Ali Express Bass Wow!

[salmon256]

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

I'm really not sure what model, I seen a lot of Ibanez models with this look, hopefully someone can answer that. Google lens just gave all knock offs. Also I think if you want it just for looks, I still wouldn't get it. It's better to not support these types of companies of Aliexpress IMO.

 

[lfmn16]

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.

At the risk of incurring the wrath of TB, try the search feature. There are lots of threads on this and as I understand it, the consensus is that at minimum you’ll need to replace the pickups, probably some of the hardware and polish and level the frets. A lot of work and money for what you wind up with.

 

[Gilmourisgod]

Buyer Beware applies, you could get something half decent or a complete mess. The Chinese builders focus on aesthetics, with playability often a distant consideration. The only Aliexpress bass I've ever played was a Ric Clone. It looked great up to around 2' distance, at which point the numerous finish flaws became apparent. The frets were were some cheap garbage alloy that was tarnished, and they had done NO fret level, crown, or polish, rendering it virtually unplayable. The Ric clones sell for around the same price range as this bass, from 100 vendors, and quality varies WILDLY. Unless you know somebody who has bought this specific bass from this specific middle-man vendor, you know essentially nothing about the build quality until it shows up at your door. A typical bait and switch scam is they send you what they have in stock, not what you ordered, and since the return shipment is more that the bass is worth, they offer some piddling refund to keep what you got. If you read online, you'll hear more horror stories than positive reviews, but it's your nickel, so roll the dice, I guess. There's a whole Youtube channel devoted to the pros/cons of Aliexpress called China Guitar Sceptic. he gives some good advice on red flags and communications strategies that make this a safer investment. Be realistic though, you are not going to get a $1000 bass for $350 without some serious corners being cut. At the very least, assume you will have to have the frets leveled.

 

[Mrtoodamnsabre]

I got a dhgate guitar and I won’t go into what it is, but it was great, you know it was as good as any other cheap guitar maybe a touch nicer. The woods they use usually are Asian equivalents of the tone woods were familiar with. Honestly the pickups in the one I got were wrong in such a good sounding way that I’d never take out the pickups, super microphonic though. I don’t think you can go wrong on them. They’re more expensive than they used to be for sure but they’re built better now. The frets might need to be dressed, some things in the construction are going to make you laugh, (mfers painted the top nut to match the neck binding) the inlays are gonna be funky looking if it’s got inlays, but otherwise they’re really neat!


I recommend dhgate if you go for an online Chinese guitar, no experience with Ali but dhgates protections for buyers is better, now every shop on there has a different supplier with it and the quality will vary a lot so do a lot of research, go with the shop that has the most reviews and positive reviews, I have experience with a guitar but basses are different, but I could let you know what shop I went through in a dm

end of the day just expect something weird, understand the risk, and be fine with maybe having to put work into something that has issues, plenty of people mod out their squires with new necks and electronics

 

[Greg Pruitt]

At the risk of incurring the wrath of TB, try the search feature. There are lots of threads on this and as I understand it, the consensus is that at minimum you’ll need to replace the pickups, probably some of the hardware and polish and level the frets. A lot of work and money for what you wind up with.

I hope to get input from those with recent experience these instruments. No such responses as of yet.

 

[Mrtoodamnsabre]

I hope to get input from those with recent experience these instruments. No such responses as of yet.

I just did! Edited it like 3 times to make it more detailed, from my one time experience, I would do it again!

 

[Greg Pruitt]

Buyer Beware applies, you could get something half decent or a complete mess. The Chinese builders focus on aesthetics, with playability often a distant consideration. The only Aliexpress bass I've ever played was a Ric Clone. It looked great up to around 2' distance, at which point the numerous finish flaws became apparent. The frets were were some cheap garbage alloy that was tarnished, and they had done NO fret level, crown, or polish, rendering it virtually unplayable. The Ric clones sell for around the same price range as this bass, from 100 vendors, and quality varies WILDLY. Unless you know somebody who has bought this specific bass from this specific middle-man vendor, you know essentially nothing about the build quality until it shows up at your door. A typical bait and switch scam is they send you what they have in stock, not what you ordered, and since the return shipment is more that the bass is worth, they offer some piddling refund to keep what you got. If you read online, you'll hear more horror stories than positive reviews, but it's your nickel, so roll the dice, I guess. There's a whole Youtube channel devoted to the pros/cons of Aliexpress called China Guitar Sceptic. he gives some good advice on red flags and communications strategies that make this a safer investment. Be realistic though, you are not going to get a $1000 bass for $350 without some serious corners being cut. At the very least, assume you will have to have the frets leveled.

A very intelligent discussion. My Asian made Sire Marcus Miller V7 is a prime example. It is a killer bass. Outstanding build quality with amazing electronics.

 

[SixtyCycleHum]

This is a pretty good example of what to expect.

 

[Greg Pruitt]

This is a pretty good example of what to expect.

I saw this video. BTY, this is not the bass I am talking about. Anyway, this video is the reason why I posted this thread. This vid from more than 2 years ago. There are others that are older than this one is. I am looking for folks to jump in with recent experience with these instruments.

 

[jd56hawk]

Does that count as a copy or a counterfeit bass?

 

[Lackey]

This is a pretty good example of what to expect.

Yeah that thing sounds pretty rough.

 

[Greg Pruitt]

Does that count as a copy or a counterfeit bass?

In the US, it would likely be considered a counterfeit. In Asia, and parts of Europe it would be considered a copy. I think!

 

[Hummergeist]

I have successfully purchased non-standard USB cables from there, but I would not take the risk on anything like an instrument.

 

[Avezzano]

In the US, it would likely be considered a counterfeit. In Asia, and parts of Europe it would be considered a copy. I think!

If you get caught at the customs inspection here in Italy with any false-copy of anything copyrighted you are in serious trouble. SERIOUS. Jail from 6 months to 3 years and a fine that may range from 2000 to 2500 euro and in some cases up to 7000 euro

Contraffazione reato, pene, multe e tutto sugli art. 473 e 474

 

[gln1955]

A very intelligent discussion. My Asian made Sire Marcus Miller V7 is a prime example. It is a killer bass. Outstanding build quality with amazing electronics.

What you are looking at is in no way comparable to a Sire until proven otherwise.

If you buy this and it ends up being a POS, or you get nothing at all. you have zero recourse.

 

[MotorCityMinion]

I ordered that exact same item. 8 weeks later, the mailman drops off an envelope and inside is a perfect picture, no kinks or anything, of that bass along with a thank you note.

 

[BarfanyShart]

There is something weird about the construction of the top, it looks like a pickguard or decal, and the matching burl headstock reinforces that suspicion. For me, no way, because $300 buys a new Ibanez from the shop that I know is worth the money.

 

[LowEndLobster]

Just get a Harley Benton or an SUB or something. Don't mess with Aliexpress basses. Just don't. It's like buying a bag of tootsie rolls outside of a dog park.

 

[Greg Pruitt]

There is something weird about the construction of the top, it looks like a pickguard or decal, and the matching burl headstock reinforces that suspicion. For me, no way, because $300 buys a new Ibanez from the shop that I know is worth the money.

I fine it difficult to play Ibanez and other basses with tight string spacing. The bass shown in this thread has spacing identical to a bass I owned and sold many years ago. The only other instruments with similar string spacing are some Warrior and Ken Smith basses. No budget for such instruments.

 

[GodPlayedBass]

For that price you could get a nice Ibanez bass or something better honestly