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Basses that are a steal...REAL value here!

#101
GeneralElectric said:
...I'm sorry if I like a tight neck pocket, good fretwork, full sounding pickups, etc. I don't want to worry that what I'm playing will fall apart in my hands...

If a bass can't take the abuse I put it through, then it doesn't last very long with me. So far I've yet to find a bass that cost in the sub $400 new range that would do that for me.
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I just picked up a Washburn 5 string for $150. Brand new, 17 years ago I think they ran around $400.

Tight neck pocket. Check...sustains forever, no dead spots, no thin notes anywhere along the neck. Fretwork? I had three spots that needed a tad bit of leveling (which I always check no matter how much I've spent on a bass). Full sounding pickups? Christ, I had to cut my pre-gain in half from my P-Bass (obviously that was passive, this one is active), but the tone is so full that I had to dial back lows and mids on my amp (from previously using a P-Bass of all basses).

This bass is 17 years old and is still in beautiful condition. The fit anf finish is excellent. Should I be worried about the abuse I'm going to give it? I don't play for the Who in the sixties, so I'm not throwing it into my rig for crying out loud.

Your experience justifies your opinion, so I certainly can't argue with you about that. My 30 years of experience, with more basses than I can even recall, tells me otherwise.

It's cool. :cool:
 
#102

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#103
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#107
GeneralElectric said:
I used to own a Washburn XB myself and I had the electronics fall apart on me. I ended up wiring the pickups straight to the jack until problems with the tuner and the bridge caused me to just give up on the bass. I left it in a park.


Maybe I'm just a lemon magnet.:hmm:
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Well, in relation to your comments about the Washburn XB you had, I can see where perhaps your idea of paying more money for some more attention to detail may be worthwhile for you, where it isn't for me.

I opened the control cavity on my Washburn and both, the preamp and 9 volt battery, were just floating around loose in the compartment. Would that cause problems down the road bouncing around all the wiring? More than likely I'm sure.

Some double sided tape and some velcro put everything in it's place and no worries here. That isn't something I'd pay an extra $400-$1000 for. One wouldn't expect that in an expensive bass, so in that regard I can see your point. Still doesn't make spending more money worth it to me though.

I'm not sure how a bridge or tuners fall apart through normal use, though I guess tuners could wear out at some point. But then again, I could buy a warehouse of tuners and bridges for $1000 more dollars. I would still have money leftover for new pickups and a preamp with pots if I were so inclined, or found it necessary.

Next time you are inclined to leave a bass in a park (that only has some hardware issues), PM me...I'll be happy to take it off your hands. ;)

I see your points and also see the validity of your opinion as it relates to issues you've dealt with. While you might feel you are a lemon magnet, I feel I'm quite the lemonade connoisseur and can make quite a tasty and potent cocktail out of very little. :D
 
#111
Used Ibanez SR-300. It's everything you need in a stage-worthy bass and nothing you don't. Best if you play rock, metal, or funk--it's got that modern Ibanez sound with the active pickups.

I found a steal of one on Craigslist. A guy was selling one in like-new condition for $150. I've seen others go by for a couple hundred bucks. It's hands-down the bass I'd recommend to any beginner.

Actually, I'll go out on a limb and say anything from Ibanez except their signature basses. They all seem to compete in the next class of bass up. I've tried many 6-strings and never been tempted to stray from my SR-506.

Edit: Oh yeah, and Cort Curbows. They're bargain basement prices now for a really solid bass. I wonder if I shouldn't pick one up in the hopes they go the way of the Steinbergers which command a big premium now.
 
#113
I've owned snob botique basses.. till am convinced the high end Peavey stuff is equal in overall quality and sound.

I'd say overal Made in America Peavey stuff is it.

T-40
Foundation (especially the "Unity" or "S")
Dyna Bass
TL-5
TL-6
RJ IV

There's a golden Peavey timeframe right after the T-40/45 that created some very rock solid and quality basses that are under appreciated (or even known). Seems as if people compare a trash Fury to an Alembic all the time.

If you look on Ebay, it's easy to find a Dyna for $200.. Foundation for $200.. TL-5 for $350.. TL-6 for $400

Any of these basses will kick the shorts off the compeitition.

Other basses?

Yamaha RBX
Ibanez Road Gear

I've also noticed that the low cost asian import stuff is skyrocketing in value for the buck... I just picked up a p/j pickup bass with great tuners and bridge for $50 off craigs list.. no fretwear.. no buckle rash.. no scratches. After intoning the bridge, I'd gig with it anywhere.

Made in USA Peavey are still the ticket to a generic value... especially the stuff with active eq
 
#115
Anyone ever heard of a SunTech? Made in Japan, neck thru body, maple neck. Had mods that included split active EMG's, Schaller machine heads and a nice bridge. After I mistakenly got rid of it I have never seen a sub $1000 bass that played as well, nor have I seen another. Currently have an Ibanez SRX300 off of Craigs that I like so far.
 
#118
Johnthebasskid said:
Haha, I have a feeling that Johnson is about to become very popular in the next few months/years.
If you also play guitar/know someone who plays guitar, you should check out their brother compant AXL Guitars (They have 2 basses available, which have EMG-designed pickups, and you can either get them with a split, or a single and a split option. I haven't played them, but I'd imagine they're pretty decent.)
And both Johnson and AXL make DEVASTATING tube AND solid state amps.
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By devastating, did you mean good or bad?
The AXL Badwater was reviewed in bass player,it's vintaged P copy.They said it was pretty good for the money.
 
#120
i got a mid 60s futurama bass for free from a girlfriend at the time. LOVED it. loved it so hard and so often i had to keep windex in my gig bag.

her brother subsequently destroyed it with a couple of friends of his because 'it didnt work anyway.' yeah... had nothing to do with the fact that i got the bass and he didn't. it belonged to their uncle. guy has a very large collection of awesome, quirky 60s and 70s style instruments.

so i got a '61 norma electric guitar as a consolation. that was actually given to her brother, he drew on it with sharpie and dinged it up really bad. but since it was so grimy, i took a softish brillo type pad and removed all the marker- he basically just drew on the dirt which came right off.

and if i ever get a re-fret done on it, it'll be one very badass guitar.

i'll always be on the lookout for a good futurama bass, though.
 

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