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Underrated guitar companies???

#121
I would say G&L is the most underrated versus volume. I think it's mostly because they don't market well or haven't grown their dealer base wide enough. I live in the DC / Baltimore metro area that has a pretty high median income and there are no G&L dealers. I guess there are no Sadowsky dealers either. Jive Sound is the closest, but it's a bit of a hike and I haven't had the best experience there. Maybe it was just a bad day.
 
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#124
Not a company, but a group of underrated guitar/bass builders would be the unknown custom builders. Not everyone of them are making great instruments, but some are.

If you ever come across someone that builds guitar/basses (even if they just consider it a hobby) and have a chance to check out their work, do it. It may be nothing or it may be a real hidden gem. Many of those folks put all they have into what they do and some make incredible instruments. Don't be put off by a no-name. They may become a big name someday and then you can say "I knew them when ..." :)
 
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#131
IMO G&L,and Music Man Stingray are the only ones,that appeal to me,and Sterling US SUB's.
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#134
nomaj said:
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.
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Their basses were much more popular back in the day, but yeah not so much these days.. I own three currently.
 
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#135
I skipped a few pages, but Gretsch doesn't get enough mention or credit here.

I've never played a Gretsch bass that I didn't like. Right now I have three of them; an orange 5123, a Thunderjet and a very custom finish 2220, the Mighty Cougar Bass.

Maybe they're not under-rated, as the White Falcon and similar models are pretty darn expensive - and so is the Thunderjet, by my standards.
 

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#139
Pilgrim said:
I skipped a few pages, but gretsch doesn't get enough mention or credit here.

I've never played a Gretsch bass that I didn't like. Right now I have three of them; an orange 5123, a Thunderjet and a very custom finish 2220, the Mighty Cougar Bass.

Maybe they're not under-rated, as the White Falcon and similar models are pretty darn expensive - and so is the Thunderjet, by my standards.
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I don't think they're underrated, just more known for the Brian Seltzer guitar rock-a-billy stuff.
I love my 5442, 5123, 6073 and Thunder Jet. However, I find myself playing hollow and semi-hollow basses a bit less recently.
 
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