I have been a professional bass player for 10+ years, and I will say one thing. I own basses from $350-$5000. The price tag/name means nothing. Wear a blind fold next time you walk into a music store trying out basses. Or if you aren't feeling that brave, at least have them remove the price tags. The 2 basses that get the most mileage out of my arsenal: Dean 5 string fretless ($350) and an Ibanez 6 string prestige (uhhh $1000 or so...it's been a while)

I have played a few things by Dean - but lower end things.. they seem to be doing things right!

Coupluv different considerations.

1. Do you want a custom instrument because you've got a particular set up you just can't find on the shelf? That is, maybe a MM humbucker in the neck position and a p-bass pickup in the bridge with a 1 11/16" wide walnut neck with a rounded 70's jazz style back of neck profile? The only way you're going to find that is to work with a boutique guy.

2. Buying a boutique jazz knockoff (mike lull, sadowsky, lakland)just gives you the confidence that it's going to be a great jazz. You can find Fenders on the shelf that are absolutely great but you're going to have to wade through several ordinary (though perfectly fine) models first. You can always upgrade a Fender with a Sadowsky onboard pre-amp, etc. BUT! An upgraded Fender isn't likely to have the re-sale value that a Lakland, etc. will have.

3. That brings up re-sale value. A custom bass by an obscure luthier is going to have a much smaller group of potential buyers, and you're less likely to get your money back out of it. By way of example, Michael Stevens makes guitars and basses. It'll take you 3 years or so to get one made. Most folks have never heard of him. So most folks aren't going to be interested in putting out big bucks for one. But the few folks who do know him will beat down your door to buy one.

4. Going back to #1 above. Warriors make about the thinnest front to back neck I know of. If that's your deal, Warrior is the way to go (plus the "ooooh sparkley!" factor is through the roof). Michael Tobias uses that off kilter shape on the back of his necks and they feel great. If that's your perfect neck, you need a Tobias.

5. Sometimes getting an instrument just because you can, and the sparkley catches your eye is enough. Few people are disciplined enough to buy the most functional car they can find. Even then, you want the blue one, or the red one, because you just do. That's fine and good.

6. Finally - I was at Tucker's Blues here in Dallas a few months ago. It was funk night and the first band was great. The bass player had 3 or 4 basses and did a good job. The headliner for the night was a guy who played bass for a funk/r&b band from the 80's. I wish I could remember his name. At any rate, his bass fizzled on him and he asked the bassplayer from the first band to borrow one. The bassplayer asked which one? 5'er? 4 string? Active? etc. The headliner said "It don't even matter. Just hand me that one." That one turned out to be an absolute bottom of the line Ibanez that I'm sure cost maybe $129.00. This guy rocked it all night long on the cheapo bass and sounded fantastic.

My big problem is where I live I'm not spoiled for choice when it comes to guitar shops so I dont have the luxury of being able to walk in to one and spend several hours roadtesting. My only real option is to buy online so initially I go on makers name, price, looks and any online reviews about playability. In the Equipment section I have asked advice re 5 stringers - fretted and fretless - but no replies yet! I was mainly lusting after an Alembic and Jaydee as these are what Mark King -my fave player - has used.

There was a guy on here ( Adam I think) who says he uses a Dean 5 er that he likes a lot - you might send him a message on here and get the details on which one he has.

Sorry. Didn't really answer your question. I've had a couple of higher end basses or vintage basses - and I've only gotten them when I thought I was getting a great deal. That way, when I sell them - and I always sell them - I'll get all or most of my money back, and, with the vintage ones, try to make a few bucks. So...no guilt pangs.

Yo Alex,
I hear what you are saying here! What I would do and have done, is get the Bass that You really want!! Now, does not have to be a High Dollar Bass, just the one that You want!! There is no need to Justify buying it. :^D
Black Hawk