artistic expression. But it's also artistic expression itself (of the builder). Basses/guitars come in many finishes, wood materials, and shapes because they are both tool AND accessory. I'm not into cars, but I can see the appeal of unique sports cars in crazy colors. Not for me, but they look fun. Music is fun too, it's not just a "job".
I think some misunderstood that to mean a few other things, entirely. That's the internet for you!
I think Dr. Cheese's point is that quality bass guitars are available at all price points. The same cannot be said for violins, cellos, etc. A $1000 violin would likely be considered unacceptable by a professional violinist.
+1. I've always considered resale value to be a minor consideration unless we're talking about a valuable vintage instrument. If it hurts resale value but you wind up with a better instrument, go for it!
However, some people do need to be reminded that their "upgrades" won't increase resale value.
I've been buying basses since the 70's and I've always seen the same things:
Really good instruments are never cheap, whether in 70's money or 2020's money, new or used.
But there have always been bargains to be had for guys willing to learn the market and wait till the right price on the right axe comes along.
GAS, and getting in the Reach for My Wallet Now/I Gotta Have It Right Now panic applies the first point to any and everything, and always kills the second point. And is always more expensive in the long run.
Really good instruments are never cheap, whether in 70's money or 2020's money, new or used.
But there have always been bargains to be had for guys willing to learn the market and wait till the right price on the right axe comes along.
GAS, and getting in the Reach for My Wallet Now/I Gotta Have It Right Now panic applies the first point to any and everything, and always kills the second point. And is always more expensive in the long run.
I'm a huge TB fan when learning of whats available, when and where. Not a fan of TB when peeps tell me why they like or dislike it, or why I should like or dislike it, especially dislike lol. I buy on visuals first, then go from there, I know this is a 180 from lots of TBr's, but if i'm not liking the way it looks, then i'll never give it the proper bonding attempt, just being honest.
I'm thinking of Ritter Basses, some of them look like works of art and would be right at home hanging on a wall.
Depending on whom you consider a "professional". Slam Stewart and Chubby Jackson were known to play Kay basses. I consider them "professional"
