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Your most and least expensive basses
- Thread starter JimmyM
- Start date
My cheapest Bass was Raven West bass made in China for about $400 or so and it was pretty good for the money. The electronics and hardware was crap though lol. The most expensive bass I've ever owned was actually the worst bass I've ever owned it. It was a Custom Build Warrior loaded with every option he offered. Bass was so bad I sent it back 3 times and every time it was sent back with issues not fixed. Caused me to move on from JD and Warrior.
I mean. I only have the three and they were all under a grand new.
If you're going by what I paid for them from least to most - Ibanez TMB505, Fender American Special P-bass, and my Sire P7 5 string.
If you're going by what they originally retailed at, Ibanez TMB505, Sire P7 5 string, and then the Fender American Special.
I once had an MIM Jazz I paid $250 for and replaced the electronics.. I've had cheaper basses.. but I don't own those anymore.
There is a part of me that really really wants a 3 pickup Dingwall 5 string.. and was almost sold on the idea of a 10th Anniversary Combustion I saw a few hours away from me, but it turned out to be around 3 grand and I wasn't ready to drop that much on a Combustion. I also had my eye on an Ibanez EHB1505ms.
If you're going by what I paid for them from least to most - Ibanez TMB505, Fender American Special P-bass, and my Sire P7 5 string.
If you're going by what they originally retailed at, Ibanez TMB505, Sire P7 5 string, and then the Fender American Special.
I once had an MIM Jazz I paid $250 for and replaced the electronics.. I've had cheaper basses.. but I don't own those anymore.
There is a part of me that really really wants a 3 pickup Dingwall 5 string.. and was almost sold on the idea of a 10th Anniversary Combustion I saw a few hours away from me, but it turned out to be around 3 grand and I wasn't ready to drop that much on a Combustion. I also had my eye on an Ibanez EHB1505ms.
Most. Custom Shop G&L L-2000, the only bass I ever bought new.
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Least. Carvin LB70 that needed some attention in the electronics area. $50, and it came with a hardshell Carvin case. (Note the extra hole in the headstock)
A close second, and a bass that I'll play on stage most of the summer. (I pick it over a few other "nice" basses). I paid $70 and after I did a set up and cleaned off the stickers It's probably my favorite bass to play.
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Least. Carvin LB70 that needed some attention in the electronics area. $50, and it came with a hardshell Carvin case. (Note the extra hole in the headstock)
A close second, and a bass that I'll play on stage most of the summer. (I pick it over a few other "nice" basses). I paid $70 and after I did a set up and cleaned off the stickers It's probably my favorite bass to play.
I've liked some relatively inexpensive basses, especially a DiPinto Belvedere, but all my current basses are mid-level US-built instruments in a relatively narrow price range. I bought all of them new.
The least expensive was my 2007 G&L SB-2, for which I paid $700 and a "player condition" 1981 Ibanez Studio guitar. I couldn't stand that guitar, and almost felt like I stole the SB-2 at that price.
The most expensive was my special order G&L JB, for which I paid $1,525 in 2010. In retrospect that seems like a high price, but it had a couple of options including a painted headstock, and I got lucky with a quartersawn neck at no extra cost. Other than the weight it's comparable to boutiques IMO, so there's no question it was worth the money.
The least expensive was my 2007 G&L SB-2, for which I paid $700 and a "player condition" 1981 Ibanez Studio guitar. I couldn't stand that guitar, and almost felt like I stole the SB-2 at that price.
The most expensive was my special order G&L JB, for which I paid $1,525 in 2010. In retrospect that seems like a high price, but it had a couple of options including a painted headstock, and I got lucky with a quartersawn neck at no extra cost. Other than the weight it's comparable to boutiques IMO, so there's no question it was worth the money.
D
Current lumber prices probably make this my most expensive bass
My least would be this ibanez i just picked up for under $200
It looks beat, but actually plays nice!
My least would be this ibanez i just picked up for under $200
It looks beat, but actually plays nice!
Most expensive: The Mothman (right around $900).
Least expensive: The one that I got from grandpa, and stupidly sold.
Least expensive: The one that I got from grandpa, and stupidly sold.
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Hahahahaha! All my stuff is "cheap" by comparison. I don't have the funds to buy high end boutique basses. Also, are we going with retail value, or purchase price?
If going with purchase price, my cheapest is this Ibanez SR300e that I gave $80 for -
And my most expensive would be this LTD B206-SM that I gave $450 (brand new) for -
Honestly, I love the cheap hair metal era basses. I have a Warlock, a Mockingbird, an Ibanez Destroyer and I'd love to find one of them pointy headstock Jacksons to add to the collection. I also own a Thunderbird, but it's an Epiphone, not a true Gibson. In the end, I don't really care what brand it is, as long as it plays how I like and sounds cool and/or offers something my others don't (which could be tone, shape, looks, etc).
I've never owned anything more expensive than my B206.
If going with purchase price, my cheapest is this Ibanez SR300e that I gave $80 for -
And my most expensive would be this LTD B206-SM that I gave $450 (brand new) for -
Honestly, I love the cheap hair metal era basses. I have a Warlock, a Mockingbird, an Ibanez Destroyer and I'd love to find one of them pointy headstock Jacksons to add to the collection. I also own a Thunderbird, but it's an Epiphone, not a true Gibson. In the end, I don't really care what brand it is, as long as it plays how I like and sounds cool and/or offers something my others don't (which could be tone, shape, looks, etc).
I've never owned anything more expensive than my B206.
Most expensive was a 2013 custom Dave Pushic ($1700), which I still have. Least expensive was a 1990's Epiphone AccuBass ($150)...I don't have it anymore
![Pushic[1].JPG](https://www.talkbass.com/attachments/pushic-1-jpg.4290997/ "Pushic[1].JPG")
Only got 2, both used. $25 and $250.
Epi eb0 bought for $180 (new $270). But then broke output jack and via warranty got money back and ended up spending $25 to fix it. Put the remaining warranty money into my fender studio40. And now she has way more in mods than new or used cost.
My eastwood airlines jetson jr found near mint with gigbag and strap for $250 (new $650ish). Added bridge cover as felt naked. One day might add geezers but already love her sound.
Epi eb0 bought for $180 (new $270). But then broke output jack and via warranty got money back and ended up spending $25 to fix it. Put the remaining warranty money into my fender studio40. And now she has way more in mods than new or used cost.
My eastwood airlines jetson jr found near mint with gigbag and strap for $250 (new $650ish). Added bridge cover as felt naked. One day might add geezers but already love her sound.
my cheapest bass is my first bass a squier P with a new jazz neck. my most expensive is my Ken Smith but im getting rid of her. My main bass is an 800 dollar MTD czech import that will soon be my most expensive. luckily the MTD plays better than both the Smith and any other MTD ive played
Least expensive was a 5 string Squier J at $115.
Most expensive was my 66 P for WAY less than it's worth.
A good friend insisted I needed it.
His friend insisted I needed it.
Between them they made sure I got it cheap AND was able to pay it out over a long period of time.
They were right, I did need it.
I will forever owe them a debt I cannot repay, as both have passed away over the last couple of years.
Most expensive was my 66 P for WAY less than it's worth.
A good friend insisted I needed it.
His friend insisted I needed it.
Between them they made sure I got it cheap AND was able to pay it out over a long period of time.
They were right, I did need it.
I will forever owe them a debt I cannot repay, as both have passed away over the last couple of years.
I had a German Hofner that was my most expensive bass, and now I have an Epi EB-0, that I really prefer over the Hofner.
Before mods:
Least expensive - $100 on sale Mitchell short scale bought last fall that is my travel bass.
Most expensive - $1,500 for my Rickenbacker 4002 (yes, "2," not "1" or "3") in early 1992, which if purchased today, the CPI inflation calculator says it would be @ $2900.
Least expensive - $100 on sale Mitchell short scale bought last fall that is my travel bass.
Most expensive - $1,500 for my Rickenbacker 4002 (yes, "2," not "1" or "3") in early 1992, which if purchased today, the CPI inflation calculator says it would be @ $2900.
My current two basses: Custom made Ken Bebensee uke bass (cost is classified but meets the requirements of this thread), and Ibanez Mikro, $199.99 new. Probably my most expensive basses were some custom Status Graphites which I miss dearly, but these days anything longer than 30" scale kills my olde crusty hands.
I was gonna ask about that amp too.So is the Portacool a new product you're trialling for Ampeg?
I want a small bedroom amp that sounds great while at low volume.
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