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Alternative to "Fender" basses
- Thread starter Jonhy_Greenwood
- Start date
Big Hoss
Up note, down note, blue note, brown note...
- Sep 5, 2014
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There's nothing wrong with Fender, but your budget doesn't really stretch to the better Fender models anyway.
Try some Squier basses, they've come along way in recent years regarding quality. The ESP basses mentioned above look great also. You'll get better bang for your buck used.
Try some Squier basses, they've come along way in recent years regarding quality. The ESP basses mentioned above look great also. You'll get better bang for your buck used.
I'm going to suggest something maybe nobody else is but I'm thinking it might hit the spot for you.. Find a good used US Hamer Cruise bass.. You can pick them up for close to what you have..and they're awesome guitars.. It's also a J format so it seems like it's what you're looking for.. It's considered a boutique.. That's debatable and I don't want to debate that please..
I know the thread is absolutely clear.. I must stick up a bit for Fender.. They gave us the electric bass with the Precision.. It's iconic sound is 80% of pop rock-the J and the P.. However, I understand wanting what you want.. I have played some new Sqires that were just great playing basses..but I gave my advice for a Fender alternative and I think it's the beast J format alternative.. Check it out.. Sorry, I'm just a big Fender guy..
shag! Texan is super technical. English doesn't have any of that poopie. You just speak it. j/k
I've come super close to pulling the trigger on an LTD a number of times (Frank Bello model in particular), but my OCD will not let me get past the 12th fret marker.Very much agree, though as to the price, there seem to be a few dealers on amazon or ebay that routinely put up new versions with bag for 299!
It will blow away squires, and early version (pre mid-00s) MIM Fenders. Current MIM Fenders are probably better, but they're also twice the cost. The LTD has good components, solid pups and a build quality that far exceeds the hit-or-miss nature of an SX. If you want a solid P-bass at under 4 bills, I can hardly imagine a better option. Here's a repost of what I said on a similar topic:
If you want to go new, here's a P that will kick the butts off of Squiers, the ESP/LTC Vintage 214. They are very well assembled and finished and with a nice strong pickup set and a solid bridge. The only downsides I can see are limited number of models (Ash Natural, Alder Black and Fretless Alder sunburst), though the shape is the same the pickguard screw holes are different than Fender and lastly Fender purists might not like the headstock shape and the 12th fret inlay.
A new one will set you back just a smidge more than a squire, and there are a few places that have right now for only $299. It's more than worth every penny and will leave you enough scratch for a nice case or bag or a set of EMG Geezers (though the stock pups are quite nice). I can't say enough good things about my Vintage 214FL and if I didn't already have a MIM P I'd be looking to get a fretted version too.
Wow!!
I did not hope this quantity of answers from you!!
Thanks a lot for that.
I read quiqly the entire thread.
Sorry for my english (for sure is really bad)
I wish to answer all of your comments, but there are so many.
Finally I think that I'm going for a LTD Vintage 214
I have to say that I'm not an anti-Fender... I have two Strats, a MIM strat and a MIA (Awesome guitars, more the MIA). But always I think that comparing another brand with fender, this is more expensive considering same quality. Maybe I was victim of certain guitar myths (o reality, who knows?). But, for now I'd would try something no Fender.
I did not hope this quantity of answers from you!!
Thanks a lot for that.
I read quiqly the entire thread.
Sorry for my english (for sure is really bad)
I wish to answer all of your comments, but there are so many.
Finally I think that I'm going for a LTD Vintage 214
I have to say that I'm not an anti-Fender... I have two Strats, a MIM strat and a MIA (Awesome guitars, more the MIA). But always I think that comparing another brand with fender, this is more expensive considering same quality. Maybe I was victim of certain guitar myths (o reality, who knows?). But, for now I'd would try something no Fender.
Was that really called for?
Fat Steve
The poodle bites, the poodle chews it.
wmhill
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- Aug 20, 2012
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Hopkins
Commercial User
I think that ESP will do well for you, but to quell the myth, Fender does have instruments in the same price range that are just as good.
Your English is OK. I don't know what's available or what prices are like where you are. The ESP looks like a good choice. There may be an SX distributor in your country (the manufacturer, Team International, has a one-dealer-per-country rule). SX is decent quality for very cheap, but I don't know if it would really be an improvement on what you already have. Other manufacturers I would look for would be a Yamaha (in the BB series, like a BB424x) or a Schecter Diamond P (might be too expensive, though). Squier, though, has been doing really well lately, in the Vintage Modified and Classic Vibe lines, and that would be a great choice.
LOL - this is the Internet. Just because he's from Paraguay on that thread doesn't mean he has to be from Paraguay on this thread. 
Just joking, OP good luck in you bass hunt. You have lots of good options listed and it looks like you might have made a decision as well. Be sure to post a picture on Talk Bass of whatever you get, we all like to droool over new basses.
Go to Danny Stewart, Bass Guitar Japan, and look at the Momose brand. Fender style bolt on basses in the $1700'ish range... Handbuilt in Japan and the quality is over the top. Danny's customer service is world-class too. He offers a superb return if u don't like policy.
