dannybuoy Posted February 1, 2008 Share Posted February 1, 2008 Been having a look around for a cheap P-Bass knockoff for under £200 and these look to me as the best 3 makes from reading reviews on Harmony Central - Shine, Richwood and SX. Shine is available in quite a few shops, and is made by the same manufacturer as Epiphone. Richwood are made here in the UK, and SX you have to get from the states. Tempted to get a Shine or Richwood P-Bass and whack a Seymour Duncan quarter pounder pickup in it to beef it up a bit. Anyone here able to recommend these or any other makes? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Leowasright Posted February 1, 2008 Share Posted February 1, 2008 Surely a Squire Standard Precision should be in your sights at that price level. I'm sure they are readily available at £160 ish? David H Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
markytbass Posted February 1, 2008 Share Posted February 1, 2008 Have you tried a Vintage P-bass. Someone bought one to rehearsals the other night. It looked good and played and sounded great. I think GAK do them for about £125. There is also Westfield, there are some on ebay for £59 buy it now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dannybuoy Posted February 1, 2008 Author Share Posted February 1, 2008 [quote name='Leowasright' post='132062' date='Feb 1 2008, 05:09 PM']Surely a Squire Standard Precision should be in your sights at that price level. I'm sure they are readily available at £160 ish? David H[/quote] But apparently the 3 mentioned above are better made and sound more like the real thing, the Squiers aren't so hot (if Fender made great Squiers, they wouldn't sell any real Fenders!). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OldGit Posted February 1, 2008 Share Posted February 1, 2008 (edited) Join the SX club, mate. [url="http://basschat.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=11397&hl=sx"]http://basschat.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=11397&hl=sx[/url] [url="http://basschat.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=12081&hl=sx"]http://basschat.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=12081&hl=sx[/url] [url="http://basschat.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=11567&hl=sx"]http://basschat.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=11567&hl=sx[/url] Edited February 1, 2008 by OldGit Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dannybuoy Posted February 1, 2008 Author Share Posted February 1, 2008 (edited) [quote name='OldGit' post='132073' date='Feb 1 2008, 05:18 PM']Join the SX club, mate. [url="http://basschat.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=11397&hl=sx"]http://basschat.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=11397&hl=sx[/url] [url="http://basschat.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=12081&hl=sx"]http://basschat.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=12081&hl=sx[/url] [url="http://basschat.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=11567&hl=sx"]http://basschat.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=11567&hl=sx[/url][/quote] Yeah, was thinking about those, only thing is paying £130 for a £55 bass somehow seems so wrong! You can get the Richwood ones here, but they work out the same price, maybe slightly more: [url="http://stores.channeladvisor.com/dangleberry-music/Guitar%20%2b%20Bass/Bass%20Guitars/Precision%20Bass"]Dangleberry Music[/url] LOL... Dangleberries... Edited February 1, 2008 by dannybuoy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OldGit Posted February 1, 2008 Share Posted February 1, 2008 (edited) [quote name='dannybuoy' post='132083' date='Feb 1 2008, 05:26 PM']Yeah, was thinking about those, only thing is paying £130 for a £55 bass somehow seems so wrong! You can get the Richwood ones here, but they work out the same price, maybe slightly more: [url="http://stores.channeladvisor.com/dangleberry-music/Guitar%20%2b%20Bass/Bass%20Guitars/Precision%20Bass"]Dangleberry Music[/url] LOL... Dangleberries...[/quote] Well all these cheap ones cost about £20 quid to make (including the Squiers). It's the shipping, tax, duty and profit that makes them cost £150 ... You can decide where your money goes... The Jim Deacon 62 p bass sells for about £110 in my local shop .. they are pretty good and I think they are probably made by the same co as the Richwood and SX .. but they have a Fender shape headstock .. Save £30 quid I guess .. [url="http://www.jimdeacon.co.uk/Products/Basses/FPB62.html"]http://www.jimdeacon.co.uk/Products/Basses/FPB62.html[/url] However there's a nice mystique about having an SX .. people know Squier and Jim Deacon as cheap beginners' bases.. I think you could tell people that the SX is a "custom handmade" as it says on the headstock and they'd believe you Edited February 1, 2008 by OldGit Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
neilb Posted February 1, 2008 Share Posted February 1, 2008 [quote name='OldGit' post='132073' date='Feb 1 2008, 05:18 PM']Join the SX club, mate. [url="http://basschat.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=11397&hl=sx"]http://basschat.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=11397&hl=sx[/url] [url="http://basschat.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=12081&hl=sx"]http://basschat.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=12081&hl=sx[/url] [url="http://basschat.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=11567&hl=sx"]http://basschat.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=11567&hl=sx[/url] [/quote]Thats my baby!!!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
noisedude Posted February 1, 2008 Share Posted February 1, 2008 Richwoods are absolutely NOT made in the UK. They're imported from China via a company in Holland by a chap who has an old farm in Pickering. He happens to be local to a photography firm who on the side sell his Richwood/Boston/Caliber etc lines for him. The instruments aren't bad but nothing special for the money, wouldn't say they're any better than Stagg and the like. Shine are good value (it is a mis-spelling of the Korean company Saein, whose Chinese factory used to be contracted for some Epiphone lines). I'm intrigued by these SX things. My experience of cheap stuff is that you can stumble across a great one (I have an awesome Caliber T*le) but they're inconsistent. Do these SXs really keep coming through good? Who wouldn't want a good backup for that price?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OldGit Posted February 1, 2008 Share Posted February 1, 2008 [quote name='noisedude' post='132117' date='Feb 1 2008, 06:31 PM']Richwoods are absolutely NOT made in the UK. They're imported from China via a company in Holland by a chap who has an old farm in Pickering. He happens to be local to a photography firm who on the side sell his Richwood/Boston/Caliber etc lines for him. I'm intrigued by these SX things. My experience of cheap stuff is that you can stumble across a great one (I have an awesome Caliber T*le) but they're inconsistent. Do these SXs really keep coming through good? Who wouldn't want a good backup for that price??[/quote] Seem to... Talkbass guys like them too and you know what they are like for expressing their views ... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
noisedude Posted February 1, 2008 Share Posted February 1, 2008 [quote name='OldGit' post='132121' date='Feb 1 2008, 06:35 PM']Seem to... Talkbass guys like them too and you know what they are like for expressing their views ...[/quote] I'm learning!! Looking through the various sites it would seem that SX have a lot in common with both Richwood and Shine's Chinese models ... the tell-tale numbers in the product codes and the combinations of finishes (not to mention that Telecaster with a dope leaf which I'd recognise from Shine's Frontier Series anywhere!). I reckon there's really only about four OEM factories in China and they account for the Chinese output of dozens of brands. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OldGit Posted February 1, 2008 Share Posted February 1, 2008 [quote name='noisedude' post='132124' date='Feb 1 2008, 06:47 PM']I'm learning!! Looking through the various sites it would seem that SX have a lot in common with both Richwood and Shine's Chinese models ... the tell-tale numbers in the product codes and the combinations of finishes (not to mention that Telecaster with a dope leaf which I'd recognise from Shine's Frontier Series anywhere!). I reckon there's really only about four OEM factories in China and they account for the Chinese output of dozens of brands.[/quote] You're learning It's mostly just badge engineering.. You can get ones called "Mavis" in Japan .. Ishibashi has used ones in sometimes ... I'd love one of those just for the fun appeal. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tait Posted February 1, 2008 Share Posted February 1, 2008 [quote name='Leowasright' post='132062' date='Feb 1 2008, 05:09 PM']Surely a Squire Standard Precision should be in your sights at that price level. I'm sure they are readily available at £160 ish? David H[/quote] you wont get a squier standard for that price, you could easily get an affinity. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OldGit Posted February 1, 2008 Share Posted February 1, 2008 (edited) [quote name='lwtait' post='132174' date='Feb 1 2008, 08:10 PM']you wont get a squier standard for that price, you could easily get an affinity.[/quote] Squier Standard P Bass Special (with J pup too) £149 ... [url="http://www.dv247.com/invt/10702/"]http://www.dv247.com/invt/10702/[/url] The Squier Affinity starts around £117 [url="http://www.guitarampkeyboard.com/en/squier-affinity-p-bass/3820"]http://www.guitarampkeyboard.com/en/squier...ity-p-bass/3820[/url] So .. they should be out there used for about £60 then ..... This subject came up recently and OutToPlayJazz talks about the options here [url="http://basschat.co.uk/index.php?s=&showtopic=3806&view=findpost&p=40314"]http://basschat.co.uk/index.php?s=&sho...ost&p=40314[/url] His recommendation for his students is the Crafter Cruiser for £90 ... Peavey Milestone gets a few ticks too at £120 [url="http://www.guitars.co.uk/acatalog/Milestone_III.html"]http://www.guitars.co.uk/acatalog/Milestone_III.html[/url] Blige wish I'd had this much choice when I started out - all pretty fine instruments, really, and all for the fee you'd personally earn for playing two weddings .... Edited February 1, 2008 by OldGit Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paul h Posted February 1, 2008 Share Posted February 1, 2008 When I started out anything I could afford was made out of plywood. It was years before I could afford a bass made out of decent materials. Kids today don't know they're born etc. etc. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kdphysio Posted February 1, 2008 Share Posted February 1, 2008 [quote name='paul h' post='132275' date='Feb 1 2008, 10:38 PM']When I started out anything I could afford was made out of plywood. It was years before I could afford a bass made out of decent materials.[/quote] That's very sad.......... ............................. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dannybuoy Posted February 3, 2008 Author Share Posted February 3, 2008 These are on ebay for £50: [url="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ALBA-4-STRING-BASS-GUITAR-NATURAL_W0QQitemZ150211618309QQihZ005QQcategoryZ4713QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem"]Alba P-Bass[/url] Natural finish which is unusual, and very cheap price. It might be absolute garbage, or it might just come form he exact same factory as SX, Richwood, etc in China and be the same thing with a different badge (or no badge, these seem to have a blank headstock). Tempted to get one of these, put in a Seymour Duncan and slap a Fender logo on the headstock! Anyone tried one, or shall I be the guinea pig? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alfie Posted February 3, 2008 Share Posted February 3, 2008 You don't want to waste your money on a Squier. With an SX you are not exactly paying £130 for a £55 bass, it is just that the dollar is so ridiculously weak so it is a bad way of looking at it. For the playability, look and variety, SX is clearly the way to go. Plus dealing with Rondomusic cuts out the totally crap British customer service/relations. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OldGit Posted February 4, 2008 Share Posted February 4, 2008 [quote name='dannybuoy' post='133346' date='Feb 3 2008, 11:30 PM']These are on ebay for £50: [url="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ALBA-4-STRING-BASS-GUITAR-NATURAL_W0QQitemZ150211618309QQihZ005QQcategoryZ4713QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem"]Alba P-Bass[/url] Natural finish which is unusual, and very cheap price. It might be absolute garbage, or it might just come form he exact same factory as SX, Richwood, etc in China and be the same thing with a different badge (or no badge, these seem to have a blank headstock). Tempted to get one of these, put in a Seymour Duncan and slap a Fender logo on the headstock! Anyone tried one, or shall I be the guinea pig?[/quote] 21 frets, plain s/plate and flat top knobs suggest a different factory to the rest .. Be worth a go though (of your money not mine ) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bnt Posted February 4, 2008 Share Posted February 4, 2008 [quote name='dannybuoy' post='132049' date='Feb 1 2008, 04:52 PM']... SX you have to get from the states.[/quote] Each time the SX name comes up, I feel obliged to mention that they're on sale here in Dublin, at [url="http://waltons.ie/waltonsshop/index.php?cPath=60_62&sort=2a&filter_id=27"]Walton's[/url]... you could make a weekend trip, try them out, and sink a few Guinness in nearby Temple Bar as a side benefit. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dannybuoy Posted February 4, 2008 Author Share Posted February 4, 2008 Found one review for the Alba: [url="http://reviews.harmony-central.com/reviews/Electric+Bass/product/Alba/Precision+copy/10/1"]http://reviews.harmony-central.com/reviews...ision+copy/10/1[/url] Only 1 person to review it, but it was very positive. Only bad thing was that there was no foam under the pickup - but I was planning on replacing the pickup anyway. I originally said under £200, but I meant as cheap as possible! I am now swung between this and the SX. The SX works out twice the price, and have a lot of followers - but then again the Alba could be exactly the same! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paul h Posted February 4, 2008 Share Posted February 4, 2008 [url="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ALBA-4-STRING-BASS-GUITAR-SUNBURST_W0QQitemZ150161580192QQihZ005QQcategoryZ4713QQrdZ1QQssPageNameZWD1VQQtrksidZp1638.m118.l1247QQcmdZViewItem"]http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ALBA-4-STRING-BASS-G...7QQcmdZViewItem[/url] Now I am positive this one shares heritage with SX. It has the older style "superhook" SX headstock, as well as a 3 ply plate. They seem to have a couple of differently sourced basses available which they are selling under the Alba brand For me, the advantage with SX is that you can get them with maple boards, and that they do a P/J which I like the look of. Althought the P/J I like has a rosewood board. If I was after a P with a rosewood board I would be tempted by this one. More so than the other Albas. P. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OldGit Posted February 4, 2008 Share Posted February 4, 2008 [quote name='dannybuoy' post='133702' date='Feb 4 2008, 04:47 PM']Found one review for the Alba: [url="http://reviews.harmony-central.com/reviews/Electric+Bass/product/Alba/Precision+copy/10/1"]http://reviews.harmony-central.com/reviews...ision+copy/10/1[/url] Only 1 person to review it, but it was very positive. Only bad thing was that there was no foam under the pickup - but I was planning on replacing the pickup anyway. I originally said under £200, but I meant as cheap as possible! I am now swung between this and the SX. The SX works out twice the price, and have a lot of followers - but then again the Alba could be exactly the same! [/quote] It's not ,but then again if you want something for the least possible outlay it's probably good enough .. I have a Str@t that looks like it came out of the same factory and with a decent set of strings it's good enough ... Heres's another possible: Cash Converter auction for a [url="http://www.cashconverters.co.uk/item/159296/Musical_Instruments/Jim_Deacon_4_String_Bass/"]Jim Deacon P bass[/url] Maybe they'll sell it to you for 50 once the audtion has finished. looks like a full size one but it's worth making sure its not a 3/4.. They also havs a Navada with a slight dent - so that may be cheap. And .. a lot better .. An Ibanez Sound Gear SR300DX currently at £15.50 ... Descriptions funny "Ibanez first introduced the Soundgear bass in 1987. That same bass continues to be one of the world's most played basses. Why? Because it is not the same bass." And a Peavey milestone featuring "Multi-lam hardwood body" or plywood as we tend to call it And a Westfield P bass B1000 currently £30 ... Loads of options Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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