Basses you love that don't get enough recognition

[Darbitrator]

Harley Benton PB-50. Modified with a Fender T-Bass neck and Badass bridge. The electronics can be hit or miss on these, but this one is real quiet with the classic single pup sound. And where else can a lefty get this great vintage Fender/Sting look for only $100?
(Apologize in advance for the shirt/beads .... Mardi Gras event.)

 

[Bigpig]

Anything by Fujigen. Just superb builds, smooth, easy action, great tone, serious bang for the buck.

 

[LowEndLobster]

Anything by Fujigen. Just superb builds, smooth, easy action, great tone, serious bang for the buck.

Amen! I have a Mighty Jazz DE and an Iliad DE and they're amazing instruments. Killer tone, feel, build, etc. Checks all the boxes, and at a great price! Thinking of snagging one of their P's too...

 

[Thegrandwazoo]

Ernie Ball Music Man Sterlings. They're better and more versatile than the ubiquitous Stingray in nearly every conceivable way (unless you like wide necks), arguably better looking, and just as well-made, and it seems like hardly anyone gives a rodent's rectum about them.

 

[bluepeep]

GROWLER LOVE.... Man did I luck out many years ago not knowing what I was buying at all.

 

[groove pump]

I get a Mr. Spock eyebrow every time I sample a Yamaha RBX 170. That's just a cheap bass with a whole lotta right goin' on!!

I actually saw one (used) in a shop some years ago that somebody had hot-rodded with a beefier bridge and aftermarket pickups. Played great, sounded great, seemed great... and of course I didn't have the $120 in my pocket to give it a home. When I went back the next day, it was already gone. I really need to get off my duff and go to work on one of my own

 

[LadyLoveStingRay5]

My favorite bass design is the Fender small body Jazz Bass V, first seen on the 1990 Jazz Bass Plus V, last seen on the 2009 American Deluxe Jazz Bass V, if you don't count the Warmoth Deluxe 5J, which is the same body.

I don't see a lot of these in the wild, and I'm not sure why. Fender sold that design from 1990-1994 as the US Plus Series, then as the American Deluxe Series from 1998-2009. They were for most of that time Fender's most expensive production basses. So, why don't we see more of them?

Second place for me goes to the Zeta CrossOver bass. I frakking love those things.

People tend to hold on to them. Sharay Reed put that bass on the map. I happen to think they are some of the best 5 strings Fender has ever produced .

 

[MAJOR METAL]

No doubt, Michael Dolan. How many luthiers are out there making custom one offs? Not many. This is the last bass Michael crafted for me:

 

[bbh]

No doubt, Michael Dolan. How many luthiers are out there making custom one offs? Not many. This is the last bass Michael crafted for me:

I thought Dorian was a kybrd player who used to work sweet water sales. Same guy?

 

[MAJOR METAL]

I thought Dorian was a kybrd player who used to work sweet water sales. Same guy?

No, this is Mr. Dolan Michael Dolan Custom Guitars

 

[bbh]

No, this is Mr. Dolan Michael Dolan Custom Guitars

Thank you. I see my blurry eyes read the name wrong.

 

[madmikebass]

I always thought the Kramer aluminum neck bass line was hit way too hard. Mine played beautifully, sounded great, and was extraordinarily nice looking.
Yes, I walked away for gigs looking like a hunch back because of the crazy weight of the thing. But, as long as I could tolerate that, I loved my Kramer!

 

[KeithPas]

Ibanez Roadgear RD500
Ibanez Talman
Cort Action Series


View attachment 3716849

 

[alfiofer]

Anything by Fujigen. Just superb builds, smooth, easy action, great tone, serious bang for the buck.

Fujigen/Matsumoku?
Something like this?