A Baltimore BB-5SB! Best $49 clearance item I ever spent money on. Really nice neck and acceptable sound out of the box. Drop in an inexpensive GFS Pro Series Precision pup ($30) and it's more than good enough for locally gigging with. And well below $150. (Street price for new is around $150 give or take a few bucks either way most places .)
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Sub $150 New Basses Poll / Super Cheap Junk
- Thread starter hondo4life
- Start date
I have a $100 3/4 Yamaha acoustic guitar just for leaving the the car and letting the dog chew on. It isn't bad, but it isn't a very good. It goes out of tune easily, the intonation is off, and the sound is weak. The fretboard is really good, though. I guess it is what it is.
- Oct 7, 2000
- 18,619
- 38,939
- Disclosures
- Endorsing artist: Musicman basses
People can only really comment on what they're familiar with, so the poll isn't going to really tell a whole lot. SX is the most talked about, and therefore the most purchased. They're going to get lots more votes than any other, including mine. That doesn't mean a Goplus or Cresent (never heard of either), might not blow SX away. I had a Dean edge a long time ago and actually liked it. I may change my vote if I can...
I used to have a $100 bass. But it kept going out of tone and the tuning was all in the fingers.
A Baltimore BB-5SB! Best $49 clearance item I ever spent money on. Really nice neck and acceptable sound out of the box. Drop in an inexpensive GFS Pro Series Precision pup ($30) and it's more than good enough for locally gigging with. And well below $150. (Street price for new is around $150 give or take a few bucks either way most places .)
I like the funky pickguard shape.
Squier or Yamaha. Personally I'd go with the Squier. Just looking at that list made me laugh out loud. Great poll.
Edit : LOLOLOL at 'upright carrot peeler'
Edit : LOLOLOL at 'upright carrot peeler'
Yeah. Me too! Real retro-60s Dr. Seuss sorta vibe I thought. They've since discontinued that pickguard unfortunately. The new ones have a much more mainstream looking one.
True. But when all is said and done, those SX basses are pretty nice for what they cost. Or are once you do a setup (and especially adjust the trussrod) based on my own experiences with them helping friends. (I don't own one.) But I swear they just install the trussrod, and never once attempt any sort of adjustment on it at the factory. I've picked up SXs that had zero tension on the rod. You could bang the back of the neck with your palm and feel the trussrod rattle slightly inside the neck it was so loose. So you can only imagine how bad the action was on those until you adjusted things correctly.
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I never played a yamaha bass that I liked, I don't care for the Squier basses I've played, I hated the only Dean bass I ever played, but I was very impressed with the SX basses. I'm only talking about my opinion on how they felt and sounded.
I'm thinking a lot of these come off the same line in the same factory, so not much different. My Squier SS jag was just a bit over that price point and is pretty darned nice, but I've played other bottom of the barrel Squiers that were crap. I think I'd go with the Yamaha in this case.
Don't underestimate the Rogue lx200b, the thing is a GREAT bass for the money. I got one a few years ago for $100 and with a coffin case (essentially got the bass for free at that price), and the bass is a midrangey, throaty beauty. If any of you out there are looking for a Gibson G3 for cheap, the lx200b is pretty close!
For the record, I enjoy ditzing with junky and cheap basses. Especially those funky sixties Japanese models.
I also appreciate really fine basses and own those too. But the weird stuff is just fun. Buying a top shelf model of an established brand is always a nice experience. But you can't usually be too surprised when an instrument of that caliber gives you everything you're asking it to give. There's an expectation of excellent sound and feel. And it's only noteworthy when it isn't there. Weirdass offbrands and cheapo models are the exact opposite. You pick one up with relatively low expectations - and most times more for entertainment value than anything else. But once you get one sorted out, it's always great when it surprises you and delivers something that belies its pedigree and price tag.
Like a friend of mine put it: There's no glory in checkmating an opponent with your queen. But checking him with a rook - and then mating him with a pawn - is an altogether different win.
I kinda approach inexpensive and junk instruments that way. There's few things more satisfying (to me at least) than pulling something out of a supposed "piece o'junk" that's musically valid and raises eyebrows (in a good way) from the other musicians in the room. Now we're talking my kind of fun.
I also appreciate really fine basses and own those too. But the weird stuff is just fun. Buying a top shelf model of an established brand is always a nice experience. But you can't usually be too surprised when an instrument of that caliber gives you everything you're asking it to give. There's an expectation of excellent sound and feel. And it's only noteworthy when it isn't there. Weirdass offbrands and cheapo models are the exact opposite. You pick one up with relatively low expectations - and most times more for entertainment value than anything else. But once you get one sorted out, it's always great when it surprises you and delivers something that belies its pedigree and price tag.
Like a friend of mine put it: There's no glory in checkmating an opponent with your queen. But checking him with a rook - and then mating him with a pawn - is an altogether different win.
I kinda approach inexpensive and junk instruments that way. There's few things more satisfying (to me at least) than pulling something out of a supposed "piece o'junk" that's musically valid and raises eyebrows (in a good way) from the other musicians in the room. Now we're talking my kind of fun.
- Jun 30, 2010
- 49,588
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- musician/artist/owner - Gildaxe
I upgraded my nieces Bronco and once doing so it is a pretty decent instrument both playing and sounding. I know this takes it out of 'super' cheap category (at least if comparing 'stock') but it's certainly not junk, especially for a newbie bass-player who stands 5' tall. Upgrades included Seymour Duncan sc pu, nice small-plate Fender clover-leaf tuners, a Fender threaded-saddle bent-plate bridge, a TBX tone pot, cavity shielding, new strings and white numbered knobs. Even adding in the upgraded parts (most of which which I already had in my parts bin) the overall cost was still directly proportional to her needs.
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I did basic setup on an SX and gigged it. Then I replaced the pickups and bridge and gigged it some more. If you really can't afford a Squier - and I've been there in life so no slam intended at all - the SX is a workable alternative. Really thinking about getting their little 32" scale J-type bass, even with shipping it'll come in under $150.
And then there's the Yamaha. That one's a no-brainer, as are virtually all their products.
And then there's the Yamaha. That one's a no-brainer, as are virtually all their products.
Nicely done! Good job helping her get started. Did ya get her a Fender Rumble 40 to go with it? I think what you are saying is true with any of the super budget basses. They seem to be structurally sound and with just a little tinkering they can be made to play and sound pretty darn good. My 19 yo daughter is 5'2 (when she stands up straight...). Her boyfriend plays guit and she decided she wants a bass so I'm looking at the Silver Squier Jag SS. Those seem to be good right out of the box.Food for thought.., to all those who believe basses don't have 'mojo' and it's the player who creates the 'mojo' - then a James Jamerson or Getty Lee or Jaco P
I upgraded my nieces Bronco and once doing so it is a pretty decent instrument both playing and sounding. I know this takes it out of 'super' cheap category (at least if comparing 'stock') but it's certainly not junk, especially for a newbie bass-player who stands 5' tall. Upgrades included Seymour Duncan sc pu, nice small-plate Fender clover-leaf tuners, a Fender threaded-saddle bent-plate bridge, a TBX tone pot, cavity shielding, new strings and white numbered knobs. Even adding in the upgraded parts (most of which which I already had in my parts bin) the overall cost was still directly proportional to her needs.
Rock On!
The one in my avatar is an SX Jazz I paid $109 for, including a practice amp. It is my main practice bass, but I've gigged with it plenty. Plays great. Beautiful metallic blue.
