What was your biggest gear surprise?

[Marikk]

In the age of limitless online purchasing options available. Man people are buying without trying first. Running off reviews, hype, youtube videos or even just general curiosity. Im sure most of us have had some winners, some losers and some we stood there wondering.

What piece of gear (bass,amp,pedal etc) exceeded your expectations or took you by surprise?

For me its was a Gretsch G2220 i bought off a member here. I seen and it looked cool and i was looking for a shorty at the time. i looked at a few reviews and pulled the trigger. It arrived and had a really nice feeling neck, sounded great plugged in and unplugged. It now sits in a stand by my couch where i can brag it anytime im sitting down and noodle away. the ergonomics of it just fit nicely for me.

 

[alack]

Avatar 1x12

 

[chris_b]

I was surprised how good my Thunderfunk 550 and 750 amps sounded.

I bought them (3 years apart) on the way to a gig and loved them immediately.

Stunningly good amps.

 

[EdO.]

My Squier Mike Dirnt model '51 P RI. Great out of the box, with a setup and I did replace the bridge with a Hipshot Kickass (the only mod I've EVER made to one of my instruments) which functionally makes it a CV equivalent, it's awesome. Plays easy, sounds great, and less than $300 invested.

 

[aproud1]

Gibson BAEB5. Bought it on a whim. Not being a big fan of Gibson basses. Out of the box had it where it counts. With some typical mods it is my goto bass now. Light, versatile and comfortable. A lot of people seem to hate everything about it. I love it.

Current setup

• aproud1
• Dec 2, 2016
• reidmar 750

Baer ML115 EBS Reidmar 750

 

[jaybones]

Got turned on to La Bella tapewound strings, via TB.

Also snagged a Seymour Duncan Quarter Pound pup for a used Affinity P in Baltic blue. Coupled with the tapes, BOOOOOOOOOM.

 

[kittywithabanjo]

A passive p bass with a pick..always been a modern active bass guy. Partly it has to do with the setting I am in it just works.... (disclosure my P is a 5 string PJ but I play 80% if the time on the P pick up only)

 

[catcauphonic]

I was totally going to surprise myself with a nice 2×10 cab for Christmas, but I'm awful at keeping secrets

 

[JGbassman]

This. A 1994 Black label MIM pbass. It's the best feeling and playing P Bass I've ever owned. After adding some EMG gzr butler pups in it, it's the best sounding p bass I've owned before as well. I got it off eBay.

 

[godley69]

I was surprised how good my Thunderfunk 550 and 750 amps sounded.

I bought them (3 years apart) on the way to a gig and loved them immediately.

Stunningly good amps.

.

You Can't Beat The T'FUNK! I own Many other amps but 99%of the time............ I Gig the T'Funks.....‼☮

 

[40Hz]

A Squier Classic Vibe 60s Jazz Bass.

The first professional quality bass I ever played was a Fender JB. I've owned a few MIA Fender JBs over the years. And I've probably played dozens more.

But this bass flat out amazes not just me, but a buddy of mine who is an absolute Jazz Bass fanatic, scholar, and collector as well as being an excellent bass player in his own right. And even he is amazed at how good it sounds and plays. And not just "good for what it is - or for the price." It's a really nice JB period.

 

[GManfromOz]

My Squier Mike Dirnt model '51 P RI. Great out of the box, with a setup and I did replace the bridge with a Hipshot Kickass (the only mod I've EVER made to one of my instruments) which functionally makes it a CV equivalent, it's awesome. Plays easy, sounds great, and less than $300 invested.

That's funny. I was trying out a new amp in a shop and grabbed the Squire Mike Dirnt off the wall and immediately loved it. Bought the amp and Squire together that day. I've replaced the stock pickup with an Aguilar 4P Hot and it rocks. Not that there was much wrong with the original pup but I come from a active Bass background so I was used to more punch. I might even out a bridge cover on it just for fun.

 

[godley69]

My Latest Surprise(s) was/were my OVERWATER SDS and SDJ Bass acquisitions. I'm in Love with the 33" scale and 16.5" spacing on them both! Now, I find myself playing passages quicker and easier.....they are EXCELLENT Basses and the Customer Service is Fantastic! Both Chris May and Kirsty have been Phenomenal. IMHO, I'm happy to say that they join the same extraordinary ranks as Roger Baer, Mike Arnopol, Roger Sadowsky, Marc Vanderkley and Dave @ Thunderfunk as my Heroes. Not only because they make AWESOME equipment but because they actually interact directly with their customers and all seem to "Aim to Please" us crazy Bass Players! I'm (hopefully) GAS Free now......Hopefully!

 

[matti777]

Just bought a slightly used Arctic white Fender Std Jazz. Its a fine instrument.

 

[MultiScaleMale]

BoomBassCab Tank 1215. I can't belive the sound I get from such an easy to move cab.

 

[organworthyplayer337]

Phil Jones Bass Big Head

 

[Sam Dingle]

Sadowsky 5 string I just bought

 

[smogg]

From me it's my used Carvin BX500 purchased from here on TB. Very clean, flexible tone and a great bang for the buck amp.

 

[malthumb]

My biggest surprise came in 2002, when I bought a brand of bass I had never heard of. Bought it over the internet. And when I got it and played it, I was floored at how great it was.

This Hanewinckel Ceres 6-string

Liked it so much that when a fretless came available, I snapped that up, too. I eventually sold both because I was not cut out for 6-string, but last year I got my hands on a 5-string

Hanewinckel 5-string

• malthumb
• Nov 9, 2016
• 5-string blue

5-string Hanie

 

[klokker]

Sounds goofy maybe, but my biggest surprise was a Boss BC-1X compresssor. Really changed in a postive way how I sit in the mix.