Thread title says it all. I was looking on the fender app and I noticed they were blowing out player plus Meteora basses for $720. This is a pretty significant discount from the $1200 ish price I’m used to seeing. I’ve been wanting to get my hands on one for years but I’ve never actually seen one at a shop to try so it’s just based on looks and internet hype. Should I pull the trigger?
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Thinking about picking up a Meteora Bass
- Thread starter NotHereNow
- Start date
Worst case: You play it, want to like it, but in two months you realize that you really, really don't, and now nobody wants to take this weird thing off your hands, at least not for a half decent price.
If you can take the loss, do it.
If you can take the loss, do it.
I played one briefly in store a while ago.
I remember liking that the body felt smaller than a J or P bass.
The neck was a nice typical Fender neck, and felt easy to play, I liked the flatter radius on the fingerboard.
The weight and balance were good.
I liked it, however, as I wasn't looking to buy, I didn't plug it in, so I can't speak to the tone.
I did really love the look of it (it was the black/silver one).
I remember liking that the body felt smaller than a J or P bass.
The neck was a nice typical Fender neck, and felt easy to play, I liked the flatter radius on the fingerboard.
The weight and balance were good.
I liked it, however, as I wasn't looking to buy, I didn't plug it in, so I can't speak to the tone.
I did really love the look of it (it was the black/silver one).
I was pretty sure I wanted one when they first started hitting stores. I was able to play one at a GC. Was pretty excited to plug it in, and was absolutely ready to hand them my card and bring one home. Felt pretty decent, comfortable and familiar, yet different. Plugged in to a Rumble 500, and was really... Underwhelmed. Mind you, this was the Player Plus series, not the current Ultra 2. No experience with the Ultra. I felt that for the 1200$ street price, I shouldn't want to immediately gut the entire electronics package and replace it with anything else. It went back on the wall, and I went home feeling better about the basses I already had.
NO!!!
It's got too much of a distinctive look. OK for rock but would look stupid in other settings (country, jazz, etc.) Also, based on the "extra wood" it should come in on the heavier side. Doesn't comfort mean much to you? Also, given its shape it might not rest comfortably on your lap when sitting down.
Don't you wonder why they're blowing them out? Clue: THEY'RE NOT SELLING WELL!!!
So once more, NO!!!
It's got too much of a distinctive look. OK for rock but would look stupid in other settings (country, jazz, etc.) Also, based on the "extra wood" it should come in on the heavier side. Doesn't comfort mean much to you? Also, given its shape it might not rest comfortably on your lap when sitting down.
Don't you wonder why they're blowing them out? Clue: THEY'RE NOT SELLING WELL!!!
So once more, NO!!!
I like the look but I don’t love the weight. 9 1/2 lbs seems to be the average. Some people choose to do that to themselves but I don’t.
The answer, as it always will be on TB, is simply to skip that great deal and buy a sunburst American P.
Haha, man the Meteora Bass is ergonomic feeling, cool looking, and sounds like what you'd expect with its guts. Nobody seemed to care about Blacktop basses or anything that's used the Fireball / double Jazz looking humbuckers and, awful sellers market aside, the resale value of Fender Meteoras, Dimension Basses, Zones, etc. sucks, so if you're buying with the idea that you'll just offload it if/when you decide against it, I'd go a different route. On the other hand though, if you're wanting a pretty well made bass that sounds huge and looks unique without looking straight offensive like you're trying out for Gwar, I'd say go for it.
Haha, man the Meteora Bass is ergonomic feeling, cool looking, and sounds like what you'd expect with its guts. Nobody seemed to care about Blacktop basses or anything that's used the Fireball / double Jazz looking humbuckers and, awful sellers market aside, the resale value of Fender Meteoras, Dimension Basses, Zones, etc. sucks, so if you're buying with the idea that you'll just offload it if/when you decide against it, I'd go a different route. On the other hand though, if you're wanting a pretty well made bass that sounds huge and looks unique without looking straight offensive like you're trying out for Gwar, I'd say go for it.
I bought one when they 1st came out. It's a fantastic bass and for $720 it's a steal imo. I hope they discontinue them. Quirky unique basses that don't sell well go up in value down the road. I'll leave this one to my kid who plays.
At that price? Go for it.
Love mine.
Got the loaded body off flea bay.
Replaced the neck with a Freestone. (Chechen board, NICE flame 150.00)
About 9.5 lbs balances nicely.
Like the retro/jetsons look nice pairing with my Acinonyx.
The Fireball twin J pickups are hot and aggressive, the stock Pre is nice enough, but plan on getting an Audere or Darkglass when one shows up at a good enough price.
The Carbon Fibre tuners I installed are pretty nice.
The hand cut brass nut I added is a nice touch.
Note due to the body shape (short upper horn) the first fret is a bit far away ( think tbird, jaguar) but it hangs well and being 6'3" with monkey arms this is only an observation for me, not a problem
Forgive the opening clams:
Warm tone: Wearing DR Dragonskins.
Trace Elliot GP7 150 into an Ampeg 15.
No FOH recorded on an IPhone (running sound also so forgive the odd stage presence) nice action closeup though!
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Vehemently disagree
I played a Warwick Dolphin 5string in a country band.
I guess if tort n flats is your jam? Yeh ok.
These beasts go over well too!
Rock/ country / blues / pop:
If you can carry and "sell" it odd stuff has an allure.
I have eccentric tastes and no apologies for it!
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I don't know anything about the bass other than what has been posted.
I can tell you our guitarist got one about 6 months ago and loves it. He's the "traditional" kind of guy that has routinely had some disdain for my color schemes and thinks all guitars should be black, brown or tort. So for him to love the guitar as much as he does is totally out of character.
Not sure if that's helpful, just an observation from my experience. If you like the shape and the price you probably have to buy it because finding one to try out first is pretty unlikely.
I can tell you our guitarist got one about 6 months ago and loves it. He's the "traditional" kind of guy that has routinely had some disdain for my color schemes and thinks all guitars should be black, brown or tort. So for him to love the guitar as much as he does is totally out of character.
Not sure if that's helpful, just an observation from my experience. If you like the shape and the price you probably have to buy it because finding one to try out first is pretty unlikely.
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