Worst value for money bass ever?

[Annoying Twit]

Which is the worst value for money bass ever? Something that costs a bomb but is utter sh*te.

[Poltergeist]

PRS's.... some Jacksons... meh...

[dDigitalPimp]

rics seem to be pretty polarizing and are getting up there in prices.

 

also some of those new exotic wood spectors cost $5000+ which seems crazy to me. could they really sound THAT much better than the $1500-$2000 variety?

[mlwarriner]

starts with a g.

 

ends with an ibson.

[seraphim7s]

I certainly don't think Gibson competitively prices their basses (or anything for that matter). And considering how little attention they give their bass range, I think

[solderjunkie]

Acoustic-guitar people will spend up to ten grand for an acoustic. I understand that the "tone" comes from the wood and craftsmanship, but does a $10,000 guitar really sound that different than a $1,000 guitar?

 

Does it sound $9,000 better?

 

I can't see spending more than a grand for a bass... ever. Even my upright was less, it was $800 (used, of course).

 

I estimate 95% of the tones from my electric bass come from my playing style, pickups, pickup-placement, strings, amp, EQ, cabinet... in that order.

 

Exotic woods, bizarre shapes, 24-fret necks, super preamps, 6+ strings, etc... have no place in my hands. Give me a well-beaten Fender, I'll be much happier.

 

Back to the original topic...

 

You want to see a worst-value bass?

 

Look for the lawyer wannabe-bassist-poser who bought a really expensive axe because he had the cash to burn. It hangs on the wall in his office and looks really good next to the Harley he only rides 30 miles a year

[tylytle]

Acoustic-guitar people will spend up to ten grand for an acoustic. I understand that the "tone" comes from the wood and craftsmanship, but does a $10,000 guitar really sound that different than a $1,000 guitar? Does it sound $9,000 better ? I can't see spending more than a grand for a bass... ever. Even my upright was less, it was $800 (used, of course). I estimate 95% of the tones from my electric bass come from my playing style, pickups, pickup-placement, strings, amp, EQ, cabinet... in that order . Exotic woods, bizarre shapes, 24-fret necks, super preamps, 6+ strings, etc... have no place in my hands. Give me a well-beaten Fender, I'll be much happier. Back to the original topic... You want to see a worst-value bass? Look for the lawyer wannabe-bassist-poser who bought a really expensive axe because he had the cash to burn. It hangs on the wall in his office and looks really good next to the Harley he only rides 30 miles a year

 

 

 

My thoughts exactly!

[mikgag]

JAF

 

[ThudMaker]

Coffee Table basses.

[greenshag]

Acoustic-guitar people will spend up to ten grand for an acoustic. I understand that the "tone" comes from the wood and craftsmanship, but does a $10,000 guitar really sound that different than a $1,000 guitar? Does it sound $9,000 better ? I can't see spending more than a grand for a bass... ever. Even my upright was less, it was $800 (used, of course). I estimate 95% of the tones from my electric bass come from my playing style, pickups, pickup-placement, strings, amp, EQ, cabinet... in that order . Exotic woods, bizarre shapes, 24-fret necks, super preamps, 6+ strings, etc... have no place in my hands. Give me a well-beaten Fender, I'll be much happier. Back to the original topic... You want to see a worst-value bass? Look for the lawyer wannabe-bassist-poser who bought a really expensive axe because he had the cash to burn. It hangs on the wall in his office and looks really good next to the Harley he only rides 30 miles a year

 

that is really not the point when it comes to high end instruments. It is more about the craftsmanship of the instrument.

[hi.flyer]

Wishbass.

[bluedogaudio]

Warwick

[Bryan316]

I'll say this.

 

Just tried two ESP basses, straight from their boxes when the store got them in two Thursdays ago. Identical builds, scale length, electronics, pickups. One was an ash body with 5-lam maple-walnut thru-neck, and spalted maple top. The other was an alder body with same 5-lam maple-walnut thru-neck, but a maple veneer and then walnut top.

 

The spalted bass was very honky and harshly bright. The walnut bass was growly, rumbling defined and not as bright. I definitely prefer the walnut-topped bass. They're dead-on identical except for wood choices.

 

Take it for what it's worth.

 

 

 

Now then. Worst value for the money. ANY Gibson T-bird, just about every BC Rich I've ever tried, and a few really unplayable Warwicks that were nowhere near worth their price tags.

[RSBro]

I would not buy another new Modulus (Quantum, anyhow).

 

I would buy another new MTD, easily.

 

I would buy a new Ritter also.

 

But that's about it.

 

The MTD is worth the $4k, all day, and then some.

[Renfield]

that is really not the point when it comes to high end instruments. It is more about the craftsmanship of the instrument.

 

Says the man with one on his wall and a Harley covered in dust in the garage.

 

I totally agree with Solderjunkie on this one.

[RSBro]

I will also say, if you haven't tried out nice upper-end instruments with varying wood combos and electronics configs, you don't know that there is a LOT of variation with those specific setups.

You personally may not care and a plastic Fender may rock your world, but there's a reason guys like Mike, Carey, Bud, Pete, etc., use the specific and usually awesome wood combinations they do, to achieve a specific result.

 

Buried under walls of Rectification no one may care or notice, but usually people who are in that scene aren't putting in custom orders for a custom Nordstrand or Benavente either.

[greenshag]

Says the man with one on his wall and a Harley covered in dust in the garage. I totally agree with Solderjunkie on this one.

 

I wish!

 

This man is stating this after having built high end guitars for Taylor in the late 90's........

[Rowka]

Some will posit that most of my basses fall into a "very bad value for the money" basses, but I would not.

[Renfield]

 

I will also say, if you haven't tried out nice upper-end instruments with varying wood combos and electronics configs, you don't know that there is a LOT of variation with those specific setups. You personally may not care and a plastic Fender may rock your world, but there's a reason guys like Mike, Carey, Bud, Pete, etc., use the specific and usually awesome wood combinations they do, to achieve a specific result. Buried under walls of Rectification no one may care or notice, but usually people who are in that scene aren't putting in custom orders for a custom Nordstrand or Benavente either.

 

 

I do agree with you to a degree. There is a definite, obvious difference when you pick up a coffee table bass and feel the difference quality and care makes. versus a plastic coated bass (which I never want to own another again, give me nitro or give me death).

 

But there is also a HUGE part of it being that the owner loves it because it was expensive and customized for exactly what they wanted, even if the reality of that instrument doesn't live up to the perceived hype. It's rare the owner admits to it, until after it's been unloaded at least.

 

Been there, done that, all I have left is the crappy T-shirt.

[solderjunkie]

side-note about expensive basses (or guitars, for that matter)...

 

I'll have no second-thoughts about slipping my Fender off and clubbing some douchebag beligerant drunk with it (happened before, likely to happen again with the dives we play). I just put it back on and continued playing. I didn't even have to tune it

 

If I had an expensive bass, and was worried about hurting it, he would have made it much further with that broken bottle.

[greenshag]

I do agree with you to a degree. There is a definite, obvious difference when you pick up a coffee table bass and feel the difference quality and care makes. versus a plastic coated bass (which I never want to own another again, give me nitro or give me death). But there is also a HUGE part of it being that the owner loves it because it was expensive and customized for exactly what they wanted, even if the reality of that instrument doesn't live up to the perceived hype. It's rare the owner admits to it, until after it's been unloaded at least. Been there, done that, all I have left is the crappy T-shirt.

 

hehehe, looking to sell that t-shirt?

[RSBro]

 

I do agree with you to a degree. There is a definite, obvious difference when you pick up a coffee table bass and feel the difference quality and care makes. versus a plastic coated bass (which I never want to own another again, give me nitro or give me death). But there is also a HUGE part of it being that the owner loves it because it was expensive and customized for exactly what they wanted, even if the reality of that instrument doesn't live up to the perceived hype. It's rare the owner admits to it, until after it's been unloaded at least. Been there, done that, all I have left is the crappy T-shirt.

 

 

I hear ya, and know the feeling. I'd buy new again for a high end bass, the one or two named, but I wouldn't have another "custom" ax made again. The honeymoon dies a lot, lot quicker than if you just get a badass one that's "stock" from the builder. It's hard to explain, but it happens.

I honestly haven't taken my Modulus out of it's case since a week after I got my MTD in.

 

That was in February.

[RSBro]

side-note about expensive basses (or guitars, for that matter)... I'll have no second-thoughts about slipping my Fender off and clubbing some douchebag beligerant drunk with it (happened before, likely to happen again with the dives we play). I just put it back on and continued playing. I didn't even have to tune it If I had an expensive bass, and was worried about hurting it, he would have made it much further with that broken bottle.

 

Blood would be a nice compliment to my green and yellow MTD!

 

"Wow, what is that? A dark maroon you had rubbed into the grain?"

 

"Nope. It's blood. You can see the guy's tooth also. It's right there imbedded by the bridge."

 

[willsellout]

 

Some will posit that most of my basses fall into a "very bad value for the money" basses, but I would not.

 

 

Only if you don't keep them.

[Annoying Twit]

But surely people can love $200 basses too. Otherwise why would so many people be giving very cheap basses 9s and 10s for sound, action fit & finish, etc. on HC reviews.