Today's Technology is better than ever...

[SoulReflection]

I, for one feel very fortunate to have the low cost options available in today's market. Back in the '60's, there were few choices for inexpensive, light-weight equipment with the Fender sound.

I took a few years off from bass but, in the early 80's, I was able to pick up a Gibson bass for a good price and played around with a cheap acoustic guitar, cheap keyboard and a sound-on-sound cassette recorder. It was fun, but work got in the way.

In 2004, I thought that I would like to get back into bass and bought a used Peavey 300 Combo and matching 15" cab. These things weighed a ton and I was not happy with the Gibson sound. And again, work got in the way!

Now, semi-retired, with more time on hand, I found that I could not lift the Peavey equipment out of the closet without a hydraulic lift-cart! (there is something about age). Also, with age comes the problem with hand/arm use, so a short scale was more comfortable.

I sold the Peavey stuff and bought a Squier Jag SS. Without an amp, I acquired an Ampeg SCR-DI to use with ear-phones. That got me back to the '60's sound, but I still wanted an amp...enter the Fender Rumble 200 Combo. Wow, what a beast.

Although I liked the Squier, I felt there was something missing from my original '60's sound. I happened upon a sale from Adorama for a Mustang PJ, bought it and haven't looked back.

So, for about $1K in today's dollars, this is possible. Compare that to the inflation rate, as I did!

I know, YMMV, but this is my story and I am sticking to it .

 

[Bill Whitehurst]

Yep.
If you saw the 60s, you may remember that a grand would get you a Fender Dual Showman.
If you adjust for inflation, that alone would be beyond your budget, now.

So yes, technology is doing fine.
Craftsmanship, I have some doubt about, at times.
For most consumer stuff, ours included, things like CNC have made the average
quality go up to a good level and be more consistant.

Squiers are a good example.
With machine made, consistant parts they *should* all fit exactly right on the first try.
Most will.
The hard part is having someone know more than just running an automated machine to sort out those parts that
aren't right, find out what is wrong, why it's wrong, and find a cure.

 

[Linnin]

enter the Fender Rumble 200 Combo. Wow, what a beast...{edit}...I felt there was something missing from my original '60's sound. I happened upon a sale from Adorama for a Mustang PJ, bought it and haven't looked back.

That's a match made in affordable and easy to lift bass heaven! Great story @SoulReflection, thanks for posting!

 

[jamro217]

I agree. Look at what was available for entry level instruments back in the '60's and '70's. Usually some hideous plywood thing with plastic tuners and veg-o-matic switches. Now even the kit basses aren't half bad. Amps, cabs, effects and strings have all come a long way. Class D amps, especially. Incredible. An amp the size of a toaster with twice the power of an old tube head.

 

[GregT]

It used to take several of us to carry a PA system in. Two guys on each big box. Now I use Bose. For my smallest solo guitar gigs, I just bring my Bose S1 Pro. 15 pounds and it fills a small club just fine. Boss Katana 100 for my guitars and a Fender Rumble 200 for my basses. Back in the 70s, we used two full stack Marshalls, one for guitar and the monster Marshall 8x12 (two cabinets) bass amp. I am glad also to be living in a time when equipment is getting smaller and better.

 

[Stumbo]

Yep.
If you saw the 60s, you may remember that a grand would get you a Fender Dual Showman.
If you adjust for inflation, that alone would be beyond your budget, now.

In 1969 I picked up a new Sunn 2000s with a 2x15 JBL cab with covers for $1100 and a "used" white/tort 1964 Fender Jazz for $150.

Yeah, that was big iron but I was able to tilt the cab and slide it into the bed of a small station wagon (it just barely fit), slid the bass on top of the cab and put the amp on the passenger floor (long ways) tilted upwards resting on the side of the passenger seat. Drove all over L.A. with that stuff. Got a little help moving it up stairs a few times.

Maybe a 5-10 minute load in.

$1250 then is over $8000 today.

Too bad I don't have the '64 Jazz today.

 

[two fingers]

I, for one feel very fortunate to have the low cost options available in today's market. Back in the '60's, there were few choices for inexpensive, light-weight equipment with the Fender sound.

I took a few years off from bass but, in the early 80's, I was able to pick up a Gibson bass for a good price and played around with a cheap acoustic guitar, cheap keyboard and a sound-on-sound cassette recorder. It was fun, but work got in the way.

In 2004, I thought that I would like to get back into bass and bought a used Peavey 300 Combo and matching 15" cab. These things weighed a ton and I was not happy with the Gibson sound. And again, work got in the way!

Now, semi-retired, with more time on hand, I found that I could not lift the Peavey equipment out of the closet without a hydraulic lift-cart! (there is something about age). Also, with age comes the problem with hand/arm use, so a short scale was more comfortable.

I sold the Peavey stuff and bought a Squier Jag SS. Without an amp, I acquired an Ampeg SCR-DI to use with ear-phones. That got me back to the '60's sound, but I still wanted an amp...enter the Fender Rumble 200 Combo. Wow, what a beast.

Although I liked the Squier, I felt there was something missing from my original '60's sound. I happened upon a sale from Adorama for a Mustang PJ, bought it and haven't looked back.

So, for about $1K in today's dollars, this is possible. Compare that to the inflation rate, as I did!

I know, YMMV, but this is my story and I am sticking to it .

Welcome back to bass!

Great post, and all true. It's a great time to be a bass player!