Unique, inexpensive, basses

[Joe Nerve]

It's happened again. My gas has settled. I'm comfortable with all my basses. And that makes me uncomfortable. I sure others know the feeling....

So I'm here looking to start trouble. I own a P, I own a J, I own a Stingray. I own a Warwick, a custom bass, and lots of other fancy basses. I have more than I need, and more than I play. The only thing now that's going to give me any kind of gas is a cheap unique bass. So I thought I'd start a thread.

PLEASE POST PIX AND INFO ON UNIQUE BASSES THAT COST UNDER $500. UNDER $200 EVEN BETTER!!!!!​

I'll start with a few that have already hit their mark with me. I've already purchased THE FIRST 2.

http://www.amazon.com/APACHE1BWH-4-...id=1444443728&sr=1-4&keywords=vox+apache+bass

Ibanez EDA900 (I paid $150. They're real hard to find nowadays though):

And I don't own one of these, but it definitely fits the bill. Just a little too close to the $500 mark for me to pull the trigger on:

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00HJOY5OC...&ascsubtag=d4386ad11aa8f79b5403a85145659b2a_S

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You get the idea. Show me some cheap unique stuff. The cheaper, the better.​

 

[jd56hawk]

You showed the Dean Eric bass. I like the Dean Motto, too. Similar, yes, but the horns are slightly more pronounced, the little point at the bottom is a nice touch, and I really like the headstock...a different take on the traditional. I have my eye on one...$225.

 

[BigBigGuy44]

I dig the new Ibanez TMB models, this one in particular:

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[Joe Nerve]

I dig the new Ibanez TMB models, this one in particular:

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Just did that one, too . It's my most recent acquisition, and worth it's weight in gold. I'm absolutely in love with my Talman.

Saw the Motto also, in another thread and started looking for them. Don't really like the red, and they're next to impossible to find in other colors. Or at a price as good as the one you're eyeing.

 

[Inertialsky]

I got to play one of these a few weeks ago. Esp Stream bass. It was surprisingly VERY comfortable to play..

 

[Iridescentone]

Dean Imperial

 

[jd56hawk]

Just did that one, too . It's my most recent acquisition, and worth it's weight in gold. I'm absolutely in love with my Talman.

Saw the Motto also, in another thread and started looking for them. Don't really like the red, and they're next to impossible to find in other colors. Or at a price as good as the one you're eyeing.

True, I doubt I'll be spending $1,200 for a white one. At least the Hillsboro came in white, black, blue, etc.

 

[BigBigGuy44]

I had a Hillsboro single and thought it was a solid bass for the money.

What's funny is although it only has a 2-band EQ, it's actually wired as a 3-band. I found the extra wiring and pot under the pickguard when upgrading it with an EMG system.

 

[Eilif]

Peavey T-40 and T-45 are still relatively commonly available for $500 or under. Truly unique pickups and hardware (classy cast "p" knobs) and incredibly unique control layouts. Gotta love knobs that both control tone and switch from single to humbucker as you turn them!

Not mine, but I have both and paid less than $300 for each.
Many other USA peavey's routinely go for less than $300 and even more for under $500. None quite as unusual as the T-series, but there are lots of quirks mixed amongst them. Look for Foundation, Forum, Fury, Rudy Sarzo, Dyna, Unity, Millennium, TL5 and others. Basically plug "USA" or "MIA" and Peavey into ebay every few week and watch what amazing stuff pops up. If you like your unique basses MIA and well built, you'd be hard pressed to do better than older USA Peaveys.


If you've got $300 in your pocket and want something truly unique, there's a huge mess of semi and full hollow short scale basses that were made in Japan in the late 60's and early 70's. They go under dozens of names (Univox, Kingston, Kent, Crown, Lero, Conrad, Aria, etc...), but most actually sound quite good if you like hofner-esque and upright tones. Most commonly in Shapes that are similar to Gibson ES or Various Violin and Violabass shapes. The only exception to prices is that more recognizable names like Univox and Aria sometimes command more $. The good news is that you can usually find the exact or near-exact same instrument under a different name for less money.

A couple of examples.

 

[Joe Nerve]

Dean Imperial

Holy crap. Almost went down for the count on this... and it's only the first round http://www.amazon.com/DBZ-Diamond-G...1444447534&sr=1-3&keywords=dean+imperial+bass .

 

[Malak the Mad]

Amazon.com: VOX APACHE1BWH 4-String Travel Bass Guitars with Built-In Amplifier and Rhythms: Musical Instruments

I thought those were neat as hell when they first came out, especially the tomahawk-shaped ones. There's a product demo recorded in Japan. Not only do the girls look like they're having tons o' fun up on stage, but the performance lends a bit of credence to the "tone being in one's hands" maxim.



It's just skating under the $500 ceiling, but I'll proffer up the Steinberger Spirit XT-2DB. I've never owned one, but I'm a bit curious, especially over the model that has the built-in drop-tuner.

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But as much as it intrigues me, the headless bass that really has my attention is the Ibanez Axstar. If I weren't in a sellers-mode right now, [Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

 

[GKon]

Both of my unique, inexpensive basses I own are Carlo Robelli.

My daily player/gigging bass is this CR 4-string. Cost me under $200.
I don't care what anyone thinks who hasn't played one, but this bass simply plays wonderfully,
and sounds great. I've gigged with it for years and have recorded CD's with it, as well, getting
surprised praise from the engineer for just how good it sounded.
I currently have Aurora strings on it:

And my CR 8-string. It is surprisingly easy to play. I've gigged with it a few times.
Similar sound and playability to the other CR as the have the same p'up and active electronics.
I've got some playing card fret markers on it, from Jockomo. This cost me just under $200, as well:

 

[hsech]

Offered $325 and my offer was accepted on EBay for this Harmony H22 RI.

 

[GKon]

Oh, and ANY of the Harley Benton basses from Thomann are great buys for little money.
Check 'em out!

 

[JIO]

I thought those were neat as hell when they first came out, especially the tomahawk-shaped ones. There's a product demo recorded in Japan. Not only do the girls look like they're having tons o' fun up on stage, but the performance lends a bit of credence to the "tone being in one's hands" maxim.

cute + funky - a winning combination!

 

[Joe Nerve]

Oh, and ANY of the Harley Benton basses from Thomann are great buys for little money.
Check 'em out!

Those just look like cheap basses. Nothing exciting or unique about any of them. That's why I want pix and links. YOU WASTED MY TIME!!!!! Dammit!

Thanks though anyhow .

 

[Gilmourisgod]

We are truly in the golden age of cheap well made basses. So many cool options

 

[yodedude2]

these may be more iconic now, rather than unique.

 

[Acoustic356]

This is a Carrigan Designs bass - made by Jim Carrigan in Huntsville Alabama.

His new - completely hand carved basses run about $900. He makes 2 every a month. I purchased this used for about $600. This short scale beauty with Kent Armstrong pickups is a fun instrument to play!

 

[TheCrimsonKing]

There's this Harley Benton seven string for 369 euro.
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And this HB resonator bass for 399 euro.
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And of course the Squier bass VI