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Unique, inexpensive, basses

#21
Wishbass are truly unique and inexpensive. Here's mine
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#22
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#23
With the higher cost of living in the UK ( $9 a gallon for gas,) this ain't so easy but I'll play:)
Retrovibe Guitars have the Zygote, normally $385 (£250) but the remaining few are going for $250 (£175)
Retrovibe Zygote ZYBT-2.png


Have the trans red model myself.Weighing just 7.4lb those MM style pickups are crazy loud.Day mines arrived I'd been playing my Curbow and using headphones
plugged the Zygote in and BAM. Bells were ringing for the rest of the day:D

Lots of other basses here, mostly bought used and under the $500 mark,but can hardly call them unique even out of my Peaveys it's easy to see the inspiration.

The Westone Spectrum here didn't have too many imitators though
Westones2.jpg


It's the metallic red one of course:D
 
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#26
Joe Nerve said:
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 :).
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C'mon now. You must not have seen this:
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Here's the link:
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He shoots, he SCORES!!!!
 
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#33
3rdWatch said:
my goodness what is that? It's sure purdy!
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It's an HK six string. HK are a German dealership who, I imagine, commisioned a short production run of these basses from Korea or Indonesia or China (or wherever, I don't really care). All I know is that it is nicely made, with decent quality woods (and a phenolic fretboard that would pass for top quality ebony), a nice burl poplar top and Kent Armstrong pups. It's a bit on the heavy side, but plays really, really well.

You can't get them anymore. I have no proof, but I wouldn't be surprised if HK didn't get a "cease and desist" notice from Marleaux, because it looks uncannily like a Marleaux Consat...and a lot of bassists that have seen it from the audience think that is what it is..
 
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#35
groooooove said:
it was a long time ago, but i used to have a guild b-301 i paid $300 for. not sure what they go for now. really awesome basses.

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Waaaayy back, I nearly bought of these because I had been saving for a Rick but had overwhelming GAS for a decent bass when I was still £50 short of Rick money (back in 76, £50 was a yawning chasm). I resisted and bought the Rick, but I'd still like a B301
 
#36
Jools4001 said:
Waaaayy back, I nearly bought of these because I had been saving for a Rick but had overwhelming GAS for a decent bass when I was still £50 short of Rick money (back in 76, £50 was a yawning chasm). I resisted and bought the Rick, but I'd still like a B301
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Speaking of that design, why have there never been J-1's ? I think a dual coil J soloed is sweet as a P, why not just offer one ? Nobody does.
 
#37
Jools4001 said:
Waaaayy back, I nearly bought of these because I had been saving for a Rick but had overwhelming GAS for a decent bass when I was still £50 short of Rick money (back in 76, £50 was a yawning chasm). I resisted and bought the Rick, but I'd still like a B301
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First time I ever saw Jimmy Haslip, back when custom basses or even custom looking basses were basically unheard of, as were more than four strings, he was playing a Guild B301 (with that same brown finish, IIRC.) Sounded sooooo good : )
 
#39
Eilif said:
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!
HPIM0222.jpg

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.
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ZentaBass.jpg


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Exactly what i have been hunting for.
 
#40
Joe Nerve said:
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.
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Did you get the 100 or spring for the 300?
 

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