Let's see your "sleeper" basses

[jd56hawk]

...sound/build quality from factory that one would expect from a much higher end bass.

Squier Contemporary Active Jazz bass.
Never lauded as are the Classic Vibes, maybe because they're active...plenty of people put down the Fender preamps...but this thing definitely puts out.
Midnight Black, Chrome hardware, high-mass bridge, roasted maple, ash body...SQR humbuckers instead of the typical Jazz pickups.
$375!

Much nicer than I thought it'd be.
I didn't think the Indonesian Squiers could measure up to the Chinese ones, but I'm very imppressed.
Recently put GHS black tapewounds to take it to the next level!
When people think Squier Contemporary Jazz basses, whether active or passive, they probably think these.
The Limited Edition ones like mine are on another level, IMO.

 

[Dave Leighton]

Ok. 1973 Fender P 1pc maple neck. 1973 Fender Jazz body. Fralin J +5% pickups. John East J Retro innards. Shielded and grounded. Meows like a bad cat. Trying to learn to use the chrome. When I got it in the 80s it was as is but first gen EMG pickups so there was no hard decision to swap

Only say this every so often but that's sexy. Might be the leather cradling it...

 

[eastcoasteddie]

My Squier (S[qu]andberg) isn’t really a sleeper…it has a pair of Holley 750 Double-Pumpers sitting atop a 6-71 Roots blower…

My other 2 Jazz V’s could be sleepers.
Squier Affinity body, Warmoth Roasted Maple/Ebony unlined fretless neck, USA Fender pickups, Rudy Pensa preamp

Squier Vintage Modified maple body, Warmoth Roasted Maple/Roasted Maple fretted neck, Duncan Apollo hum-cancelling pickups and 2-band preamp

Each bass mentioned above has all Hipshot hardware

And I can’t forget the Factory muscle - the SS454 of basses:
1996 L2500 - all stock

 

[JRA]

i wanted a red EB FSO, so i put this together with a neck that was a little out of my comfort zone (more chunky) --- until i took it to a couple of rehearsals. wow!

i'm not a fan of P-basses so much (i like PJs, or two pickups: neck and bridge), but this one plays and slays. it's a great instrument in spite of its color and pedigree!

edit:
- ultralite tuning machines
- schaller 3D bridge
- bartolini pickups
- 7.0 lbs.

 

[Dave Leighton]

My Squier (S[qu]andberg) isn’t really a sleeper…it has a pair of Holley 750 Double-Pumpers sitting atop a 6-71 Roots blower…
View attachment 4576933
View attachment 4576936

My other 2 Jazz V’s could be sleepers.
Squier Affinity body, Warmoth Roasted Maple/Ebony unlined fretless neck, USA Fender pickups, Rudy Pensa preamp
View attachment 4576939

Squier Vintage Modified maple body, Warmoth Roasted Maple/Roasted Maple fretted neck, Duncan Apollo hum-cancelling pickups and 2-band preamp
View attachment 4576940

Each bass mentioned above has all Hipshot hardware

And I can’t forget the Factory muscle - the SS454 of basses:
1996 L2500 - all stock
View attachment 4576941

I have always loved the bound and transparent finishes on the G&L's

 

[2112]

Gamma P, GZR, Detuner, Straplocks, Paisley.

Booms, under 8 lbs, super-low action, holds a setup like grim death.

 

[Dave Leighton]

Gamma P, GZR, Detuner, Straplocks, Paisley.

Booms, under 8 lbs, super-low action, holds a setup like grim death.

View attachment 4576968

Damn, I think I have that shirt

 

[enormungus]

My Squier (S[qu]andberg) isn’t really a sleeper…it has a pair of Holley 750 Double-Pumpers sitting atop a 6-71 Roots blower…
View attachment 4576933
View attachment 4576936

My other 2 Jazz V’s could be sleepers.
Squier Affinity body, Warmoth Roasted Maple/Ebony unlined fretless neck, USA Fender pickups, Rudy Pensa preamp
View attachment 4576939

Squier Vintage Modified maple body, Warmoth Roasted Maple/Roasted Maple fretted neck, Duncan Apollo hum-cancelling pickups and 2-band preamp
View attachment 4576940

Each bass mentioned above has all Hipshot hardware

And I can’t forget the Factory muscle - the SS454 of basses:
1996 L2500 - all stock
View attachment 4576941

oof that first Squier is the bass version of a rwd converted, LS swapped civic with the exhaust runners stabbed straight out the fenders

Squier Contemporary Active Jazz bass.
Never lauded as are the Classic Vibes, maybe because they're active...plenty of people put down the Fender preamps...but this thing definitely puts out.
Midnight Black, Chrome hardware, high-mass bridge, roasted maple, ash body...SQR humbuckers instead of the typical Jazz pickups.
$375!
View attachment 4576928
Much nicer than I thought it'd be.
I didn't think the Indonesian Squiers could measure up to the Chinese ones, but I'm very imppressed.
Recently put GHS black tapewounds to take it to the next level!
When people think Squier Contemporary Jazz basses, whether active or passive, they probably think these.
The Limited Edition ones like mine are on another level, IMO.
View attachment 4576929

100% agree

Although I think the regular maple necked, non-limited edition ones are just as sweet.

I wasn't even looking for a bass when I spotted this one. Apparently the music store's logic to someone buying a new bass, deciding bass isn't for them and taking it right back to the store is to half the price despite it still being in completely mint condition with all the protective plastic film still on it. $260 later and I was out the door hoping they didn't come to their senses before I got to the car.
Aside from the less than great tuners, I also do know why these aren't more popular. If I don't end up flipping it I'm seriously considering swapping the body for something lighter

 

[jd56hawk]

oof that first Squier is the bass version of a rwd converted, LS swapped civic with the exhaust runners stabbed straight out the fenders



100% agree
View attachment 4576975

Although I think the regular maple necked, non-limited edition ones are just as sweet.

I wasn't even looking for a bass when I spotted this one. Apparently the music store's logic to someone buying a new bass, deciding bass isn't for them and taking it right back to the store is to half the price despite it still being in completely mint condition with all the protective plastic film still on it. $260 later and I was out the door hoping they didn't come to their senses before I got to the car.
Aside from the less than great tuners, I also do know why these aren't more popular. If I don't end up flipping it I'm seriously considering swapping the body for something lighter

Oh, yeah, I'm sure they are...it's just that I've been hoping for a bass with roasted maple and/or black hardware for so long.
Other than that, ridiculous low price for yours, and yes, these things are damned heavy!

 

[Hot Rats]

Gotta be the 1984/5 Squier P-Bass. Weighs 8.1 lbs, Geezer p/u, vintage, ultralight reverse tuners. I've had more than a few walk up and say nice bass playing, what kind of bass is that... oh it's a Squier. Man, they have no idea.

 

[tangentmusic]

‘77 SD Curlee I bought brand new that year.
Very unassuming and rather plain in appearance.
It remains stone stock to this day.
Have used Rotosound round wounds since day one.
The very definition of “piano-like” tone.

 

[red_bassist]

2007 Washburn CB-16SP that was converted to passive with an Aguilar 6 string precision pickup. It’s got roundwounds and sounds amazing.

 

[rockdoc11]

My Yamaha BB3000S from the early 1980s.

Every time I grab this one to play it, I think: "Damn! Why don't I play this one more!"

 

[eastcoasteddie]

View attachment 4576705

MIM 70's Reissue. Came poly sunburst. Wasn't a fan. Had it repainted. Liked it less. Stripped it and put a couple of coats of Aged Satin. Put in some Lollars and this will sing with any string, amp, style that I play.

Love them Sasquatch stickers. I have to get one for my VM Jazz bass. The green pine cone sticker on mine doesn’t match too well…

 

[Mastermold]

Early '70s Aria model 1720, copy of Mosrite. Great tone, super easy action, short scale. But a bit of neck dive. Ash tray is not screwed on in this picture, just there for show. I don't play it much, but when I do, it's a really fun bass. Inherited from my Father-in-law.
View attachment 4576765

Nice!

 

[Nakoatron]

Ever since I swapped this bass to EMG DCX pickups and BQC pre amp it is a fire breathing metal dragon. Not the typical tone you normally associate with Fodera, but in stock form it as a bit too hifi/sterile.

 

[BOOG]

So here's the cool part about this, the distribution center is in Ontario CA which is only a couple hours drive from my house. No import worries or anything. And aside from a bridge and electronics that absolutely sucked at least the tuners and the neck is pretty good. It set up great. I've played much more expensive instruments that didn't play as well as how I got mine playing. Also I like how it takes styling cues from esp and Wal mk2 basses but it's not a rip-off thing like many of them try to be. View attachment 4576691

This sleeper woke up on the wrong side

I crack me up

 

[BOOG]

I’d consider my MIM-P a sleeper with a Babicz bridge, Geezer pup and TI Flats

 

[God's Favorite Bass]

I just have Ps and Js that sound great but also like what you would expect. This MIJ Jaguar is my odd duck in the flock. The bridge pickup is even more rearward than 70s spacing so it grinds and sounds like an angry Jazz bass but flip on the active and it goes to full on snotty.

I should add Lolita and Cabron the Cabronitas too I guess. They look pretty low key but the Fidelitron Gretsch style pickups pack a dumptruck load of mid focused rock racket!

 

[GTHintz]

This sleeper woke up on the wrong side

I crack me up

Don't be surprised to see more lefty basses that have some interesting mods. We always get the short end of the stick in selection so we have to make do.