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Poll: Do you have a "beater" bass?

Do you have a beater bass?

  • Total voters
    442
#101
Yes and no.
I don't have a cheap bass but I have 3 1000$ basses I'll take out anywhere so they are all beaters in a way.
Anything over 2000$ I will be worried about so I dont own any.
Basses made to played.whats the point in keeping the good ones stashed away and playing a cheapo?
Besides you treasures are unsafe at home too if you think about it.
 
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#102
My Pedulla is a little beat up after years of gigging, and I purchased it used back in 1990, so I’ve never minded playing it out.
But with Michael’s retirement, my slightly chipped and scuffed fretless beauty has become more or less irreplaceable.
I never fully bonded with any of the Fenders, so I’ve sold them.
So the SBMM Ray 4 is now my gigging bass/beater/mod platform. I’m considering looking around for an inexpensive (replaceable) fretless fiver if one can be found that feels and sounds great to me.
 
#105
Leonid Nidis said:
Yes and no.
I don't have a cheap bass but I have 3 1000$ basses I'll take out anywhere so they are all beaters in a way.
Anything over 2000$ I will be worried about so I dont own any.
Basses made to played.whats the point in keeping the good ones stashed away and playing a cheapo?
Besides you treasures are unsafe at home too if you think about it.
Click to expand...

It's not about keeping a "good one" stashed away. I have a few instruments that are basically irreplaceable for me, and they get by far most of my playtime. I just try to keep them out of situations with a decent likelihood of them being damaged or stolen (I know, home isn't necessarily super safe either, but it's certainly safer than the neighborhood dive bar). I'm not going to gig with $2500+ bass, but when I'm playing at home (which is where the majority of my playing happens) I absolutely play the heck out of it.
 
#106
Clark W said:
Same for me, bought it for 65, and after a little investment, work, and new set of pups, total was 249. And it my go to almost everytime out of 7 basses.
Click to expand...

Nice!

I've got a little bit more into my beater. I bought it as a backup to my CS '64 Jazz relic. Same livery (Only white, tort, rosewood). The "beater" is a MIJ P body, P neck of unknown provenance, modified electronics and bridge. Picked it up for a few hundred from a buddy because I liked the way it looked. Sold the CS Jazz, this moved into No 1 spot. I've gone through a ton of basses over the last 20 years, but this one is a keeper and is the one I pick up first every time (unless I need a 5er).
 
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#109
moon-bass said:
Question for the collective: do you have a beater bass? One that you would be okay with if it got stolen, lost, or damaged?

When I gigged frequently I had a beater, but I hardly ever used it. I ended up selling it a long time ago. Recently I picked up another beater, but not sure if I'm going to keep it. A good portion of my basses aren't in pristine condition, so a bump here or there won't bother me. I've never had a bass stolen, and my most irreplaceable basses aren't going to be gigged.

So, thoughts? Ever glad you used a beater?
Click to expand...

Never had one. I always take care of mine and keep my eye on them pretty good when in unsecured areas. In my 67 years, I’ve had exactly 1 pair of sunglasses, two cassettes, and about $.50 in change stolen from me.
 
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#111
Jebberz said:
I don't have a non-beater bass. I don't mean I don't love my basses, but to me they are tools - replaceable if ever damage or stolen.
Click to expand...
Which is why I will never own a bespoke custom bass. I use mass-produced basses because I'm not really that good and they are quickly replaced if stolen/damaged/destroyed. Kind of like when Pete Townshend toured with multiple Les Paul Deluxes, each with it's own number.
 
#112
moon-bass said:
Question for the collective: do you have a beater bass? One that you would be okay with if it got stolen, lost, or damaged?

When I gigged frequently I had a beater, but I hardly ever used it. I ended up selling it a long time ago. Recently I picked up another beater, but not sure if I'm going to keep it. A good portion of my basses aren't in pristine condition, so a bump here or there won't bother me. I've never had a bass stolen, and my most irreplaceable basses aren't going to be gigged.

So, thoughts? Ever glad you used a beater?
Click to expand...
First, I def agree with others about losing the “ok with it got stolen,” from the definition. Who the heck is ok with having an instrument stolen? Seriously? If I were ok with having any instrument stolen, I wouldn’t take it on the gig to begin with. I’d probably give it to an up and comer.

Here is a previous thread, in which I described a different definition of what constitutes a “beater.”
Post your "Beater" bass - a thread for the Mutt's

FWIW, my “beater has undergone a couple of upgrades since that post; most notably acquiring a wayward Highway One v2 neck. It’s a great bass, and sees a lot of gig time. Did a recent COVID gig with it.

89362446-D631-47FD-85B8-1B3784B735AD.jpeg
 
#115
I put yes, but the more complicated version is, I have a cheaper bass I’m really good shape that I would be super bummed if something happened to, but I take it for high risk situations. Like if I have to leave it unattended for a period of time before a gig, etc.

I’d be very sad if something happened to it, but I’d be distraught if something happened to my MüB or Nordy.
 
#116
bucephylus said:
First, I def agree with others about losing the “ok with it got stolen,” from the definition. Who the heck is ok with having an instrument stolen? Seriously? If I were ok with having any instrument stolen, I wouldn’t take it on the gig to begin with. I’d probably give it to an up and comer.

Here is a previous thread, in which I described a different definition of what constitutes a “beater.”
Post your "Beater" bass - a thread for the Mutt's

FWIW, my “beater has undergone a couple of upgrades since that post; most notably acquiring a wayward Highway One v2 neck. It’s a great bass, and sees a lot of gig time. Did a recent COVID gig with it.

View attachment 3996522
Click to expand...

Agree, better way to put it would be less upset, or less bothered by, as opposed to okay with. If my Guild got stolen I wouldn't be okay with it, but I would certainly be less upset than if my 64 was stolen.
 
#117
I have a few that I'm not as careful with...but I do not have one that I would be OK with losing to theft or anything else. Even my $100 Squier Bronco would hurt to lose. I'm attached to it, and I made it into a really nice bass with a little fret work and a string change.
 

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