Ali Express Bass Wow!

[Greg Pruitt]

Just became aware of AliExpress and that they sell bass guitars. Sure, it's cheap, It's Chinese, but, this thing looks bad-ass. I have a 4 string Sire V7 Marcus Miller J Bass Which I love. I want to buy a 5 string to learn 5 string... again. This thing looks sweet at pie. Giving this some thought as a Man Cave Toy.

Anyone own one of these?
How does it play and feel?

 

[halcyo]

Whoa, I agree it does LOOK great. Then again, it could be a flattering photo.

 

[Greg Pruitt]

I needed a small circuit board for a project. The most popular replacement board was well over $125.00. I located a replacement board on AliExpress for $50.00. The board is still working perfectly. Point being, I have a different POV on items I would have once dismissed. So, I am curious about this bass.

I have seen several videos from roughly 3 years ago about these and other basses from AliExpress, all showing some pretty high level fit-and-finish. I am here checking to see of others have recent experience with any of these products.

 

[James Collins]

Ali Express is just a marketplace. The quality of individual items varies from seller to seller.

 

[5andFretless]

What's the total price of getting that thing to the US?

 

[Greg Pruitt]

What's the total price of getting that thing to the US?

Don't laugh. Total out the door is $336.59 USD.

 

[salmon256]

Personally at the end of the day it's up to you, however as said before Aliexpress is just a marketplace for all knock offs and extremely cheap products. Most business stealing models designs and making it their own make most of their money just simply fooling people, look at the Rickenbackers. I think it looks great but it's gonna feel horrible even if the price is somewhat high, it's made to just attract looks IMO. This is just my opinion and thoughts. Best of luck.

 

[Greg Pruitt]

Personally at the end of the day it's up to you, however as said before Aliexpress is just a marketplace for all knock offs and extremely cheap products. Most business stealing models designs and making it their own make most of their money just simply fooling people, look at the Rickenbackers. I think it looks great but it's gonna feel horrible even if the price is somewhat high, it's made to just attract looks IMO. This is just my opinion and thoughts. Best of luck.

Admittedly, it is a beautiful instrument. So, the photo I posted is a visual knock-off of what bass???

 

[lfmn16]

Don't laugh. Total out the door is $336.59 USD.

For that you could probably find a used 5 string Squier with a little patience and it won't be a POS. It's easy to make a bass look outstanding in a picture, sometimes it's not even a picture of what you're actually buying.

Don't buy with your eyes. It's much more important how a bass feels and sounds than how it looks.

 

[Koshchei]

When you shop on AliExpress, go in with the same expectation that you have when you enter a fast food joint: The picture on the menu will only barely resemble the sad, squashed, soggy thing that comes in the box.

 

[jd56hawk]

For every bassist who claims "I bought my banana from AliExpress and it's perfect!" there are three other bassists who received unplayable junk.
Same goes for DHgate.
If you're into gambling, there are countless good bets out there from companies with good track records.

 

[Greg Pruitt]

For that you could probably find a used 5 string Squier with a little patience and it won't be a POS. It's easy to make a bass look outstanding in a picture, sometimes it's not even a picture of what you're actually buying.

Don't buy with your eyes. It's much more important how a bass feels and sounds than how it looks.

I agree, that is why I am asking for input from anyone who has bought from one of these sellers. The other thing is the string spacing. Back when I was giging (those days are long over), I owned a No-Named 5 string bass with this kind of wide neck near the bottom. It was the most playable bass I've ever owned. I regret selling it. So, there is more than looks associated with my curiosity with this thing.

 

[mikeswals]

Correct its just a place for sellers/manufacturers to list (just like Reverb).

But you also have to remember, they steal many pictures of real basses they didn't make, for their advertisements. I have found a few of my own Wal bass pictures I took in my den on various chinese builder websites.

 

[abarson]

I agree, that is why I am asking for input from anyone who has bought from one of these sellers.

Aliexpress has thousands of sellers, you would need to post the ad of that specific seller for accurate feedback.

 

[el murdoque]

It's not exactly one of those Glarry basses from back then that cost 17.99 including shipment.
You can get a respectable second hand Squier, Cort, Ibanez or Yamaha bass for that money.
Or you can opt for shiny. IME, when you buy an article from Ali that "has taken inspiration" from something that usually costs 5-10 times as much, they will often show the real thing in the photos and then send you the ripoff.

On an object as complex as a bass guitar at that price point you can expect something minor to be off and in need of fixing. This could be a fret that needs leveling or a tuner that's not working properly.
Also, the electronics are always shady. Might be good enough, might be in need of shielding, might be in need of total replacement.

If you end up spending $300 more to make it work, (on top of the $330 it costs), you've spent 300 dollars on a bass that has a resale value of 150 - so I hope you really like the result

 

[jd56hawk]

Right priced and the real deal.

 

[SixtyCycleHum]

Usable and good sounding to the untrained ear. And anyone who can't feel their palms bleeding from the sharp fret ends.

However, it's just not worth it. Unless you're gonna gut them, shine them up and drop something half decent in them. Time and money you could have spent on a GOOD purchase that might even have resale value.

I'm not putting it down for the sake of putting it down, but AliExpress and the like? I can't trust them for something so important.

PEDALS on the other hand? Heck some of these clones are great.

 

[BigBigGuy44]

But you also have to remember, they steal many pictures of real basses they didn't make, for their advertisements.

This needs to be emphasized. It is more likely than not the bass pictured isn't the one being offered by the seller.

 

[B-Mac]

Just became aware of AliExpress and that they sell bass guitars. Sure, it's cheap, It's Chinese, but, this thing looks bad-ass. I have a 4 string Sire V7 Marcus Miller J Bass Which I love. I want to buy a 5 string to learn 5 string... again. This thing looks sweet at pie. Giving this some thought as a Man Cave Toy.

Anyone own one of these?
How does it play and feel?
View attachment 4664461

@MirandM has had quite a bit of success with certain sellers on AE

 

[lucas303]

the sad, squashed, soggy thing that comes in the box.

That's what she said.