Underrated Basses?

[ament_fan]

i think i'm the first to say it: hamer.

 

[nik1093]

laguna

 

[Mike Shevlin]

i think i'm the first to say it: hamer.

Yep - I wish they would re issue the explorer style bass that they did so well. I love seeing it in Def Lep's early videos.

 

[Krügmeister]

P-E-A-V-E-Y!!! Carvin, Ibanez, Cort, Trabin, Epiphone ... and Hamer

 

[P-BASSLOVER]

Fender's MIGHTY MUSTANG!!
These basses often get a bum rap for not having enough bottom as do many short scales. People tend to forget however, that short scales were popular in the 60's when folks were stringing them up with flats. A short scale with flats is a whole different ballgame! They retain the bottom and also provide a midrange punch, that a long scale just doesn't quite have. Did you ever try a Beatle Bass with rounds? Lousy! With flats, BOOM!! Same with the little Stang.

 

[WoodyG3]

Most underrated: Carvin. It's good to see so many people have already said the same.

For budget priced basses, I'd say the Korean made Spectors are underrated. Also, as other have said, used USA made Peaveys.

 

[Jefenator]

Fernandes.

 

[gibsonbassist45]

oh crap.yamaha...BIG TIME.
alot of people think they are crap.but they really arent.
i went on a thread and 9/10 people on there were bashing yamahas.idk why.mustve just attracted the non-fans due to the title.

 

[gweimer]

Magnatone Hurricane. I picked one up at Sam Ash in Cincinnati a few years ago. I was surprised at the feel and sound of it. I had never heard of one before. I searched for a couple years, and finally got one that I restored. The bass is a Paul Barth design - he designed the original pickups for Rickenbacker. For a '60s bass, it has some interesting features - zero fret, micro-tilt neck adjustment, and an adjustable mute.

 

[thetawaves]

I've been astounded with some of the new Squires.

 

[NWB]

Yep - I wish they would re issue the explorer style bass that they did so well. I love seeing it in Def Lep's early videos.

I used to have one of those way back in the 80s. It was really a great bass. Super-low action, comfortable neck, and a really strong, punchy tone. I miss it.

 

[StarscreamG1]

PEAVEY!!!!!! Especially the Foundations and Dynas. And I haven't had much play time on my Yammy RBX200 but I think Yamahas are underrated as well.

 

[heath_the_great]

bass collection/SGC Nanyo

 

[benthughes]

Fender is a the most underrated over rated product out there
Seriously though, I think their Squier line is pretty impressive and I've got a Deluxe MIM P/J that is great.

G&L is also a fantastic brand. I'll never sell my L-2500, in fact, a L-2000 seems like a good idea.

Peavey also makes some great basses. I had a Cirrus that I would put against ay bass I've ever owned. I preferred it to my Zon Legacy!

I also owned a Schecter C4 that was a pretty killer bass. The sound was average but the neck felt great and it played like butter. The Schecter DeLeo os also pretty killer. Nice axes come from their place.

 

[Jehos]

Ibanez SR506. 6-string bass for $600, and I've gotten nothing but compliments about the tone. I ended up making it my main gigging bass just because it was so cheap I don't care if it gets beat to hell, but it has yet to let me down.

 

[LCMBassist]

My 1986 Korean Spector is a giant killer. Love that bass. It's still one of my main gigging basses. Only cost me about £300. Bargain.

 

[AndrewShirley]

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).

+1 They sound fantastic! I regret selling mine.

- Andrew

 

[christmetal]

Personally I think the Ibanez GSR200 is underrated. I think it's a really decent bass, personally. I mean obviously it's not the best, but I still think it's something a pro could get away with using.

i agree
i had one and it sounded good
i also think that G & L is underrated along with schecter
ive personally played all of these and they are amazing basses

 

[Cthulhu]

The $225 Gretsch import (Electromatic) is sweet. 5-screw bridge, good tuners, good heft for a short-scale. I also have a thing for single pickup basses (probably because I'm too stupid to stop playing with the blend controls on multiple pickup basses).

 

[nitrostan56]

I only recently learned they were getting into the instrument business. I cannot wait personally for it to happen in Dallas. Because all of my favorite small local stores are now out of business, I either have online or GC. GC I have always thought of Best Buy with instruments anyway. I have the idea that they are going to try to go head to head with GC. This will do one of two things or both I think. 1. GC will really try to compete price-wise or 2. they will get a bit more boutiqey. In general I don't care much for the stuff typically carried at GC. For the nice basses they tend to really only carry 5 or 6 string basses. And rarely any cool fretless basses no matter the string count.

@ Chris - reading this 2 yrs later. Im also in Dallas, and obviously Best Buy never got into carrying hardware in Stores. I agree with your Guitar Center cmmts. SO, I'm thinking of opening a store...in the Dallas area...catering to the Bassist. incld fretless. I'd like to share ideas. Pls contact me at sscott56 at yahoo dot com