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Inexpensive bass guitar

A few further questions:

I went on the Rondo Music site and saw basses in my price range. I read the specs and have absolutely no clue (aside from the color and size) how to tell them apart. Some of them are more expensive; how do I tell whether it's worth spending the extra $20 or so above the cheapest model ?

Also, I found this site which recommends having your new bass sent directly to them for setup. [http://www.buzzardsbass.com]

Is this worth it ? I see that many of you have experience modifying your instruments to fix defects or upgrade them. I do not have the experience or the ability.

Thanks in advance for all of your help.

Bob
 
Hey guys - help me out here !

Bob

Relax, Bob...it's a forum, not a chat room. Sometimes takes a few days before a thread gets you some fabric.

Also, I found this site which recommends having your new bass sent directly to them for setup. [Invalid Link Removed
Squier P or J bass
Check your local craigslist
I'd say that those are pretty much your options. If you go SX, and you don't have a local set-up guy you like, I'm sure Buzzards will get it ready for you. Good luck, man...
 
I was thinking that if I have to spend another $75 - $100 for a setup (prices are higher in NY where I am), then maybe it makes more sense to put the extra $$ into a bass (Squier) where I probably would not not need a setup.

Bob
 
I was thinking that if I have to spend another $75 - $100 for a setup (prices are higher in NY where I am), then maybe it makes more sense to put the extra $$ into a bass (Squier) where I probably would not not need a setup.

Bob

There is no off-the-rack bass guaranteed to be perfect and require no set up. Just as good chance the Squier would need a set up too.

Also, the degree of set-up is probably pretty minimal with a well-made SX. I'ved heard the phrase "ready to play right out of the box" in many cases.
 
It's actually highly likely the Squier will need a set up as well.

Get an SX, learn how to do your own set ups. They are not that hard to do and you can practice on your SX without the fear of breaking something expensive.

The pricing difference on rondomusic has less to do with quality than with demand and supply regarding certain models and colours, IMHO. In any case the ones i have tried are of acceptable quality, certainly good enough to be an office practice bass or even a gig backup bass.
 
Bob, I'll chime in on the SX. I bought an SX SJB62 Jazz four stringer this summer just to have an inexpensive back up and one to learn to do setups on. That all changed when it arrived and I plugged it in. It was awesome. I wasn't impressed with the strings or the bridge so I changed them out. (Ernie Balls for strings; standard Fender Jazz bass bridge replacement). Now it's my main standard tune axe. Wouldn't trade it for the world. I gave $139 for the bass and counting the strings and new bridge total, I have about $185 in the bass but it was all worth it. She sings like an angel now. Best money I've ever spent on a bass. Go for the SX, you will love it.
 
Bob, I'll chime in on the SX. I bought an SX SJB62 Jazz four stringer this summer just to have an inexpensive back up and one to learn to do setups on. That all changed when it arrived and I plugged it in. It was awesome. I wasn't impressed with the strings or the bridge so I changed them out. (Ernie Balls for strings; standard Fender Jazz bass bridge replacement). Now it's my main standard tune axe. Wouldn't trade it for the world. I gave $139 for the bass and counting the strings and new bridge total, I have about 185 in the bass but it was all worth. She sings like an angel now. Best money I've ever spent on a bass. Go for the SX, you will love it.

I'll second that. I bought the same bass a few weeks ago, did a set up, had the pots changed, added some D'Addario chrome flats, and man did this thing sing! I've already used it at one gig where the bandleader prefers it to my $2000 Lull.

I'd say snag the SX for sure - they still have this particular bass with the old headstock I think.
 
How can someone manufacture a bass at that price, sell it and still make profits out of it is simply out of this world !!!!!

The SX seems the way to go for your needs at work !

Well, let's see:

- CNC Automation,
- $1.25 an hour labor
- no health insurance
- no environmental regulations
- no taxes but a stiff "donation" to the local provence government.
- no health or safety regulations
- cheap factory costs.
- all the components for that bass are made locally so no import or transportation costs incurred.
- The raw material and milling is done locally - no tax or any incurred business costs.
- The wood material is subsidized and is cheap.
- No retail contracts/middle business
- ... to name a few.

If it was made in Canada, USA, UK or Western Europe, add $750.00.

Learn to speak a new language so you can play your music to the "new" working class.... in Asia.
 
A few further questions:

I went on the Rondo Music site and saw basses in my price range. I read the specs and have absolutely no clue (aside from the color and size) how to tell them apart. Some of them are more expensive; how do I tell whether it's worth spending the extra $20 or so above the cheapest model ?

Also, I found this site which recommends having your new bass sent directly to them for setup. [http://www.buzzardsbass.com]

Is this worth it ? I see that many of you have experience modifying your instruments to fix defects or upgrade them. I do not have the experience or the ability.

Thanks in advance for all of your help.

Bob

I would check out some of the threads on Buzzardsbass...
 
SX works for me. I swear by mine. My MUCH more expensive basses take a back seat to this one. Here's a shot (without ME in the picture screwing things up as usual LOL! ;) ) from last nights show.

If you can get by the new headsock design, they are a ton of bang for the buck.

Rondo has one of the best return policies in the business if you should happen to not like it. Read their return policy. You really can't lose, even if you don't like it.

zIMG_0677-2.jpg
 
I'm going to jump in here and hopefully not hijack the thread.

I'm just almost two years into learning guitar, but I also want to learn bass. My teacher said we could alternate without a problem. So I'm looking for an inexpensive bass package.

So I'm to understand that something like this SX BG2K LPB Bass Guitar and Amp Package would be a good starting point for me? I'm not wild about the color though. But for $139... :hmm:

Or would I be better served by building my own package...
Link Removed
Link Removed (my guitar tuner has a bass setting, and I have straps galore).
Link Removed

Total $205.85

Link Removed makes the total $225.85

I like the "build your own" options better, even for a little more $$$
 

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