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Budget Electric Basses - Your Thoughts

#141
NetRngr said:
I would agree that 20-30 years ago if you bought a really cheap bass you basically got un prepped firewood. I would say in the last 15 yrs or so we have seen a huge shift in the quality of the "CheapAss Bass"™. IMHO its because the sales numbers dipped way low because of the rep these manufacturers had. It is wholly one thing to buy a cheap guitar and expect to have to do minor things to make it a good platform its an entirely different animal to buy a cheap guitar and expect this only to find its a completely unsalvageable mess. All the low end manufacturers seem to have realized this and incorporated a lot of the updated manufacturing processes into their production. I mean there isn't any real difference in the body cutouts other than types of wood and if its a 3 piece vs a 1 piece. As far as necks go well maple is maple and its just a matter of refinement.
Again as you said. YMMV.
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Well stated!! Thanks for your response!
 
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#142
An SX P/J short scale and an SX J short scale did 2 gigs Saturday(12PM-3PM and then 8PM to 12AM). Saved my back, sounded fine. The P/J has been modded with a Seymour Duncan 1/4 Pounder P pickup, the Jazz pickups sound fine as they are.
 
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#144
GnomishViking said:
I’ve played many basses and owned many all in different price ranges. Currently my main bass is a MM SUB 4 string. Probably one of the better playing and sounding basses I’ve owned. Plus it was only 300$.

I personally don’t give a poopie anymore when it comes to price and brand name. If it plays good and sound good there’s no more to it.
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Just bought the 5 string version. You’re not kidding. Love it!!
 
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#150
Electronics makes a difference. I notice the cheap basses I've had in the past don't sound as Hi-Fi. I notice this more when I record and the signal gets pumped up. the cheaper electronics push more air. But for playability I think you can find all sorts of bargains. -HOWEVER, Recently I bought a made in China musicman clone. I think it might have some temporary value if I run out of wood for my fireplace, or need something to scare a raccoon off the patio, it is a true turd among turds.
 
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#152
<---- I have three Ibanez basses, pictured is the GSR200 that sells for $199. Once it's set up properly I would put it up against any bass that sells for fives times that price. The other two are an original SDGR100 circa 1988 that originally retailed for about $800 if I remember correctly and a SR500 that goes for around $600. The SR500 is the nicest sounding of the three but the GSR200 runs a very close second. I also have a 1990 Nanyo Bass Collection if anyone remembers those which is setup in an open D tuning.

To me it is about quality of materials and workman ship, not necessarily price and Ibanez has both IMHO.
 
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#153
Basement hacker here, (and proud of it). I've yet to pay more than $300 for a bass or guitar and even though I don't gig with them the 3 J basses I own (std, fretless, Jazz V) stay in tune, sound good and look great. What more can you ask? I was recently given a Zon Sonus fretless, which I sold as I have no use for a higher end bass like that. The entry level stuff has gotten pretty good over the years; I know a few guys who've modded and upgraded Squiers and use them as their main gigging bass.
 
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#154
I've owned a LOT of inexpensive basses, but the best deal was my current P, which is a Dean Zone bass in flourescent (day-glo) pink! I got it, delivered to my door, from Amazon for an amazing $133! It sounds great. I tried one at GC before going shopping. I did upgrade it with a DiMarzio and that made it sound great, but even with the stock pu it still sounded great with a lot more P tone than I ever got out of a much more expensive Squire P which I never got to sound like I thought it should.
 
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#155
Joe Nerve said:
I have many high end basses (well, basses around the $1500 mark).

Years ago, before having any Fenders that I was committed to, I went to a Guitar Center to hopefully add one to my stable. Had a pocket full of cash (expertly concealed in my credit card :)) and was hoping to fall in love with an American Jazz. Lo and behold, on this fine day they had just unveiled a strange looking black Jazz 5 string that was active. I looked at the headstock and saw that dang "Squier" logo. I wanted to have a go at it anyhow, so I pulled it off the rack. I fell immediately in love. I hung around for about an hour more playing all the Jazz basses in the place, and had to leave with the Squier. Saved me $1000 and that bass became my main gigging bass for about a year. As much as I hate to admit this, I Sharpied out the Squier logo after a few gigs. Actually had a couple of people point at it while I was playing - no doubt because they were surprised it sounded so freaking awesome :). If I got that bass nowadays, I wouldn't black out the logo. I'd be proud of it.

Sold the bass cuz it was heavy, and cuz I quit playing 5 strings.
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I am on the lookout for a cheap bass specifically to get a lightweight body for my old fart shoulders. Neck issues.
 
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#156
The best cheap(ish) bass I've played is an ESP LTD. It's more expensive than a Squire, but it plays about 100 times better. In fact, it plays better and sounds as good as most of my expensive stuff. I think with a set of really good pickups, this would be my favorite bass - the stock pickups are fine, but I think a set of Seymore Duncans or Aguilars would be marginally better.
 
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#159
I used to be a snob until I got older and wiser. The only one that cares about the logo on the headstock is your EGO. Your playing matters and so does your tone. The end all and do all test is heard on the bass whisperers channel on youtube. He tests a pbass .... Squier, Mexican, and Vintage old classic.... I challenge ANYBODY to be able to distinguish and then if you're still snobby tell me how your mother or father or loved one would tell the difference sitting in the audience. Audience members IMO could care less what we play or even if we sound one way or the other. It's the "ENTERTAINING" that counts. Kind of like paying to see James Brown over Allan Holdsworth or Steve Howe. Virtuosity isn't everything and the value of our tools isn't either. playing since 1972. Recently gave it up because $100 a man is just too insulting. I can't see making less than the busboys...so, playing the violin these days. Less gear to hump.
 
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#160
DigitalMan said:
So is the sharp edge of a fret upon occasion.
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Heh. That said, here are pics of the fret ends on my SX basses. None of them cost over $125 new, although the six has been modified with $190 worth of pickups :-)
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