Is it me, or am I the only one who likes nice, cheap, solid colored, normal shaped, bolt-on basses like Ibanez Soundgears? Solid colors are nice, easy maintainence, etc., and the natural finishes, oils and stains just look a little to classy for me. Give me a nice solid white, black, or dark red, black hardware and I'm more than happy! Normal shapes, come on! Singlecuts, especially on basses, in my opinion are just wrong! Maybe a Les-Paul shaped singlecut, but some of the Elricks and whatnot are not exactly my bag of tea. Now everyone debates Bolt-on vs. Neck-through but I'm a bolt on guy, less sustain, I'm not playing jazz, so I don't need it! Cheap instruments are great, they're practically disposable. My weapon of choice is a $400 Ibanez SR400, and if anything goes wrong, I'll just buy another, I'm not afraid to modify them...hell I just scalloped the top five frets on one of them! Drop in a pair of EMG's or Bart's or Duncan's and I'm set, and maybe even a nice bridge. At least this way, I can get used to the feel of one bass, while having tons of toys at my disposal! I seem a bit out of place loving my cheap import bolt-ons in a world of Fenders, Warwicks and other odd guitars. Just my little opinion, I figure it's time to complain a bit , I've been in this wonderful place long enough!
I like the cheapys too. My main axe for the stage is a $130 Squier J. It ain't the best but I would have to think if I had a $3000 exotic super duper active whatever i wouldn't rip the strings off and throw it across the stage after most shows. Well really I probably would but would it still work and play? I don't think so-
I liked cheapy too...right up until i played a expensivy. Then cheapy turned to crappy and frustrating.
HI! I hear ya' but I'm a guy who wants the best tool for the job. For me that seems to be a higher end bass than you described. That's just me. No knock on what you play. I'm a big fan of wood in general and fine craftmanship, too. It ultimately has to sound and play well, though. I just can't get that from an inexpensive piece. Best of luck Rob
I like exotic basses, but I do not like the look of wood, I prefer stained colored basses...and often solid colors. I think I may be somewhere in the middle.
I have a few decent basses, Kubicki, Conklin GT-7, Jerzy Drozd Ecellency, GL-Fender Jazz, But I have been thinking about picking up something cheap to modify and expirement with.
I feel the same way. I personally love the sound and feel of an Ibanez. My most expensive bass right now is a BTB 405 that cost me $600. I don't feel any need to spend much more on a bass. I will save the big bucks for an amp setup.
I don't really go for cheap, but by the same token I have always maintained that you don't have to take out a loan to get a good instrument. Still, if you are going to play Doctor Frankenstein it's better to go cheap!
I'm a big fan of being more concerned with how a bass sounds and feels than how much it costs. If I can find the sound and feel that I like in a $300 bass (and I have).... GREAT!
I understand you but dont feel exactly the same.. I personally, don't think I'd ever buy a fodera or ken smith If I had the money.. but I'm pretty sure that I would considerate buying an MTD or nice Warwick if I could. It's just different tastes.. I'd also prefer bolt on over neck through basses if that would save me more than $100. in the other hand, I prefer if a neck is made of multiple pieces.. I dont trust 1 piece necks so much.. and I think that necks with diferent woods, look very attractive. I do like natural finishes.. and dyed finishes even more, but not solid. for shapes.. i dont call anything abnormal unless it is badly balanced of unplayable. I like small, round edged, ergonomic bodies. I dont think single cuts are wrong in any way.. they hcan add sustain and i like how they like.. and Elricks are much more well balanced than les paul basses.. that's for sure.
I'm curious, for those of you who choose cheap basses. Are you able to play, try out, and purchase expensive basses but you choose to buy the cheap basses anyway? i like expensive basses because they play and sound like expensive basses (well, most of them) but i also like the cheap basses that are great values at their respective price points.
its all a matter of personal preference. ive had the cheep stuff...i have the mid to high end stuff now. i started on gibson ripper, then a yammy rbx260, a washburn xb5, an ibanez 5 string...(not a sdgr) but once i started in on the mid to high level basses i started noticing the difference in quality and sound. im currently using mm/sr's with a korean spector ns2000 neck thru as a backup. play what you feel dude. as long as you keep playing and keep it fun. this world has too many eddy van halens out there and not enough ppl to carry the low. bass players are a rare breed...who else would voluntarily carry the rythym...make the room shake...fill out the sound...and do more for a band then any other memeber....and then watch idly by as the girls rush the stage and knock you over on their way to attack the singer and guitar players.