tegs07

Haha ... oh that website should be censored they are stunning instruments... I don’t normally like single cut basses but ... https://www.alpineguitar.fr/work/11678/

Will take a look thanks and yep I have a good idea who you may be ... 😜

True but I think the US gets quite a bashing at times ... my personal preconceptions have always been shattered whenever I have been there.

Possibly true but there may be an equal amount that just want to support American companies and I have no beef with that. I can’t help but admire the pride the French have for their own products and the enjoyment they take in consuming them ...

Probably the best anecdote I have is MusicMan Stingray. I first saw/heard one of these live when Simon Gallup from The Cure played one in the mid ‘80’s. It sounded great and looked it too and I wanted one. No budget then so was stuck with a Marlin clone P bass. Fast forward a decade or so and I still couldn’t really afford one! The Indonesian made Ray’s were a possibility though. Comparing the Sub to the real deal in the shop the gulf was massive, Nothing wrong with it but nothing brilliant either. The Ray34 on the other hand well that was getting harder to distinguish but that cost a grand for an Indonesian made bass. However the money had definitely been used wisely.. in the end I got a deal on the display model and used it for years without changing a thing and it still looked and sounded great when I eventually sold it.

That is indeed worthy of a frame

And that is where some of the cost creeps in .. nothing wrong with a Ply or composite body unless you’re interested in grain, finish and weight. Cheaper machine heads and bridge are fine too if you don’t mind the finish peeling off after a year or two. Cheap pickups and electrics .. don’t know how many folks I know that have bought £300 ish pounds bass then over a year is so swapped out all of the above and added £200 to the cost... when £500 or so on the second hand market would have got them a far better bass.

I feel the same way about Harley Davidson Motorcycles. I guess this is where concepts of heritage, aesthetics and iconography kick in. Personally I don’t have the funds nor do I particularly want a custom shop Fender but if I was a highly paid banker looking for some pretty object to hang in the entrance hall that epitomised rock and roll then the custom shop Fender would do that better than a Spector ...

There’s no issue other than the fact that you’re just putting down sweeping blanket statements as fact. Edit: Don’t mean to sound as harsh as it reads. That is the trouble with written word., no tone or subtly.. that said standing by the essence of the text. Not everything Fender makes is mediocre, ash and alder are nicer than chipboard and sometimes you really do get better value when you pay more.

You must be right then if scientists say so. Bloody scientists there always sneaking in and meddling with my basses.

I I have a couple of basses that cost over £400 and can honestly say they are better made and nicer to play than the cheaper ones that I own. One is a Fender and is a lovely instrument both aesthetically and build quality.

Again this goes back to something only being worth whatever someone else is willing to pay. If the 4005’s sell then that’s what they are worth. If they don’t sell they will be discontinued and/or come down in price.

!

Something is only “worth” what someone else is willing to pay for it.

Certainly generated some heated discussion in this thread! I suspect supply and distribution issues are at the heart of the price increase. There may be a bit of the “Apple Tax” as well... when a brand has a devoted following they are willing and able to pay more. The similarities with Rickenbacker have been made... personally I think they are a bit bling and overpriced but would still love a 4001 same with Land Rover Defenders. Just because they cost a fortune and a shed load of them go nowhere near a field and are driven by City types doesn’t detract from the fact they are fantastic vehicles.

Aerodyne bought from Dave. As described, well packaged and good comms ... Cheers