Is there any real benefit to buying a brand new (£1500) bass, or should I just go for the more affordable options?

[Stub Mandrel]

1 hour ago, SimonK said:

 

Conversly I was after a Gibson ES335 a few years back, but then played an Ibanez Artcore that was a better instrument despite being a third of the price, and really couldn't see how Gibson can justify those prices! Thus said the Epiphones were pretty poor compared to both the real Gibson & Ibanez... but we are digressing...

 

I bought an Artcore. I had been thinking of spending £££ on a Gretsch and tried Ibanez out in a little shop in Ross on Wye. I asked the price and though the guy was joking at first! (N.B. little local shop had the same price as online sellers too!) I made a few changes - a Grestch pickup and a green 80s Di Marzio (mostly hidden in a brass cover), a set of Klusons off a Gibson my brother had replaced with better aftermarket ones 🤣 and a 335-style pickguard. In all honesty thee were mainly for looks/fun it was absolutely fine as supplied.

[Stub Mandrel]

2 hours ago, prowla said:

Keep the cases in case...

 

The case of the cased in cases in-case cases.

[SimonK]

17 minutes ago, Stub Mandrel said:

 

I bought an Artcore. I had been thinking of spending £££ on a Gretsch and tried Ibanez out in a little shop in Ross on Wye. I asked the price and though the guy was joking at first! (N.B. little local shop had the same price as online sellers too!) I made a few changes - a Grestch pickup and a green 80s Di Marzio (mostly hidden in a brass cover), a set of Klusons off a Gibson my brother had replaced with better aftermarket ones 🤣 and a 335-style pickguard. In all honesty thee were mainly for looks/fun it was absolutely fine as supplied.

 

Yes I also upgraded the pickups and hard ware (well bridge & nut) on my Artcore as they were cheaper components and the gold-effect tarnished quite quickly on the bridge, but I think (to stay on track with the thread) it emphasises the point that if you find a cheaper instrument that plays well you can always upgrade the hardware to get the spec similar to a much more expensive instrument. The big brand names also come with a premium that is probably only worth it for resale value.

 

Certainly Ibanez (and increasingly Sire) are two brands that make excellent instruments but at surprisingly affordable prices compared to the more famous brands.

[Beedster]

2 hours ago, SimonK said:

Certainly Ibanez (and increasingly Sire) are two brands that make excellent instruments but at surprisingly affordable prices compared to the more famous brands.

 

....and often with better QC....

[prowla]

2 hours ago, SimonK said:

 

Yes I also upgraded the pickups and hard ware (well bridge & nut) on my Artcore as they were cheaper components and the gold-effect tarnished quite quickly on the bridge, but I think (to stay on track with the thread) it emphasises the point that if you find a cheaper instrument that plays well you can always upgrade the hardware to get the spec similar to a much more expensive instrument. The big brand names also come with a premium that is probably only worth it for resale value.

 

Certainly Ibanez (and increasingly Sire) are two brands that make excellent instruments but at surprisingly affordable prices compared to the more famous brands.

It's just I've never wanted an Ibanez.

Nor a Sire (or any other Fender-a-like).

[Franticsmurf]

18 hours ago, Stub Mandrel said:

I've recently realised I am playing my £70 Harley Benton kit P-bass with a £30 Squire neck because it's so nice to play and it sounds killer...

I had a run of four dep gigs as a rhythm guitarist in the band I used to play bass in - and for three of them I used a HB kit Les Paul over a Squire Tele.

[stewblack]

On 09/03/2025 at 12:40, Allaboutthebass said:

there any real benefit to buying a brand new £1500 bass

No

[Terry M.]

On 09/03/2025 at 12:40, Allaboutthebass said:

Hey there,

 

I know this might seem like a minor issue in the grand scheme of things, but I've managed to scrape together around £1500 for a new bass.

 

It's not about any specific brand or type; it's more about the principle. While a shiny new bass would be fantastic, I can't help but think that the same amount could get me several cheaper basses, whether second-hand or entry-level. The quality of budget models has improved significantly in recent years (though they might need a bit of a fret dress). Plus, there's always the option to mod cheaper basses to suit your style.

 

So, my question is, is there any real benefit to buying a brand new £1500 bass these days, or should I just go for the more affordable options?

 

Cheers 

 

 

Are you quite fussy with regards to features or not really? If so you can eliminate quite a few basses based on just that and see what's left.

[LowB_FTW]

3 hours ago, stewblack said:

On 09/03/2025 at 12:40, Allaboutthebass said:

there any real benefit to buying a brand new £1500 bass

No

Betteridge's Law of Headlines. 😂

 

Mark

[shoulderpet]

On 11/03/2025 at 10:58, Stub Mandrel said:

 

I bought an Artcore. I had been thinking of spending £££ on a Gretsch and tried Ibanez out in a little shop in Ross on Wye. I asked the price and though the guy was joking at first! (N.B. little local shop had the same price as online sellers too!) I made a few changes - a Grestch pickup and a green 80s Di Marzio (mostly hidden in a brass cover), a set of Klusons off a Gibson my brother had replaced with better aftermarket ones 🤣 and a 335-style pickguard. In all honesty thee were mainly for looks/fun it was absolutely fine as supplied.

I am tempted by the Artcore AGB200, there's a lot to like, SG body shape, binding, short scale, the only thing stopping me from pulling the trigger is that I am not after a thumpy tone so I suspect I would need to use quite a lot of EQ to get my current mid heavy tone but for £500ish I am still really tempted.

[Woodinblack]

4 hours ago, shoulderpet said:

I am tempted by the Artcore AGB200, there's a lot to like, SG body shape, binding, short scale, the only thing stopping me from pulling the trigger is that I am not after a thumpy tone so I suspect I would need to use quite a lot of EQ to get my current mid heavy tone but for £500ish I am still really tempted.

 

They are pretty thumpy

[kwmlondon]

Is it worth spending £1500 on a new bass? Well… that depends. If the bass you really want costs that much then yes. If you can find something you like that does what you want it to for less then no.