Underrated guitar companies???

[leto]

Spector. Both the Euro and US models.

 

[Jeff Haislip]

I will have to vote Mike Lull and G&L. I own both and sometimes people walk up to me and say "what is that" on the G&L and "love your Fender Jazz on the Mike Lull"!!! I just got the Mike Lull this year so getting still learning to play a jazz style bass with single coils versus the G&L with humbuckers. I will have to say the single coils are quite as a mouse. Rock on brothers and sisters and Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!!!

 

[nilorius]

In middle 1990 and 2010 there was a custom making bass/guitar company - D'alessandro (from Italy). It made quite a good sounding instruments, I bought one myself in an exhibition in Germany. Evereything was fine, the price, too. Now it's dead and makes only some preamps and amplifier components. Really think they deserved more.

 

[40Hz]

Godin makes really great guitars in USA and CA. I've never played their basses

I played several Godins and currently own one.

They make a really nice bass.

 

[40Hz]

I’ll add D’Angelico to the list.

And Hagstrom too while we’re at it.

 

[B-Mac]

Dean

Especially the USA and Czech Republic models.

 

[lfmn16]

Just so we're clear, underrated means people don't think they are as good as they really are. I don't know of any companies that fit that bill. Under-appreciated might be more accurate.

There are some companies that don't get the publicity that they probably should. Ben Lindsey basses are really good. I've had Nash, Bluesman, Fender, among others and Ben's are second to none. I'm recently sold off all but 4 of my basses and I've kept 3 Lindsey basses because they are just that good.

 

[pappabass]

Hey, I am digging that $62 yoshioe bass at amazon. With a name like that no one would know if it was good or bad! "Its suppose to sound out of tune"!!
Just kidding!!
I have been impressed with ESP/LTD basses.

 

[LadyLoveStingRay5]

Peavey
Yamaha
And I’ll be the first to say Ernie Ball MusicMan. Their entire line from US made to the prior US SUB Models to the overseas Sterling by MusicMan series are great basses .

 

[kodiakblair]

How about Chowny?
It puzzles me that almost no-one are talking about them, and very few people seems to have played one.
I have quite serious GAS for several of their models (especially the Retrovibes), they look incredibly nice and they are very affordable as well.

Most of the folks on TB live in the US where Stephen doesn't have distributors,they can't talk about something they haven't seen. When it comes to Retrovibes,which ones do you fancy ?

I've owned a Vantage 5,RV4,Evo,Super-P and a Zygote

 

[wintremute]

How about Chowny?
It puzzles me that almost no-one are talking about them, and very few people seems to have played one.
I have quite serious GAS for several of their models (especially the Retrovibes), they look incredibly nice and they are very affordable as well.

I wouldn't call them "underrated", but rather "unknown". I've checked them out at NAMM, and I almost bought one for myself as a Christmas present this year. I'm waiting to play one again in January to see if it's as cool as I remember.

 

[nomaj]

Everyone knows Fender and Gibson make great basses, but what are some of the more under appreciated companies in your opinion?

I've never thought of Gibson basses as "great."

As far as underrated basses go: Peavey and Yamaha.

Yamaha is a curious example, as someone mentioned. They make high-quality instruments across the board, but only their keyboards (including, of course, their superb grand piano division) and drums and entry-level acoustic guitars are popular. Huge player in pro sound. too.

But their electric basses and electric guitars have never really caught on.

 

[yodedude2]

under-appreciated: godin, carvin. unknown: landing.

 

[GoLeafsGo]

Godin makes really great guitars in USA and CA. I've never played their basses

I have one....Shifter Classic, made in Canada, just a terrific bass. John McVie is using 2 of them (one drop tuned) on current Fleetwood Mac tour.

 

[Dan Newsom]

I've never thought of Gibson basses as "great."

Never tried one myself but I’ve heard that thunderbirds and the eb3 are great

 

[_One//Man//Mutiny_]

I’ll throw in Hamer, Washburn and Hohner especially, they all make some seriously nice stuff. They really don’t get much love and they can be bought for very very cheap.

 

[emblymouse]

Calumet. I've got 2 now.

 

[dbsfgyd1]

Good point. In fact, who has the time to talk on a bass forum. I guess we should all get back to work

Got a snow day here in Virginia..I’m Loafin’!

 

[bobba66]

My old Aria was pretty sweet.

 

[Mike Sorr]

Musicman and G&L make some of the best production basses on the market if you ask me. I would rank EBMM only maybe a rung or two below some of the “boutique” basses.