Thank you, that's probably that, or maybe it's just the hard economy and raising a family on a budget and most of us not being pros, but thank you very much for the comment.
Enjoy the benefits of a premium membership!
Upgrade Account
-
TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
Join free Log in
Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.
What are great cheap basses?
- Thread starter NickInMesa
- Start date
Thank you, that's probably that, or maybe it's just the hard economy and raising a family on a budget and most of us not being pros, but thank you very much for the comment.
Besides the usual suspects that have been mentioned often (Yamaha, Ibanez, Squier, SX, Dean), don't overlook Epiphone. I played an Epi Les Paul bass at GC a while ago that was a real winner, for under $300 new. I think they may have raised the price of that model now, but used it would be really cheap for what it is. Also, keep an eye open for used Guild Pilots. They are criminally undervalued, for a top-of-the-line MIA bass.
I gotta agree with that. It was my first bass & I still own it & play it. By far one of the best ones I've ever played. Paid $199 w/HSC at GC 2 years ago.
Any higher-priced bass that drops into the OP's originally cited range of under $300 is probably worth looking at. New prices aren't necessarily the way to buy - although I've done that. But a MIM J or P can often be had under $300, and so can any number of Ibanez, Dean, Epiphone and other major brands.
It's not quite that cheap but IMO, one of the best bargains is the Schecter Model T. Check it out.
I had an Epiphone EB0 that did everything I wanted except say Gibson on the headstock. I think my son ran off with it. Maybe I'll get another one.
1984 Ibanez Roadstar II RB 630
price: $150
This is what I found in a pawn shop. The guy wanted $200 but I waved the shlemolians
and the rest is history. This bass is not just nice, it's exceptional. I owned a new RB 650 back in 85 and it did not feel like this 630. I also had an all black RB 680 but the sound
and especially the feel of my 630 just slayed it(sold it). Early to mid 80's Ibanez basses
made in Japan can be seriously awesome, however, do try before you buy. I found some
examples from this era that were slightly underwhelming(still amazing build quality).
I feel the advantage of an older, "established" neck is that any anomaly or stress, warp
or twist will usually have revealed itself. Then again, what do I know?
price: $150
This is what I found in a pawn shop. The guy wanted $200 but I waved the shlemolians
and the rest is history. This bass is not just nice, it's exceptional. I owned a new RB 650 back in 85 and it did not feel like this 630. I also had an all black RB 680 but the sound
and especially the feel of my 630 just slayed it(sold it). Early to mid 80's Ibanez basses
made in Japan can be seriously awesome, however, do try before you buy. I found some
examples from this era that were slightly underwhelming(still amazing build quality).
I feel the advantage of an older, "established" neck is that any anomaly or stress, warp
or twist will usually have revealed itself. Then again, what do I know?
I personally like Ibanez and Peavey but will give a huge +1 to Yamaha and Squier. Their offerings have been really good particularly with Squier upping their game over the last while. I also think the new Washburns are worth a look. They seem to have stepped up in the last year or so.
It is a good one, if in good condition. Has nice wide string spacing, good balance, good tonal variety. I almost bought one for $325 and thought it was worth the asking price.
Yamaha makes some really nice gear and the BBG5S is a good example of their work.
Used on craigslist, or the Squier Classic Vibe or Vintage Modified.
Also, garage sales and other, random sources.
Have fun and good luck.
S.
Also, garage sales and other, random sources.
Have fun and good luck.
S.
Yamaha Attitude Plus... If you can find one. I have one in black'n maple. Sounds just like a vintage precision. Doesn't have any upgrades. Yet... 
Good luck!
Good luck!
Epiphone Viola bass
I picked one up for $280 new from GC. I always liked the tones Chris Wood got out of his Hofner so I plugged in the Epiphone and was very pleasantly surprised. I brought it home and put some flatwounds on it and set it up and it's got amazingly warm tone, especially in the studio. I just wish is was a long scale, then it might bump my Fender MM Jazz out of the #1 spot.
I picked one up for $280 new from GC. I always liked the tones Chris Wood got out of his Hofner so I plugged in the Epiphone and was very pleasantly surprised. I brought it home and put some flatwounds on it and set it up and it's got amazingly warm tone, especially in the studio. I just wish is was a long scale, then it might bump my Fender MM Jazz out of the #1 spot.
I like to roll my own ... using Squier alder bodies and random necks ...
They can be seen on my website under the FatTone tab
One example well under $300.00
... Stock I like some of the Squier and SX offerings
They can be seen on my website under the FatTone tab
One example well under $300.00
... Stock I like some of the Squier and SX offeringsMaybe. I've only had one. The nice thing about a bass in a store is that you can play 'em there. A lot of the ones that don't play well may just need a better setup, but you don't buy them if they aren't set up well.
I had to do a bit of tweaking to the setup (not much, but a bit) on my SX J. The machines were great, stays in tune as well as any bass I've had. The bridge--which everyone complains about--was as good as my '74 P bass. Pickups were hotter than my '74 P, but tinny. I swapped them for DiMarzio Js, which sound great. Had roto-tool the pickguard a bit to get the neck pup to fit--though you can't really see where when you look at it. Rewired with a sprague cap, push pull pots for the Dimarzio "dual sound," and a blend pot. Drilled the control cavity a bit deeper under the push-pull pots. Shielded with alu tape.
The nice thing about the SX is that it plays great, and after all that I am still well under $300--even after including shipping and a gig bag--and that's all brand new. Actually the only *new* bass I've ever had ;-)
Pups aren't as hot, electronics not as versatile and neck's not as fast as the used USA G&L ASAT I got for $500. But I have yet to find a $300 bass that can touch it.
I got it because I figured I would have no qualms about modding a cheap bass, and it would be a decent, cheap backup for the ASAT--which it is. What I was not prepared for was that I'd like it almost as well as the G&L.
I think the reason people like these so much is that they are beautiful in the way mid '70s Fenders were. Plus many of us buy them with the intention to mod them--so they quickly become personalized to their owners.
I can easily accept that the new Squire, Ibby or Yammy are just as high in quality. But they ain't as pretty, and they wouldn't feel "mine" in quite the same way.
Here's a buch I've tried, and proved themselves quite worthy (plus I like cheapos ):
Cort (All of them)
Yamaha (RBX, BB)
Squier (CV & VM)
Ibanez (GSR200, Iceman, SR-30x-50x, ATK, BTB, EDB)
Epiphone (EB's, Thunderbirds, A.Woody, J.Cassidy, Ripper)
Dean (Sledgehammer - I think, Edge)
G&L (the whole tribute line)
Jack & Danny (had a really nice fretless, but some are hit 'n' miss)
RockBass (although I hate the old cheesy logo and bridge)
ESP/LTD (although some are not really worth it)
Danelectro
Peavey (grind, millennium, cirrus, zodiac - the whole bxp line)
OLP (honest enough instruments)
Hagstrom (nice basses, though extremely slim necks)
Schecter (nice basses, could do with EMG-HZ instead of the OEM pickups)
Godin (freeway)
):Cort (All of them)
Yamaha (RBX, BB)
Squier (CV & VM)
Ibanez (GSR200, Iceman, SR-30x-50x, ATK, BTB, EDB)
Epiphone (EB's, Thunderbirds, A.Woody, J.Cassidy, Ripper)
Dean (Sledgehammer - I think, Edge)
G&L (the whole tribute line)
Jack & Danny (had a really nice fretless, but some are hit 'n' miss)
RockBass (although I hate the old cheesy logo and bridge)
ESP/LTD (although some are not really worth it)
Danelectro
Peavey (grind, millennium, cirrus, zodiac - the whole bxp line)
OLP (honest enough instruments)
Hagstrom (nice basses, though extremely slim necks)
Schecter (nice basses, could do with EMG-HZ instead of the OEM pickups)
Godin (freeway)
My first bass was a Yamaha RBX 170. I still have it. My Second and third basses were Yamaha RBX 374 and 375 (that would be the four and five string versions, respectively). The neck on the 374 warped, probably a combination of the fact that it was a factory second and that I was a bit negligent in my storage of it. The 375 is still my main bass and it ROCKS! I bought it off eBay used for about $240 total after shipping.
My only wank about the RBX 170 is that apparently Yamaha designed it so you have to use their tuners. I waited a looooong time for 'the part to come in' when on any other bass I might have just gotten a generic tuner and slapped it on. But I haven't had any problems since then and like I said, I still have it.
My only wank about the RBX 170 is that apparently Yamaha designed it so you have to use their tuners. I waited a looooong time for 'the part to come in' when on any other bass I might have just gotten a generic tuner and slapped it on. But I haven't had any problems since then and like I said, I still have it.
