A couple of years ago, I visited Rudy's Music in SoHo, New York. While I was there, they kindly let me play a stunning 1964 Shoreline Gold Fender Jazz Bass worth around $40,000.
It was a fun experience, but was it $39,500 better than my cheap Ibanez??
If you're searching for your next instrument, here are the biggest lessons I took away.
The best bass for you might surprise you
You might assume a $40,000 vintage Fender would blow everything else out of the water.
1964 Fender Jazz in shoreline gold
The truth? It was fantastic—but it didn't instantly become my favourite bass.
In fact, if you blindfolded me and asked me to choose between that bass and my humble 1982 Ibanez Roadster, I'd probably choose the Ibanez.
Why?
Because it simply feels right in my hands.
The ergonomics suit my playing, the neck feels comfortable, and after a few upgrades—including a proper setup and a set of DiMarzio DP126 pickups—it's become one of my favourite instruments.
That's a good reminder that the most expensive bass isn't necessarily the best bass for you.
Play as many basses as you can
I only found that Ibanez because I spent a day visiting music shops in Singapore.
I played all the obvious choices in one large store and didn't connect with any of them. Then I wandered into a tiny shop around the corner, picked up an old Ibanez Roadster I'd never even considered before, and immediately knew it was something special.
That experience changed how I shop for basses.
Whenever you have the chance, visit your local music shop, attend a bass show, or make a day of trying different instruments. You never know which one will surprise you.
Buy within your budget
I was thrilled Rudy's let me play a $40,000 Fender.
I was never going to buy it.
Don't stretch yourself financially for an instrument you can't comfortably afford. Decide on a realistic budget first, then explore the best options within that range.
Whether your budget is a few hundred dollars or several thousand, there are fantastic instruments available today.
Expensive doesn't automatically mean better
There are some phenomenal high-end basses on the market.
Fodera, Sadowsky NYC, Dingwall Z-Series and Warwick Custom Shop instruments are all incredible. If you're a working professional and your bass earns you a living, they can make perfect sense.
But I've also played inexpensive basses that felt wonderful.
One student owned a short-scale Luna bass costing only a few hundred dollars, and I genuinely enjoyed playing it. Likewise, brands such as Sire, Warwick RockBass, Sadowsky MetroExpress and Harley Benton continue to prove that affordable instruments can be excellent.
The important thing isn't the price tag.
It's whether the bass inspires you to play.
Vintage doesn't have to mean unobtainable
If vintage basses interest you, remember there are alternatives to the six-figure collector's pieces.
I own both a 1968 Precision Bass and a 1978 Precision Bass, and interestingly, I actually prefer playing the '78.
When I bought it, late-70s Fenders weren't especially fashionable, so it cost a fraction of what an earlier model would have.
Sometimes the less desirable vintage years offer outstanding value.
Learn what you actually like
Every bass you play teaches you something.
Over the years I've realised that I enjoy:
- Comfortable neck profiles.
- Slightly higher action.
- 45-105 gauge strings (usually Elites by The Bass Centre).
- Lightweight swamp ash bodies.
- Practical features like quick access to the truss rod and battery.
Those discoveries came from playing dozens of instruments over many years.
Once you understand why you love a particular bass, shopping becomes much easier.
Looks matter too
We often tell ourselves that appearance doesn't matter.
I don't think that's entirely true.
There are basses I absolutely love the sound of but simply don't enjoy looking at. Equally, there are instruments that make me want to pick them up every time I walk into the room.
If a bass inspires you to practise because you love how it looks, that's a perfectly valid consideration.
Follow the players you admire
Another useful trick is to study the players whose sound you love.
One of my favourite bassists is Paul Turner, whose 1966 Fender Jazz Bass has an incredible tone.
Check this tone out!
Another is Freddie Washington, whose famous slap sound comes from a much more modest 1973 Precision Bass fitted with a Bartolini pickup.
Listen to his amazing pocket and time feel. He could make any bass sound great:
Rather than chasing identical instruments, ask yourself what creates the sound you're hearing.
Often it's the pickups, setup, strings and, most importantly, the player.
The biggest lesson
A $40,000 bass is an amazing piece of history and, in many cases, an excellent financial investment.
It will not make you a better bass player.
Great timing, great feel, and great musicianship don't come from an expensive instrument—they come from practice.
So buy the best bass you can comfortably afford, learn what works for your hands and ears, and spend the rest of your energy becoming the kind of player who could make any bass sound great.