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What’s the cheapest bass you’ve been/are amazed with?

My second bass was an Ampeg GEB 750 (Big Stud) that I bought brand new for $129.00 w. HSC at Sam Goody's (a record store)!!
Me@Kajem.jpg
 
Just curious!

I have a fantastic old '72 Precision that I bought used in the early '80s, and I've played it for a few decades now. I absolutely love both the sound and play-ability of it. Last year, a friend of mine needed cash and sold me a MIM Fender Jaguar bass for $250. I wasn't impressed with it at first, and mostly I bought it just to help out my buddy. After having it in the closet for a few months, I accidentally ended up with an extra set of my favorite strings (GHS Light PressureWounds), so I put them on the Jaguar... and I couldn't believe the difference they made. The Jaguar suddenly sounded like a million bucks, and it rivals my trusty old P-Bass both in tone and play-ability! I now leave my ole '72 at home where it's safe, and use the Jaguar almost exclusively!
 
I have a fantastic old '72 Precision that I bought used in the early '80s, and I've played it for a few decades now. I absolutely love both the sound and play-ability of it. Last year, a friend of mine needed cash and sold me a MIM Fender Jaguar bass for $250. I wasn't impressed with it at first, and mostly I bought it just to help out my buddy. After having it in the closet for a few months, I accidentally ended up with an extra set of my favorite strings (GHS Light PressureWounds), so I put them on the Jaguar... and I couldn't believe the difference they made. The Jaguar suddenly sounded like a million bucks, and it rivals my trusty old P-Bass both in tone and play-ability! I now leave my ole '72 at home where it's safe, and use the Jaguar almost exclusively!
Do you know if they make the pressure wound in short scale?
 
Alder is not much harder and Poplar even softer. Musicman uses Poplar.
Basswood is 420
Alder is 590
Poplar is 540
That extra 120 and 170 points on the Janka Hardness Scale means the difference between screws that strip easily and screws that don't, and between a body that dents easily and a body that doesn't.
I know a thick poly paint job with a clear coat helps keep a soft body from denting but I only have one bass that I need to be careful not to dent, and it's basswood.
I like poplar bodies, they work just as well as alder.
Peavey used poplar for years on their great USA made basses and I have a number of them.
I have a poplar Musicman USA SUB that is a great bass.
I have a poplar USA made 1985 Guild Pilot that is a great bass.
My basswood bodied Peavey G Bass is a great bass also, but I would he happier if the graphite neck was attached to a poplar, alder, ash, or mahogany body.
I like the looks of mahogany bodies with a clear coat a lot and ash as well.
 
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I bought a Squier Jag Short Scale just a couple months ago. It was listed as used for $144 at GC. It showed up and it was brand new with all the clear plastic on it and no finger prints. The action is close to perfect and it really does sound great. Not quite as full, fat and low as my EBMM Sterling but has a great punchy tone with a little bite and over all great tone and playability! I am really impressed by the overall quality! Until this experience I thought all the Squier lovers and others were insane saying that their cheapo bass’ were great, I am now a believer!
 
1991 Peavey Fury (P pickups) in great condition for $100. I also have a 1984 Peavey Foundation that I paid a bit more for but it's also in great shape and the super ferrite pickups are fantastic. To my ears those are among the best p'ups I've heard, and I've heard many. I consider the USA made Peaveys as a great bargain.
 
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Basswood is 420
Alder is 590
Poplar is 540
That extra 120 and 170 points on the Janka Hardness Scale means the difference between screws that strip easily and screws that don't, and between a body that dents easily and a body that doesn't.
I know a thick poly paint job with a clear coat helps keep a soft body from denting but I only have one bass that I need to be careful not to dent, and it's basswood.
I like poplar bodies, they work just as well as alder.
Peavey used poplar for years on their great USA made basses and I have a number of them.
I have a poplar Musicman USA SUB that is a great bass.
I have a poplar USA made 1985 Guild Pilot that is a great bass.
My basswood bodied Peavey G Bass is a great bass also, but I would he happier if the graphite neck was attached to a poplar, alder, ash, or mahogany body.
I like the looks of mahogany bodies with a clear coat a lot and ash as well.
I have a US made sub as well...poplar. SN 00008
 
View attachment 3170959 This is my Dean Edge 09 bass. I put tape wound strings on it. It plays and sounds great. It retails for $199.00. I can't say enough good things about it.
I love my Dean. I've had many people (mainly guitarists) dis this bass but I love mine and I love the sound that pours out of it from my ampeg only thing I did to it was re-string her with DR black beauties
 
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