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Would you go boutique or vintage?

New boutique bass or vintage bass?

  • Total voters
    399
#2
Instead of buying one fantabulous bass, I rather buy a few great basses, for versatility's sake. Now that I think of it, I'd rather buy a stable of decent basses. Mmmm.
For the price of a new Alembic, I'd buy 10 or 15 of those quirky, off-brand pawn shop basses that seem to have some mysterious mojo despite the high action and whiny J pickups.
 
#4
I don't have an absolute preference, because it depends on the style of music I'm going to play. I currently have two old Fenders and 3 expensive boutiques, but the latter get a little more playing time, as they are slightly more versatile and easier to play.
If I were to buy another bass, it would be another Ritter - but that won't happen anytime soon :)
 
#6
I voted "boutique" however even with them you can get a dud. :hmm: And the worst part is ... if it's not a well known bass builder ... you're gonna loose your butt on the resale. (IMO ... it's always best to buy USED)

It's just funny how some "vintage" bass, which were considered to be "crap" back in the days that they were being made, are now commanding top $$ :rollno:

I've had both "boutique" and "vintage" ... and really don't have a preference ... it all depends on what will work better for the job at hand (without compromising on comfort and playability).
 
#7
There is no vintage alternative to this:
203tj4.jpg
 
#10
I'd rather have something built that I'm comfortable with (like the Skjold that I'm waiting on) instead of buying something vintage, unless my gig explicitly demanded something that fit that aesthetic. Even then, I'd rather have something new built and save the excess instead of paying the premium that a vintage bass demands. Old stuff doesn't hold much allure for me, with some very rare exceptions.
 
#12
I voted for boutique bass but only because I prefer more modern sounding basses. I played 63' jazz few months ago and it was killing even without the amp. I could totally understand why some people go for vintage instruments. still, it's all up to your preference and situation..plus budget I guess.
 
#16
no easy answer. given the two choices i would go "vintage". boutique is risky unless you really love it and have to have it. it is awesome to have one-of-a-kind if you dig it. the downside is what others are saying--having a reaaally pricy guitar than others may not want to take off your hands. "vintage" can be disappointing, but certain vintage guitars aren't going anywhere.
 
#17
I voted boutique, because I'd never pay the price for a real vintage piece. But it would probably be in the P or J family, like a Dingwall Super J, or Mike Lull P4. A Callowhill Infini would be cool though.

I'm perfectly happy with my recent Fenders and G&L's, so I won't be spending boutique cash any time soon.
 
#20
SpamBot said:
Instead of buying one fantabulous bass, I rather buy a few great basses, for versatility's sake. Now that I think of it, I'd rather buy a stable of decent basses. Mmmm.
For the price of a new Alembic, I'd buy 10 or 15 of those quirky, off-brand pawn shop basses that seem to have some mysterious mojo despite the high action and whiny J pickups.
Click to expand...

I'm kinda like SpamBot. If I had $3000-$4000 to blow on bass gear, I would have a BLAST hunting down and buying a half dozen really good basses that don't fall into either category. All that being said, I DO think that some boutiques are worth it (I've played a few Roscoe basses, for example, that tempted me). The only way I would spend major bucks on a vintage is if that thing PLAYED like a dream without a lot of set up work and sounded AMAZING.
 

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