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Favorite Cheap Bass

I suppose that $600 is pushing the high end of cheap but it is fairly cheap compared to the full range of available basses. I suppose it is affordable more than cheap but the line has to be drawn somewhere. So, I am looking for a cheap 5er to try and the comments above are helpful. I was only going to read the thread but then I realized that though it is a fluke, my Fender Deluxe Active Jazz fits the given price range and is my favorite so far. Normally it is around $750 but a local Guitar Center had it marked $670. I called them the day I bought it and when they told me the price, I told them it was an error. I went to the store that evening and was assured the price was not an error and they would also accept the $100 coupon that was running at that time too so I was looking at $570 and I said lets do it. That was when their computer told them the price was an error! I did not make a stink about it even though legally I suppose I could have, I just waited quietly for the 45 minutes it took them to come to a decision and I walked out the door for $570, plus tax of course. Some of the new Blacktops and Modern Players look mighty fine at the $600 limit too.

Ken
 
Squier Bronco and Hofner Icon. Have gigged with many times actually. light and portable. And dirt cheap. Great backup basses. And on the plus, you can give it to your guitar player to fool around with and they wont whine about playing bass (well, at least for five minutes probably).
 
I had a Curbow 5 for a few months. Bought for $100 on CL, sold for the same. I did enjoy it.

My most favorite cheap bass though was my first one. It was a Series 10 four string. Someone bought it for $150, gave it to a guy for free, who gave it to a friend of mine for free, who passed it on to me for free. For a cheap as free bass that thing played like a dream, never had to adjust the truss or anything. Every one had it for at least a few years, and everyone learned to play on it.

I eventually sold it to a guitar shop for $75. I felt sort of bad about that.
 
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I love cheapos and have several, but this 95 Precision Lyte has been my workhorse for the past 3 years. Not stock...has Duncan Quarter Pounders on it, and I'm thinking about putting a set of EMG's into it. Got about $500 into it with the pickups and new wiring harness.
 
I play a Westfield B100 and I kinda love it. It cost me £90. With cheaper brands its kinda hit and miss but i guess i got lucky, it sounds fine - apart from a little buzz occasionally- and the 2-3 years ive had it i've knocked it around an awful lot and its still in good, working order, pretty sturdy :)
 
Here are my cheapest but by no way cheap sounding
basses. One is an 84 or 85 Ibanez RB 850 that I got for $150
plus $50 shipping on Ebay with the original case. Great sound,
great neck and very light.

The other is an 2007 ATK 300 for only $125 plus $30 shipping
that I just got three weeks ago. I put some creative cuts black
block neck stickers on it and it really stands out IMO. The only
drawback is the weight but it's now my main axe, my P's are
staying at home now. The combination of sounds is impressive
and the neck has that Precision feel to it. Just hope my back holds
up .

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Best cheap bass. G&L Tribute L2000.

Uses American made parts but put together overseas, than setup back in Cali....... Active/passive, series/parallel, 2 humbuckers that can comp a P, jazz, and MM sound nicely.

They can go as low as 300 bucks used. I have since made the jump to all five stringers, but will always keep this bass.
 
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I love cheapos and have several, but this 95 Precision Lyte has been my workhorse for the past 3 years. Not stock...has Duncan Quarter Pounders on it, and I'm thinking about putting a set of EMG's into it. Got about $500 into it with the pickups and new wiring harness.
I have the exact same color Precision Lyte, only mine has Dimarzios wired passive, and a d tuner. I love the damn thing.
 
I bought a Squier P-Bass (don't recall what one) a number of years ago from the showroom in Musicians Friend in Kansas City. There was a small bump on it, but it had been returned because of a warped neck. I had the salesman get me an adjustment tool...and it straightened right out. I bought it for open mic shows where some might ask to use a bass. I turned out to be a good sounding instrument - not the quality I would play for any period of time, but it did sound clean and clear and did serve my needs of far beyond expectations. From what I read on this site - that is often the case, and they seem to be better basses than I initially would have given them credit for :ninja:
 
Lets say just about any Ibanez under $500 is better than any other bass out there!

Lets just say no.

There are some really sketchy cheap Ibbys out there, although I am glad you have found a brand you really like.

Under $600? I've never owned a bass that cost more than $600!

My Grind BXP plays like butter and was a helluva deal even if the pickups are kinda dark, but I'd say my old early 80s foundation gets the nod. It was $175 when I bought it with the hard case. Man I miss that thing. I haven't regretted selling any of my Fenders fwiw.