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Professional bassists/musicians who choose to use cheap gear?

#162
Dale Griffith said:
I think your nominee qualifies. I was just surprised that there's a Kate Bush tribute band. After some googling it appears she is much more popular in the U.K. than here in the US. I remember hearing one or two songs in the '70s but nothing since.

Again apologizing for hijacking the thread.
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You're talking about the woman I love!!
Actually, I believe there isn't an living Englishman of a certain age that didn't have a crush on her.
 
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#165
I wholeheartedly believe that at some point, it is indeed the player more than the instrument. I have been blessed to have heard others say that about me a few times, and I am certainly humbled. Here is my #1 workhorse, a 2004 Squier P-Bass Special - Special Edition (the black & chrome model). Even with the minor upgrades I've made over the years, my total investment is still under $500.

I don't remember seeing this mentioned in the thread yet, so if it has, I apologize, but taking good care of your gear is a key factor in keeping it sounding good. I do all my basic-to-slightly-advanced work on my gear, so it is always in top condition.

The remainder of my basses are all budget-minded models as well. I have another Squier P-Bass Special (2000 model), an upgraded Affinity (2001), and a Hofner Icon Beatle bass (2007). They all play beautifully.

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#166
We'll say inexpensive instead of cheap, in that it stays in tune, has a useable tone, and is dependable. After that, it's down to the player. We've all seen guys with expensive rigs that couldn't find their butt with both hands, and watched guys with beaters and iffy amps just kill it.

IF expensive gear automatically made you several magnitudes better, hell, we'd all buy Alembics and knock Stanley out of the way, and I'd sure buy me a Nathan East BB so Eric would call me . . . . . .
 
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#167
40Hz said:
LOL! Good catch!

T'was a time before the lowly 500/1 was called "The Beatle Bass," when a Hofner didn't command anywhere near the money or respect it receives now that it is called that.

How soon we forget. :laugh:
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There used to be a music shop in Newcastle on new Bridge Street many moons ago, can't for the life of me remember the name of it! they had a Hofner Violin bass in, I was told I £200 pound and I could leave the shop with it, they just wanted rid of it! I really wish I had of taken them up on it now!
 
#168
ThudThudThud said:
You're talking about the woman I love!!
Actually, I believe there isn't an living Englishman of a certain age that didn't have a crush on her.
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Scrrrrrrrrrrrrreeeeeech.
What I hear when listening to Kate Bush.
LOL.... Sorry the thread was hijacked anyway.
I started out 50 years ago on a Traynor YBA with 15 bottom, and a Raven bass with black tapewounds that never came off (doing 6 nighters in Quebec, Ontario). If I had never played anything else; I would never have missed it. The thing sounded and played fine to my young ear.
 
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#169
WayneDupuis said:
Scrrrrrrrrrrrrreeeeeech.
What I hear when listening to Kate Bush.
LOL.... Sorry the thread was hijacked anyway.
I started out 50 years ago on a Traynor YBA with 15 bottom, and a Raven bass with black tapewounds that never came off (doing 6 nighters in Quebec, Ontario). If I had never played anything else; I would never have missed it. The thing sounded and played fine to my young ear.
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I really enjoy Kate Bush’s music and singing, but I know that it’s not just that which made everyone fall a little bit in love with her.
 
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#177
Matt O said:
Maybe not a household name, but Ko of the Dirtbombs deserves to be here, IMO. Her musicmaster has accrued value in today's world, but was certainly considered a "cheap" Fender back in the day.

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This is the bass whose meteoric rise in value most does my head in. I bought one years ago because I do like the scale, looks, and simplicity of layout, but it actually felt cheap and sounded anemic; but of course, it goes without saying: YMMV!
 
#179
Ren Key said:
NOT counting bass sponsorships.

Off the top of my head:

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Before switching to a Fender Precision and despite her bandmates using fancy Gibsons and Marshalls, Kim Deal of the Pixies used an Aria Pro II Cardinal bass (which was considered a "starter" bass back in the '80s and cost less than $100) paired with a Peavey Combo 300. She used this setup for years, and even recorded the band's first two releases with it.

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As seen above, Mac Demarco's bass player uses a cheap Stagg bass. Not that Demarco even minds, though, as he's well know himself for his choice of using an extremely cheap Teisco guitar.


Indie band Yuck's bassist Mariko Doi in known for her love of using cheap amps. Half the time she uses an Ampeg Micro VR and the other half, as seen in the video above, she uses a cheap Hartke Kickback 12 combo amp.
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Me? I buy great gear cheap. Mostly gently used gear at 50% to 70% off full retail.
 

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