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What are great cheap basses?

NickInMesa

NickInMesa

Jan 1, 2009
3,397
51
57
Mesa, Arizona
#1
I'd like to know which basses you know which are a lot of bang for the bucks, bucks begin less than $300 new and in the $100/150 range used. Some of them can be vintage basses that do not have the following they deserve.

Basses that are either great beginners instruments or can even be used to gig or record, with no upgrade.

So far I registered the following:

Peavey T-40 (own one)
1980s Peavey Foundation (own one)
 
#3
Kramers.
Most any non aluminum necks are great.... (price wise i mean)
Just avoid strikers, and Aerostars, unless they are VERY Cheap.
Also, Arbor basses can be gotten for Dirt cheap... if you can find them. :)
Thanks.
 
#5
Many newer Danelectros. The P-style "Rumor" bass below cost me $195 new:
dano20080624frontal.jpg


I haven't had the chance to play one yet, but the recent vintage-style Dano "63" basses get great reviews, too -- as does the 3 lipstick p/u "Hodad," which came out in 2000 and is now discontinued, but pops up on eBay now and again.
 
#9
NickInMesa said:
I'd like to know which basses you know which are a lot of bang for the bucks, bucks begin less than $300 new and in the $100/150 range used. Some of them can be vintage basses that do not have the following they deserve.

Basses that are either great beginners instruments or can even be used to gig or record, with no upgrade.

So far I registered the following:

Peavey T-40 (own one)
1980s Peavey Foundation (own one)
Click to expand...

The best thing about great cheap basses is that you may come upon them by accident. While a $2K bass had better be great for the money you spend on it, it is also really cool to check out a pawn shop or used section and come across something that really speaks to you for minimal money. And that, I can't tell you. Enjoy the serendipity and the search. It's at least 1/2 the fun if you can afford to spend the money.

I have a Harmony Brand P-Bass copy that is amazing. I got it for $40. You'd have to pry it from my cold dead hands to get it from me. Such is serendipity. Enjoy the hunt.
 
#12
I found a Lotus P a while back for $45. It plays just fine and gets a good thump with flats on it. I am repainting it because it was cheap and it sounded like fun! I think it might actually increase the value (to me anyway).

I just got my new ATK750KA for $350. It's sitting on my desk at work until i go home to play it. The setup needs to be perfected but I am psyched about it. It feels nice in my hands
 
#17
savit260 said:
l_3f618b93436c6cd21417e08bbdfc5b63.png

This one!

Wouldn't trade it for a dozen name brand basses of your choice. ;)

The Squiers CV's and VM's aren't bad, but until they start making them out of ash or alder, they aren't going to get my full consideration.
Click to expand...

Until SX start putting proper headstocks on their basses they won't get my consideration! Why bother changing it? It's a Fender copy... so copy it. Dammit!
 
#19
Dee_01 said:
Until SX start putting proper headstocks on their basses they won't get my consideration! Why bother changing it? It's a Fender copy... so copy it. Dammit!
Click to expand...

As you probably know, they can't do that or they'll get sued by Fender. Besides, their changing the headstocks again. New basses with the new headstocks should be in next week at Rondo.
 
#20
Actually the headstock is the one part of a Fender bass you aren't allowed to copy. :)

I really miss my first two basses: an early 80s Peavey Patriot and a 1982 MIJ Squier fretless. Both were less than $200 at the time. Man, were those nice basses! (Not that I'm complaining about what I've got now.)
 

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