Budget Electric Basses - Your Thoughts

[Pbassmanca]

There's definitely some gems to be found amongst the budget priced basses. There's also gems to be found amongst pre-owned instruments that when new are not budget-priced. I once bought a Highway One Jazz bass in practically mint condition for under $400 Canadian, and I have seen Squires go for more than that new, so you have keep your eyes and your mind open to opportunities that arise when you least expect them....

 

[pcake]

where i run into differences between high and lower level basses is quality control. i've owned 4 ibanez mikros, and no two sounded the same or even that close, and one had the tuners pointing down, one pointing up, one pointing almost directly sideways and one i can't recall. i've A/B'ed a lot of basses of the same models at stores, and often two basses of the same make and model sound significantly different or the tone knob settings are very different. once you own one, none of that matters.

luckily none of them are actually bad that i've tried, so it comes down to preference when buying one or another. budget bases these days are darn nice.

 

[buldog5151bass]

In general, the cheaper, the greater the likelihood the instrument will bark like a dog, but it certainly is possible to find a good lower line bass. Check them out, check out used.

 

[Pbassmanca]

Also, some of the Chinese and Indonesian Squires are great. Fernandes, SX: used Fender Japanese can be had on occasion for a song. Really, IMHO, the used Market is the place to find cheap great playing, great sounding bases. I once bought a Fender made in Mexico circa 1994 P Bass in sort of a Brandywine color for 100 Canadian dollars, and it's one of my number one players! (Neck is stable AF as well!)

 

[wallawallabob]

Air Travel: Ibanez Mikro ($128, new)
Ground travel: Godin Acoustibass ($500, used) and/or upgraded Palatino 3/4 upright ($1800, new). I get compliments all the time on how good both of these basses sound and look, and have gigged the crap out of them for years.

 

[jaybones]

Squier Affinity Baltic blue p bass used, CL $80.
GC budget gigbag $20.
Seymour Duncan Quarter Pound pup used classifieds $40.
Replaced broken single ply white PG with red tortoise Fender MIA 3 ply $15.
La Bella tapewound strings $35.
Rosewood thumbrest $10.

~$200.00 precision that looks plays and sounds as good (or better than Fender USA model).

 

[mpdd]

You can buy a vintage peavey, vantage, wes tone, univox, or squier for budget prices too at less hip pawn shops.

 

[DigitalMan]

where i run into differences between high and lower level basses is quality control

While I don’t disagree, it’s more than quality control. When a manufacturer plans to build a low cost bass they not only look at cost of labor and location. They also define the process they will use to build a bass step-by-step. There will often be fewer steps involved at each stage of producing the bass, and less time allotted to each portion of the build. Quality control may also suffer, but the fact is the way less expensive instruments are made is based on a series of trade-offs between cost and quality from top to bottom. It’s actually admirable that low cost basses are as good as they are considering every choice the manufacturer makes is under significant pressure to reduce cost.

 

[BusyFingers]

We are certainly experiencing a bit of a golden age in relation to quality, inexpensive instruments. That being said, having owned a number of fine instruments that are costly over the years, there is a difference and if you wallet allows for it it's worth the extra cost.

 

[Fender_Bender]

While I don’t disagree, it’s more than quality control. When a manufacturer plans to build a low cost bass they not only look at cost of labor and location. They also define the process they will use to build a bass step-by-step. There will often be fewer steps involved at each stage of producing the bass, and less time allotted to each portion of the build. Quality control may also suffer, but the fact is the way less expensive instruments are made is based on a series of trade-offs between cost and quality from top to bottom. It’s actually admirable that low cost basses are as good as they are considering every choice the manufacturer makes is under significant pressure to reduce cost.

Yep, and I’m sure the Chinese and Indonesian Squiers could be even better if FMIC were willing to pay a little bit more per unit.

 

[mdogs]

Squier Affinity Baltic blue p bass used, CL $80.
GC budget gigbag $20.
Seymour Duncan Quarter Pound pup used classifieds $40.
Replaced broken single ply white PG with red tortoise Fender MIA 3 ply $15.
La Bella tapewound strings $35.
Rosewood thumbrest $10.

~$200.00 precision that looks plays and sounds as good (or better than Fender USA model).

View attachment 2814397

Somebody had to say it, not surprised it’s you...

 

[darwin-bass]

I've had cheap basses and while they are amazing, I have always found that they are lacking in something that is important to me. Sometimes they have dead spots or hot spots. Or maybe they are heavy or balance poorly (neck dive). Perhaps the pickups buzz at church (noisy environment).

It is always something.

So I find to get the weight, balance, sound, smoothness & playability I want it costs me $900 (Warmoth) or more.

Yes, the $200 to $400 basses are amazing but I'm just too picky I guess.

 

[Machiavelli]

I find that the budget brands (Epiphone,MIM Fender, Sterling) match up quite well with the sound quality of your high end lines (Gibson, Fender USA, MusicMan). I have no shame in saving a couple bucks. Being able to get the sound that I need and saving a couple of (considerable) dollars is more significant than spending an arm and a leg on the name brands that do, virtually, the same thing. Thoughts?

I think people are not getting how cheap it really is to make a mass produced bass.

 

[MYLOWFREQ]

Fernandes Atlas 4X Korean?? $100 (Craigslist)
Fernandes Atlax 4X Japanese w/ hard case $150 (Craigslist)
Fernandes Atlas 4X Japanese w/ hard case $250 (eBay)
Fernandses J Bass w/ gigbag $50 (Craigslsit)
Fender USA standard P w/ hardcase $550 (somewhere online)
Fender Mexican 60's J bass body $free!! (Craigslist)

I have about 15 now, and none was bought new. In fact, I have bought only 2 basses brand new in my 25 years of playing the bass, both of which I don't own anymore.

 

[Pauly 4001]

I own many basses and the bass I really miss owning is a Univox Hi Flier. I haven't played one in a while to be honest but it was medium scale with great electronics and a zippy neck and feel.
It was my second bass, the first playable one and I sold it in about 1976 after buying a Ricky 4001.
There's a lot of cheap basses that are a blast to play but will never appreciate in value, at least monetary value and I confess I don't want to pay more for a Hi Flier now than what my dad and I paid for it back in 1972 or so.

 

[Hounddog409]

I find that the budget brands (Epiphone,MIM Fender, Sterling) match up quite well with the sound quality of your high end lines (Gibson, Fender USA, MusicMan). I have no shame in saving a couple bucks. Being able to get the sound that I need and saving a couple of (considerable) dollars is more significant than spending an arm and a leg on the name brands that do, virtually, the same thing. Thoughts?

You consider a $600 plus bass a "budget" bass?

 

[Charlzm]

After playing budget to intermediate (<$1000) basses for many years, I finally tried out a Warwick made-in-Germany Katana 5 string about a decade ago. It was instant love. The sound, the playability, the fit and finish were all superior to every bass I had ever owned. I saved up and ordered one myself.

Since then, I have found that I'm just spoiled and stick to my Warwick, a Kiesel I had built and a Dingwall Afterburner. I have a Fender GLJB that rarely sees the light of day any more and a Rickenbacker 4003 that has started spending a lot more time in the closet, too.

 

[AdamK]

Well I've been using my Squier Vintage Modified P (now for sale) for a few years and it has been the greatest thing. Of course it does have Lindy Fralin pickups in it, but it plays very smoothly. Only reason I'm leaving it is to get a 5 string.

 

[Giffro]

I put this in another TB thread for someone after a cheaper bass. I bought a Sterling by Music Man S.U.B. Ray4 Bass for my wife to learn on. I didnt expect too much. Made in Indonesia from Basswood. I was really surprised and actually use the bass myself (I own 7 big name basses too) much to the wife's annoyance loll It is well made in every area. It has the MM Stingray growl/bark too. Cost me about $500AU which puts the bass in the budget category here..at least half that cost in the USA. It really is a very nice bass guitar and worth considering. Some pics of it...one next to its friend..my Ric loll

 

[LoDownSinner]

I hear you! Been playing and gigging the Ibanez Mikro a lot while my Ric, Gibson and Fender basses basically languish...