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Basses whose quality exceeds price

#22
Well the hands down winner in this category is my SX SJB-75 LTD. This bass rocks. It's easily as good as any MIM Fender out there. It's only $170 new from Rondo.

SXSJB75LTD-1.gif
 
#23
For my price range and playing needs (I'm cheap and I suck) Schecter basses are a dream come true. I have a Stiletto 5 and a sweet-ass Model T that together cost me less than $1000. That $1000 was my intended budget for just 1 "mid-range" bass. For my hands and ears, I'd put either of these 2 basses up against anything I've played in the $1000 price range. I'm a fan for life! I'm even getting one of their guitars soon (a sweet Tempest, $499, so nice).

I've enjoyed the Epiphone Thunderbird too, decent cheap bass.....
 
#28
Chef said:
New?
Any Lakland Skyline; any G&L Tribute.

Used? too many to name if you're in the right place at the right time.
Click to expand...

+1

I'd add Fender '50s classic P-bass, the '60s classic Jazz, and Sadowsky Metro.

PS. Oops, how could I forget Valenti? Mine was a steal used.
 
#29
Many options exist for used, so I'll focus on new:

1. Yamaha

2. G&L Tribute

3. Peavey

4. Fender's MIM Standard and Classic lines, such as the excellent Classic 50's Precision and Classic 60's Jazz

5. DiPinto, especially the excellent Belvedere semi-hollow

6. Epiphone Jack Casady (I generally do not like Epiphone, but these are great.)

7. ESP (I've been surprised by the quality every time I've played one.)
 
#34
bukowski12 said:
For my price range and playing needs (I'm cheap and I suck) Schecter basses are a dream come true. I have a Stiletto 5 and a sweet-ass Model T that together cost me less than $1000. That $1000 was my intended budget for just 1 "mid-range" bass. For my hands and ears, I'd put either of these 2 basses up against anything I've played in the $1000 price range. I'm a fan for life! I'm even getting one of their guitars soon (a sweet Tempest, $499, so nice).
.....
Click to expand...

+1 I've owned a Schecter Stilleto Custom 4, a Model T, and still have the Diamond J.

All three were (are) excellent axes priced reasonably.
 
#36
IME, I have owned many basses that had spectacular quality but when it came to playing out, jamming or recording, I never seemed to reach for those basses. I have thought a lot about why this is and can only come up the idea that I'm vain to a greater or lesser extent in this regard. If I'm playing a small blues club in a 4 piece band, I'm probably going to bring a Fender style bass to that gig even when I have a bass that IMO is superior in build/tone/playability. Also, in a recording situation some engineers frown on unfamiliar basses so I tend to bring something that I know will be readily accepted. Because of this, the price/quality ratio is impacted by how usable the the bass is IME. I think you should consider how and where you will use your bass, and whether or not other people's opinions on your gear matter to you before you choose a bass.

Having said that (sorry for the long winded response) IMO, the quality of Sadowsky NYC basses far exceeds their price.

Specifically, it's the "usability" of the bass far exceeds the price. The tone and look of the bass make it the one that IMO, you will reach for when you go out to play or record. I predict that it is highly likely your band mates will dig the tone and recording engineers will as well. To me, this is what makes the price of a bass either acceptable or not as much as the perceived quality/tone/playability. Totally my opinion of course.

So now go get a Sadowsky! ;)
 
#38

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