Rayman Posted February 17, 2023 Share Posted February 17, 2023 (edited) I had this conversation last night, and thought it was valid, to a point. I was talking instrument prices with a mate, and we got to talking about whether or not one really needs to spend thousands of pounds on an instrument, when it’s perfectly possible to find a really great instrument, for a few hundred. live…. nobody cares what you’re playing, where it was made or what it cost. At all. It’s purely about your playing experience when it comes down to it. After 40yrs (😞) now of playing, my favourite two basses cost a few peanuts and they’re absolutely perfect for me. I just think the price of EVERYTHING has gone mad, and almost none of it is worth half the ticket. In my opinion of course Edited February 17, 2023 by Rayman 31 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Waddo Soqable Posted February 17, 2023 Share Posted February 17, 2023 Agreed 100%. 👍 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Muzz Posted February 17, 2023 Share Posted February 17, 2023 Need/want/relative worth... 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jakester Posted February 17, 2023 Share Posted February 17, 2023 But there are so many more variables involved than simply "it's a piece of wood". Colour, form factor, electronics, brand (and that can of worms!), association (or otherwise) with noted players, even- shock horror - the actual sound. That's like saying "a car is just metal on four wheels" or "a house is just a load of bricks". 44 minutes ago, Rayman said: After 40yrs (😞) now of playing, my favourite two basses cost a few peanuts and they’re absolutely perfect for me. And if that all works for you, perfect. But just as your particular needs for cars, housing etc might not work for anyone else, similarly their own instrument choices based on their own needs might be different to yours. Or, to put your statement another way - just because your own basses which are perfect for you cost peanuts, that doesn't mean it'll work for anyone else. If that were the case, we'd all be playing Precisions. Oh. What's that? We all are? 😉 4 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rayman Posted February 17, 2023 Author Share Posted February 17, 2023 Lol yep, and they are precisions, both 80s eastern knockoffs, and both better for me, than most Fenders I’ve had, and that’s many. but I agree with you totally, it’s horses for courses, and I might have fallen at the last fence, while the vet decides wether or not to put me to sleep. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Boodang Posted February 17, 2023 Share Posted February 17, 2023 (edited) My two fav basses; a Squier VM Jazz fretless which cost £200, and a custom jazz which cost considerably more. The difference between the two... well the Squier is awesome but the custom is sublime. All the tiny niggles on the Squier, because it wasn't made specifically with me in mind, are not there on the custom. So, to go from almost perfect to perfect is a lot more money. Is it worth it? Well for me yes. Does the audience notice? Well, not really the right question, as playing the custom is more enjoyable and because of that I probably put in a better performance. But of course, if the little things I find irritating on the Squier don't bother you, then you've found your perfect bass for not a lot. Edited February 17, 2023 by Boodang 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frank Blank Posted February 17, 2023 Share Posted February 17, 2023 It’s just a lump of wood isn’t it? Yes. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
miles'tone Posted February 17, 2023 Share Posted February 17, 2023 1 minute ago, Frank Blank said: It’s just a lump of wood isn’t it? Yes. Except the metal bits. Everything is just a load of atoms. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigRedX Posted February 17, 2023 Share Posted February 17, 2023 14 minutes ago, miles'tone said: Except the metal bits. And the plastic bits and the carbon fibre bits and all the other non wood or metal bits... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Waddo Soqable Posted February 17, 2023 Share Posted February 17, 2023 OK.. So it's several lumps of wood, bits of metal, bits of wire, bits of plastic, carbon fibre, fanatical devotion to the pope... 1 10 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vincbt Posted February 17, 2023 Share Posted February 17, 2023 24 minutes ago, Frank Blank said: It’s just a lump of wood isn’t it? Yes. Is it a lump of tonewood though? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Waddo Soqable Posted February 17, 2023 Share Posted February 17, 2023 4 minutes ago, vincbt said: Is it a lump of tonewood though? Or plywood Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheGreek Posted February 17, 2023 Share Posted February 17, 2023 If that is the case there are several fallen trees in the local woods which I can sell for £200 for 10lb. Finding the lump of wood which works for each and every one of us is far more complicated and expensive. More expensive doesn't necessarily mean "better for me". Trial and error can ruin your bank balance. 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nilorius Posted February 17, 2023 Share Posted February 17, 2023 3 hours ago, Rayman said: After 40yrs (😞) now of playing, my favourite two basses cost a few peanuts and they’re absolutely perfect for me. I just think the price of EVERYTHING has gone mad, and almost none of it is worth half the ticket. In my opinion of course Absolutely disagree to that. Just my own opinion. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
binky_bass Posted February 17, 2023 Share Posted February 17, 2023 @Rayman - I don't disagree with your point to a degree, but it's also similar to saying 'art is just canvas and a bit of paint'. If painted by me, then yes that's all it is! If painted by a master artist, then the value and the want to own is exponentially higher. I buy basses I like and enjoy owning and playing for me, not for anyone else. A Harley Benton will perform fine in most gigs and are very well made, but it's not an ACG/Conklin/Bee Bass, and never will be. A copy of a Picasso is fine, but it's not the same as owning an original. That's kinda how I see it... but as always, horses for courses! 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WinterMute Posted February 17, 2023 Share Posted February 17, 2023 Could I have continued to play a £250 OLP Tony Levin and had a much fun? Oh yes. Do I enjoy plugging the 20th Anni SR5 is and making a racket? Oh yes. Can I afford to pay a craftsman like Alan Cringean to make me a fretless bass that is a work of art and sounds brilliant? Oh yes. Are all three lumps of wood (bits of metal, bits of wire, bits of plastic, carbon fibre, fanatical devotion to the pope...) Oh yes. Lucky me eh? 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dan Dare Posted February 17, 2023 Share Posted February 17, 2023 You could extend this argument to virtually anything we buy or use. For example, I'm an angler. Do I really need a Hardy fly rod when I can buy a perfectly functional rod from China for a fraction of the price that will catch me just as many fish? No, but I can afford a Hardy or two and the pleasure of ownership is worth it. I admit I'm also a bit of a tart and like the cachet of owning nice things. I can't take my money with me when I go. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul S Posted February 17, 2023 Share Posted February 17, 2023 Need/want. Two different concepts. I have a Harley Benton PB Shorty that cost me £65 new a couple of years ago. It is a perfectly decent bass and would cover all my gigging requirements perfectly. Do I need anything else? Of course not. Well, maybe another one as back up Do I want anything else? Of course I do! Does it matter? of course not! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Happy Jack Posted February 17, 2023 Share Posted February 17, 2023 Has anyone actualy worked out the cost of the materials used in the Mona Lisa? 1 1 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Waddo Soqable Posted February 17, 2023 Share Posted February 17, 2023 15 minutes ago, Happy Jack said: Has anyone actualy worked out the cost of the materials used in the Mona Lisa? Someone gave her a good old probing to find out tho... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StickyDBRmf Posted February 17, 2023 Share Posted February 17, 2023 I'm partial to #16 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lozz196 Posted February 17, 2023 Share Posted February 17, 2023 (edited) Def need/want as @Paul S says. I want - and have - Fender US Precisions, but my needs would easily be fulfilled by Squier Classic Vibe Precisions. But the “it’s just a lump of wood”, well that could be considered a bit demeaning towards those that make the instruments. Edited February 17, 2023 by Lozz196 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Adey Posted February 17, 2023 Share Posted February 17, 2023 My bass - It's just a lump of wood? My music - It's just a load of notes..... But not necessarily played in the right order 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Earbrass Posted February 17, 2023 Share Posted February 17, 2023 WIth the possible (and I stress possible) exception of the shakey egg and the triangle, I struggle to think of any musical instrument where paying more for a "premium" model reaps a smaller advantage than is the case for the solid-bodied bass guitar. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LeftyP Posted February 17, 2023 Share Posted February 17, 2023 It's always a bonus to own nice things - bass guitars included. Will your average punter down at The Dog & Duck notice the difference in sound between an Argos special and Fodera - probably not. Most folk don't even notice bass players. Just think back in the skiffle days and the old tea chest and broom handle, it worked and no-one bothered. Should you buy an expensive bass? If you can afford it and it brings you pleasure, why not. Is it necessary - no, but if we only bought stuff that was necessary wouldn't life be a little dull? 6 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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