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beater's

#41
I have a few $100 Basses that i keep around for Jams, and situations where i might need to Loan a bass.

Aria Pro II CSB-300
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Electra Ventura
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Warwick Streamer Std
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They all play great, sound great, and are somewhat Vintagey. But if they get beat, broke, or stolen I'll get over it pretty quick!
 
#42
I think this is the first time I've heard a Warwick described as a beater.

I own two basses total, both of which are under two years old and in immaculate condition, and I feel fortunate to have them. It'll be awhile before I can afford the luxury of a beater, but I do understand the concept.
 
#43
I don't gig much but when I do I take a great bass, not a beater. My beater is for when I check a bass as baggage while flying on vacation, usually to the beach, where I noodle through a headphone amp. If the case and bass are lost-bummer but no catastrophe.
 
#44
lomo said:
I don't gig much but when I do I take a great bass, not a beater. My beater is for when I check a bass as baggage while flying on vacation, usually to the beach, where I noodle through a headphone amp. If the case and bass are lost-bummer but no catastrophe.
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You need play the Detroit Punk Circut. You'll learn your lesson on bringing a Nice Bass in a HURRY! Although one of Detroits Finest 4-String Thumpers plays his Minty Vintage '72 Telecaster Bass on a Regular bassis...(Hey Skid!)
 
#46
I'm embarassed to have a bass collection that cost much more than a year of college.

I play the botiques in churches --- jam a $50 Pbass copy for bar gigs... it plays and sounds better than my $$$$$$ fenders.

I've NEVER had anyone question why I wasn't bringing a $$$$$$$ bass.

Was nice Saturday night.. left it in the -15 garage.... bought it in.. heat it up with a hair dryer... flung it in the car.. threw it on stage.. tuned it.. gigged it .. left it while taking the Mrs to dinnner.

If a kid walked up totally interested in bass, it would be his (or less likely hers)

Tim
 
#49
My name is Mudd said:
Didn't that mess with the neck? One of mine will change slightly if the A/C is on (in the warmer months, obviously)...
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Took it from -15 to 90 in about 10 minutes.. took the longest to get the body warm.. went immediately from -15 to the hair dryer. Forgot it was in the garage.

Much of this depends on the bass. My Fender stuff freaks out all the time.

Zero issues.. no finish issues.. no neck issues.

I play action about 1mm max.

Reason to heat it up was to ensure I wouldn't have tuning issues.

Normally in these conditions I'd play a carbon fiber neck...

Funny thing is I was kind of rallying for body finish blemishes - zero.
 
#51
I bought this $40 Squier specifically to check as baggage for overseas gigs.

I had some black harware, custom pickguard, and leftover gold Range Rover paint, so I gave it a quick rebuild. It looks ok from 20 feet away, stays in tune, and sounds ok. The factory Squier pickup is pretty weak...

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#52
Here's my Latest "Beater". I have a little over $200 tied up in this BEAST! But it sounds Great, Plays Great, and IF worst came to Worst, it is "Expendable!

But It's a Y2K squire PJ body, and an early 80's (83 - 84ish) MIJ Fender Jazz Special neck in All Black!

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Seymour Duncan P-Bass Pup!
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Nice Grain on these Rosewood Boards!
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"E" Series Headstock!
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Painted necks are COOL!
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Squire Neck Plate!
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The action is a TOUCH High, and the Light Body gives it an almost Rubbery Feeling when you play it. But it plays FINE! I've had no problems playing Punk, Classic Rock, or Speed Metal with it. I kinda Like it!
 
#53
Beaters are the only basses for me. Play 'em all. I love working on my own guitars too, and who wants to ruin a very expensive instrument? I've always found that LIVE playing is different. I've always performed live and it's totally different in rooms in different locations. Sometimes the best sounding players have the perceived "worst" basses and gear. Knowing how to get it sounding good is vital, as is your own playing technique. I understand the punk and metal scenes well! You need a sturdy and reliable beast for beating. Beaters are a great thing!
 
#54
I scored a beater last year at a pawn shop while I was out of town for work. It is a Yamaha BBN5 that had the start of a crack in the headstock (through the tuner holes). I got it for less than $100, and figured I'd use it for a beater. But, by the time I got done setting it up, I realized that it is a pretty nice sounding and playing bass. It is now on dropped B duty in my heavy band, because the neck is a bit meatier than my other bass, and dropped B is actually tuning up on a 5-string. So, it went from beater to main bass.
 

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