Delberthot Posted March 29, 2009 Share Posted March 29, 2009 (edited) I was going to add this to the original thread but I can't find it so here it is: [url="http://www.basscentre.com/4-string-bass-guitars/fleabass-bass-guitar.html"]http://www.basscentre.com/4-string-bass-gu...ass-guitar.html[/url] It'll be interesting to read some of the first reviews to see what people are making of this. May go over to Talkbs and see if anyone there has one yet. Edited March 29, 2009 by Delberthot Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clockworkwar Posted March 29, 2009 Share Posted March 29, 2009 £500 for a bass like that, no thanks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dubs Posted March 29, 2009 Share Posted March 29, 2009 I think it looks like a toy, and that’s a bit of a joke @ £500. I thought the ethos behind this was that kids of all backgrounds should be able to learn a musical instrument so he was going to introduce an affordable instrument that kids would love and play and be proud of and blah blah blah… I quote – “I WANTED STUDENTS TO HAVE AN INSTRUMENT THEY COULD FALL IN LOVE WITH, AND I WANTED THEM TO BE ABLE TO DO IT WITH THE LIMITED MEANS THAT MOST OF THEM HAVE FOR ACQUIRING ONE”. £500 seems like a lot to me for an “affordable” instrument for people of "limited means"… I don’t know if it’s because I’m feeling a bit pessimistic today, but this seems like bullshit to me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marcus Posted March 29, 2009 Share Posted March 29, 2009 I guess it would have been a fair bit cheaper prior to the currency shift..... A year or so ago (when the idea was conceived) it may have made it closer to the £350 - £400 price bracket Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alun Posted March 29, 2009 Share Posted March 29, 2009 I agree Ben. The whole point of these basses seemed to be "affordable". Maybe they're cheaper in the US but £500 is appalling. Missed the point totally IMO. Cheers Alun Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RussFM Posted March 29, 2009 Share Posted March 29, 2009 Up to £200 it may have been ok, but it's looks far too cheap for a £500 bass, there are so many better options around for that! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jean-Luc Pickguard Posted March 29, 2009 Share Posted March 29, 2009 £500! I thought it was supposed to be a budget instrument! Any £500 bass will blow a johnson or axl out of the water easily, but would a beginner be able to or want to spend twice as much as a Squier VM-series for an ugly-shaped pukey-coloured bass just because its has Flea's name on it? I think something went badly wrong between concept and execution. It is simply priced out of the reach of its target market. I wouldn't be surprised if a few will be sold to hardcore flea/RHCP fans then the rest of the first batch will hang around until they're sold off at clearance prices then there won't be second batch. I wonder if the free DVD that comes with it is as good as his 'adventures in spontaneous jamming and techniques' one? What a totally pointless waste of £15 that was. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dubs Posted March 29, 2009 Share Posted March 29, 2009 [quote name='Jean-Luc Pickguard' post='448809' date='Mar 29 2009, 05:57 PM']I wonder if the free DVD that comes with it is as good as his 'adventures in spontaneous jamming and techniques' one? What a totally pointless waste of £15 that was.[/quote] Was that the “how to spontaneously blow smoke up your own arse whilst high” DVD? As an educational tool it’s about as much use as a banker with a fast-track teaching qualification, but for a laugh it’s alright Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gafbass02 Posted March 29, 2009 Share Posted March 29, 2009 [quote name='benwhiteuk' post='448814' date='Mar 29 2009, 06:07 PM']Was that the “how to spontaneously blow smoke up your own arse whilst high” DVD? As an educational tool it’s about as much use as a banker with a fast-track teaching qualification, but for a laugh it’s alright [/quote] LMAO!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OutToPlayJazz Posted March 29, 2009 Share Posted March 29, 2009 Hmmm... As others have said, it's far too expensive for the target audience, but it will of course initially sell in droves because it has Flea's name on it. Bag an ebay bargain in a month or two. They'll be struggling to get £200 for them! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rayman Posted March 29, 2009 Share Posted March 29, 2009 I'm disappointed in the price, but the weak pound certainly might be the reason. If it's aimed at younger players, it's missed the boat at that price. I can't afford to buy my 7 year old daughter a 450 quid bass to start her off, much as she'd love one. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steve-soar Posted March 29, 2009 Share Posted March 29, 2009 Does anyone know where they are made? I seem to remember China, then shipped back to the states for inspection and set up. So that's one hell of a round trip, with a huge carbon footprint. The whole idea of an affordable bass for £500, or dollars is disgusting, Flea should stay out of business and stick to what he knows best, making albums that are becoming progressively duller. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
karlthebassist Posted March 29, 2009 Share Posted March 29, 2009 Yuck. Yuck. Yuck. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
grumble Posted March 29, 2009 Share Posted March 29, 2009 The price isnt exactly 'intro' but I would like to try one or hear the views of someone who has before I condemn it. The blurb claims that each one is checked and set up before they are shipped out, maybe the quality control accounts for a big chunk of the price. As to the appearance, well the pink/green one is calling to me in a kind of 'in yer face' way Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rich Posted March 30, 2009 Share Posted March 30, 2009 A 'beginners' bass for 5 large? They'll sell to the spoiled Flea-fan kids of rich people, and that's about it. I think they might turn out to be the victim of a crap exchange rate. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
YouMa Posted March 30, 2009 Share Posted March 30, 2009 I like the blue and orange one ,wish i could get a fender jazz in those colours. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OutToPlayJazz Posted March 30, 2009 Share Posted March 30, 2009 Actually, thinking about it, this is priced to compete with not only your Fender Mex Standards, but also the Yamaha BB714BS Billy Sheehan signature. That would be an interesting comparison. I've just agreed to buy a 714, so we'll see which fairs best! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EBS_freak Posted March 30, 2009 Share Posted March 30, 2009 I reckon we could come up with 100 better basses for £300 let alone £500. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sean.Robinson Posted March 30, 2009 Share Posted March 30, 2009 At £500 doesn't that compete with a second hand US fender off of ebay? Cos flea is bigger than fender ¬_¬ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EBS_freak Posted March 30, 2009 Share Posted March 30, 2009 (edited) [quote name='Sean.Robinson' post='449334' date='Mar 30 2009, 11:47 AM']At £500 doesn't that compete with a second hand US fender off of ebay?[/quote] I would say at £500 it outperforms a second hand US Fender off ebay... *ducks* BGM shootout of obscene coloured basses? Edited March 30, 2009 by EBS_freak Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yorick Posted March 30, 2009 Share Posted March 30, 2009 [quote name='OutToPlayJazz' post='449238' date='Mar 30 2009, 09:54 AM']Actually, thinking about it, this is priced to compete with not only your Fender Mex Standards, but also the Yamaha BB714BS Billy Sheehan signature. That would be an interesting comparison. I've just agreed to buy a 714, so we'll see which fairs best![/quote] Go for the Yamaha.. It's already an established model, and the Yamaha quality control is great. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jmesa Posted March 30, 2009 Share Posted March 30, 2009 [quote name='steve-soar' post='448874' date='Mar 29 2009, 07:24 PM']Flea should stay out of business and stick to what he knows best, making albums that are becoming progressively duller.[/quote] lol Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Delberthot Posted March 30, 2009 Author Share Posted March 30, 2009 Does anyone know who is making these? Shine, Cort etc or a new company? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jobiebass Posted March 30, 2009 Share Posted March 30, 2009 it looks like cheep tack. £500? id rather buy a 2nd hand 'ray for that. I think ill stick to my modulus fleabass Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
josh3184 Posted March 30, 2009 Share Posted March 30, 2009 (edited) even when the pound was stronger, I wouldn't price it over £250, looks horrible imo Edited March 30, 2009 by josh3184 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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