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Underrated Basses?
- Thread starter soma89
- Start date
Hartke HL-4. The American made bass with the quick open 9-volt case. Not to be confused with the much cheaper model that comes with the practice amp combo. One of the best sounding basses I've ever played on. Incredible tone. Unbelievable sustain. A workhorse that barely saw the light of day.
+1 to Schecters
Great all around basses. Forget about them being "metal" basses, also. They're not. Versatile as hell.
Great all around basses. Forget about them being "metal" basses, also. They're not. Versatile as hell.
Godin BG4 .... not to be confused with the Freeway. AA Flame Maple Top, Duncan Active Basslines, hand finished neck ... $900-$1,000+ (and worth it) but can be found for $300-$450 used. The problem is no one knows about them and now they're discontinued ... so resale value is poor (from the seller's perspective).
Peavey Fury, Forum, and Foundation basses. I'd mention the T series, but everyone is gaga over those these days. Not exactly underrated anymore.
Yamaha BB series.
Pretty much any used, old Made in Japan guitar that's not a huge brand name is something to look for. Good quality for the dough.
Pretty much any used, old Made in Japan guitar that's not a huge brand name is something to look for. Good quality for the dough.
This bass is a tone monster, maple body and neck, brass nut--SWEEEET.
http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/Epiphone-Limited-Edition-Ripper-Bass?sku=519379&src=3SOSWXXA
Mine is currently being outfitted with Fender 62-P bass pups, not that it needed, the stock pups are good. I just happen to have a spare set of the Fender pups and I thought why not
http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/Epiphone-Limited-Edition-Ripper-Bass?sku=519379&src=3SOSWXXA
Mine is currently being outfitted with Fender 62-P bass pups, not that it needed, the stock pups are good. I just happen to have a spare set of the Fender pups and I thought why not
- Jun 19, 2004
- 4,782
- 83
- 42
- Disclosures
- Endorsing Artist, Schroeder Cabinets
Sorry, yes, the Schecter Diamond J (Jazz) is passive. I meant the feel of the knobs/pots, not the preamp, as it doesn't have one. The knobs on the Schecter are incredible solid, consistent, and feel substantial, whereas the knobs on the Fender "wiggle" and felt much looser.
- Jun 19, 2004
- 4,782
- 83
- 42
- Disclosures
- Endorsing Artist, Schroeder Cabinets
Line6 Variax, also.
They're discontinued now, but were selling for $500 new on blowout at the end. I paid ~$1200 for each of mine (I have two), and consider them worth every penny. I do probably 98% of my session work on them, including my band's entire last album. You can hear it here:
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
using mostly the MTD 535 setting (fingerstyle parts) and the Warwick Thumb setting (for slap parts). I didn't on that album, but I also use the Precision and Jazz bass settings a lot in the studio. I really can't imagine going back to working in a studio setting without a Variax - so much time and effort tuning, setting up, adjusting for variations in scale length/string spacing, etc, and then of course variations in output from bass-to-bass... not to mention the cost of maintaining a stable of 20+ boutique and vintage basses...
With a Variax, I can (and have) switch from a Modulus to a vintage P *during a take* with the flick of a switch. It's a godsend in the studio.
They're discontinued now, but were selling for $500 new on blowout at the end. I paid ~$1200 for each of mine (I have two), and consider them worth every penny. I do probably 98% of my session work on them, including my band's entire last album. You can hear it here:
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
using mostly the MTD 535 setting (fingerstyle parts) and the Warwick Thumb setting (for slap parts). I didn't on that album, but I also use the Precision and Jazz bass settings a lot in the studio. I really can't imagine going back to working in a studio setting without a Variax - so much time and effort tuning, setting up, adjusting for variations in scale length/string spacing, etc, and then of course variations in output from bass-to-bass... not to mention the cost of maintaining a stable of 20+ boutique and vintage basses...
With a Variax, I can (and have) switch from a Modulus to a vintage P *during a take* with the flick of a switch. It's a godsend in the studio.
Maybe not around here, but in other places the T-series basses (and guitars, for sure) are very underrated. I once had someone tell me that my family's T-60 couldn't match the tone of an SG in quality...
