Don't knock cheap basses until you try them.

[matteatsdirt]

I think players who have to shell out 500 bones to achieve what they believe is a "decent tone" should set the bass down and possibly find a new instrument.

Hey man to the guy who claims to be white trash hop on guitar centers used section and order a squier p bass for like 70 bucks brotha. I just bought a used Yamaha rbx170 for 90 bucks. Excellent bass. You can pay with a debit card too which you can get for free.

 

[Darkstrike]

I think players who have to shell out 500 bones to achieve what they believe is a "decent tone" should set the bass down and possibly find a new instrument.

Hey man to the guy who claims to be white trash hop on guitar centers used section and order a squier p bass for like 70 bucks brotha. I just bought a used Yamaha rbx170 for 90 bucks. Excellent bass. You can pay with a debit card too which you can get for free.

+ 1 to all of this, honestly, you can get a great tone at any price point these days, I have a Squier Afinnity P Bass, with Roto flats, it does have a bridge pickup I added, but I don't use that, could have left it bone stock, but the point, sounds fantastic, for all that blues, mo-town, stax, classic rock styles, and so on. Plays good too, and is light as a feather.

 

[Johnny Crab]

Agree.
SX, Brice, Greco are the ones that didn't go to eBay or TB's FS column. Kaint say all of the Grecos were/are cheap.

Same for guitars. Here's a $43 gag guitar sent to our guitarist(my brother) that KILLS on slide guitar:

 

[60's Bluesman]

not to knock those who do this but ive always questioned why a bassist who hasnt "made it" in music needs 5 basses that cost more then 2000 bucks a peice. 10,000 dollars in basses? hell here in michigan ive seen crappy houses sell for 10,000 bucks or you could almost buy a new car or pay for a education or your kids education with that kind of money. it just seems wasteful, cheap but playable basses are all around us in 2010 take advantage of it

 

[Darkstrike]

not to knock those who do this but ive always questioned why a bassist who hasnt "made it" in music needs 5 basses that cost more then 2000 bucks a peice. 10,000 dollars in basses? hell here in michigan ive seen crappy houses sell for 10,000 bucks or you could almost buy a new car or pay for a education or your kids education with that kind of money. it just seems wasteful, cheap but playable basses are all around us in 2010 take advantage of it

I don't have that many that are in that price range, but maybe I can answer this.

1, I don't drive, or have a car, and have no need to.

2, I don't have kids(don't plan on having any either), nor do I have to pay for any further education for myself.

3, I love bass, my favourite thing to do, and I play for hours every day.

4, I can afford it, and I like to have nice things.

 

[thrashingbass]

I think players who have to shell out 500 bones to achieve what they believe is a "decent tone" should set the bass down and possibly find a new instrument.

Hey man to the guy who claims to be white trash hop on guitar centers used section and order a squier p bass for like 70 bucks brotha. I just bought a used Yamaha rbx170 for 90 bucks. Excellent bass. You can pay with a debit card too which you can get for free.

This is a valid opinion to be sure, but I doubt that 700 dollars (about the average final cost of my Epiphone with Lollars and setup) will find me a bass this good; it does makes me happy, playing is a breeze AND fun, never a chore. It simply was an experiment that wrked great.

There must be "better" basses for 700 in the used market; I just no longer need them. I bought it used, so I saved at least 200. Yes, all things considered, it's not cheap anymore, but it was.

You have a point, I just wanted a better tone, and the stock pups were kinda disappointing. But I am happy, which is my whole theory: play what you like, feels more comfortable, and makes you the happiest. Alembic, Epiphone, whatever. It's your life, your music, and YOUR bass. I think we all agree in this regard.

 

[Rocky]

not to knock those who do this but ive always questioned why a bassist who hasnt "made it" in music needs 5 basses that cost more then 2000 bucks a peice. 10,000 dollars in basses? hell here in michigan ive seen crappy houses sell for 10,000 bucks or you could almost buy a new car or pay for a education or your kids education with that kind of money. it just seems wasteful, cheap but playable basses are all around us in 2010 take advantage of it

Well I have always questioned those that spend all their money chasing some w***** a**, but to each their own.. Additionally, there are some of us who can actually can hear, feel, and appreciate the difference between low end and high end instruments, and trust me there is a difference.

 

[GregC]

Oh, the march of the straw men is on...

I think players who have to shell out 500 bones to achieve what they believe is a "decent tone" should set the bass down and possibly find a new instrument.

When I hear someone say that, I'll let you know. Most people who spend more than that are looking for something else: A specific tone (not a "decent" one), a certain feel to the neck, certain aesthetics, light weight, etc.

 

[ajish4]

This is a great thread and at the perfect time for me as I am discovering some fantastic "cheapies".

I've had a few Alembic basses....loved them, amazing instruments. I love my Rickenbacker's, and I'm having a ball playing a Vintage Modified Jazz. Even more so, the older USA Peavey's.

I once had a VERY EXPENSIVE, STUNNING Alembic in my lap, when the guy playing trumpet in front of me, quickly turned to me for SOME reason...and put a full crescent moon ding right on the front of the body! I FREAKED! I still shudder when I think about it!

Now I can play less defensively, I get great tone, they feel great and I don't have to go for shock therapy if someone gives it a ding!

 

[Gibenbackerbass]

I can speak to this from both sides of the fence. Back in the early 1980's, cheap guitars and basses usually meant a plywood-body instrument with rudimentary "tuners" and "pickups." I owned a few of these and they were SAD. PITIFUL> Complete CRAP. They wouldn't hold a tune, the pups squealed and howled no matter what and the necks could pretty much be used as bow for hunting with arrows.

Along came 2010 and based on what I read and saw here at the TB forums, I bought an SX bass. Shock doesn't even describe my initial reaction. Out of the box my "cheap bass" was setup and better sounding than another instrument costing literally 3x the price. This blew my mind. That "first 10 minutes" completely changed how I felt about, viewed and "generalized" cheap basses. The name on the headstock really doesn't mean a thing. If the bass gets "a good J Bass sound" and you're playing through decent equipment and you're skill/technique is good, then you're nailing it, man! A few bucks and some time towards shielding and better pots and holy crap...why doesn't everyone do this? Oh yeah...Headstock Appeal. Again, if you're rockin' it, nailin' it and flat out thumpin' away, who can argue with you?

Sure; the "cheap basses" have no resale value. Who cares? I've got 95% of the MIA J Bass sound and feel at 1/2 the cost of a MIM J Bass. Who's better than me?

Way back when I had a 'Rythemline' bass (think that's how it was spelled) and it was exactly like you detailed. Complete rubbish, but it was the only thing I could afford so I made due.

Things today are a bit different. Improvements have been made. Besides, who cares how much an inexpensive bass costs. Just as long as you enjoy it and it does the trick.

 

[GregC]

not to knock those who do this but ive always questioned why a bassist who hasnt "made it" in music needs 5 basses that cost more then 2000 bucks a peice. 10,000 dollars in basses? hell here in michigan ive seen crappy houses sell for 10,000 bucks or you could almost buy a new car or pay for a education or your kids education with that kind of money. it just seems wasteful, cheap but playable basses are all around us in 2010 take advantage of it

Why would I want to buy a crappy house (it must be in really bad shape if it's 10k) in what is probably a crime-ridden neighborhood? If it's all someone can afford, then my heart goes out to them and yeah, they probably shouldn't buy an expensive bass. Hell, I would never recommend someone go into debt to buy a bass, no matter the price.

Who's to say that buying expensive basses is wasteful? Like Darkstrike, I don't have any kids. My car (which I put less than 2000 miles a year on) has been paid off since 2002, and I got my degree a long, long time ago. I don't blow any money on drugs, I don't smoke and my alcohol consumption consists of maybe one beer a month.

In my first go-round as a bassist, I played one sub-$200 bass for 4 years, and a sub-$300 bass for another 4 years. I had a blast. I could get by with a $350 Squier Classic Vibe P now if I had to (I still might get one--great bang for the buck, and I dig the fiesta red/tort combo). But I don't wanna. I'm having a lot of fun playing some really sweet basses.

When it comes to spending disposable income, to each his own...

 

[Greevus]

Inexpensive basses rule. I hope the boutique-lovers keep playing 'em so I can keep adding to my collection on Ebay. Play all the modern top-of-the-lines you want. The more you pay, the more the great used basses go down in price.

 

[ubnomnar]

I'm becoming a Cheap-Bass-A-Holic-Craigslist-Addict. I just picked up a nice little red 2003 Squier P-Bass for $40. After a two hour cleaning and setup...plus a fresh set of "boiled" round wounds... it looks, plays, and sounds great.

I also have a Squier CV 50's Precision and a Squier Dirnt Precision that each cost less than $200 used... but also look, play, and sound great after a careful setup...by me.

I'm building a "herd" of bargain basses that are fun to play... and play with. Given the low prices... I feel free to test and mod with no hesitation. I can't say the same thing when I spend $400 or more on a bass.

I'm having so much fun playing at the "low end" that I've already started parting out my $900 parts bass to fund more bargain basses.

Call me crazy... I call it fun.

My two keepers are modest... an MIM 04 black Dirnt Precision and an 02 Surf Green Hoppus Jazz

I still want a Suhr.... I'm not totally out of it.

 

[Rich Guastella]

I've been playing a Schecter for acouple of years....Great neck, great sound.....EMGHZ pup's..500 bux new..and then I saw a good deal on a Warwick Thumb.....to explain the difference....it's like playing a Fender Rhoades,simulating a baby grand piano and the Warwick is like playing the actual Steinway .....hope youse guys know what I mean
Rich

 

[shaolinwhat]

This is definitely making me want to follow through on my plan to buy a squier p-bass to take to practices, some gigs, etc. so that my 84 MIJ precision doesnt get as much wear

 

[cap'n crunk]

I once had a VERY EXPENSIVE, STUNNING Alembic in my lap, when the guy playing trumpet in front of me, quickly turned to me for SOME reason...and put a full crescent moon ding right on the front of the body!

If it had been me and not you, that be-boppin' SOB would be sporting a full crescent moon ding right in the center of his forehead.

 

[john_martin_sai]

I found my soulmate long ago with a mistress on the side.

Never needed mess around with cheap chippies, whose sexiness and instant appeal would've faded in time anyway....

 

[60's Bluesman]

Why would I want to buy a crappy house (it must be in really bad shape if it's 10k) in what is probably a crime-ridden neighborhood? If it's all someone can afford, then my heart goes out to them and yeah, they probably shouldn't buy an expensive bass. Hell, I would never recommend someone go into debt to buy a bass, no matter the price.

Who's to say that buying expensive basses is wasteful? Like Darkstrike, I don't have any kids. My car (which I put less than 2000 miles a year on) has been paid off since 2002, and I got my degree a long, long time ago. I don't blow any money on drugs, I don't smoke and my alcohol consumption consists of maybe one beer a month.

In my first go-round as a bassist, I played one sub-$200 bass for 4 years, and a sub-$300 bass for another 4 years. I had a blast. I could get by with a $350 Squier Classic Vibe P now if I had to (I still might get one--great bang for the buck, and I dig the fiesta red/tort combo). But I don't wanna. I'm having a lot of fun playing some really sweet basses.

When it comes to spending disposable income, to each his own...

maybe its my upbringing, i remember when i bought my first bass for 50 bucks when i was 15 my parents freaked out on me, music in their eyes is unimportant so ive always spent as little as possible and learned to work with what instruments i have at my disposal. no right or wrong it depends on personal preference

 

[neil933]

Good players will play good on any bass. Play what you can afford and what fits your situation. Jaco played on a homemade fretless! Nuff said.

 

[90k]

For me set up and fret work made sort work of developing my skills..
Once I got there, I now have great fun on inexpensive Basses.. However there is nothing like a pricey bass that is built with quality in mind.