Acoustic: Fender T-Bucket vs CB-60SCE

[RedHotFuzz]

I’m looking for a small-bodied medium-scale acoustic bass for practicing/noodling. A convenient sofa bass if you will that doesn’t feel like playing a guitarrón. There are a couple of Fenders that appear to fit the bill in the size department. The T-Bucket (discontinued) and the CB-60SCE (ugh, great naming convention there, Fender). The T-Bucket can still be found new at $400. The other is $300. The CB-60SCE has a cutout body, the T-Bucket does not. I assume the “pretty” finish is what gives the T-Bucket its price premium. Is anyone familiar with both of these basses and can make a recommendation between the two? I can’t find either locally, but I’m assuming their body size is about the same (concert).

 

[CM63]

I have a Fender T-Bucket that I love, I am not a big man and it's 32" scale is perfect for me. Nice tone especially with Thomastic flats, and a mute at the bridge, giving it a more upright sound. It must be amplified though. It's a great church bass.
I've had it for years and have played the crap out of it, unfortunately, now the electronics have crapped out.
So I am looking for another ABG and am looking at the CB 60SCE, or perhaps another T-Bucket.
Not sure if I have answered your question, but hope this helps!

 

[Axstar]

I've played both, and wasn't especially excited by either, off the hanger. They both come from the factory with high action and stiff, toneless bronze strings. I've fancied getting a cb-60sce in black and lowering the action. Maybe even defretting it to get more upright timbre from it.

From memory the T-Bucket was more expensive, but I don't think it was a superior instrument. Both instruments come up short on acoustic volume and reproduction of the E string fundamental. Both have nasty action and strings out the box. I personally don't think there is much in it beyond aesthetics, and I prefer the look of the cb-60sce.

As a sofa bass I would get an cb-60sce and put some work into getting it to playing nicely with flats.

I think this is a good looking bass: