timmyo Posted March 21, 2016 Share Posted March 21, 2016 Something I've been wondering about - for a standard construction type bass (solid, twin cutaway body, bolt-on neck, fretted, standard scale length, 4 or 5 string, you know your common P/J/MM type affair) how far do we need to go before we stop seeing playability or sonic improvements ? Assume for a moment that whatever the cost/source/sophistication/brand that we are prepared to get a damn good setter-upper to set it up, what is inherent in the way these things are made that mean one price point gets you something inherently and measurable 'better' I'm guessing wood, hardware, pickups, neck profile you like - so when does about a grands worth of Warmoth that's been well set up start to get beat by a <insert brand or luthier here> of similar standard construction ? Or does it? Or does the slope level off much further down the price range than that? Interested to hear people's thoughts or experiences... ta Tim Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EssentialTension Posted March 21, 2016 Share Posted March 21, 2016 I sound roughly the same whatever I play. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
keefbaker Posted March 21, 2016 Share Posted March 21, 2016 As with all things, there's the law of diminishing returns. a £1000 bass will be LOADS better than a £200 bass, but a £2000 will be noticably better than a £1000 bass. A bad setup can kill any bass stone dead, no matter what it is, but everyone's threshold is different. Some people might not appreciate the difference between, say, a MIM Fender P and a custom shop one, and others wouldn't touch anything less than that and consider that their bottom rung. Complex question with not a single, simple answer. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
keefbaker Posted March 21, 2016 Share Posted March 21, 2016 [quote name='EssentialTension' timestamp='1458575578' post='3008729'] I sound roughly the same whatever I play. [/quote] Absolutely true that most of the tone is in your hands. I always sound like me (ie: sh*t) on a bass. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigRedX Posted March 21, 2016 Share Posted March 21, 2016 IMO improvements start as soon as you move away from bolt-on neck construction. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bertbass Posted March 21, 2016 Share Posted March 21, 2016 Improvements stop as soon as you're happy with your bass. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sunburstjazz1967 Posted March 21, 2016 Share Posted March 21, 2016 There's a lot of "bad workman blames his tools" imo. Some of the best (as in technical) players play bolt on necks with no noticeable problems, some of the best songs (as in songs I enjoy) could be played on a passive P bass copy no problem. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mykesbass Posted March 21, 2016 Share Posted March 21, 2016 [quote name='bertbass' timestamp='1458577592' post='3008757'] Improvements stop as soon as you're happy with your bass. [/quote] Nail firmly struck on head. This question is quite a common theme, I think this answer should be kept to hand for future use Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FinnDave Posted March 21, 2016 Share Posted March 21, 2016 I've been playing bass for about 45 years now, and to me a US standard fender is as good as it gets. I find a small but significant improvement from Squire to Mexican Fender to US Fender (not being snobbish, I have and gig all three) but have never played anything more expensive than a US Fender. Never felt the need to, either, there is simply nothing I would want to improve. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mingsta Posted March 21, 2016 Share Posted March 21, 2016 The next upgrade is always the one that will get you 'there'. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grahambythesea Posted March 22, 2016 Share Posted March 22, 2016 If your bass has a decent straight neck and low action, then irrespective of the price, I think you can sort most of the sound out externally either with your amp or an effects box like a Bass V-amp. I certainly don't agree that a US Fender is the ultimate! I have played some dogs out of that stable. When I got my present Jazz 5 string it was almost unplayable and needed a shim to get the neck angle right. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jazzyvee Posted March 22, 2016 Share Posted March 22, 2016 [quote name='bertbass' timestamp='1458577592' post='3008757'] Improvements stop as soon as you're happy with your bass. [/quote] Dead right however then you may find yourself wondering if your rig is doing the best for your bass. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
keefbaker Posted March 22, 2016 Share Posted March 22, 2016 You can always BE happier though. I was happy with my musicman copy for 15 years. Then I tried something else and realized there was better out there. So improvements don't stop when you're happy, it's just you've decided not to go any further down that road. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CamdenRob Posted March 22, 2016 Share Posted March 22, 2016 (edited) [quote name='keefbaker' timestamp='1458644809' post='3009292'] I was happy with my musicman copy for 15 years. [/quote] I was happy with all my gear until I joined Basschat... Edited March 22, 2016 by CamdenRob Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ahpook Posted March 22, 2016 Share Posted March 22, 2016 [quote name='keefbaker' timestamp='1458575774' post='3008731'] As with all things, there's the law of diminishing returns. a £1000 bass will be LOADS better than a £200 bass, but a £2000 will be noticably better than a £1000 bass. A bad setup can kill any bass stone dead, no matter what it is, but everyone's threshold is different. Some people might not appreciate the difference between, say, a MIM Fender P and a custom shop one, and others wouldn't touch anything less than that and consider that their bottom rung. Complex question with not a single, simple answer. [/quote] Well put - if you've got £10,000 pounds to spend on a bass then why buy the £1000 one ? You get the £2000 one. The question's complex indeed - it very much depends on how much you think things are worth and that's very subjective. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
keefbaker Posted March 22, 2016 Share Posted March 22, 2016 Yeah, I'm hoping my recent purchases will have put a massive crack in the road... At least a 20mph speed limit. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
keefbaker Posted March 22, 2016 Share Posted March 22, 2016 [quote name='FinnDave' timestamp='1458588570' post='3008915'] have never played anything more expensive than a US Fender. Never felt the need to, either, there is simply nothing I would want to improve. [/quote] I'd advise not doing so, otherwise you'll go "HOLY CRAP THERE'S THIS WHOLE OTHER LEVEL HERE" and get lost down the rabbit hole like a lot of us. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ghost_Bass Posted March 22, 2016 Share Posted March 22, 2016 [quote name='EssentialTension' timestamp='1458575578' post='3008729'] I sound roughly the same whatever I play. [/quote] Yep, i'm the same here. That's the reason why i turned my attention to Yamahas, they have "my tone" straight out without any messing in EQ knobs. The added bonus is that i don't need to shed 2k+ on a bass that will need EQ to sound the way i like. On the OP, for me the playability of a bass is down to a few factors: Weight - it needs to be comfortable Action - Needs a low action to be played without effort Neck profile - needs to fit the hand without it getting tired and allow to play fast lines Electronics - Each to his own, having the right "plug-in tone" will make life easier Overall a bass needs to sound like you want without too much trouble EQing and needs to be comfortable enough to let you play for hours and hours without physical harm to your body. Everything else is just bling to draw attention. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Schnozzalee Posted March 22, 2016 Share Posted March 22, 2016 From my experience, no bass / guitar is worth more than £1500 - I spent £3000 on a PRS and there was no improvement between that and a £1500 Yamaha (from a Player's perspective). If you bring 'Art' into it, then I would pay more for a particularly nice Facing or Paintjob etc...but that's 'Art'. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FinnDave Posted March 22, 2016 Share Posted March 22, 2016 [quote name='keefbaker' timestamp='1458649003' post='3009372'] I'd advise not doing so, otherwise you'll go "HOLY CRAP THERE'S THIS WHOLE OTHER LEVEL HERE" and get lost down the rabbit hole like a lot of us. [/quote] I don't think there's much danger of that, I've long been aware that my ability is far lower than that of my basses. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chienmortbb Posted March 22, 2016 Share Posted March 22, 2016 [quote name='CamdenRob' timestamp='1458644964' post='3009296'] I was happy with all my gear until I joined Basschat... [/quote]Amen to that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
timmyo Posted March 22, 2016 Author Share Posted March 22, 2016 [quote name='Ghost_Bass' timestamp='1458650050' post='3009389'] Yep, i'm the same here. That's the reason why i turned my attention to Yamahas, they have "my tone" straight out without any messing in EQ knobs. The added bonus is that i don't need to shed 2k+ on a bass that will need EQ to sound the way i like. On the OP, for me the playability of a bass is down to a few factors: Weight - it needs to be comfortable Action - Needs a low action to be played without effort Neck profile - needs to fit the hand without it getting tired and allow to play fast lines Electronics - Each to his own, having the right "plug-in tone" will make life easier Overall a bass needs to sound like you want without too much trouble EQing and needs to be comfortable enough to let you play for hours and hours without physical harm to your body. Everything else is just bling to draw attention. [/quote] Interesting - thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
r16ktx Posted March 24, 2016 Share Posted March 24, 2016 [quote name='CamdenRob' timestamp='1458644964' post='3009296'] I was happy with all my gear until I joined Basschat... [/quote] I joined Basschat when I was unhappy with my gear... :-) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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