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Hooray for cheap basses!

Pachap

Pachap

Guest
Jun 21, 2014
311
238
49
Savannahstan, GA
#1
I went in to my local shop yesterday because they were nice enough to send me a 10% off coupon that I couldn't pass up. I bought a Vox Bass amPlug with it, but the highlight of my trip there was trying out 2 cheap basses!

I picked up a MM SUB bass in some kind of sunburst finish. I had never tried one before even though I have heard good things about them. Now I can see why. It felt really good for a $299 bass. Sounded good, played good, felt nice to hold. The only issue was that the volume pot felt wonky. Didn't seem like a lot of volume difference from 2 to 5, then it started to ramp up quick. I specifically checked it out for that problem because I have heard of others having it. Some contact cleaner would probably solve the problem. Not an issue for me because if I bought one I would probably gut the electronics anyway. Not that it really needs it. That is a statement about my endless need to tinker as opposed to the bass being sub-par in some way.

Then the CV J bass in Inca Silver caught my eye. If I hadn't ordered a new GK amp a few days back it would have went home with me. Played through one of the smaller Rumble amps, just like the SUB above. This thing really was gig-worthy right from the start. Everything was solid. Felt and played good, and even contour on all the controls. Awesome variety of tones and very versatile. As I stated above, I love to tinker just because, but this bass would be left as is. I absolutely would not mind having a Squier on stage.

It is a great time to be a broke musician. There is some good stuff out there for cheap.
 
#3
Pachap said:
I went in to my local shop yesterday because they were nice enough to send me a 10% off coupon that I couldn't pass up. I bought a Vox Bass amPlug with it, but the highlight of my trip there was trying out 2 cheap basses!

I picked up a MM SUB bass in some kind of sunburst finish. I had never tried one before even though I have heard good things about them. Now I can see why. It felt really good for a $299 bass. Sounded good, played good, felt nice to hold. The only issue was that the volume pot felt wonky. Didn't seem like a lot of volume difference from 2 to 5, then it started to ramp up quick. I specifically checked it out for that problem because I have heard of others having it. Some contact cleaner would probably solve the problem. Not an issue for me because if I bought one I would probably gut the electronics anyway. Not that it really needs it. That is a statement about my endless need to tinker as opposed to the bass being sub-par in some way.

Then the CV J bass in Inca Silver caught my eye. If I hadn't ordered a new GK amp a few days back it would have went home with me. Played through one of the smaller Rumble amps, just like the SUB above. This thing really was gig-worthy right from the start. Everything was solid. Felt and played good, and even contour on all the controls. Awesome variety of tones and very versatile. As I stated above, I love to tinker just because, but this bass would be left as is. I absolutely would not mind having a Squier on stage.

It is a great time to be a broke musician. There is some good stuff out there for cheap.
Click to expand...

Plus, you could buy both for less than $700.
I did.
 
#5
The one in my avatar was $200...can be found for less, and I bought a Hillsboro single for $130 or something like that...needed the frets filed, did it myself.
Hey, brand new GC wants $300 for them but look what Musician's Friend is selling them for...I think they're being discontinued.
152yrzn.jpg

I really should go to GC and have them match the price.
 
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#6
There was a very little used MIM Fender P bass that was in immaculate condition going for $200 on Craigslist in my area. Included a gig bag. Before I had a chance to sip on my coffee, the thing was gone.lol. Would have matched the $200 MIM Fender Jazz I was able to pick up also in immaculate condition.
This is the time of year when you'll see a lot of great deals on your local Craigslist as people are selling their surplus basses to buy Christmas gifts.
I scored a MIM Fender Jazz V string for $160 (perfect condition) and bought a Fender Bassman 150w amp for $80 at this time last year.
 
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#8
My last two bass purchases totaled $190.

Blue T-Bird = $100. Looked unused except for 4 significant dings in the body (probably got dropped or damaged in shipping to previous owner). A little super glue and nail polish fixed her right up.

Alley_Group_4_sm_zpsea180a50.gif


Danelectro Rumor = $90. Replaced the pots and refinished the neck with Tru-Oil. The tuners kind of suck, but they work OK. Will be making its debut at band practice this week.

Rumor_zpsb019b77a.jpg


As much as I'd like a new Rick or an American G&L, I get just as much enjoyment out of these basses.
 
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#10
Bullitt5135 said:
My last two bass purchases totaled $190.

Blue T-Bird = $100. Looked unused except for 4 significant dings in the body (probably got dropped or damaged in shipping to previous owner). A little super glue and nail polish fixed her right up.

Danelectro Rumor = $90. Replaced the pots and refinished the neck with Tru-Oil. The tuners kind of suck, but they work OK. Will be making its debut at band practice this week.

As much as I'd like a new Rick or an American G&L, I get just as much enjoyment out of these basses.
Click to expand...

What an amazing deal! Those are two cool looking basses. Though I've told myself that I am NOT buying anymore basses, I don't think I could have resisted buying those myself if presented the opportunity. Cheap is the way to go especially if you can do the fix-ups and set-ups yourself.
 
#11
Bullitt5135 said:
Danelectro Rumor = $90. Replaced the pots and refinished the neck with Tru-Oil. The tuners kind of suck, but they work OK. Will be making its debut at band practice this week.
Click to expand...

I wonder if that particular Danelectro was mine at one point. I traded it to someone in Port Huron for an amp. If so, I'm glad it got a good home! I agree with the tuners, I think one had a bent tuning peg and had to jam a little piece of paper in there to stop it from vibrating.
 
#12
Maxdusty said:
I wonder if that particular Danelectro was mine at one point. I traded it to someone in Port Huron for an amp. If so, I'm glad it got a good home! I agree with the tuners, I think one had a bent tuning peg and had to jam a little piece of paper in there to stop it from vibrating.
Click to expand...

It's quite possible. I rescued the Danelectro from the Music Go Round in Troy. One of the tuners was indeed loose, but a little superglue took care of that (for now). I also found a red guitar pick shim in the neck pocket when I took the neck off. The pots were scratchy as hell and Deoxit didn't help at all, so I soldered in a couple of CTS pots - problem solved. She cleaned up pretty nice and is ready to rock & roll.
 
#13
Bullitt5135 said:
My last two bass purchases totaled $190.

Blue T-Bird = $100. Looked unused except for 4 significant dings in the body (probably got dropped or damaged in shipping to previous owner). A little super glue and nail polish fixed her right up.

Alley_Group_4_sm_zpsea180a50.gif


Danelectro Rumor = $90. Replaced the pots and refinished the neck with Tru-Oil. The tuners kind of suck, but they work OK. Will be making its debut at band practice this week.

Rumor_zpsb019b77a.jpg


As much as I'd like a new Rick or an American G&L, I get just as much enjoyment out of these basses.
Click to expand...


If you ever want to sell that blue TBird, I'd be interested! :)
 
#14
I'm a cheapo lover :laugh: Main player a heavy modded E series MIK Squier $75 bucks with parts maybe $200.00 in her.She looks roadworn sounds and plays as vintage.

I will go pick up in my Vintage modified Telecaster in a few hours. I ordered it thru my GC. Vintage white with maple board...mmmmmm Squier!
 
#15
Bullitt5135 said:
It's quite possible. I rescued the Danelectro from the Music Go Round in Troy. One of the tuners was indeed loose, but a little superglue took care of that (for now). I also found a red guitar pick shim in the neck pocket when I took the neck off. The pots were scratchy as hell and Deoxit didn't help at all, so I soldered in a couple of CTS pots - problem solved. She cleaned up pretty nice and is ready to rock & roll.
Click to expand...
Wow.. it wasn't bad when I had it (other than the tuning peg)- might not have been mine, pots weren't scratchy at all and no pick shim - unless of course the person I traded it to abused the heck out of it in record time.
 
#16
My current favorite cheap basses:
USED
A Hohner Phoenix Elite bass - $89 - this bass is amazing! both an active and a passive bass with a switch, if you don't put a battery in it, it defaults to being a passive. Really nice sound and feel. I haven't seen another one of these, but if you do and it's going for a cheap price- I highly recommend it.

An Ibanez SR800 - $100 - Full active bass MIJ, beautiful sound and was amongst the top of the line Ibanez basses in the late 80s and 90s.

NEW
Yamaha RBX170EW- $199 but used a couple of e-coupons. Beautiful wood finish. Nice neck and overall feel - pickups are the only weak point on these, if upgraded, it should be a great player.


2014-06-05 12.39.23.jpg 01111_8CWflPC5blQ_600x450.jpg 2014-11-21 15.33.00.jpg
 
#18
college student her with a week to week paycheck hehehe! got myself a used Dean Hillsboro jazz in great condition for $170 and threw on a pair fender super55, ernie ball super slinly strings, and a tone monster preamp (in my opinion, an AMAZING preamp for not even $50), all for a.total of about (including the bass) $330 :D absolutelly love it!
 
#19
My 1992 Peavey Fury was like $160 brand new and I will occasionally see one cross CL or ebay for less than $200. I saw a white one with a black pickguard and a hardshell for around $120 and didn't buy it. Regret... it sucks.
 
#20
Right now I am eyeing a 5 string Peavey for $250 on my local Craigslist. I may have to pull that trigger. But I really want a CV 60's after trying out the one in local shop. The only thing I don't like about cheap basses is that I don't have enough money to buy them all.
 

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