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Keep a Cheapie?

#61
Most non musicians really give no thought to the actual instrument being played. Most musicians are concerned with whether the other guy can play, instruments don't really matter as long as the music works.

I used to play for a living and won't waste time or space on anything that can't be used on a gig. I own a couple cheap basses. They are tools to get the job done. That said, a cheap violin is useless.
 
#62
As you likely noticed this past week Cheese. I'm going through a very similar thing.

Last week I sold my Fendowsky, and traded my Reverend Brad Houser. Traded it for a TRB5 (charcoal) that you've GAS'd over before.

That leaves me with the TRB5, and my Regenerate custom bass that I am truly blessed to have had built for me, along with my heavily modded Schecter Studio5 that my wife first bought for me when I got back into playing 4 years ago after a 15 year hiatus.

Yes, I can convince myself I need more, but realistically there's a TON that can be done with those 3 basses.

I'd still "like" a Cirrus, but may eventually get a BXP, or Millennium BXP AC which has the same pickups instead at a much lower cost. But that's not a priority.

I agree, and acknowledge what you're doing. Not necessarily sexy, fun and destined to build Talkbass rep for you gear, but nothing at all wrong with it.

IMHO.


.
 
#63
A drummer I play with gave me his MIM P-bass the other night at a little get together. He said play it, I bought and don't know how to play it ... I want to hear somebody play it. I took it home that night, set the intonation, restrung it followed by a turn or ~two~ on the ol' truss rod and it plays and sounds pretty dang good. It may be that I buy this bass from him to go with my Status Kingbass.

Ain't nuttin' wrong with a cheapie if it works for you.
 
#64
carl h. said:
Most non musicians really give no thought to the actual instrument being played. Most musicians are concerned with whether the other guy can play, instruments don't really matter as long as the music works.

I used to play for a living and won't waste time or space on anything that can't be used on a gig. I own a couple cheap basses. They are tools to get the job done. That said, a cheap violin is useless.
Click to expand...

non musicians and other musicians you play with are also not concerned with things like having to adjust your neck every time it rains.
 
#65
thumpbass1 said:
Go with what works for you. Take a cue from other musicians who don't play bass, but are good musicians on whatever instrument they play, and don't live in world devoted to brand name snobbery or gear fads like we bass players, and guitar players can get caught up in.

I work with a few incredible guitar players who own top notch new and vintage gear, but they ain't afraid to gig with some battered old Silvertone or Mexican made Strat if it delivers the goods, but may wrinkle the noses of gear snobs. Above all they have fun, and let their playing do the talking. They know about tone, but they do love any budget instrument, that they may run across and offers a lot mojo for the low dollar.

I think we all could benefit from taking a break from the brand name fads or whatever other gear snobbery that runs rampant, and just enjoy any bit of gear that gives us pleasure, be it a budget beauty, or the best of the best.
Click to expand...

Great philosophy. I love rocking my cheapy basses. People's jaws drop when I tell how much I paid.
 
#66
peterpalmieri said:
non musicians and other musicians you play with are also not concerned with things like having to adjust your neck every time it rains.
Click to expand...

I don't think anyone will argue that a budget bass is the equal of a fine boutique or even a high end factory bass. I have just decided that given the fact that bass is only a hobby for me (I make only a token amount of money) it makes no sense to rob from my family budget for "toys." I can live with adjustingthe neck or a little more work to maintain the bass as long as I can do it myself.;)
 
#67
I have a Ibanez SR800 which I found, used, here. It's a great bass, but I've gone back and forth on keeping or selling it locally - mainly for needing some quick cash. I've almost sold it several times, but I think it's a good enough bass to keep, long term and maybe upgrade.
 
#68
Good for you cheese. Admirable.

Dr. Cheese said:
I don't think anyone will argue that a budget bass is the equal of a fine boutique or even a high end factory bass. I have just decided that given the fact that bass is only a hobby for me (I make only a token amount of money) it makes no sense to rob from my family budget for "toys." I can live with adjustingthe neck or a little more work to maintain the bass as long as I can do it myself.;)
Click to expand...
 
#69
I have a 57 reissue a nice bass that will go with me to the grave , but its not stopping me from buying a 50$ peavey milestone tomorrow as a cheap-o , i wont say beater because i dont literally beat my instruments up.

Cheap basses are fun and when i get bored i can strip the finish or defret one , something to do.
 
#70
stflbn said:
As you likely noticed this past week Cheese. I'm going through a very similar thing.

Last week I sold my Fendowsky, and traded my Reverend Brad Houser. Traded it for a TRB5 (charcoal) that you've GAS'd over before.

That leaves me with the TRB5, and my Regenerate custom bass that I am truly blessed to have had built for me, along with my heavily modded Schecter Studio5 that my wife first bought for me when I got back into playing 4 years ago after a 15 year hiatus.

Yes, I can convince myself I need more, but realistically there's a TON that can be done with those 3 basses.

I'd still "like" a Cirrus, but may eventually get a BXP, or Millennium BXP AC which has the same pickups instead at a much lower cost. But that's not a priority.

I agree, and acknowledge what you're doing. Not necessarily sexy, fun and destined to build Talkbass rep for you gear, but nothing at all wrong with it.

IMHO.


.
Click to expand...

GAS is kind of like chasing the opposite sex in that overindulgence always leads to trouble. As long as you have what you need to do what you want to do, it makes no difference if you use cheap, mid priced, or expensive gear.:bassist:
 
#71
I just picked up a squier modified vintage jazz, maple fretboard,neck and body, decent pick ups set of flats and a bit of time setting it up and it soundsgood enough for what I play, plays great looks cool, best of all if it gets ripped off at a gig or knocked over/dropped/ anybody else want to play it I'm really not to concerened it was only 200 bucks.

I am a firm believer in its not what you have its what you do with it.

have fun enjoy what you have most of all

Is their a po'boy bass club around here, just us guys that play lower budget instruments, I'd join if there was.


cya
jim
 
#72
I like having a cheap beater bass around.

- It gets thrown in the back of the truck when I have to be away from home for a few days for my job
- It normally lives in my home office/workshop and I don't worry if I drop chemicals or lumps of metal on it
- It's a lightweight backup when needed
- It's a tinkering platform for me to "learn by doing" on without fear of expensive mistakes

Everyone should have one :)
 
#73
ondaone said:
I just picked up a squier modified vintage jazz, maple fretboard,neck and body, decent pick ups set of flats and a bit of time setting it up and it soundsgood enough for what I play, plays great looks cool, best of all if it gets ripped off at a gig or knocked over/dropped/ anybody else want to play it I'm really not to concerened it was only 200 bucks.

I am a firm believer in its not what you have its what you do with it.

have fun enjoy what you have most of all

Is their a po'boy bass club around here, just us guys that play lower budget instruments, I'd join if there was.


cya
jim
Click to expand...

http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showthread.php?t=565603&highlight=cheap+club&page=2
 
#80
I keep a Squier P kicking around for gigs in crappy places and my backup in nicer places. Upgraded with MIA P pickup, MIA tuners and an anodized pickguard (all scored here from TB classifieds) it looks nice, feels nice and actually sounds decent. Total invested, including purchase price, is $150. There has been more than one occasion that I leave the MIA P home and take this one to practice or a gig.
 

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