• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

Keep a Cheapie?

#21
The logo on the headstock isn't important at all, it's what the instrument does in the hands of the player. If you like it, and it sounds good in a band setting, play the hell out of it and laugh all the way to the bank!
 
#24
I gigged my VM Jazz all the time. It was modded with a Audre preamp and blew most ''real'' Fenders out of the water. That kind of bass is perfect for playing bars and the like. Where I don't want to risk loosing or damaging my so called "good" basses. If you're playing a hole in the wall, a thief is more likely to pass up the "cheap o". And if someone plows into you're stuff and knocks it off stage, you won't care as much. IMHO.
 
#26
I have a slightly different angle that may not apply to you, Dr. Cheese, but with regard to learning how to improve and maintain instruments, having a couple 'cheapies' around to experiment on is priceless.

I don't think you're all that into modding or deconstructing/reconstructing basses, but if you ever wanted to find out how a new wiring configuration or yank the frets or... You'd certainly want to do that on a bass that you felt OK about hacking on.

Otherwise - sure - keeping cheapies is a fine thing if they work for you.
 
#27
Love my cheapies! I have two G.B. Samicks (P and a J) and an Afiniity (P). I've experimented with electronics, fretless conversions and just about anything else I can think of. The result is good sounding, playable, work-horse basses that I can replace anytime one gets smashed.
 
#30
Keep it and gig it. I'm keeping mine and have gig it a number of times. Right now it is chilling in the case, but I pull it out every now and then. Gotta baby coming so the gigs are slowing down. But I wouldn't hesitate to gig my Squier Affinity V.

I played it one morning at church and the worship leader was having a conversation and made some remark to one of the guitarist about "at least its not a Squier" in regards to what I thought was a sweet reliced Telly. When I told him I was rocking a Squier he turned a couple shades red. Didn't even know it. Guess he couldn't see the headstock in the dim lights. :D
 
#31
tZer said:
I have a slightly different angle that may not apply to you, Dr. Cheese, but with regard to learning how to improve and maintain instruments, having a couple 'cheapies' around to experiment on is priceless.

I don't think you're all that into modding or deconstructing/reconstructing basses, but if you ever wanted to find out how a new wiring configuration or yank the frets or... You'd certainly want to do that on a bass that you felt OK about hacking on.

Otherwise - sure - keeping cheapies is a fine thing if they work for you.
Click to expand...

I'm not really into taking stuff apart, but I am getting more into maintainence and repair just to be economical. A cheap bass is great as a learning tool.
 
#33
M.R. Ogle said:
Which GC? THe nearest one to me is Fairview Heights, IL. I'll make an afternoon trip over if there's a good shop out in STL county... maybe next time I'm at the airport.
Click to expand...

I got it at Fairview Heights. That store has a decent, but not fantastic selection, but they have a salesman named Roger who will really work with you. If you go by, tell him I recommended him to you.:)
 
#34
It's good to have an instrument that you are not paranoid over. These things are essentially garden tools, not jewelry. They get dirty; they fall over; stuff happens to them. Most of the time, they survive their mishaps still able to do their main job: they make music.

The real value is in the use of the thing, not in its paint job or provenance. What someone is willing to pay to own it is of secondary importance, unless you are in that business.

A great-sounding, smooth-feeling cheapie is found money. Treat it with care.

If the neck is stable, the body and hardware are solid, and the electronics are noise-free, a bass is a bass. Everything beyond that is puff.
 
#37
Dr. Cheese said:
The funny thing is that my really sweet 2008 Fender Jazz V that I bought new had the same issue!:hiding:
Click to expand...

I'm not suprised I had some fret work done when I bought a 2008 Fender. I think we bought them around the same time. That bass didn't work out in the long run for me.

In any case if you buy a "less expensive" bass and have a pretty good idea of how you want it to perform those costs are going to come up. There are very few bass makers who send out their basses that are almost always perfect right out of the box and none of them are cheap...
 
#38
Who are you trying to kid, Cheese? Your GAS is not going to go away. You can have, keep, gig, and love this Squier (and more power to you), and you will still pine for cool instruments. Most of us are just like that.
 
#39
WJGreer said:
Who are you trying to kid, Cheese? Your GAS is not going to go away. You can have, keep, gig, and love this Squier (and more power to you), and you will still pine for cool instruments. Most of us are just like that.
Click to expand...

Keeping or selling the bass has nothing to do with GAS!:hiding: If I had a NYC UV70 5, I would still GAS. In fact all of the guys I know who have several high end basses want more, and when I owned boutiques, I wanted more.

Keeping the Affinity is really about accepting a decent bass regardless of the name or snob appeal.:bassist:
 
#40
I just picked up a Fender P off of craigslist for 150 bucks. Thing plays great and has become my go to bass. I'll still be disappointed if something happens to it cause it was such a great deal. Nothing wrong with keeping the cheapies around. Come to think of it all of mine are cheapies right now :)
 

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back