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"Good" cheap bass

S

Sptz

Apr 18, 2004
103
0
#1
Hey, I have an ESP b-104 which is being used for my metal band in (CGCF) I have this bass for about 4 to 5 years and it's really showing it's age, I had tons of setups and it always ends up fret buzzing, which is awful since I'm starting to record our EP and it's unbearable (although in the mix it sounds ok) both the studio engineer complained about it as well as a audio engineer on a gig we gave complained about it too.
This bass back then cost me about 400euros which is about 617USD.

So I was wondering if I could get a better bass than this that could handle what I'm asking for for about 700-800USD.

Thanks in advance!
 
#2
I'm a fan of the Ibaneze BTB Series, which would probably be in that price range overseas.
It's the farthest thing from the SoundGear series, and with the bartolini pups, 3 band eq, and comfy neck, they really are a joy to play. If you have a chance to play one, you might like it, although I don't know how it would work for metal.
 
#3
Hey, thanks for the reply, the problem is I have a pending bass on a local luthier so I have all my money on that basically (and on a Genz Benz GBE750). But that bass won't be used for metal of any kind, I know spectors are pretty good from what I hear, but I don't think they fall in this price range, I play with my fingers only and slap as well, and I think my attack is pretty aggressive.
 
#5
Ok, I've been searching and I narrowed it down to 2 basses, I'm going for the ESP LTD's because I feel comfortable playing them in this style of music.

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I'm obviously keen on the B-4E, neckthru etc, pretty reasonable for the price, do you think this would be a good bass for metal? Playing on CGCF tuning
 
#6
Is the noise problems coming from fret clank due to playing style or from high frets? Kind of assuming a combo of both.

Has the bass had the frets leveled?


If it's a technique issue due to just playing to hard you're still going to get those buzzes unless you start raising the strings up.

Have your past setups been done based on how you specifically play and the problems your having?
 
#7
The setups have been done with the problem exactly described, and it's good for like 2 days, then it goes back to fret buzzing hell, and C string (1st) always goes "down" more than the others... I think it could be a bridge problem as well..
 
#12
Sptz said:
Ok, I've been searching and I narrowed it down to 2 basses, I'm going for the ESP LTD's because I feel comfortable playing them in this style of music.

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or

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I'm obviously keen on the B-4E, neckthru etc, pretty reasonable for the price, do you think this would be a good bass for metal? Playing on CGCF tuning
Click to expand...

I sure like the looks of that B-4E! Sound/tone wise I think either of them would work for metal, especially with some stainless roundwound strings.
 
#14
If you want to play metal and like the B-4E, this might be a more "metal" version:

F-4E
F-4E.jpg
 
#15
Yeah, I'm digging the F4-e alot, but I still prefer the B4-e I'm pretty "conservative" in terms of shape, specially on basses, will it make a big difference being 34" instead of 35" for drop C tunning?
 
#17
Sptz said:
Hey, I have an ESP b-104 which is being used for my metal band in (CGCF) I have this bass for about 4 to 5 years and it's really showing it's age, I had tons of setups and it always ends up fret buzzing, which is awful since I'm starting to record our EP and it's unbearable (although in the mix it sounds ok) both the studio engineer complained about it as well as a audio engineer on a gig we gave complained about it too.
This bass back then cost me about 400euros which is about 617USD.

So I was wondering if I could get a better bass than this that could handle what I'm asking for for about 700-800USD.

Thanks in advance!
Click to expand...

Jay Turser JTB-401. Available online for about $150 US via Ebay.

Add a bridge cover and it's mighty pretty. Install Labella flatwound strings and it sounds superb.

You said cheap and good - this is both.

PB220356.jpg
 
#18
Sptz said:
Hey, I have an ESP b-104 which is being used for my metal band in (CGCF) I have this bass for about 4 to 5 years and it's really showing it's age, I had tons of setups and it always ends up fret buzzing, which is awful since I'm starting to record our EP and it's unbearable (although in the mix it sounds ok) both the studio engineer complained about it as well as a audio engineer on a gig we gave complained about it too.
This bass back then cost me about 400euros which is about 617USD.

So I was wondering if I could get a better bass than this that could handle what I'm asking for for about 700-800USD.

Thanks in advance!
Click to expand...

I just finally read all of your post. You want a well made, good sounding 4-string that you can tune CGCF, right? Try this one, which is on Ebay right now:

Peavey USA Millennium 4-string.

96b7_12.jpg

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It's American made with Hipshot tuners, active pickups, an extremely versatile active preamp, plus it's 35" scale and you can string through the body so you should be able to tune CGCF and get good sound. They're also very light!

I used to own one like this with a flamed maple top - I sold it to get a 5-string version just like it!
 
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#20
The fretbuzz problem, seems more of a technique problem to me than anything else.

I've had 100$ basses not buzz at all with the right setup.

If you have a bass tuned to CGCF with normal strings, low action and hit them with all your force as if there's no tomorrow, you will get fretbuzz on a 10000$ bass.

Try to get bigger gauges strings, and if you want dirt try an overdrive pedal instead of playing too hard.
 

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