I got my Precision in a straight up, no money exanged trade, but somehow I don't think that really qualifies.
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Does anybody gig with cheapies? Share your experiences!
- Thread starter DivXovore
- Start date
I got my Precision in a straight up, no money exanged trade, but somehow I don't think that really qualifies.
I gigged for a few years with a $300 Yamaha BB4GS-II. It replaced a '78 Fender P-bass that got stolen (and given its condition could probably fetch about $2K nowadays). Frankly, the Yamaha sounded better and was more versatile!
Folks here have a lot of disposable income and I say, more power to 'em! But it can leave you with the mistaken impression that a you can't get a decent instrument without spending big bucks. That's just patently false; I can go out any night on 6th Street here in Austin and see working bassists laying it down and tearing it up on very affordable stuff.
Its not the gear, its the player...
D7
Folks here have a lot of disposable income and I say, more power to 'em! But it can leave you with the mistaken impression that a you can't get a decent instrument without spending big bucks. That's just patently false; I can go out any night on 6th Street here in Austin and see working bassists laying it down and tearing it up on very affordable stuff.
Its not the gear, its the player...
D7
I'm currently gigging with a Peavey Millennium AC BXP 5 string and I'm amazed at the quality and playability of this sub $400 instrument. I also use a Tobias (Gibson) Toby Deluxe 5 string which is another well made instrument despite a subpar pre-amp. I use a Fender MIM Jazz too. I had some higher end basses but got rid of them while I search for another.
Savit, for the few shows a year you use a Fender, when would you make that choice, and why?
Walnut
Walnut
I did my last few shows with my Squire Vintage Modified Precision ($250.00) and it sounded great. In fact, not one person came up and said "Why are you using that cheap bass? Don't you have a custom?"
I love that bass to death, but it's just not practical to be dragging around a Pre CBS Fender to every show anymore. I did it for years, but now it just doesn't make a lot of sence.
Sometimes it's out of Nostalgia. I was playing with a former bandmate last month, and brought it out for that. (the pic in this thread was from that show) The Fender was my main gigging bass when I was playing with him.
Other times, I may be playing close to home, and I know that there is a secure place to put it when I'm not playing, so I've brought it out then.
Other times I just might feel like giving the old girl some exercise.
I've probably said this about a gazillion times on this board, but I'll say it again.
I gig regularly with and SX SPB 62. $109 new, and lightly modded. It's backed up by another SX SPB 62 (the sunburst one) that I bought used for $65. The Blue SX took over "main gig bass" role from '64 Precision. I also use an Epiphone Jack Casady sometimes too.
Here's some pics of the whole gang out working.
No. 1 SX my main gig monster.
Back up SX. $65 used
Epiphone Jack Casady. (I know Ed2Strings will like this one!)
Fender, put into semi retirement
Last photo by Nicole Tammaro Link Removed EDIT: Just noticed No.1 SX is in the background of this pic
Nice pics mike, lovin the Casidy and Mark rockin the 12er....
I gig with a Turser Beatle bass ($250) and a P-copy I built myself out of parts from Ebay ($275), and now and then I use a Bradley Steinberger copy I bought for $75. This Sunday I'm going to be playing in front of 10,000 people with my Turser. I'm not the least bit concerned. It's a good working bass. Cheaper basses need more attention to upkeep because they use cheaper parts, but there's no reason you can't use a cheap bass for pretty much anything. I know I'll never buy another expensive one.
savit260,what mods did you do to the sx.I am thinking of buying one next week.probablly get the sx spj-62 in vintage white with the black pg or maybe just the lake placid blue sx like yours,what do you think of the color of the lake placid blue? i will put on a badass II bridge that i have and also throw on a set of roto's roundwound bs66's.do you have any experience with the sx 5 strings? is the b string good on them.As for what i play live for at least 15 yrs.,i have used a bass my dad bought me in 1983 fender jazz copy with pj pups.which i swapped out and put in some emg's a badass II bridge.Black blocked and bound neck with very thin frets,it almost feels fretless.I cherish this bass it was the bass my father tought me theory on.....Rest in Peace Dad.the sx i want to use as a back up for my geddy
Thanks Ed. Mark just got the 12 string about a week before that show. I see Mark's brother's going to be down your way at Club Deep in Asbury Park on the 14th of Jan.
Hey our rythym guitarist plays a Jay Turser knockoff of something and its not bad, she jams through a little Kustom tube guitar amp and its got some killer sound to it.
Back to the thread topic-- I play with an Ibanez BTB and an SRX but have not yet had my first gig as I'm in my first real band right now (one that would make it to the level of acquiring gigs). I must say though that our lead guitarist (who was originally a bassist of 10 years) puts me to shame as he is amazing with such little gear-- he plays (and has giged in the past) with a MIM Jazz (just one, he's only got one bass too!) and a 15" Peavey combo thats built and weights like a tank. I've got a nice setup but cannot play anywhere near to his ability. Someday though....someday.
Sure! My Yamaha RBX170 (modded) gets it's job done even better than other basses I've got that cost like 5 times more than it! Also it's amazingly comfy, and has got a killer tone!
For info, I fitted it with a Basslines vintage P-bass pickup (yummy pup!), and a custom pup on the bridge, made to my specs by a local luthier (even yummier pup!).
So... yeah, I gig with cheapies!
For info, I fitted it with a Basslines vintage P-bass pickup (yummy pup!), and a custom pup on the bridge, made to my specs by a local luthier (even yummier pup!).
So... yeah, I gig with cheapies!
How so?
I just pulled the trigger on an SX SJB-62 5-stringer maybe an hour ago. What difference(s) do you see?
Thanks!
Link Removed
I've had a perfectly wonderful evening, but this wasn't it.”
Walnut
My teacher's bass player plays live and has recorded 2 albums with a MIM Pbass with a Bartolini.
I know a lot of bands here that use entry-level Ibanez or Yamaha basses through old tube amps that give very respectable sounds. The bassist for my roomate's band has a rig that was given to him free (crate 150w tube head and ancient Traynor 2x15 cab) and a Yamaha RB series P-bass, and his tone is really good.
Not for me, though. If I'm playing out, I play with my best stuff. I gigged the hell out of my Cort (1100$) and I plan on using the Geddy I recently bought (700$) for this new band I might be getting involved with.
My Cort suffered a few dings, but it still sounds good and plays good. It had no resale value to begin with
Not for me, though. If I'm playing out, I play with my best stuff. I gigged the hell out of my Cort (1100$) and I plan on using the Geddy I recently bought (700$) for this new band I might be getting involved with.
My Cort suffered a few dings, but it still sounds good and plays good. It had no resale value to begin with
I 100% agree...
I've gigged with a bass I payed $80 AU for and it plays fine with no issues
My main gigging bass is a Yammy RBX170 that I've modded slightly (knobs and series) and I have no issues with it whatsoever...
I did lose a pickup during practice on night, and had to replace it...I replaced it with a $20 chinese special and I'm back in business...
I just wacked a new set of strings on the Yammy last night...OH MAMA! sweet bass!
