This is kind of a noob question, but assuming quality and style of bass are equal (like, all P-Bass) do different Basses sound all that different?
I know different guitars have distinct sounds, but bass has always just kind of sounded like bass to me.
Bonus: What does higher quality of the same bass style get you? So, two P-Basses, one that’s about 500 vs. one that’s about 1,000 or 2,000?
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My opinions:
To us? Yes absolutely.
In the mix, to anyone who is not either a bass player or sound engineer? Nope, they all sound pretty much the same.
Yup, in the mix to the average person, they usually don’t notice. they might think “I love the bass in that one!” but they won’t be able to tell you why.
Better feel and looks and that’s it. You can make the cheap one sound as good or better without spending more than $100 or so.
But it turns out feel and looks are more important than tone for bass, to the person playing it. You should absolutely select basses for how they feel to you; you can fix the tone easily in so many ways.
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Gasp Heresy on a bass forum! Negating millions of words posted in hundreds of threads!
And, yeah, basically true.
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Hey, I asked @JoshFossgreen for a “Heretic” title so I could warn people years ago and nope 
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There are differences in sound, depending on different elements, the most obvious being strings, pickups and pots.
Price difference does not necessarily mean big differences in quality. You can get really good instruments for 500 already. Of course, it won’t be a Fender or some other prestigious brand, but you can get different Asian produced basses that will be of good quality, for instance Sire Marcus Miller basses.
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Some specific brands of pickups can be a bit nicer or have different character. Usually it’s pretty small.
Onboard preamp/EQ or nicer circuitry is a common feature that will increase price and is useful.
But yeah… mostly you’re getting something that feels nicer to play which is not something to scoff at.
Like… I really don’t like the feel of Sterling Ray necks. When I pick up a Sterling ray, it feels clunky, and my playing feels clunky. But an Ernie Ball Stingray neck feels good, and I absolutely love the feel of my Reverend Ray-style bass.
It’s like… trying to drive a car when the steering wheel feels bad in your hands. Like if it’s all sticky or has a giant rubbery steering wheel cover. The car itself doesn’t actually handle any worse, but I wouldn’t be able to drive around a track as quickly.
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@jpwkeeper : if you are starting to feel a little light-headed and slightly confused at this point, and feel like staring into a swirling abyss that is about to drag you down…
Yep, welcome to BassBuzz and all things bass 
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If you keep the rhythm, any bass will do. If you can’t keep the rhythm, it doesn’t matter what you’re playing.
Yes basses sound different. I was listening to an Aretha Franklin song on my tiny blue tooth speaker the other day and said what a great p bass sound. It was so P.
Unlike a guitar, the bass tone doesn’t carry the weight. The groove does.
As far as what you get with more expensive models is very brand dependent. Some you get better electronics, hardware, others just a snazzier finish. Buyer be ware.
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Better feel is definitely a thing. The difference between @JerryP’s BBP34 and my BB734A (in passive mode) is (a) his has a gorgeous blue finish exclusive to the model and (b) it intangibly feels about 10% better in hand, in ways I cannot describe in detail - a small but noticeable difference, but it is there.
This is for a $1600 instrument vs a $700 instrument.
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Feel also differs bass to bass. You can try two basses of the same model and one fits like a glove, and the other doesn’t. Feel is very important, you can always change tone or hardware.
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Yep. This is why I insist on buying new instruments in person - I tried about 10 BB’s before picking mine.
Used instruments (my preference) usually don’t have this luxury of course- but used instruments from reputable sellers are often a safer bet than new instruments anyway.
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One of the main reason for a newbie to spend just a bit more on their first bass is to minimize the setup and maintenance during the first 6 months.
We can go over the tone difference and quality after this short exercise. Be honest to yourself and press play then either cover your device’s screen or close your eyes and tell me what you hear and what you like about it.
The cover video covers across the spectrum of scale length, pickup configuration, strings. Well have fun.
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In one of @JoshFossgreen’s YT vids (maybe in more than one), he has an example of how the sound quality is more in the player than in the gear. He plays a “cheap” bass into a “cheap” amp recorded with a “cheap” mic, and it sounds just fine.
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Also, having a bass that isn’t 100% CRAP out of the gate… kinda helps with GAS in a way …
Starting to learn on something at least DECENT … won’t make a player feel they need to buy better early… It will sound good enough for long time…
( ya… that was a me love you long time joke… )
But hey, that bass may also end up a keeper… as well going just above the bargain barrel … for beginners … not a bad idea. They may end up with the bass they will stick with too.
Jus sayin 
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What strings do you have on your Mustang bass?
Thanks.
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Fender 5250 XL love it.
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Thank you. I like the way they sound on your bass.
I’m thinking ahead for when I will be putting new strings on my Fender Player Mustang Bass.
Perhaps, I should start another thread on this topic and not hijack discussion on bass buying. Sorry.
Well, I’ll add to the discussion here on the bass buying topic and agree with others about the feel of a bass. It sure helps to actually hold basses in person to find out what feels best in your own hands.
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Which mustang? he has 14 of them … 
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This thread is perfect.
Also consider either getting a Squier Mustang or swap out the P pickup to a Mustang pickup, from fender or aftermarket. That mighty little Mustang is so fun and love how funky it can be in the mix. All you need is the pickup and another pickguard you can go back and forth if you want.
If you can pickup a Squier for cheap it’s so awesome. Mustang pickup and bridge. Super awesome for less than $300.
This is another funky one. You can hear the difference between the P bass and the Mustang.
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