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Copy basses

Araillac

Araillac

Mar 16, 2008
1,100
7
Bridgewater, Virginia
#1
Are copy basses (like squire or SX or anything that copies other basses) any good? Should I pay less money for these and expect poor, decent, similar, or fantastic quality and tone compared to the real deal? Should I just save up money and get a real Fender or go cheap and just get a copy?
 
#4
I own the "real deal" an SX copy, and the modern version of "the real deal"

All have served me very well.

So I guess the answer is, with a little bit of tweaking, and a good set up, an inexpensive copy can serve you VERY well.

It's up to you to decide if it's worth the extra money to you or not.
 
#7
Araillac said:
I see. So if I'm dedicated enough then I should get a copy and change pick ups and strings and stuff with it until I'm happy?
Click to expand...


I wouldn't just go changing things for the sake of changing things.

If you know EXACTLY what it is you're trying to gain by changing parts, then by all means do it. If you're changing parts because that's what you think you're supposed to do, then you're playing a fools game.

I wouldn't change anything (exept maybe strings) unless you know exactly what it is you're trying to gain.
 
#9
Araillac said:
Guess I better get researching then. Thanks a bunch :)
Click to expand...

How long have you been playing?

You can read and research untill you're crosseyed, but there's no substitute for actually getting out there and playing. Without a LOT of playing time under your belt, all that reading and research isn't going to amount to much. That's the best way to figure out what you actually need.
 
#15
The bridge is exactly the same as a squire or (i think) a MIM fender. I'm swapping my pickups out because I can't stand exposed poles, but the stock ones have a very nice chunky sound to them. The tuners will have absolutely no difference on the sound of the instrument, and the stock ones are very functional. The only reason to change the those would be for cosmetics.
 
#16
Araillac said:
Different pick up, bridge, and machine heads is what I see. Maybe switch out the 3 to the exact same and wah lah I just saved a bunch of money on my car insurance.
Click to expand...

Take a look around here on Tlak Bass for the thread with the side by side comparison of a stock 1979 Fender Precision, and a stock SX SPB 57 before you go doing anything. JimmyM posted it.

They sound virtualy the same. As a matter of fact, most people prefered the sound of the SX.

There's absolutly NO REASON to change out the tuners/ machine heads on the SX. They work perfectly. Trust me. Over 3 years of hard gigging, and my SX has NEVER come out of tune on a show. NOt once, not ever.

The bridge on the SX is pretty much the same as the ones used on the Mexican made Fenders, and very similar to Vintage Fenders. Again, why do you want to change it?

You'll find you can alter the tone of the bass quite a bit with something as simple as changing to a differnt brand or type of strings.
 

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