Do any gigging bassist out there buy inexpensive bass guitars for practice throwing in the car or bringing on gigs where weather or rowdy conditions dictate bringing something less then your favorite bass?(I hate the word cheap) I bought a candy apple red sparkled squier P-bass and I love it.Its good for putting in the car to go practice.I sometimes dont go right to practice and my bass can sit in the car for a few hours in zero degree or 100 degree days.But I was wondering what bassists buy and use and actually like the cheap one.Ido use my good ones for shows and recording and photo's.So lets hear what you guys call beaters.Happy New Year
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beater's
- Thread starter RonChase
- Start date
Not to be contrary on purpose, but I subscribe to the theory that it takes hundreds of hours of time to build a relationship with a specific bass so I no longer have a bunch of axes - these day's it's just 2 - a P and a J.
The P is my main axe and the J is my backup - both were fairly expensive and get well taken care of so I consider neither one a beater, but if I could only save one from a burning building, it would be the P without hesitation.
I suppose if I wanted a dedicated beater, for me it would have to be the exact same model with the exact same action settings, strings, etc as my main axe. I don't want to waste time getting used to all the various intricacies on multiple basses.
Anal, I know - but it's what works for me.
The P is my main axe and the J is my backup - both were fairly expensive and get well taken care of so I consider neither one a beater, but if I could only save one from a burning building, it would be the P without hesitation.
I suppose if I wanted a dedicated beater, for me it would have to be the exact same model with the exact same action settings, strings, etc as my main axe. I don't want to waste time getting used to all the various intricacies on multiple basses.
Anal, I know - but it's what works for me.
I agree with debassr. I use my Sadowsky jazz for everything. It shouldn't have to stay at home while I take a cheap bass out to practice or gigs. Basses were made to be played, not to just hang on a wall and look pretty. 
I have a couple good beaters that I've loaned out to my friends band buddies. They appreciate it and I've got really nothing to loose.
I bring my best bass to all my gigs and practices. I want the sound and playability that my favorite bass gives me. At gigs I don't let the bass out of my site. I wouldn't purchase a bass that I couldn't play wherever I want. Although my main is sub $1K. I don't understand why someone would buy a $1k bass and out of fear that the bass will be damaged or stolen, bring a $100-$200 Squier or SX to the gig. Now if your buying collector basses that's a different story.
A guy who plays bar gigs in some tough bars bought an SX Jazz from me. I think he was planning on modding it and bringing in on those gigs.
the reason I prefer a beater is that I keep 1 guitar and one bass in the basement.I have a dozen guitars and bass's and each one gets use.I am comfortable with all of them.I always wether guitar or bass carry 2 instuments at all times but I do agree they are meant to be used and used they are.I love all my instruments.I was just wondering what folks thoughts were on beaters and also what was considered a beater.I have probably performed several thousand gigs and still dont know what my favorite is but sometimes I like to prevent rough use with my better ones.Sometimes I let folks use my instruments at open mic's and dont feel like sharing my better ones with strangers so lets keep the input coming in bassist's and also happy New Years to all of you
Looking at some responses, its not fear that drives my getting beaters but sometimes a beater just looks great.I have 4 excellent bass's and I scored a beater yesterday and only because I thought it looked great.It is a squier P-bass it is red sparkled and I bought it on looks alone.I have owned real P's also and also in my arsenal is a Fender Jazz but I was smitten by the red squier so much that I parted with a C-note.I would also be curious now as to what motivates people to buy beaters because all the above responses are valid to my mind.but Im on the road alot and the car is not a place to leave any good instrument in for any extended period and besides now I cant tell you why my Fender is worth many times more than my new Squier.The Fender does feel better but not 6 times better.Also at raucous parties I have had guitars knocked over and think the Hofners dont like falling and my LTD is a family heirloom(my daughter bought it for me for my 50th)I look forward to seeing more responses as I enjoy hearing what other bassist's think and do
My beat up Hoppus P bass is definitely my beater. It's also the one that I play 99% of the time. I never intended to like it, but I LOVE the tone of the thing! I'm even working on putting a jazz type neck on it, I like it so much. With a J neck, I think it will not only be my beater/go to bass, but it will be my favorite for tone and feel as well.
Baby, P's with J necks are so money, they dont even know how money they are.
For me, the kicker is that it's a J body with a P neck and PUP. With a J neck, it'll be a J bass, except for the PUP.
Who ever had it before me must have been a kid that was into punk, because it is messed up. Plays fine, but it sure is ugly!
Here's my newly restored beater.
1993 Peavey Fury (p-pups and jazz neck)
$75 for the bass + $75 in parts and strings = Priceless buttahhhhhhh......
BEFORE
AFTER
1993 Peavey Fury (p-pups and jazz neck)
$75 for the bass + $75 in parts and strings = Priceless buttahhhhhhh......
BEFORE
AFTER
It's rare that sweet tone and good looks come in the same package. It took me years of searching to find one that had both. Much like women.
About 5 years ago, I purchased an SX SPB62 as a backup/beater bass to my old vintage Precision. At that time, the Fender was starting to get up there in age, and there were certain gigs where bringing the old Fender didn't make a lot of sense. Example: outdoor party gig during a rainstorm. Rough bar shows. etc. Having an inexpensvie bass around for stuff like that, or just as a solid back up seemed to make good sense to me.
Funny thing happened along the way. I started to notice that the "backup" had some really good qualities as a pure "players" insturment. Started using the old Fender less and less. That old Fender had earned it's keep for years, and it seemed like it was time to move it to "semi-retirement" status. Guitar players Les Paul getting stolen off the stage at a show helped accelerate this decision making process.
Spend some time dialing the "beater/backup" SX in to approximate the sound of the old Fender, and it ended up being my "no.1 workhorse".
Last year, I bought a new American Standard Fender P with the intention of moving the SX back to "backup" roll. This lasted about three shows, before I decided the SX just flat out sounded better, and played every bit as good, if not a touch better than the new Fender. The new Fender got moved to backup roll, which is where it stays to this day.
Funny thing happened along the way. I started to notice that the "backup" had some really good qualities as a pure "players" insturment. Started using the old Fender less and less. That old Fender had earned it's keep for years, and it seemed like it was time to move it to "semi-retirement" status. Guitar players Les Paul getting stolen off the stage at a show helped accelerate this decision making process.
Spend some time dialing the "beater/backup" SX in to approximate the sound of the old Fender, and it ended up being my "no.1 workhorse".
Last year, I bought a new American Standard Fender P with the intention of moving the SX back to "backup" roll. This lasted about three shows, before I decided the SX just flat out sounded better, and played every bit as good, if not a touch better than the new Fender. The new Fender got moved to backup roll, which is where it stays to this day.
I have a Squier VM Telebass that I lend out to other bassists at jam nights I host. Other than that, I don't generally play a bass that might be considered a beater.
My #1 gigging bass is a 2008 American Standard Precision and I unfortunately dropped it a couple of times, banged it into sone things and scratched the back of it with my jeans. As it is kinda "worn" I use it as a beater as I an not concerned with it getting a few more battlescars..
My #1 gigging bass is a 2008 American Standard Precision and I unfortunately dropped it a couple of times, banged it into sone things and scratched the back of it with my jeans. As it is kinda "worn" I use it as a beater as I an not concerned with it getting a few more battlescars..
I have become reluctant to sell my Warmoth because it suits that role pretty well. Great neck, great electronics, has lots of nicks & dings but is built like a tank. And it's not especially collectible or valuable.
It's the first one I'd leave in a car all day, though I try to avoid that with any axe if at all possible.
It's important that it could easily be (& for a long time was) my #1 player. I don't have room for anything that I don't like the sound & feel of.
It's the first one I'd leave in a car all day, though I try to avoid that with any axe if at all possible.
It's important that it could easily be (& for a long time was) my #1 player. I don't have room for anything that I don't like the sound & feel of.
My SX and my well played Sterling gets the gigs now, it use to be only my Fenders
but those have paid their way and are retired or sold off.Plus the SX plays and sounds as good as some of my Fenders anyway.
but those have paid their way and are retired or sold off.Plus the SX plays and sounds as good as some of my Fenders anyway.
Here's my newly restored beater.
1993 Peavey Fury (p-pups and jazz neck)
$75 for the bass + $75 in parts and strings = Priceless buttahhhhhhh......
BEFORE
AFTER
Very nice!
I'm thinking of a "beater" for some out-of-town gigs where we don't know the venue...I'd just die if anything happened to my main basses - my first and best one has relatively recently come out of semi-retirement again, my 2nd best is still getting a lot of use but replacing either of them would be hard/impossible to me in terms of both feel and sound...
I've heard of instruments getting trashed, forgotten, stolen...I'd rather use a cheapie on a potentially rough gig.
Its a tough call isn't it? Either TAKE that irreplaceable number 1 with incredible tone and the neck you learnt on with you to be played like it should be...or take numbers 2 or 3 - not quite "devastating" if anything happens to them, but still a big blow
I've heard of instruments getting trashed, forgotten, stolen...I'd rather use a cheapie on a potentially rough gig.
Its a tough call isn't it? Either TAKE that irreplaceable number 1 with incredible tone and the neck you learnt on with you to be played like it should be...or take numbers 2 or 3 - not quite "devastating" if anything happens to them, but still a big blow
