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'Cheap = better?' Club

#141
Shardik said:
Probably. But a good setup can work wonders on a cheap bass. The difference after a thorough setup is much more important to me than the state of the instrument when leaving the factory.
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So can fret leveling, edge sanding/rounding, better pickups, better bridge, better tuners...

I'm not saying you can't turn a Squier into a good bass. I'm saying Squiers usually don't arrive all that great from the factory and the USAs Fenders almost always do. I'm saying that no matter how much work you put into an average Squier, you aren't going to get the same level of quality you get from a USA Fender.

I'm with you guys... I play a MIK G&L SB-2 and I think it's an awesome bass. So awesome that I don't feel the need to spring for a USA model. That said, I'm under no illusion that my Tribute is of similar quality to the USA SB-2.
 
#142
It's hard to talk about value versus quality without factoring in the huge savings you get when buying used. No matter what a bass cost new, you can score it for a fraction of original cost if you shop wisely and have a little patience.

For example a bass that cost $1000.00 new can often be had for 1/3rd of original list. I like the idea of getting a great deal on a quality instrument. I do my own setups, so that puts me ahead of the game.
 
#143
I feel like I need to qualify what I said as well. I mentioned I have a "cheap" $100 Cort C4 Artisan bass. When I said cheap, I meant "cheap for me" - a fraction of the new price - as someone else mentioned. It's a MIK bass (2003), with features probably putting it around the $300-$500 mark.

Before this bass I bought two $100 (Jackson, Aria) basses which were heavily used. The truss rod was cracked on one and I went back to "cheap" shop, and the other was one better but had heavy wear and the neck could have been straighter.

You do have to shop around for "keepers", and of course most of us are fortunate to grab great bargains, because some poor sod paid much more (new) than we ever did for the same product.

And yes, I do realise the irony that hypothetically, if everyone bought second hand and refused to buy new... these kind of bargains wouldn't exist.
 
#144
And.. I also have to point out the irony that while we are discussing cheap basses in the middle there pops up a "group shot" of 11 basses and some Mesa gear...

georgestrings said:
I'm cool, too - we both had our say, and nothing says we have to agree on it... I'm not big on filling out profiles, but here's a couple of recent pics, in case you're interested:

BassesMarch13_zps451f40fe.jpg


BassAmpsMarch13_zps33bb6e6c.jpg


- georgestrings
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#145
bedroommuso said:
And.. I also have to point out the irony that while we are discussing cheap basses in the middle there pops up a "group shot" of 11 basses and some Mesa gear...
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Yeah, I know - FWIW, I wasn't trying to show off or anything - it was in response to the comment on my lack of a filled out profile... I've never bothered with a profile on any site, but I had some recent pics... I make no bones that I like having some nice gear - steady gigging sure helps that - I merely take issue with the "of equal quality" routine, because my experiences directly contradict it... That being said, I have never denied that "less expensive" gear is fully capable of supporting a working musician - because I did it for many years before becoming able to afford nicer stuff...

My apologies to anyone who thought I was trying to brag or show off - that wasn't my intent...


- georgestrings
 
#146
If I had the time and money, I would be trying out all sorts of expensive basses.

I don't.

Therefore I "settle".

The instruments which I have settled with work fairly well. I'm satisfied. Life is good. :cool:

Then I stumbled onto TB.

The Dingwall line is now calling my name. :D

Which is why I'm frantically saving my pennies.

Which is why I'm telling my wife how much I love her…often.

Where was I?

Oh yes, life is good!


Full Disclaimer: "Cheap" basses can and do sound really good. I am a proud owner of multiple "cheap" basses. :cool:
 
#147
Rip Topaz said:
Man, that thing looks SOLID.
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Yeah man,literally! Solid oak body wings and headstock on a maple neck w/mahogany stringers added up to 12.6lbs! "hands off" hanging position was about 4o'clock..The neck dive was the main reason I sold it.

But man did it sing!! Essentially it was the guts/neck of a B.C.Rich Double Eagle in an SG body. Dual DiMarzio PAF's,active/pass,6-pos. tonestyler,switching for series/parallel,in/out phase,Mids boost/cut,1/4" and XLR jacks,and the most BEASTLY pre..I would love to find that one again!!
 
#148
funkingroovin said:
Yeah man,literally! Solid oak body wings and headstock on a maple neck w/mahogany stringers added up to 12.6lbs! "hands off" hanging position was about 4o'clock..The neck dive was the main reason I sold it.

But man did it sing!! Essentially it was the guts/neck of a B.C.Rich Double Eagle in an SG body. Dual DiMarzio PAF's,active/pass,6-pos. tonestyler,switching for series/parallel,in/out phase,1/4" and XLR jacks,and the most BEASTLY pre..I would love to find that one again!!
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Any videos of it?!
 
#149
You know allot for me I guess it's all about my direction, abilities and perspective. I'm just happy with good solid gear that gets the job done and does not cost me more than I feel its worth..or where my abilities and needs are.

I'm a decent bass player same on guitar nothing flashy and I get the job done. I need to improve really but I play in weekend bands and they like me. Bandmates say I'm good, people in the crowd also but compared to many here and on youtube etc..I'm not. I should take lessons but won't and can't really see the need at my level or do I have the time with a family, job and two bands.
I guess looking at it now I see I try to match my equipment to my needs and abilities.

I like P basses, Fender,Squier, passive with flatwounds. I play old school style with fingers, never a pick, mostly oldies, country, classic rock and Americiana/ folk.
I see no need for a Fodera..heck even a Sadowsky at my level, I could not justify the cost or reason for them. In truth I love basses and guitars themselves more then I do playing them or at least just as much. I also enjoy working on budget guitars as a hobby quite allot. I try to keep it all on a budget although the wife doesnt care what I spend really as long as the bills are paid.
I have spent as much as 2k on a bass..won't do it again. In fact I just paid off my amp which cost more than all my basses put together a Markbass rig. I sometimes ask why I went that direction but I like a good amp and it works for me plus, it's loud, light, (I'm getting old) and it's finally paid for.

So I figured it out. For my abilites I match it with my gear, My gear is not cheap and gets it done and you know what? I'm happy with it...for now :smug:
 
#151
zachoff said:
So can fret leveling, edge sanding/rounding, better pickups, better bridge, better tuners...

I'm not saying you can't turn a Squier into a good bass. I'm saying Squiers usually don't arrive all that great from the factory and the USAs Fenders almost always do. I'm saying that no matter how much work you put into an average Squier, you aren't going to get the same level of quality you get from a USA Fender.

I'm with you guys... I play a MIK G&L SB-2 and I think it's an awesome bass. So awesome that I don't feel the need to spring for a USA model. That said, I'm under no illusion that my Tribute is of similar quality to the USA SB-2.
Click to expand...

Funny thing is, I bought a brand new Fender American Jazz V Deluxe Swamp Ash bass via mail order back in 2005. Looks beautiful, fit and finish we're perfect as was the playability. Unfortunately the tone left a lot to be desired. I swaped out the noiseless pickups for Bart's and that made some difference, I replaced the strings with La Bella tape wounds and that made a big improvement but still not good enough so I replaced the stock preamp with a John East deluxe retro preamp and was very satisfied. When all was said and done I had $1800 in the bass.
Fast forward to 2010 and I'm at GC just killing time trying out different basses and come across a new Squier Affinity Jazz 5. Remembering how much time and money I sunk into my MIA Deluxe I assume the Squier will be absolute rubbish at $220. Wrong.
Right off the rack it played and sounded good as my modded MIA and the fit and finish we're right on par with the MIA as well. I bought it, slapped some tape wounds on it and smiled all the way home.
Did it need fret leveling, edge sanding/rounding, better pickups, better bridge or better tuners - nope, needed nothing. Are the tuners and bridge higher quality on the MIA, yes but the Squier hardware does the job and has been reliable. Heck the bent plate bridge on the MIA is garbage compared to a G&L Tribute bridge which is also a cheaper bass.
Bottom line in my experience is the current Squier basses are about 90+% as good as any MIA I've owned or played and can be had at about 20% of the cost. Not a bad bang for the buck in my book.
 
#152
GBassNorth said:
Funny thing is, I bought a brand new Fender American Jazz V Deluxe Swamp Ash bass via mail order back in 2005. Looks beautiful, fit and finish we're perfect as was the playability. Unfortunately the tone left a lot to be desired. I swaped out the noiseless pickups for Bart's and that made some difference, I replaced the strings with La Bella tape wounds and that made a big improvement but still not good enough so I replaced the stock preamp with a John East deluxe retro preamp and was very satisfied. When all was said and done I had $1800 in the bass.
Fast forward to 2010 and I'm at GC just killing time trying out different basses and come across a new Squier Affinity Jazz 5. Remembering how much time and money I sunk into my MIA Deluxe I assume the Squier will be absolute rubbish at $220. Wrong.
Right off the rack it played and sounded good as my modded MIA and the fit and finish we're right on par with the MIA as well. I bought it, slapped some tape wounds on it and smiled all the way home.
Did it need fret leveling, edge sanding/rounding, better pickups, better bridge or better tuners - nope, needed nothing. Are the tuners and bridge higher quality on the MIA, yes but the Squier hardware does the job and has been reliable. Heck the bent plate bridge on the MIA is garbage compared to a G&L Tribute bridge which is also a cheaper bass.
Bottom line in my experience is the current Squier basses are about 90+% as good as any MIA I've owned or played and can be had at about 20% of the cost. Not a bad bang for the buck in my book.
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For some of us we find there are other options out there that can do the job as well as higher price gear which saves money and can be just as cool.
I used to buy only MIA or at least MIM after getting started in Bass playing 11 years ago. I had noting against Squiers but really never looked at them and only knew the cheaper affinity line.
When a dealer or two showed me older Squiers JV and SQ and even MIK E series etc I was shocked. The problem was finding them which has taken me a few years since I wont buy online..ever.
Some of these basses might need a simple mod but honestly most need nothing. Today there are allot of people who can afford and play whatever they like who find quality not cheap gear like Peavy, Squier and others, make it work that often out performs higher costing basses without sacrificing quality.
Some will snob away at this and its cool..their loss, but lines like Squier today should put the thought in allot of minds. Do I really need spend more? Is it really worth it?
 
#153
funkingroovin said:
Here's my FrankenJazz. No BS,better than my two MIA's(Roadworn and Standard) that now live elsewhere. If it weren't,it would have been the one to go. It's comprised of..
MIA Fen. body/S1 plate/bridge
Fralin single coils
'84 MIJ Squier Jazz neck/tuners(rolled edges,flawless fretwork)
View attachment 330232
Quite versatile between the Fralins and the series/parallel switch. The well loved feel of a thirty year old neck with reknowned MIJ quality. 8.6lbs of dead-sexy Trans Sunset Orange. Assembled here for roughly 5bills...Nah,no regrets :smug:
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Forgot to tell you that is one sexy looking jazz bass congrats. I bet with the MIJ squier neck it plays sick.
 
#155
Not to re-ignite any fires, but I'd like everyone check out the opening sequence of "it might get loud"

Jack White takes a pickup, a nail, and wire and does this bluegrass jazz thing on it.

Quality is in sound and playability - that's all that can be quantified. Because I think your Fedora looks stupid and sounds the same as my MIM Fender or SX doesn't mean the Fedora isn't crafted with more care and has better fit and finish. It just means that I can do the same job for 1/20th of the price. That's really all there is to it.

I can totally see how the boutique (or just more expensive brand) owners view it too. Superior workmanship/finish/etc goes a LONG way for some people.
 
#156
SIFJiggy said:
Not to re-ignite any fires, but I'd like everyone check out the opening sequence of "it might get loud"

Jack White takes a pickup, a nail, and wire and does this bluegrass jazz thing on it.

Quality is in sound and playability - that's all that can be quantified. Because I think your Fedora looks stupid and sounds the same as my MIM Fender or SX doesn't mean the Fedora isn't crafted with more care and has better fit and finish. It just means that I can do the same job for 1/20th of the price. That's really all there is to it.

I can totally see how the boutique (or just more expensive brand) owners view it too. Superior workmanship/finish/etc goes a LONG way for some people.
Click to expand...

:)
 
#159
I wouldn't call it cheap, per say.....yesterday I went to my local music store to buy strings and of course I tried some basses. Found an MIM P bass, red body, white pickguard, maple neck.......OMG!!! I simply could not believe how well that bass played right off the rack. Super low action with NO string to fret rattle anywhere. Played every bit as good in it's own way as my AM STD Jazz bass.

I need another bass like I need to get married again. But I'm very, very tempted by this one.
 

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