Cheapest bass you just LOVE

[Not yet]

Squier Classic Vibe P. $200 new, keep it in Chicago for when in town visiting, miss it like a girlfriend

 

[rmars]

I've owned a fair amount of nice basses, Lakland US Joe Osborn and 55-94, a couple Stingrays, Warwick Dolphins, Fender Roscoe Beck and various Fender US Jazz Basses and honestly I absolutely love my SX Jazz Bass. It's currently the only bass I own and only one of two basses that I have ever truly loved, the other being a mid 70's Jazz which I sold after breaking the neck and not being happy with the replacement.

To be truthful it wasn't love at first sight or pluck though I was impressed by it from the moment I got it. It's been hot rodded it a bit; bone nut, pots, pickups, bridge fret level and slowly worked it from a good bass to a great bass. If something happened to it I would be heartbroken.... Original price was $119. I do my own set up work but probably have $275-300 in the Lollars p/u's, Hipshot Bridge, pots and nut blank... Still it'd be hard to find it's equal for $420.00.

 

[mark beem]

My Peavey Fury. $169 of awesome tone. Love the thin jazz-type neck.

For a new bass, I'd go with my fretless ESP LTD B204SMFL. Only $369. Great tone and playability.

 

[chuck3]

the '51 P reissue on the left:

 

[aus_bass]

Yet another vote for the Squier CV 60's Jazz.

Strung up with GHS Precision flats. It's just the sweetest.

 

[SRCRS]

I got a used '95 or '98 (can't remember which year) used Squier MIM P-bass from e-bay. I also have an Alverez AEB200TBK circa '98, and a Ric 4001C64S. For some reason I cannot explain I love playing the Squier P-Bass more than any other bass I have. Cannot tell you why. But I just like it more

 

[KevInDaBassment]

I know everyone gushes about these, but my Squier VM Jazz. The neck profile isn't as comfortable as my Ibanez SR755, but it's got a lot of character and variety to the sound!

+ 10000

Mine is like the highschool sweetheart who stays in shape...you fall in love with her all over again every time you two are together lol. Luckily nobody else is putting their hands on mine

 

[Doner Designs]

I'll join the Squier love-fest. With all the mods these two are in MIM or used American price turf but more fun than a factory bass.

 

[Josh Pelican]

Peavey T-40 and Yamaha RBX765A.

 

[klejst]

My 90's MIK Fender Precision, paid $130 for it.

 

[Dave Bassincus]

Nameless Japanese from transitional 71-73-ish period (correct body and headstock, non-standard bridge, pups, tuners, and truss rod cover) just before the lawsuit copies. Cost $100 and sounds HUGE. The pups are actual humbuckers, pretty loud, and seem to be what folks are chasing with various boutique "old-school" models. The powerful sound is quite a bit wider than a standard Jazz, but with plenty of clarity. Bridge only with tone wide open is aggressive and clangy, while neck with tone off is dub heaven. I bought it to flip, but I'm having serious second thoughts.

 

[wraub]

Best "cheap" bass I play regularly: 1985 Ibanez 855 5 string bass. Active PUs, ebony board, 24 frets, cost ~ $250. (I actually have 2 of these.)

Best "cheap" bass I don't play enough: 1983 Squier P bass. Ash body, Badass bridge (since removed), Hipshot Dtuner, cost ~$100. I've got 3 Fender pickguards for it and I'm still under $150.

wraub

 

[Mike N]

Five string Squier. I've been recording with it lately and for whatever reason it sounds amazing.

 

[SquierJazz72]

I don't have anything else to compare it to, but I really do love my Squier Affinity Jazz bass. Found it used in the local Long and McQuade for $126. It was a former rental instrument, so the 500k mini-pots were scratchy and loose, so I replaced them with 250k CTS pots, as that's what I prefer on single coil instruments. Other than that, I just put on my preferred strings and gave it a full setup. A great bass for the price.

 

[1SHOT1HIT]

Technically, your '62 could go on this list for what you paid for it.

Oh yeah, huh, hadn't thought about that.

Okay well then here's my very cheap & affordable $100 dollar almost mint condition Shell Pink, 1962, Fender Jazz Bass.

It's actually and technically speaking the cheapest bass I have thus far considering all 3 of my Squiers were $200 or more.
Hell I even paid more for my cheap Fender BXR 100 combo at $125.
















Queen of the heard.

 

[TheGreatSealof]

Ibanez SG300, Candy red, maple fretboard. Cheap but I love it!

 

[bostonasphalt2]

My Yamaha BBG5S. Absolutely live that thing. Bought one new for 450 years ago and then sold it later on. Recently bought another one off eBay for 225. Mmm mmmmm good.

 

[eukatheude]

$99 each, fretted and fretless SX SBC-301.

Aren't those Rogues?

 

[gjbassist]

My SX Jazz has been my main bass for a while now. Probably my favorite Jazz I have owned. Sounds great. Plays great. Comfortable neck. Cost me about $150 with shipping. I've got probably another $120 in upgrades in it and IMO I can't imagine a better bass at twice the price.

 

[scottfeldstein]

A year ago when I decided to pick up music again, I bought an Ibanez SR300 for $250, new from GC.

Technically it's a piece of &@^#. But it plays like a dream. Low action, light weight. Plus it's stone cold sexy. I have a video of me playing it if anyone's curious.