View Full Version : Why does the industry constantly screw bassists?
Led_Zeppelin678
09-07-2007, 11:39 AM
Three things brought this to mind recently, the first being the cancellation of Guitar World's Bass Guitar (which I have every issue of), and the second being Line 6's total lack of support for their bass Pods .They have all sorts of upgrades and new effects and amps for guitarists, and even tones made by famous artists, but they don't have jack for bass. If you get a guitar pod, you can even buy the entire collection available in the bass pod for $50 or $100 and download it (which I wish I'd known when I bought it, I would have just got the guitar one). Also, the rediculous prices and crappy standards (in comparison w/ guitar) that are constantly being pushed on us. For instance, you can buy a good-sounding 100 watt 2 channel Marshall Half Stack with built in effects and reverb for $600. Something comparable for bassists in terms of relative features would be Ampeg's SVT450H and a 4X10 cabinet, which will cost more than twice the Marshall. You can buy guitar amps with the same exact features in a 40 watt combo for a couple hundred bucks or a raging full stack for a couple thousand, and the only real difference is volume. If we go for cheap combos, that's what they are...cheap. Tube amps for bassists are stupid hard to find (unless it's an SVT), there are probably less than 10 in mass production worldwide, and they're obscenely expensive. Tube guitar amps are the standard, and can be purchased without selling your car to fund it. Strings cost 3 to 4 times as much for us. I could go on and on.
How the crap did this become the standard?
Lack of interest I guess
supply and demand?
Led_Zeppelin678
09-07-2007, 11:44 AM
Maybe if the supply was a little better they'd sell more. If Ampeg actually made that^ amp that price, everyone and their freaking Grandma would buy one.
Maybe if the supply was a little better they'd sell more. If Ampeg actually made that^ amp that price, everyone and their freaking Grandma would buy one.
How many bassists need or want an Ampeg SVT and 4x10 though
I see your point.. but I guess it just doesn't work that way. Things like this need to shift gradually
Son of Magni
09-07-2007, 11:52 AM
I don't know fer sure, but maybe it costs more to build a 250 watt tube head than a 50 watt?
And guitar strings last for what, a week or 2? Just be glad you're not shelling out $150 for a set of silver wrapped cello strings.
BenJammin
09-07-2007, 11:56 AM
How many bassists need or want an Ampeg SVT and 4x10 though
I see your point.. but I guess it just doesn't work that way. Things like this need to shift gradually
123.
There are many, many times the number of guitarists that there are bassists.
There's plenty of gear that caters to bassists, anyway. You can get almost anything you want, if you're willing to pay for it. The more you, and others buy, the more likely the price is to come down over times. If you don't want to pay for it, well... happy waiting.
And guitar strings last for what, a week or 2?
Also true. Good luck getting a set of guitar strings that'll last for 2 years (unlike one of my old sets of Elixirs).
Led_Zeppelin678
09-07-2007, 11:57 AM
Peavey sells their 200 watt bass head for like 900, which is the same price as Ampeg's V4BH tube bass head. I think that more or less they just charge you more for the tubes because for some reason they can.
The prices are high because there is alot less competition and they still need to make profit. Of course a bassist wants QUALITY while a guitarists and something shiny with a distortion pedal.
Led_Zeppelin678
09-07-2007, 12:02 PM
My friend has the Marshall I was talking about and yes, it is shiny, but it also sounds freaking great.
Chilifanthatsme
09-07-2007, 12:25 PM
100 Marshall Half Stack with effects and reverb? That'll be the MG which is the lowest model which is rubbish for anything other than home use, so of course it will go for that low amount. A good one will be much more, especially in America as they're English made.
Pods - Iuno, maybe they don't think people use effects or amp sims. for bass as much as they do for guitar?
WhoDidTheElf
09-07-2007, 12:29 PM
Three things brought this to mind recently, the first being the cancellation of Guitar World's Bass Guitar (which I have every issue of), and the second being Line 6's total lack of support for their bass Pods .They have all sorts of upgrades and new effects and amps for guitarists, and even tones made by famous artists, but they don't have jack for bass. If you get a guitar pod, you can even buy the entire collection available in the bass pod for $50 or $100 and download it (which I wish I'd known when I bought it, I would have just got the guitar one).
I think it's because there are more guitarists in general and almost every single guitarist uses some fx, while not the same can be said about bassists.
Also, the rediculous prices and crappy standards (in comparison w/ guitar) that are constantly being pushed on us. For instance, you can buy a good-sounding 100 watt 2 channel Marshall Half Stack with built in effects and reverb for $600. Something comparable for bassists in terms of relative features would be Ampeg's SVT450H and a 4X10 cabinet, which will cost more than twice the Marshall. You can buy guitar amps with the same exact features in a 40 watt combo for a couple hundred bucks or a raging full stack for a couple thousand, and the only real difference is volume. If we go for cheap combos, that's what they are...cheap. Tube amps for bassists are stupid hard to find (unless it's an SVT), there are probably less than 10 in mass production worldwide, and they're obscenely expensive. Tube guitar amps are the standard, and can be purchased without selling your car to fund it. Strings cost 3 to 4 times as much for us. I could go on and on.
Idk man, I can't think of any serious guitarist that will by a SS combo, those things blow for the most part.
Then you have squires new line of basses that's just amazing for the money. Along with SX/Rondo basses which aren't that half bad.
To get a full tube bass amp it will cost you more than a guitar, but that's simply because you can count the number of makers of tube bass amps on one hand. While for guitar it's a huge wad of them.
My friend has the Marshall I was talking about and yes, it is shiny, but it also sounds freaking great.
I really hope you're not talking about the marshal MG half stack...That thing sounds like absolute dog ****, I'm sorry.
Blue_Moon
09-07-2007, 12:40 PM
well at least your not a left handed bassist, then you could get super screwed, theres just more gutiarists so they get catered for more, supply and demand ima leftie so i gota work a lil bit harder to get what i want, but i got a lovely set up now
one of the friends has an svt from years ago, he had to repair it quite a bit but it is honestly the best sound ive ever heard going through and 8x10 its amazing...
and the stack u mentioned was the MG ones, every guitarist knows to steer well celar of them by now, But if u wrok with it it can be a decent sound, but its not that great at all... and suually for practice... most solid states are/should be just used for practice at most, if ur serious in any way uneed some sort o tube amp and invest a good bit their sound is 100 times better
ive 6 gutiars and usually have 3 on the go at one time, so thats 30€ at least for a month of strings! 2 years for bass strings sounds good to me :p
edgebass5
09-07-2007, 12:43 PM
Amps cost more for bassists because of the much larger size required. Larger amp, more parts, larger parts, more involved, more costs.
Strings cost more because there's much more mass in a set of bass strings than a set of guitar strings.
Guitar World's Bass Guitar... Obviously they weren't competing with Bass Player which is doing quite well so they couldn't justify keeping it going. This isn't them screwing over bassists, its a company looking out for its own profitability. If cost > profit than you need to stop producing it.
Tube bass amps... This is simply a case of what the majority of bassists are buying. It goes back to the Guitar World thing... Profitability. Clearly SS bass amps are more profitable than tube ones so more are made. Your post makes several inferences towards tube amps being better, which is a matter of opinion, not fact.
edgebass5
09-07-2007, 12:45 PM
2 years for bass strings sounds good to me :p
Who in there right mind leaves bass strings on for 2 years? :amaze: I change mine about once every 2 weeks or so! Unless you're trying to do a James Jamerson impersonation I would think that 2 years on a set of strings is a horrible idea :lol:
Blue_Moon
09-07-2007, 01:03 PM
lol i know lots of people who leave them on for aaaaaaaaaages, and some who just boil them.... i personally cant do it, maybe they just dont take their playing/sound as serious, it is icky leaving them on for that long
rh15951
09-07-2007, 01:08 PM
I've had the same strings on for 3 months :(
TS: If you actually thought about this, you could make an entire set of guitar strings out of a bass E string...
Left Shoe
09-07-2007, 01:10 PM
Three things brought this to mind recently, the first being the cancellation of Guitar World's Bass Guitar (which I have every issue of), and the second being Line 6's total lack of support for their bass Pods .They have all sorts of upgrades and new effects and amps for guitarists, and even tones made by famous artists, but they don't have jack for bass. If you get a guitar pod, you can even buy the entire collection available in the bass pod for $50 or $100 and download it (which I wish I'd known when I bought it, I would have just got the guitar one). Also, the rediculous prices and crappy standards (in comparison w/ guitar) that are constantly being pushed on us. For instance, you can buy a good-sounding 100 watt 2 channel Marshall Half Stack with built in effects and reverb for $600. Something comparable for bassists in terms of relative features would be Ampeg's SVT450H and a 4X10 cabinet, which will cost more than twice the Marshall. You can buy guitar amps with the same exact features in a 40 watt combo for a couple hundred bucks or a raging full stack for a couple thousand, and the only real difference is volume. If we go for cheap combos, that's what they are...cheap. Tube amps for bassists are stupid hard to find (unless it's an SVT), there are probably less than 10 in mass production worldwide, and they're obscenely expensive. Tube guitar amps are the standard, and can be purchased without selling your car to fund it. Strings cost 3 to 4 times as much for us. I could go on and on.
How the crap did this become the standard?
does supply and demand mean a damn thing to you? this is a stupid thread.
rh15951
09-07-2007, 01:12 PM
does supply and demand mean a damn thing to you? this is a stupid thread.
:lol:
Blue_Moon
09-07-2007, 01:16 PM
stern... but fair :chug:
BenJammin
09-07-2007, 01:31 PM
Who in there right mind leaves bass strings on for 2 years? :amaze: I change mine about once every 2 weeks or so! Unless you're trying to do a James Jamerson impersonation I would think that 2 years on a set of strings is a horrible idea :lol:
Hey now.
I left my Elixirs on for 23 months, and they were fantastic right up until I changed them. I only changed them because I broke my high C
So... :p
trumpeter
09-07-2007, 02:36 PM
does supply and demand mean a damn thing to you? this is a stupid thread.
thank you Phil.
moghes69
09-07-2007, 03:01 PM
my elixers lasted over a year. i only changed them because they sounded like ****. DR high beams are where its at. i've had a set on my four string and they've lasted for about a year and a half before they died. even when they die the tone sounds good, just a lot less bright.
Livewire
09-07-2007, 04:22 PM
On average a band has two or more guitarists compared to one bassist per band. Obviously guitar center will focus on the aspect that will generate the most profit to them. Basses and bass amps are built differently than guitars and guitar amps. They need different speakers and electronics to handle the lower frequencies. What stinks is the Guitar Center here in NYC, they cut the bass room to half the size. It looks more like a walk in closet then a bass room. Not to mention they ONLY sell Fenders and Musicmans these days. It does suck, but fuk it, bassists are cooler anyways :thumb:.
Jaded
09-07-2007, 04:31 PM
Who besides 14 year old kids in metalcore bands play those 600 dollar Marshalls? Those things sound like sh*t...
Livewire
09-07-2007, 04:37 PM
Who besides 14 year old kids in metalcore bands play those 600 dollar Marshalls? Those things sound like sh*t...
Noobs... Noobs buy them because it has a metal plate engraved with the word Marshall bolted on a junky amp.
Jaded
09-07-2007, 04:42 PM
Of course a bassist wants QUALITY while a guitarists and something shiny with a distortion pedal.
...yeah....of course :rolleyes:
Blue_Moon
09-07-2007, 04:46 PM
On average a band has two or more guitarists compared to one bassist per band. Obviously guitar center will focus on the aspect that will generate the most profit to them. Basses and bass amps are built differently than guitars and guitar amps. They need different speakers and electronics to handle the lower frequencies. What stinks is the Guitar Center here in NYC, they cut the bass room to half the size. It looks more like a walk in closet then a bass room. Not to mention they ONLY sell Fenders and Musicmans these days. It does suck, but fuk it, bassists are cooler anyways :thumb:.
Oh yeah!?
check this out!
http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=EXy0hZDIrmY
:)
+ we all like shiney things... once there good quality and sound good... or if ur a stoner
Livewire
09-07-2007, 04:52 PM
Oh yeah!?
check this out!
http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=EXy0hZDIrmY
:)
+ we all like shiney things... once there good quality and sound good... or if ur a stoner
I stand corrected...
Led_Zeppelin678
09-07-2007, 05:33 PM
Okay, so maybe I didn't think it through well but I felt like ranting so it's out of my system now.
And my friend's MG does sound good, but he has a really nice sounding Tele so that must be why, I guess.
Foxfire
09-07-2007, 06:58 PM
The fact of the matter is that many bands have 2 guitarists and one bassist.
WTF someone said exactly this.
Sablate McNuff
09-07-2007, 06:58 PM
Pods - Iuno, maybe they don't think people use effects or amp sims. for bass as much as they do for guitar?
That's most likely the case. I use some distortion, chorus, and reverb, but mostly just for bridges/intros/outros. It's few and far between. Bass -> Amp is undoubtedly my favorite setup.
Jaded
09-07-2007, 06:59 PM
And my friend's MG does sound good, but he has a really nice sounding Tele so that must be why, I guess.
oh ok...
Jaded
09-07-2007, 07:02 PM
Oh and who the f*ck uses bass pods? Or any type of bass multieffects unit for that matter.
Foxfire
09-07-2007, 07:03 PM
Oh and who the f*ck uses bass pods? Or any type of bass multieffects unit for that matter.
Me. :upset:
My V-Amp Pro was 125 bucks and it works insanely well as a pre for my pre/power setup.
Granted, I keep the model flat and don't use effects.
o b s
09-07-2007, 07:06 PM
I used a Podxt to find what effects I wanted to use, now I know I'm going to buy a delay and a compressor and sell the pod. If I were more into recording I would keep it, but I really don't care that much, I just like to perform right now.
Oh and who the f*ck uses bass pods? Or any type of bass multieffects unit for that matter.
Me
Dylan
Ben
Foxfire
obs
JIMBO
to name a few
you lose
Blue_Moon
09-07-2007, 07:07 PM
my friend called Timmay uses one |:)
Jimbobntnr
09-07-2007, 07:49 PM
Me
Dylan
Ben
Foxfire
obs
to name a few
you lose
god dammit.
me.
I never make these lists.
Son of Magni
09-07-2007, 08:34 PM
does supply and demand mean a damn thing to you? this is a stupid thread.
I don't see why the federal government doesn't subsidize bass head manufacturers like they do farmers. I mean let's get the priorities straight!
god dammit.
me.
I never make these lists.
sry man idk
Left Shoe
09-08-2007, 02:03 AM
Oh and who the f*ck uses bass pods? Or any type of bass multieffects unit for that matter.
people who dont play more straight ahead stuff. im not saying this is a good or bad thing but people like you me havic som and alot of other people who slip my mind at the moment play more traditional bass parts. While some people on the forum make weird squeaking and scratching noises with their basses.
Mr_GoodPoster
09-08-2007, 02:04 AM
I put mine on a stand and play it like an upright. It's a sweet GSR 200 my pops bought it for about $2500
While some people on the forum make weird squeaking and scratching noises with their basses.
looooool ben
BenJammin
09-08-2007, 03:00 PM
looooool ben
:upset:
Stfu.
:upset:
Stfu.
how's ur e-bow ben looooooooool
BenJammin
09-08-2007, 03:29 PM
I'll cut you.
jj ben we are still bros rite
BenJammin
09-08-2007, 03:31 PM
I dunno, man.
I dunno.
:angry:
I will give you sects :naughty:
BenJammin
09-08-2007, 03:32 PM
Hmm.
I can't say no to butt secks.
Ok
but you're receiving first
BenJammin
09-08-2007, 03:35 PM
Uh no.
Not a chance.
Brandon_S
09-08-2007, 04:16 PM
people who dont play more straight ahead stuff. im not saying this is a good or bad thing but people like you me havic som and alot of other people who slip my mind at the moment play more traditional bass parts. While some people on the forum make weird squeaking and scratching noises with their basses.
and me too,except im not on havis skill level yet.
Brandon_S
09-08-2007, 04:17 PM
I put mine on a stand and play it like an upright. It's a sweet GSR 200 my pops bought it for about $2500
why?
Son of Magni
09-08-2007, 05:18 PM
people who dont play more straight ahead stuff. im not saying this is a good or bad thing but people like you me havic som and alot of other people who slip my mind at the moment play more traditional bass parts. While some people on the forum make weird squeaking and scratching noises with their basses.
Ha, I think that's the closest anyone's ever come to calling me normal ;)
For instance, you can buy a good-sounding 100 watt 2 channel Marshall Half Stack with built in effects and reverb for $600.
Allow me to interject here:
LOL
Son of Magni
09-08-2007, 07:12 PM
Allow me to interject here:
LOL
Yeah, why can't bass players get reasonably priced stuff like this?
http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/Marshall-1959SLPX-and-1960TV-Half-Stack?sku=482751
TheClap
09-08-2007, 07:53 PM
I put mine on a stand and play it like an upright. It's a sweet GSR 200 my pops bought it for about $2500
:lol:
http://www.barkerbass.com/
Sammy_L_D
09-08-2007, 09:57 PM
Nuke this thread.
Spaceman Spiff
09-08-2007, 11:16 PM
Yeah, why can't bass players get reasonably priced stuff like this?
http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/Marshall-1959SLPX-and-1960TV-Half-Stack?sku=482751
I think I saw a used 100 watt Fender Bassman for about that.
Pluperfect_Arson
09-09-2007, 02:08 AM
Look, a subscription for WoW is cheaper than everything in this thread, as well as ten times as much fun.
Everyone should rethink playing music.
AcerbicCunnt77
09-10-2007, 06:25 PM
Look, a subscription for WoW is cheaper than everything in this thread, as well as ten times as much fun.
Everyone should rethink playing music.
123
that is, of course, untill world of diablo comes out.
to apply to this thread its one of two options....
supply and demand|or|people like you and me still pay for them.
HELLonWHEELS
09-10-2007, 06:52 PM
Look at bass gear resale value :thumb:
trumpeter
09-10-2007, 07:47 PM
Look at bass gear resale value :thumb:
Look at WoW account resale value, a level 70, well geared can sell for upwards of 700 dollars.
Tryxx
09-11-2007, 10:48 AM
Look at WoW account resale value, a level 70, well geared can sell for upwards of 700 dollars.
A rogue on one of the Oceanic realms geared with both Warglaives of Azzinoth sold his account for roughly $9,500 USD.
EDIT: To an Arab Shiek I might add.
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