Let's see your BASS!

[Jwar]

Let me ask you this gents. Do you feel that more expensive basses play better? That's a serious question. I have people tell me that they do, but then I've owned a cheap and expensive bass and have found that generally the more expensive, the nicer it plays. Not always the fact, but it seems that way. I kind of want a Fender just for some jazz tones. But I hate the MIM basses. Why? I think it's because I'm American and my thinking is fucked. I think that things can't be quality outside of the US. You know, even though I drive a Tundra and absolutely detest rednecks. Help me gents. Help me.

[Achtane]

They aren't better by default, but to a point I think the build quality, parts used and such are generally going to be better as the cost increases. About playability, I think that mostly depends on the overall setup and whether the neck sucks or not. A better overall build gives a higher potential to have a setup that works perfectly for you, but you can also find some really nice cheaper basses...maybe you'd just have to look around a little more.

I like cheap basses though. $550 is my absolute limit. I'm more into fixing up something cheap and making it work. I'm okay with "good enough" rather than trying to make it perfect (or paying more for something that is), I mean, I try to get it as close as possible but if something's a little off...if it's within reason, that's alright. I don't think that style works for most people though. Probably with one truly nice instrument you wouldn't have to worry about much.

Just get a CV Squier yo

[Mudfuzz]

Let me ask you this gents. Do you feel that more expensive basses play better? That's a serious question. I have people tell me that they do, but then I've owned a cheap and expensive bass and have found that generally the more expensive, the nicer it plays. Not always the fact, but it seems that way. I kind of want a Fender just for some jazz tones. But I hate the MIM basses. Why? I think it's because I'm American and my thinking is fucked. I think that things can't be quality outside of the US. You know, even though I drive a Tundra and absolutely detest rednecks. Help me gents. Help me.

The last two fenders I played was a MIC Squire 54 style P and a MIA J... the Squire won... by a long way..
I am not a fan of MIA fenders...
I own 2 Burnys [Japanese] that are gibson copies that make most gibsons you play these days seem like epi's..
ect
On the other hand my 77 Ric and my 74 P...

so.. um.. yeah... or something...

[theavondon]

I think that good basses are good basses. The price tag tends to not correlate too often. I just get what feels great.

[Jwar]

I've got two crappy basses I could fix up. My Jackson annoys the fuck out of me because the truss rod is fucking retarded and require a certain kind of tool to adjust it. So it plays fine for the most part but you can't really play fast on the neck like I can on my MM. I've almost considered getting a new neck for that one, you know like a franken bass or something. I also have an old shitty bass that's out of commission that I'm not even using. Same issue. Truss rod is old an shitty as fuck. Needs adjustment like nobody's business but have no clue how to get it done.


I used to have a MIM Fender Precision and I fucking hated the way it played. I played a MIA in Guitar Center recently and it played totally different. Fell in love actually.

Pics of my Crestline (Grabber clone it looks like)




See where the truss rod adjustment is? Why! Why can't all bass makers be smart with placement like Ernie Ball? My God their truss rods are cake to adjust. But this fucker? Nope.


Jackson bass. Great bass, but the truss rod is annoying and the pick ups are too quite.

[nad]

Expensive does not always equal good. I've played some expensive instruments that were SHIT. Sure it took a long time to make, so I get the whole man hour cost, and material cost, and blah blah blah. But if the luthier doesn't know what they are doing? Not worth it.

I've also played some expensive basses that were clearly SUPERBLY built but were bland as hell to play. So what's the point there? Craftsmanship does not always equal good mojo. Although playability might be better, which is good, but that doesn't necessarily lead to creativity.

Currently I'm fortunate to have some spendy basses that also just drip with good vibes. They feel great, sound killer, inspire me, and are built well. Win, win, win, win.

And I also have an old beat up Tokai which might be the best sounding Jazz I've ever played, and it cost half of what the opening deposits were on most of my basses. Hooray!

[theavondon]

I kinda dig that grabber clone...

[masked elwood]

New Bass Day! Night!
Neck was a joint venture between Electrical and Rustoleum.
That low G fucking destroys.
no that's not a pipe

AWESOME!!!!!! just awesome....

I think that good basses are good basses. The price tag tends to not correlate too often. I just get what feels great.

i agree. good wood is easy to find. with CNC i think nearly anyone is capable of making a good instrument these days. hardware is becoming the deciding factor. while i do not have problem with the quality on american fender, the price difference between the low line and the high end is just too big. where is the middle ground?
the biggest problem these days (on new guitar) is the hardware. it's overlooked and very important. fuck even changing that plastic nut will be a big improvement.
still though....you have to admit, it's easy to get a gig-able guitar these days for cheap

that crestline is kool as it gets.

[Grrface]

I kinda dig that grabber clone...

For serious.

As far as the cheap v expensive thing, I've found that I love playing cheap basses. Means I don't have to worry about them getting all beat up and stuff. It might take a little more tweaking and setup to get them to playing real nice, but still cheaper than going for an expensive bass, IME.

[Jwar]

I seriously love you guys. Like in a queer way.

No but you make me realize I should try more stuff out before making rash, uneducated, ass clown decisions. Thanks!

[warwick.hoy]

Yeah,....

You can make a budget bass play and sound great with a little investment.

I remember first hopping on TB and seeing guys hot rodding SX basses and taking them from Toys to being great players (by all accounts).

If you aren't capable of doing it yourself or are prohibited by lack of tools,....take it to a tech.

[Jwar]

Any thoughts on Roscoe basses? Anyone owned one?

[Derelict78]

Peavey t-40 plays like a much more expensive bass

[MaxMaps]

Any thoughts on Roscoe basses? Anyone owned one?

I love you. You have mega gas like nobody other <3

Everyone has a preference, for some it can be a POS and others fodera and what not.

It comes down to things like this, or this is the case for me.

-How it sits when I play sitting down and standing up.

-Sound (duh)

-feel. Some basses feel like utter crap.

-and looks. I know its vain but its part of being a musician =P

price tag is all a matter of debate.

[Jero]

Peavey t-40 plays like a much more expensive bass

Peavey stuff=sleeper goods

Edit: just looked at roscoe basses...for that price ($3000+ for a 4string) it better sound/play like no other, and cook me breakfast/lunch/dinner. I dunno, maybe it's because I've never owned a bass that cost more than $500. I've played a few that were worth tons however. Anything over $1500 for a guitar just seems uber excessive to me.