Budget Electric Basses - Your Thoughts

[The Thinker]

I’ve decided that what I like and what is “good” (as in higher quality) are not always the same.

My current all-time favorite and main player is a Yamaha BB425. I paid $299 on closeout. It’s not nearly as “good” as the Pedulla, USA Fenders, USA Hamers etc I’ve owned. But it sounds about perfect and plays beautifully.

My main backup is a Carvin SB5000 that is constructed as well as any bass I’ve played. But it’s rivaled by my Squier Affinity 5 with Fender USA pickups, which sounds fantastic, plays beautifully, but isn’t remotely in the same class quality-wise.

My $.02

 

[EddiePlaysBass]

I've gigged with a EUR 100.- fretless 5-string. I've also gigged with a Squier Classic Vibe 50s P and a Fender Marcus Miller Jazz. This weekend I am going to pick up a Tony Franklin fretless, which will be the most expensive bass in my collection. I like the ones I have, and I will (learn to) like the T.F.

To me it's all about tone, feel and how the particular bass fits in with the band/music I am playing. And the Tony Franklin is just because I have always wanted one

 

[phillipkregg]

Totally agree. A lot of the CNC machines and equipment used to produce instruments overseas has been upgraded a lot over the past 10 years simply because it's cheaper to make that stuff.

Also the training has improved and is a good bit more quality control now. So yeah, you can get an amazing bass made in Indonesia or even China.

And remember you can find killer deals in the classifieds here on stuff that isn't normally considered "budget".

My policy is aim high, buy used.

 

[fishdreams]

Last week Sunday, i saw Marc Ribot give a great a solo concert, mostly on the sort of ragged-down Japanese or Italian semi-acoustic from the 60ties which sensible people would sell on Ebay as wall art.

The point was that those pickups are so microphonic that they enabled him to build carefully controlled feedback and a wall of sound at low volume. He obviously loves that thing. It was a great show.

To me its all about whatever works for you for the music you make.

 

[lfmn16]

Wow, what a great idea for a thread, never discussed before - my cheap bass is as good as or better than your expensive bass.

Like I always say, if you are unable to tell the difference, you might as well get the cheap one.

+1

And as I always say, just because one person can't hear a difference, doesn't mean that there isn't a difference.

 

[Bassquest]

I prefer my Chinese and Korean P's over a MIM P anyday of the week. Can't seem to get comfortable with those MIM's and I've owned at least a half dozen. Either sold them or gave my last one to my son to use in his band. Don't know what it is, just play with what I'm comfortable with I guess.

 

[vision]

I currently have two basses - a custom MTD which cost over $6000, and a Squire P which was $250. I like both of them, and I play both of them.

 

[Crazy_Jake]

Prior to buying my Squier VM 70's jazz I did a side by side comparison between it and a made in America Jazz Bass. To my ear there was not that much difference in sound, and certainly not enough to justify the price difference. The VM jazz has turned into my main bass now and I tell anyone I can what great value the VM and CV series are - and how easy they are to upgrade if you want.
I don't black out the logo - people need to see that Squier is putting out quality instruments. People shouldn't let the logo make the decision for them on if they would buy it or not.

 

[dbsfgyd1]

I think there is a world of difference between the 'cheap' basses available in the mid-late 70s (when I started), and the 'cheap' basses available today.

Amen bro!

 

[GBBSbassist]

Sound and playability can certainly vary no matter what your price point is, but to me, I don't like glossy neck finishes, and that seems to be the go-to for cheaper basses.

 

[dan1952]

SX basses are wonderful, straight out of the box. Any band that hears my playing differently based on a headstock logo is a band that I don't want to play in.

 

[jnsnj]

The quality of inexpensive basses these days is incredible. I'd like to add LTD to the list of quality cheap basses.

 

[felis]

I've never owned an expensive bass, so my opinion doesn't count for much.
All my basses were under $1,000 - most significantly less than that.
I'm happy with them though.

 

[Dbassmon]

There are some astoundingly good values out there if you look. This one, in particular, seems to fly under the radar to a large extent.. that is Sterling Ray34 & Ray35 by MusicMan. Note; these are not the SUB model, Sterling Rays use higher quality wood and hardware. These basses use the same CNC machines like the American versions; the electronic specs are identical, it is built in South Korea. Mine has quilted maple top on an African mahogany body maple neck with rosewood fingerboard, same frets as the USA version, finish is immaculate, Korean workmanship is top notch. It is a Stingray; it plays perfectly, sounds great. The basses are all set up by Ernie Ball in California, and the retails around $700ish, so you are saving about 1000+ dollars on a USA bass without any real compromise... The hardware is not as good but not cheap feeling by any stretch.... the Sterling Rays do not string through the body like the USA version, is the other difference.
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[Gabe Lamog]

I have basses that I have paid from $150 to $1200 and enjoy playing them all. Other basses I have had that I didn't enjoy playing are no longer in my collection, no matter what the price paid.

There are some astoundingly good values out there if you look. This one, in particular, seems to fly under the radar to a large extent.. that is Sterling Ray34 & Ray35 by MusicMan. These basses use the same CNC machines like the American versions; the electronic specs are identical, it is built in South Korea. Mine has quilted maple top on a mahogany body maple neck with rosewood fingerboard, same frets as the USA version, finish is immaculate, Korean workmanship is top notch. It is a Stingray; it plays perfectly, sounds great. The basses are all set up by Ernie Ball in California, and the retails around $700ish, so you are saving about 1000+ dollars on a bass without any real compromise... The hardware is not as good but not cheap feeling by any stretch.... the Sterling Rays do not string through the body is the other difference.

Yup!! Just ordered a used black 5 string SUB for $179 from GC. I’d say that this is what inspired me to start this thread. Thanks for sharing!!

 

[Dbassmon]

Yup!! Just ordered a used black 5 string SUB for $179 from GC. I’d say that this is what inspired me to start this thread. Thanks for sharing!!

That is quite a score... congrats!

 

[Gabe Lamog]

That is quite a score... congrats!

Lol! Almost feel guilty for theft......

 

[fhm555]

I play MIM J basses because their potential exceeds my capability to fully exploit that potential.

That being the case, besides vanity what would be the point in spending more. I’ve tried some seriously high end basses and wifey has encouraged me to give in and buy several of the coffee table basses i’ve tried over the years. I never seriously considered spending that much on a bass but i almost bought a Reverend Dub King and still keep an eye out for a used example at a price i can live with and not feel like a chump for spending more than what i can get a good used MIM J for.

 

[40Hz]

I always found it curious how some people take so much personal pride in the simple fact they own something. As if it somehow confers personal virtue, or is cause for admiration of anything other than the object itself.

I never really got how owning or playing a particular bass can ever say anything about you other than you own or play it.

Human brains are funny things sometimes.

 

[Mannyinnewyork]

I’ve got two medium scale SX basses - a jazz and a PJ. I like them both. I also have an MIJ medium scale Jbass that I prefer to either of them but they’re all fun to play, sound good and look good. The fender does feel of higher quality (the neck finish, the nut, tuners and electronics) but I’d be happy to play any of them at a gig. At this moment, the fender also sounds a bit better to me but that could be for a variety of reasons (electronics, strings etc.). Then again, I am not a pro player and a pro might notice subtleties that I don’t. After watching so many cheap vs expensive blind comparisons on YouTube, I wonder if most could tell the expensive from the inexpensive (although the hands on experience might be quite different) - you might hear a difference but which is “better” might not be an easy decision.