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Highly Under-rated Basses

Snakeman1066

Snakeman1066

Sep 17, 2007
6,331
6,357
Central Valley
#1
i own three Traben basses....one of which was an early build from the vietnamese factory...(had some fret issues when it arrived) and i intend to pick up a couple more of their models (provided i can find some of the earlier korean builds)

the bridge doesn't appeal to everyone (in fact i still find them a bit garish) but they constantly seem to get made fun of...especially by people that have never actually played one....even i poked fun at them until i had the chance to play one....or they get classified as a "Metal only" bass...

I find them to be quite versatile in the tone department and the wood choices (Flamed Maple, Wenge, Ebony) and neck through construction (on the obsession models) to be quite amazing for the price range (around $500.00 dollars) not to mention the fact that they do active and passive both...i can dail in any tone i could possibly want....and you should hear these obsessions....they simply kill! and the sustain is amazing! and lest i forget the three band active pre-amps! and Rockfield Pups!

anyway here are my babies:

mybabiesinternet.jpg


Trabenback2.jpg


newspaltfront.jpg


newspaltback.jpg



since the purchase of the 5 string (a little over a year ago) it has been my go to bass for live and studio work:

23.jpg


My Esp's and B.C. Rich's are currently collecting dust...

anybody else have basses that get negative attention/reviews that they think just kill?.....(Squier owners?) if so post your pics and story...

IMHO these Babies are HIGHLY UNDER-RATED Basses!
 
#5
I think pretty much everything I own would be considered "under-rated" except for my T-40. Those basses might be under-VALUED but they're not under-rated.

Other than the T-40, I own 2 SX's, a Yamaha BB614, an ESP LTD B404, a Carvin LB-75, a Tom Clement Custom and now a Warmoth custom that was just acquired in a trade.
Tom Clement's work is starting to build a wonderful rep but I still think he's under-rated compared to a lot of other custom luthiers out there.
And all my other basses sound and feel great (to me anyway) but none of them are mainstream "hot-button" basses.

Well, I suppose the SX's are not really under-rated either-they do enjoy an excellent rep around here.
 
#13
Snakeman1066 said:
i own three Traben basses....one of which was an early build from the vietnamese factory...(had some fret issues when it arrived) and i intend to pick up a couple more of their models (provided i can find some of the earlier korean builds)

the bridge doesn't appeal to everyone (in fact i still find them a bit garish) but they constantly seem to get made fun of...especially by people that have never actually played one....even i poked fun at them until i had the chance to play one....or they get classified as a "Metal only" bass...

I find them to be quite versatile in the tone department and the wood choices (Flamed Maple, Wenge, Ebony) and neck through construction (on the obsession models) to be quite amazing for the price range (around $500.00 dollars) not to mention the fact that they do active and passive both...i can dail in any tone i could possibly want....and you should hear these obsessions....they simply kill! and the sustain is amazing! and lest i forget the three band active pre-amps! and Rockfield Pups!

anyway here are my babies:

mybabiesinternet.jpg


Trabenback2.jpg


newspaltfront.jpg


newspaltback.jpg



since the purchase of the 5 string (a little over a year ago) it has been my go to bass for live and studio work:

23.jpg


My Esp's and B.C. Rich's are currently collecting dust...

anybody else have basses that get negative attention/reviews that they think just kill?.....(Squier owners?) if so post your pics and story...

IMHO these Babies are HIGHLY UNDER-RATED Basses!
Click to expand...

I am going to play one of those the next time I see it, beautiful Pyro by the way. I should have some Baubel line animals this year.
 
#17
Glad you guys like the Yamaha! Thank you!

The kicker with these is, i bought the first one brand new for $349. :)

The second one i got from ebay for only $150. and it was pretty much in mint condition aside of a few surface scratches. :hyper:

I paid that for the EMGs I put in it! lol

BTW I did a pickup mod (EMG-J) on both. The stock J's are kinda weak. Plus i like the sound of active pickups so some of that is personal taste.


I think the Traben basses look cool even with the massive bridge. I wouldn't change the bridge if it functions well. I reminds me of a throwing star or some other weapon. Cool!

I have never actually had a chance to play one but I have heard a few being played in live settings and I thought the tone was quite nice!

Cool basses!

Craig
 
#20
zachoff said:
Not necessarily negative opinions, but they're often forgotten... Yamaha BBs. Man, they're awesome. Totally kicking myself I didn't pick up a BB414 when mf.com was selling them for $300.
Click to expand...

I was so tempted to buy the BB414 at may local Music-Go-Round for $250. It was gorgeous... sparkle orange. Wish they had a picture of it on the site but if you can get down to the MGR in Aurora I'm sure my local (Louisville) will send it there.
 

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