Basses under $1000 that put $2000+ basses to shame?

[Pazelaya93]

And the award for "Best-kept Secret In The Bass World" goes to...
The Reverend Thundergun!
I've posted before that it does indeed put some more expensive basses to shame.

I think it is a work of art and a very finely crafted instrument. A lot of thought went into this bass and a lot of care went into the finished product.
The people at Reverend really care about what they make and they have pride in what they sell.
Sure, it's about the money but for these guys it's also about the player.
Look at the prices Fender's asking for some of their MIM basses...$1,200 or more. I can't tell you how many times I've heard people calling them out on this, but hey, no one's forcing you to buy them.
Seriously, I'm surprised Reverend isn't asking more for the Thundergun. I would buy one even at $200 more.

SPLIT BRICK NECK
Strong lows and highs, open mids. Like a vintage P bass pickup but with more beef, yet retains clarity. 43 gauge wire, ceramic magnet, 8.5K ohms.
THICK BRICK BRIDGE
Warm and thick with strong mids. Output and punch like an active, but more organic sounding. 42 gauge wire, ceramic magnet, 7K ohms.
PICKUP PAN CONTROL
This control allows you to blend the two pickups with one knob. Roll in the bridge pickup for more midrange punch, or bring up the neck pickup for more low thump and open highs. Dialing in the perfect tone has never been easier!
PURE TONE JACK
All Reverends use an upgraded jack by Pure Tone Technologies. The Pure Tone jack has dual contacts for improved grip, audio signal and reliability. The most dependable guitar jack available
CUSTOM JACK PLATE
The proprietary jack plate features four mounting screws, instead of two. The extra screws prevent the plate from tearing out of the body. Made of steel for durability, the laser etched logo adds an extra touch of class!
10% POLY CAPS
Caps with a +-10% rating. Our caps are made to tighter specifications, so they're more consistent. Made of polyester, they're also longer lasting, and less affected by temperature than cheaper ceramic caps. Typically used in expensive boutique guitars.
10% POTS
Alpha control pots with a +-10% rating, tighter and more consistent than a standard pot. Typically used in expensive boutique guitars, but standard issue in all Reverends.
HIPSHOT ULTRALIGHT TUNERS
These tuners have a housing made of aircraft grade aluminum that makes them extra-light. The difference in weight can be as much as 2-3oz less in the headstock, which means a more balanced bass that's more comfortable to play. And the tone is great! Your bass is more defined and enhanced with the Hipshot Ultralites.
KORINA BODY
Korina (aka White Limba) is a medium-light weight wood, highly prized for consistency and tonal qualities. Often found in boutique and vintage instruments, all Reverends feature Korina bodies. A highly resonant wood, Korina is a key factor to producing our lively, responsive instruments that are rich in harmonics.
INITIALED HEADSTOCK
Every Reverend is hand initialed and serial numbered on the back of the headstock by one of their highly skilled technicians who sets up, inspects, and tests every instrument.
BONEITE NUT
They use "Boneite," a synthetic bone nut, that is more consistent than natural bone, on all Reverend instruments. It reduces friction, allowing the strings to slide through the nut slots smoothly, improving tuning stability.
DUAL-ACTION TRUSS ROD
The dual action rod adjusts in both directions, allowing back bow or forward bow. This assures correct adjustment range is possible regardless of string tension, extreme climate conditions, or the effects of long term aging. It's also located at the headstock for easy access.
HIGH MASS BRIDGE
The bridge features heavy duty saddles in combination with a massive base plate. This substantial mass of metal enhances clarity and attack, and produces bell-like sustain. It's also a versatile bridge, that can be strung string-thru-body or top-load.
And to top it off, the newer models have the Blackwood Tek fretboard
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went to their website. the triad bolt on in purple is really nice. three single coils like a strat. cool af

 

[Pazelaya93]

FGN. The quality and attention to detail is nuts.

really dig the double split coil setup on the MIGHTY POWER BASS! very JJBA type name. which i like too

 

[walking Bass]

Whatever bass I play, I mostly sound the same. Whether a U-Bass, Sadowsky or Gibson, I mostly sound the same.

I saw the famous violinist Kennedy in concert with the SF Symphony break a string, trade violins with the 1st Violinist who exited stage to restring the instrument. A minute or two later they traded back. No one could hear the difference. The 1st Violinist had his made in a small shop in San Mateo, CA. Kennedy had a legendary violin.

 

[dramatwist]

...once you arrive at $700 to $1,000 it's essentially cosmetic... yeah, the specs of components might be better... but do 18/1 tuners do a better job than standard Fender tuners? I think the whole "boutique" notion of basses is a hose job... my opinion, YMMV... my Nissan truck gets me to the same places a Rolls-Royce would... it's all ego and brag...

 

[walking Bass]

...once you arrive at $700 to $1,000 it's essentially cosmetic... yeah, the specs of components might be better... but do 18/1 tuners do a better job than standard Fender tuners? I think the whole "boutique" notion of basses is a hose job... my opinion, YMMV... my Nissan truck gets me to the same places a Rolls-Royce would... it's all ego and brag...

I felt the same way until my local store got a used Sadowsky NYC with a maple neck. I went in the test drive because I felt the same way you did. Until I played it. Then I went back and bought it. A truly remarkable bass.

 

[dramatwist]

I felt the same way until my local store got a used Sadowsky NYC with a maple neck. I went in the test drive because I felt the same way you did. Until I played it. Then I went back and bought it. A truly remarkable bass.

...I'm happy for you... enjoy...

 

[Thumpin6string]

My $900 self built bass can hold it's own to any $2k and up bass. I built it because I couldn't afford the bass I wanted (Fbass, Roscoe, Zon). Best decision I ever made. Now I build all my basses.

 

[walking Bass]

...I'm happy for you...

thanks, I'm sure glad they underpriced it dramatically too.

 

[scuzzy]

Arbitrary statistic made up on the spot.....

95% of $2000+ basses will be better than 95% of $1000> basses.

Sometimes that Squier comes out EXQUISITE!!!! most don't...

 

[Playbyear]

FGN. The quality and attention to detail is nuts.

I've been wanting to try a new FGN.

 

[Doner Designs]

GL tribute

 

[dramatwist]

thanks, I'm sure glad they underpriced it dramatically too.

A few years ago, I picked up a used Mercedes for a song. I drove it for a year or so, then gave it to my son. He ended up selling it for more than twice what I paid for it. Go figure.

 

[mattj1stc]

I'll vote for Lakland Skyline basses. I once owned a Ric, but I still own my Skyline. There at least $1000 difference between them and the more expensive bass was worse.

 

[lfmn16]

This thread isn't meant to troll folks,

 

[Doctor Morbius]

... but do 18/1 tuners do a better job than standard Fender tuners?

I've wondered the same thing because even my stock Squier tuners never go out of tune. The only exception is if the weather changes and that's probably the neck and not the tuners.

 

[Pings Bass]

A < 1k MiM fender is "good enough" for me. I don't think it "puts to shame" a $2k USA fender, but it's definitely better than half as good, if that makes any sense. Likewise tribute/USA g&l.

 

[eJake]

Fit and finish? If you exclude electronics which contribut to the sound on some of their less expensive basses, Yamaha comes to mind. I've got a TRBX605 that I paid $550 for... and it was not only flawless, but gorgeous as well. At some point I might explore different pickups and/or preamp. Does this bass compete with $2000+ basses? No. But I'm not sure a few hundred $$ couldn't make it so. [Sorry for the crappy quality photos]

View attachment 3792407 View attachment 3792408

That is a gorgeous bass my friend! As I said, I love a reasonably priced instrument. Yamaha makes a bunch of quality stuff, I am not surprised even a little to hear their name come up in this conversation.

 

[Rib 13]

Soundwise - there are plenty, all subjective to what constitutes great sound by the individual

Buildwise - this is where the differences will mainly lay --- there aren't very many

 

[socialleper]

Can't really think of one. Most basses under $1k are short on a feature or two that can only be had at a higher price point. Once you move into the mid 1000s, you start finding basses that will compete with boutique basses over $2k.

 

[dbsfgyd1]

Y'all will have to forgive me. I've only been a "serious" bass player for roughly 3 years. And while I have spent a lot of time with guitars in all price ranges, I really don't have any experience with expensive basses beyond Fender's Elite series due to lack of time with this and access to more expensive basses.

This thread isn't meant to troll folks, because pros should have the best tools they can afford and many instruments are works of art in addition to just being a musical instrument, and I can appreciate that...

But I was just wondering if there were basses under $1000, that with a different name on the headstock, marketed well, could be marked up and sold over that $2000 price level- with the buyer being totally satisfied having paid a higher price- maybe a much higher price?...

So here's your chance to say which basses might be worth exponentially more than what they currently sell for (and possibly which expensive basses you might favorably compare them to.

Well being perfectly candid, my two Basses are worth more to me than what the market would pay. They are incredibly great sounding well built Basses that record well.