$45,000 bass.....i don't think so!

[benson_murrensun]

I feel compelled to contribute to this thread because I am a biker and it has gone into comparing basses to bikes, two of my favorite things.  
Jaco would sound like Jaco playing almost any bass at all. And I ride like I ride on almost any bike at all. It's the human in control (hopefully), and not the equipment, for the most part.
I've had many brands of bikes. I happen to have 2 Harleys amd a Buell (Harley-powered) right now, but I am not a Harley snob... and I suspect I will have other brands again in the future. As Mr. Natural so eloquently said, It don't mean sheeeeeit.
I just took a bass class at Fur Peace Ranch with Mr. Bob Stroger teaching. He plays a Fender Jazz bass through a Peavey combo bass amp. His sound and taste is awesome for the blues.

[jbybj]

Fenders are great for burning and smashing.  
 
Why would you suggest that for any musical instrument? Has a Fender ever attacked you?

[toma_hawk01]

Fenders are garbage.  
 
My little penny message holds no value to Fenders huge conglomerate cheap factories, nor do they mean anything to me.
 
Fenders are simply a license and copyright stamp that they constantly feed to the next generation.
 
Anyone who pays 40-50k for this Fender-bender needs help.
 
(Message edited by toma_hawk01 on October 08, 2009)

[toma_hawk01]

The blues sound good anyway.

[toma_hawk01]

I can make an Alembic sound like any bass (but why would I do that...),  
 
Yet no bass in the world could sounds like an Alembic.

[benson_murrensun]

I like this forum, but I'd like it better if we kept the snobbery to a minimum.

[keith_h]

To be honest I like my Fender Jazz Bass. Under no circumstances would I replace it. The taper on it's neck is very comfortable. If I am requested to use a Fender I use my Jazz Bass. Likewise I have an old Vox with tape wounds that I use when someone wants the old thump bass sound. While Alembics might be capable of reproducing other bass characteristics actually getting it setup to do that and being able to repeat time and again is pretty near impossible. So why try when I've got other options.  
 
Keith

[88persuader]

If you go to a Chapman Stick forum they are all Stick Snobs (if you want to see it that way) If you go to a Harley forum they are all Harley snobs and right now we're on a Alembic forum ...  
 
I think a little snobishness is to be expected on a focused product forum. I TRY to avoid it but I think it's human nature. I wouldn't be as open with my thoughts on Harley's on a Harley forum because they'd eat me up! But I could crap on Honda all i like and I'd be a hero.

[bigredbass]

I wish it was snobbery.  I just get bored to death looking at the same two or three choices when the world is so big.
 
Don't get me wrong:  Tons of great music was/is made on them, and lots of great players used Fenders, certainly Jaco among them.  And the genius of Mr. Fender's designs are that they survive and thrive, faithful to his original vision.
 
I just get real confined real quick in what for me feels like a 'me too' world.  It's a big world out there, and if you ride your DynaGlide to band practice and whip out your Jazz, more power to ya.  I just feel better with my own choices.  Snobbery for me has nothing to do with it.  I HATE snobs.

[benson_murrensun]

If you go to a Chapman Stick forum they are all Stick Snobs (if you want to see it that way) If you go to a Harley forum they are all Harley snobs and right now we're on a Alembic forum ...  
 
That is true, but it doesn't make it right or good. There is a reason I participate in this forum and not in many others. I like the open-mindedness and tolerance I often find here. Crapping on Hondas in a Harley forum in order to be a hero is like shooting fish in a barrel.
 
I've got an Alembic and some other choice basses; I also have Fenders, and they are not garbage, IMHO.  
 
I'm just suggesting we take the high road.
 
OK, I'm off the soapbox.

[toma_hawk01]

Here's one for ya...
 
I have a 2001 Yamaha Roadstar. Just a few days ago, I took my afternoon walk, and sure enough I see this Harley Road King my neighbor just purchased.
 
As I am walking not to show much interest, my Harley neighbor looks at me and we talk and before you know it he says:  
 
...you want to take it for a spin?  
 
After riding it around the area with the Grand Harley, I parked it; handed over his keys; and he looked at me waiting for my comments...
 
I said:
 
Only in a America where you could be walking and then find yourself riding a Harley Davidson Road King. We both laughed real hard on this thought.
 
I love his bike, love his ride.
 
 
(Message edited by toma_hawk01 on October 09, 2009)

[mario_farufyno]

About snobbery...
 
I wouldn't pay 45 thousands guacamoles on any bass, although some may worth that. But I don't think any Fender can be tagged this high either because I can't imagine Leo's idea being to make an unaffordable bass like that. It doesn't looks like he ever wanted to do a specialty art-like bass or a just for the riches piece of gear.
 
So the idea of having a Fender being sold that price seems so untrue to this mass production bass's whole idea. Just that...
 
(Message edited by Mario Farufyno on October 09, 2009)

[88persuader]

My example with motorcycles, the Harley forum and Stick forum are just examples of how people behave in subject focused forums. Not right or wrong but I think an honest observation. This forum is no different. If I talked about my honest feelings about how ridiculously over priced I think our beloved Alembics are on this forum i'm sure to be attacked by someone. I probably will just from  the statement in this reply. When people are gung-ho about something they tend to think in competitive terms and some people put down things they feel are the competition. Personally I love Yamaha motorcycles, I owned 2 Roadstars in the past and I love the Fender Jazz bass. BUT right now I own a Harley and although I've owned 3 Alembics in the past I currently own none because I couldn't justify tying up $20,000 in basses when I had bills to pay. I don't think i'm a Harley snob or a bass snob. I'm just saying some snobbish behavior is to be expected on a subject focused forum.
 
OK now watch people attack me for admitting I think Alembics are way over priced and that I like Fender Jazz basses too. I mean $5,500 for a 4 string Epic?

[toma_hawk01]

Raymond,
 
I like motorcycles, but I love Alembics. I don't feel guilty one bit. I could buy (2) Roadstars for the price of (1) Harley Davidson. So, with the saving, I don't have to compromise my sound.  
 
Since I don't drink or smoke, and never had...  
 
So, lets see... how much does that stuff cost per year (times) my age...?  
 
Wow, I can afford a new Alembic every year!!!!
 
Alembic's are bargain in comparison to those dangerous needs.

[jbybj]

I happen to believe in the power of words and thoughts. I think that expressing ill will towards a device, who's only purpose is to make music, brings down the collective spiritual well being of humankind.
 
There is no shortage of negative crap in our world. Everybody, everywhere should love all instruments, and children, and puppies............. :-)
 
you want to get angry?!? how about getting angry at those jerks who are too f**king lazy to use a broom, so they power blow all the dirt and dust and rat poop, into the air to settle in our lungs and on our houses.  or people who kill, f those a-holes....
 
 
But my bass guitars, my sweet, innocent, smooth and loving bass guitars. I just want to dress them up and take them out on the town. Fondle them in perfect time. Share their noise with all who will listen.
 
 
 
Oops, I just realized I have been typing what I'm thinking!