la bam Posted January 4, 2012 Share Posted January 4, 2012 Just wondering if this has ever been covered? It may be of help to many. When I was just having a look for a spare backup bass for an emergency gig - there seems to be loads of new makes and models turning up around the £100-£150 mark. Theres a lot of makes ive never heard of, but then well established makes such as epiphone etc? What new (not second hand) sub £150 basses are any good? Are there any hidden gems? Personally, Im just after a cheap backup bass, until i can finish my second custom build. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fatboyslimfast Posted January 5, 2012 Share Posted January 5, 2012 (edited) Not a lot that are truly gems. You can get the likes of Harley Benton from Thomann and Stagg, but the reports I have heard are a bit hit/miss even considering the same model - some play excellent, some don't. You pays your money etc... Up it to £170, and there becomes a whole host more options, from the Yamaha RBX, Squier affinity, Ibanez GSR180 etc. But I would really consider 2nd hand. For £100-120 there are some crackers out there. Only my VMJ cost me more than £120 as this was virtually brand new, and all of my basses (all 2nd hand - see sig) play well. You can pick up a decent Squier precision for around £80 normally, so allow £20 for a new set of strings and you have a totally reliable backup bass. As an aside, check out the "buying your first bass" sticky at the top of this section. It covers this sort of thing pretty darn well. Edited January 5, 2012 by fatboyslimfast Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
essexbasscat Posted January 5, 2012 Share Posted January 5, 2012 Also not to be missed, the Warwick Rockbass, usually very underpriced 2nd hand. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tommorichards Posted January 5, 2012 Share Posted January 5, 2012 i would definitely go second hand for that price. Some awesome basses on this forum alone are in that range. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
4-string-thing Posted January 5, 2012 Share Posted January 5, 2012 I bought a S/H Ibanez GSR190 (mint condition) from a basschatter via fleabay for £92 last year, and I have to say it's a brilliant bass! Sounds good, looks great, is light and comfortable and has a brilliant slim neck. The Yamaha RBX is pretty good too for around £170. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jackduran Posted January 6, 2012 Share Posted January 6, 2012 Second hand, no question. I'm sure the other day someone sold a lovely blue/maple Mex Fender Jazz for roughly £200, perhaps even less. Not to mention Squier's etc which can be had around that price. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
goblin Posted January 6, 2012 Share Posted January 6, 2012 If you want new, the best cheap basses I've ever played are Staggs, especially their fretless (no idea what model, J layout). Sat with one in PMT for about half an hour, it was good enough for me to not want to put it down, and it sounded really good. Did a good job of irritating the bad slapper trying out a Japanese Jazz at full volume Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rumblejunkie Posted January 6, 2012 Share Posted January 6, 2012 [quote name='4-string-thing' timestamp='1325803877' post='1488194'] I bought a S/H Ibanez GSR190 (mint condition) from a basschatter via fleabay for £92 last year, and I have to say it's a brilliant bass! Sounds good, looks great, is light and comfortable and has a brilliant slim neck. The Yamaha RBX is pretty good too for around £170. [/quote] id second that thats what ive got in a two tone sunburst it looks , sounds and plays like it is at least three times the price i got mine with a ritter gig bag from guitar guitar for £165 bargain . you could always upgrade the pickups through time . the vintage basses get decent enough write ups too but for the name and build quality the ibanez is hard to beat seriously Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jack Posted January 6, 2012 Share Posted January 6, 2012 There are loads of bargains to be had second hand even if you're into different stuff. I picked up a Steinberger XT2 for £180 and a Tanglewood Curbow for £50 in this forum. Neither are your typical P/J beginner bass. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
leftyhook Posted January 6, 2012 Share Posted January 6, 2012 As someone said earleir, Warwick Rockbass. Great build and sound, despite the price and somewhat blander version of it's bigger brothers. I have a fretless and it sounds more' fretless' than some much hight priced stuff i have tried. Lok out for a s/h earlier version of the Rockbass (has the words (Rockbass on headstock) as later stuff is more expensive, albeit slightly better shape etc. I picked mine up brand new for £180.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
iconic Posted January 11, 2012 Share Posted January 11, 2012 Pah rich boy with deep pockets.....my westfield p bass was 75 delivered new......spent an hour on set up, most of which was setting the nut height and I kid you not a very nice playable bass indeed. Super low buzz free action, and don't know why but real sweet slap tone, better than my bb414....I find that puzzling. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Horizontalste Posted January 11, 2012 Share Posted January 11, 2012 +1 for the Westfields, I've got a Jazz and my brother has a Precision. Both nice basses. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
uncle psychosis Posted January 11, 2012 Share Posted January 11, 2012 I'm a big fan of "Vintage" (the brand, not the age implication!). I've owned a few of their instruments and all of them were/are superb instruments. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bassmachine2112 Posted January 11, 2012 Share Posted January 11, 2012 Vintage do a decent one for the price,even better s/h. They are fine,wilkinson hardware and pick ups.Ideal beater bass for the spitoon pubs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tommorichards Posted January 11, 2012 Share Posted January 11, 2012 I have a vintage jazz style with wilkinson pickups. sounds amazing. got it for £110 used. Used to be played in a theatrical show about queen (the band) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OliverBlackman Posted January 11, 2012 Share Posted January 11, 2012 i really like jim deacon basses. Usually £150 new Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blademan_98 Posted January 11, 2012 Share Posted January 11, 2012 +1 on second hand My 2 Jazz basses were £150 each from this very forum A lot of bass for the money. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
leftyhook Posted January 11, 2012 Share Posted January 11, 2012 My son has a Westfield P bass and it has a great neck.....which may go missing.........onto one of my basses....would be a reveres headstock, me being a south paw.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Conan Posted January 11, 2012 Share Posted January 11, 2012 [quote name='fatboyslimfast' timestamp='1325756858' post='1487025']You can pick up a decent Squier precision for around £80 normally, so allow £20 for a new set of strings and you have a totally reliable backup bass.[/quote] I got mine on here for £65!! Great neck. A set of DRs and a pickup upgrade and I have a bass that sounds and plays great for a total of about £120. What's not to like? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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