The Cheap Ass Bass Club

[funk generator]

WOW darkhorse you sure can build em!

 

[Evil Undead]

Under 200

Ah, then I'm out. I've owned about 3 basses under that price and I can't have liked them that much otherwise I'd still have them
My current bass is the nicest player I've ever had and I bought it for $1000 used so definitely doesn't count!

 

[bassandbigmac]

bought a 400 dollar amp for 120. bought a 500 dollar bass for 110.

 

[ghiadub]

Count me in. I paid $60 for my 1977 Memphis P bass.

It had a warped neck. I dropped on some TI Flats and the neck and action came in like butter. It is my best playing bass (and I have 2 basses that have been PLEKd).
Plus, it is lightweight @ 8lbs, so it gets a lot of gigs.

 

[oyobass]

I prefer cheap basses and guitars that I've tweaked. I love watching jaws drop when I get compliments on my sound, and I tell them how much I paid for it.
Douglas 6 string bass $109.95 new
LTD 5 I defretted $200 used
OLP 5 $129 used
SX 6 string jazz copy $149.95 new
Even get compliments from my gear snob friends. Mad bragging rights of a different sort!

 

[Third Basser]

No name P bass copy, circa 1980's, with upgraded tuning keys and bridge, paid $80. Wiring replaced with wire from an old broken fan and a paper clip. Note the cheap strap lock: washer found on the ground in a parking lot. I'll bet the hemp strap is worth more than the bass, but that was not purchased, as an old bandmate left it at my house before he moved.

 

[Buslady7803]

Cheapest bass I have is my Squier, it was free. Can't complain..worst is the truss won't budge

 

[kingbiscuitpant]

Yeah, if a bass isn't at least a little ****** or weird then it just isn't as fun to play.

 

[xxfaux_punkxx]

All the things you're mentioning are old issues. Today's instruments tend not to have those problems, unless they're really, really garbage. Sure, I had to change the pots in my Carlo Robelli. 50 bucks. So the grand total was $325.

Many use the same wood as expensive models unless you start getting exotic (which doesn't necessarily sound better).

And even expensive instruments have problems now and then.

this is true. I know I had to change two of the tune keys from Traben after I got it (but then again that was of my own stupidity. I was tuning backwards by accident) and it never seems to be precisly in tune which irritates me, and the tone isn't what i expeded with weak p-ups that are kind of hard to hear in the mix. I have to stand right infront of the PA that I plug into in order to hear myself.

 

[plangentmusic]

Under 200

NO, NOT UNDER $200. That's a bit TOO cheap. My point is that a 300-400 dollar instrument is sometimes as good or preferable than the 2K +stuff.

 

[Red Rover]

My main right now is a SX PJ... $99 new!

I also have a Peavey T-40 for studio work... $330 used.

 

[SamanthaCay]

One of the perks of doing repair work for people is that over time you tend to accumulate copious amounts of free parts. That’s where this sort of thing comes in.

 

[Cofrancesco]

Most I spent was $150 in a Danelectro 62 reissue.

 

[kimio]

$150 for a Jay Turser p/j

 

[Ric5]

(and if anyone plans on using the term "gitard" please go back to 7th grade)

That would be GUITARD.

I prefer medium quality instruments. Really cheap instruments can often suck. Really expensive instruments are for collectors. Medium quality instruments are forplayers.

 

[Already In Use]

I'm a fuzz above 200..but a worthy mention. I bought a Peavy Zodiac bass off a TB'er for less than 300 shipped. Sunburst, maple neck and I put a red tort pick guard on it. Looks great to me. It's got EMG split pups and a single Duncan pup at the bridge. I have flatwounds on it and it sounds wicked. I felt great when my bass teacher said..."let me see that"...complimented the bass and enjoyed playing it a bit.

 

[metalinthenight]

I got my first bass for free (no idea what model Yamaha):

And my new (to me) Ibanez SR505 ($300 used):

My main player is an Ibanez SR506 that I bought new (for $675). So that doesn't really count I guess. I'd take a cheapo player over a boutique bass anyday.

 

[Bryan R. Tyler]

whereas playing a cheap one is a statement -- it says. "it doesn't matter what I use -- I can play."

I prefer medium quality instruments. Really cheap instruments can often suck. Really expensive instruments are for collectors. Medium quality instruments are forplayers.

I'm hoping both of these statements are being made tongue-in-cheek, as both would be beyond ridiculous if taken at face value.

 

[arginator]

Count me in too. My main bass is a used Warwick Rockbass Corvette 5 string. $299 used- is that cheap enough? The older rockbasses get no love around here, and I really don't understand why. OK, it's not a real Warwick, but so what. It plays and sounds great, and (in my opinion) just killed everyting else I tried in it's price range. I love it.

My latest bass is a free Squier p bass, which needs some work to be playable. But after some work and minor investments it will be a good backup.

 

[Stanley Pugh]

Okay I have to chime in.
I have a Squire Affinity five string, after I set it up and put a set of flats on it .
A Fernandes Gravity five, set up and Rotosound nylon flats.
I prefer passive electronics so the price difference on the Fernandes and it's active counterpart is around the six hundred dollar mark.
Squire = 229.99
fernandes = $369.00

The craftsmanship on both is very fine and would recommend them to anyone.

Both sound and record great!
Unless you want to you don't have to spend a fortune on a good quality bass.
But I do understand why some people do.
If only a Zon would cost less than my truck.