Basses whose quality exceeds price

[stflbn]

This thread is way more valuable and helpful then the "Price exceeds value thread"... as far as I'm concerned.


And big +++ for the Schecters. You see alot of basses for sale here on talkbass, but you see few Schecters. The ones you don't see for sale are actually being played.

They're more then decent as they ship. They're STELLAR if you put some upgrade dollars into them. Especially at the cost you can get them used.

 

[GabeN]

MIJ Fenders all the way. Amazing quality for the price.

This may come as a shock but here it is:

Warwick (corvette specifically)

That's right. A solid built super-jazz with excellent tonewoods, lightweight tuners, 2 piece brass bridge, active pups, and terrific quality for the price of a stock MIA Jazz.

 

[Dr Stankface]

Any MusicMan bass.

 

[Arthur U. Poon]

IMO you'll really find these basses' quality exceeds their prices, especially when buying them on the used market:

Czech-made Spectors
Lakland Skyline
MIA Fenders
Mike Lull

 

[WoodyG3]

On the low end of the price spectrum, used US made Peaveys are my pick.

A lot of people will say SX, and I agree that for the money, they are a great deal. Just don't expect perfect playabilty or super quiet electronics.

Putting together your own bass from parts can be a good deal, but you have to shop carefully, otherwise it will cost more than the price of a similar factory made bass.

I'll just add that my Carvin LB70, brand new from the factory, was less than $1000 four years ago. It has a fancy flamed koa top, and I think it would cost more like $1200 now. In any case, it was worth the money and a lot more. The fact that you can buy them for quite a bit less used makes them an even better deal.

 

[ster]

This may come as a shock but here it is:

Warwick (corvette specifically)

That's right. A solid built super-jazz with excellent tonewoods, lightweight tuners, 2 piece brass bridge, active pups, and terrific quality for the price of a stock MIA Jazz.

Big plus 1 for the Corvette. Great quality bass that sounds awesome and is affordable. I actually like the passive one better and its cheaper.

 

[Captain_Arrrg]

+1 for Carvin.

Custom basses and quality amps for insane prices!

Also the Profesional Series basses from Spector. Not too attractive on paper (tone pump jr, passive EMGs), but anyone who has played one knows what I'm talking about.

 

[rick4001s]

Definately SX, Cort and the Variax 700 & 705 Bass (when they came down in price a while ago).

 

[SERPENT865]

Carvin ,Peavey ,Dean and ESP.!!!!!

 

[richnota]

For high-end customs at a "factory" price I recommend Tom Clement's basses. Total custom, perfect neck and action, light and well balanced. i play mine alongside Rob Allens and Veillettes and find they're quite up to the company.

5 string mag+piezo in mahogany and bubinga top

6 string piezo in walnut w/swamp ash core

 

[sasquatchofohio]

carvin for sure, i also want to include traben they offer good sound, and on some basses spalted tops, and most of their basses are under $1000, the only one that is more then $1000 is the star and thats probably because of the pick-ups and the 3 aguilar pre-amps on it

 

[DanielleMuscato]

- Valenti
- Sadowsky Metro
- MTD Kingstons (not the Z-series; they need a preamp upgrade out of the box)
- Dingwall
- Steinberger
- Lakland Skyline
- Yamaha
- SX
- Squier VM
- Samick Greg Bennett series
- Nordstrand
- Carvin

 

[sps500]

yamaha peavey cort ibanez...not necessarily in that order and definitely check the gear for sale section .....

 

[Warpticon]

Gotta second te Greg Bennett series, the SX, the Trabens, and the Peaveys, and I gotta throw in Douglas and Dean as well.

 

[ghiadub]

If we are talking out of the box, IMO the SX, Squires, and any fender need serious setup (nut, bridge, neck, intonation) I have owned all, and I love my Squire VM, but it played for sh_t when I first got it. To me, that is an important factor.

Best bass I have purchased that exceeded my expectations (for the money) was a Conklin GT. It needed nothing and played great and in tune and at 575 it was a great bass.

I would have mentioned my memphis but since I found it (for 60 bucks!) I have been trying to find another Memphis bass with as much soul and every other one i have played is complete crap.

Sometimes it is just blind luck (regarding what makes a bass "good")

 

[b_carville]

I have to go with older American made Peavey's.
The older Peavey Fury models are a terrific P bass copy.They used an alnico magnet pickup that gave a great vintage sound.I've had Fender's that were not as good.
The Foundation model is a tad light in the low end but it's a great player.A little EQ will warm it up.The T-40 is great but ugly! The Palladium bass was nice too.A lot of Peavey's active models sounded great as well.

I see these models( especially old Fury's & Foundation's) going for $100-150 used my way.At that price they are a steal!

 

[StevieT]

I love the quality on my Schecter C-4
and my Ibanez SR-506.
Both basses were very inexpensive IMHO

 

[GRAHAM JACOBS]

My Dean Brian Bromberg B2. Korean made but unbelievable.

I paid the equivalent of $750.00 and its my favourite 5 string. I've never had the opportunity to play any of the Spectors but I've come across a few posts where the Bromberg B2 is rated very highly against them.

 

[troyus]

Guild Pilot.

 

[K.Ross]

ANOTHER + for Carvin.....I'd put my XB75PF up there with GREAT sounding...GREAT playing basses at a much lower cost,because you're "skipping" the middleman. ( Their amps are top notch too...( especially for the price.)
Kent