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What is a Sleeper bass really...

#63
Smooth_bass88 said:
A really good bass player can make ANY bass (within reason) sound good whether it’s a ‘sleeper’ or inexpensive mass produced import or old beat up piece of junk.
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Of course, that's been proven time and again. I was more focused on the quality vs. price and how well known the bass model/brand is. That's why I mentioned Kramer, a brand that's nowadays looked at as 80's pointy headstock stuff. Their Pioneer up until very recently could be had for ~$400, which is an insane price for a bass of that quality. Whether or not I'm good enough as a player to leverage that is another question entirely:-)
 
#64
lfmn16 said:
I'm not sure but I think "Sleeper Bass" starts with the delusion that a) anyone is paying any attention to what you're playing, b) that they care enough to think about it, and c) that they know enough to have an opinion. :D
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Oh, no doubt, this whole concept is for us Bass nerds. No way the average person in the crowd knows or cares that my Kramer "punches way above its weight" lol
 
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#65
I sold a sleeper, a black Squier SS Jag for twice what I paid, bought a replacement sleeper, an 85 gen1 Peavey Fury. Bought a sleeper head, gen1 400RB. A lot of fun researching and learning the history, most of it gleaned from TB. Now building a new rig around a 700RBII, just ordered two discontinued GK NEO112II cabs. I enjoy sleeper gear! For me sleepers are usually keepers, miss that Jag.
 
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#66
Sacked out with the cat.

mdu3tfskqvg61.jpg
 
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#67
TheReceder said:
To me the Peavey Foundations used to epitomize being a sleeper.
It was sold as an intro bass, with high quality build and over performing electronics. The only problem is they were distributed without being set up.
But I'm very biased... I own several and won't let any of them go.
View attachment 4578042
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A mid 80's Foundation was my first bass. Absolutely one of the best values of all time. Great playing, great sounding and built like a tank. Still kicking myself for getting rid of mine.
 
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#70
bigjames said:
I honestly have no idea...I have been trying to confirm that for a long time. Here is the only pic I have handy...note this was long before digital photos. LOL.

View attachment 4578948
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Thanks. Although I can barely see the headstock, I can see enough to know it wasn't one of the GBD models. I think, though, it may have been one of their "Artist Series" modesl, which I believe were a cut above "normal" Samicks.

The reason I was asking about GBD is because someone has one of those models (a Corsair...I think they made a 30-inch-scale one, and a 34-inch) for sale in the town where I live. I really don't need another bass, but I've been curious about the Samick GBDs for awhile.

I'm pretty sure the one I've been looking at is the 34-inch model, which is the onky one I'd be interested in; 30-inch wouldn't work for me. Might have to go for a gander at some point!
 
#73
HubbardsFate said:
Thanks. Although I can barely see the headstock, I can see enough to know it wasn't one of the GBD models. I think, though, it may have been one of their "Artist Series" modesl, which I believe were a cut above "normal" Samicks.

The reason I was asking about GBD is because someone has one of those models (a Corsair...I think they made a 30-inch-scale one, and a 34-inch) for sale in the town where I live. I really don't need another bass, but I've been curious about the Samick GBDs for awhile.

I'm pretty sure the one I've been looking at is the 34-inch model, which is the onky one I'd be interested in; 30-inch wouldn't work for me. Might have to go for a gander at some point!
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I think you are right about the Artist Series...that rings a bell. The headstock was comparatively small (compared to a Fender) and only had the Samick logo.
 
#75
Jack Butler said:
I didn't want to send the other guy's thread off on a tangent. I always thought part of what makes a sleeper is low price compared to build quality. For me, that was Kramer. The Focus 7000's(MIJ) up until very recently could be had under $300 for a clean one. The Kramer Pioneers(MIA) were the same but usually closer to $400. Both were insane quality for those price points. Peavey T-40's I know less about but I think they used to be considered sleepers. Now, any not abused T-40 seems north of $1k. To me, that kind of goes against sleeper status. You can get a lot of really good used basses in the $1,000-$1,200 range, so at that point the T-40 is just a bass. If that's what you want then great but at that price point it's of reasonably expected quality. Same for my beloved Kramers, I think they are still in sleeper range, but prices are creeping up. If a Focus were going for $1,000, it would still be a quality bass, but it wouldn't be anything special at that price. So in my opinion no longer a sleeper. Just curious if others view it this way, or if sleeper simply means just lesser known but good quality.
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Not sure what the answer is but for me, I've had a schecter and G&L that I always thought were better than instruments 500$ more
 
#77
Lesfunk said:
Fender PBass Lyte was/is a “sleeper”
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I guess this was sorta my point(or at least my opinion), I would definitely say the P Lyte's WERE sleepers, but just about every decent one on reverb right now is around $1k. So while they are good basses(I've owned 1 and played a few others), I don't think they are way beyond what you'd expect a $1,000 bass to be.
 

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