• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

Biggest surprise, Bass-wise

bassist4dalord

bassist4dalord

Dec 13, 2007
5,722
3,532
SW Missouri
#1
Hey guys. I'm bored, and I was looking through some pics of basses and I saw a pic of a Geddy Lee Jazz. It got me thinking; what bass has been the biggest surprise to you? Meeting, exceeding, or failing your expectations- I want to hear your stories!

For me, it was the Geddy Lee Jazz. I like Geddy's tone, but wouldn't want it for myself. That, and I'm mostly a P man, so I thought I would be greatly turned off by the Geddy's toothpick of a neck.

Yet, when I played one at GC, I was stunned! The neck felt AMAZING, and the tone floored me. I'd never heard a Jazz Bass that sounded THAT good. Maybe I'll buy one someday- who knows. But, the Geddy Lee Jazz surprised me the most because I imagined an uncomfortably small neck and a very much Geddy-like tone, when I found that the neck was amazing and the tone, while inspired by Geddy's, was nothing near the unpleasantness I had expected.

Let's hear your biggest shocker!
 
#2
So far the biggest shocker I've found is the new Squier basses. I am more of an Ibanez guy, but I've tried some of the new CV and VM Squiers. The Jazz and P models I've tried played very well and the tone was much better then I was expecting for the price they go for. I think the tone could be better, so I plan on getting a VM Jazz to mod now :)
 
#4
440340.jpg



I bought this on closeout. I was shocked at what a great instrument it is. In fact, even now - months later, I'm still amazed at how nice it is.
 
#5
Biggest Disappointment - Single Pickup Stingray - man you could shatter glass with that thing, the highs were so "present"

Biggest Surprise - H/S Bongo 5. Considering the above experience, what a surprise. This thing is fat, beyond fat.
 
#7
AmadeusXeno said:
So far the biggest shocker I've found is the new Squier basses. I am more of an Ibanez guy, but I've tried some of the new CV and VM Squiers. The Jazz and P models I've tried played very well and the tone was much better then I was expecting for the price they go for. I think the tone could be better, so I plan on getting a VM Jazz to mod now :)
Click to expand...

Same here. Squier used to equal crap.
They have really upped their quality in recent years with the VM & CV series.
 
#9
:cool:

Tho not well know here at TB.
The biggest surprise I've got are my "Bluesman Vintage Guitar" Jazz and P-Basses.
I'm a fender guy, and have owned quit a few real vintage fenders in the past.
These basses nail the old fender thing, with great relicing.
They feel and sound just like the real deal.
I've owned Nash, Fender CS, and Lakland USA.
While these a fine basses.
The Bluesman Vintage, beats them all.
So much so, I stopped playing my Fender 1966 P-Bass.
Best investment I've made, bass wise.
 
#10
Hmmm....

My first 1989 Charvel factory 2nd - thing played great and didn't sound half bad. Bought it for something like $120 new, sold it used for $350. Go figure.

Another big shock was playing a $7000 Fodera that felt like a big piece of firewood. I was very let down. VERY.
 
#11
My biggest surprise was my Dingwall ABI that I purchased without ever playing one.

Being mainly a Fender/Lakland guy for years I was curious about Dingwall and came across a great deal on a used one, I have been playing it now for over a year and it seems to keep getting better. So much so that I have sold off nearly all my other basses and can't wait to get another Dingwall!
 
#12
I had a friend with a crappy copy of a Beatle bass (bolt neck, violin shape). The setup on it was crap, the strings were beyond dead, and the electronics were broken. I fixed the loose connections (didn't replace anything), put some round wounds on it and gave it a stup, and it sounded amazing. I have absolutely no idea what it was that made that bass work at that time, but I would have gigged with it (and at the time I was using a Fender Performer with EMGs). I considered trying to recreate the bass but I can't remember the brand and I haven't cared for the other violin basses I've tried.

Second surprise was a Warwick LX5 fretless. I'm not a fan of fretless and didn't know Warwick from any other brand. I used it to test a cabinet because it seemed like the closest thing in the store to my Spector Euro 5. Ended up buying the bass for a grand used, passed on the cab, and later sold the Spector. I still have the fretless (and I'm just as bad on it now as I was then).

Third was an LBS cabinet. I bought a 1X10 used off of Craiglist to have a little cab to mess around with and it sounded great. I bought a new 1X15 later and had the 1X10 stained blue to match. I'd never heard of them before, but they're very nice cabs.
 
#13
I continue to be surprised and impressed with Ibanez, Peavey and Squier basses.
I also love the Eden 405 amp I found used. Amazing tone.

Disappointments: I spent an afternoon in a music store playing Rickenbacker guitars (not basses) and couldn't believe how much the quality varied from one to the next.

Also vintage instruments - their quality compared to the price continues to disappoint. Any old crappy thing brings big bucks.

I got the itch for an EBO so I played the Epiphone version in Guitar Center. I couldn't put it down fast enough. Just felt like crap.
 
#16
AmadeusXeno said:
So far the biggest shocker I've found is the new Squier basses. I am more of an Ibanez guy, but I've tried some of the new CV and VM Squiers. The Jazz and P models I've tried played very well and the tone was much better then I was expecting for the price they go for. I think the tone could be better, so I plan on getting a VM Jazz to mod now :)
Click to expand...

+1. The fit, finish, and 'trueness' of my CV 60s P outclasses my MIA P IMO.

Still a little too heavy, and much too pink. ;)
 
#17
Webtroll, I too use LBS cabinets. I have 2 12" cabs & 2 8" cabs. The guy is making killer stuff in Pflugerville. He has a new 2X10+horn cab that is amazing from what I understand. My most surprising bass is a Cliff Bordwell Performance Series 5 string. I got it in a trade with a fellow TBer. He is happy & so am I. The bass is just wonderful & has Delano pups. I love it so much I'm considering buying another. Another is my Regenerate Guitar Works Heritage '55 P 5 string. I expected it to be good, but it far surpasses that term.
 
#19
Yesterday I played an Ibanez SR300ipt and I have to say in my opinion it was the most comfortable bass I have EVER played ad it really surprised me.It had great tone and the price was spectacular in relation to the impression it left on me. If I wasn't saving up for a head and cab that bass would be my next musical purchase without a doubt.
 
#20
AmadeusXeno said:
So far the biggest shocker I've found is the new Squier basses. I am more of an Ibanez guy, but I've tried some of the new CV and VM Squiers. The Jazz and P models I've tried played very well and the tone was much better then I was expecting for the price they go for. I think the tone could be better, so I plan on getting a VM Jazz to mod now :)
Click to expand...

I agree with this......even though I should've known it would be good from tall the talk on TB I am loving my VM Jazz more and more as I play it. I bought it for a secondary cheapie I could keep in the car if I was at work or whatever but the thing is solid---I actually love it. Killer sound....yeah pots and pups could be better on it but for what you pay....!
 

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back