Absolute Most Dirt-Cheap Bass that's Good!

[MEKer]

Other than getting a great bass out if a pawn shop or from a tired neighbor for $2, what is the absolute most dirt-cheap bass one can buy new and yet it truly rocks? Are there any, really?

 

[PDGood]

Squiers and Ibanez SRX.

 

[MEKer]

No, I mean absolute dirt-cheap prices.

 

[electracoyote]

Squier (especially VM and CV series), SX, and Xaviere immediately spring to mind.

Go too cheap and, I'm sorry, but the "truly rocks" factor steeply declines.

 

[PDGood]

No, I mean absolute dirt-cheap prices.

You said that but then you also said you want new. You want a good bass thats cheaper than these then you want used. Then the answer is still the same.

 

[SwagAttack]

Squier (especially VM and CV series), SX, and Xaviere immediately spring to mind.

Go too cheap and, I'm sorry, but the "truly rocks" factor steeply declines.

This. How much is dirt cheap? Squiers are probably the lowest I would go. Most basses cheaper have real bad QC for the most part, hence the cheapness.

 

[Johnny Alien]

There was a Danelectro bass that MF sold for $199 a little while back. That would probably be about the cheapest coolest bass I have seen.

 

[SolarMan]

The OP mentioned $2

Is that the price we are working with?

Grab a nice pile of dirt and take it to GC and ask what you can get.

 

[Savage_Dreams]

i love my two OLP spector design basses. not sure what they went for new though, but you can pick them up for a little over $100 used

 

[SolarMan]

Are you guys reading this?

He said NEW

 

[ksandvik]

Maybe an SX from rondomusic.com that's just above $100 in case you could stand the new ugly headstock.

 

[JdoubleH]

Guitar Fetish has a line of Xaviere basses starting at 169 for a decent looking Precision copy. They've gotten some favorable reviews. Here is a thread about them.

Rondo Music's Link Removed line has a number of followers, starting for around $109 for a P-type copy.

You could probably pick up a Peavey Milestone or a Squire Jaguar short scale for for around 169.

In this price range and below, it is a bit of a crap shoot. If you are willing and more importantly able to do your own setup, you could probably find marginally playable bass and make it a decent one. I for one am totally impressed by the quality of some of these imports, but a proper setup is still mandatory for any bass, no matter the price.

If doing your own setup is not an option, either budget for it (and a new set of strings), buy from a store that will include it, or at the very least, be sure you can live with the way it plays before you buy it.

As for "truly rocks"- that part is totally up to you.

 

[lowfreq33]

SX's are giggable with a good setup and better strings. If you do get a lemon Kurt at Rondo is very cool about exchanges, although I have 3 basses from there and they're all just fine.

 

[Mulebagger]

Air bass is less than $2, but I think Air guitars still go for about $2.50.

 

[JetBlackJazz]

No, I mean absolute dirt-cheap prices.

What you did there....I see it

 

[MEKer]

thats funny!
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Looks like the Rondo for around $109 is about the cheapest, huh?

 

[Biggbass]

Got a bass player friend who uses a $199 Dan Electro Longhorn at every gig.
it sounds great and has rock and roll vibe to spare.

 

[PBnJBassist]

thats funny!
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Looks like the Rondo for around $109 is about the cheapest, huh?

Totally. A bag of dirt costs around $25 (average grade) at your local home & garden store. A SX bass from Rondo will run you 4 bags of fertilizer + plus tax. Go for it - it literally is your ONLY option for being 'dirt' cheap.

 

[tangentmusic]

Squier (especially VM and CV series), SX, and Xaviere immediately spring to mind.

Go too cheap and, I'm sorry, but the "truly rocks" factor steeply declines.

Agree with this.

Even the entry level Squier Affinity series P's or J's can be good with a few mods.

 

[Phalex]

Bogdon cardboard box bass. Low dough, low tech, and maximum fun!