ATSbassman Posted March 25, 2014 Share Posted March 25, 2014 Anyone got any suggestions to cheap project basses? The cheaper the better really, in an ideal world something that looks nice and thats about it to leave me plenty of goddies to modify Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jonnyboy Rotten Posted March 25, 2014 Share Posted March 25, 2014 Squier Affinity jazz or P, Westone Thunder, Stagg or yamaha could be good bets but I guess it depends on what you wanna do to/with it! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul S Posted March 26, 2014 Share Posted March 26, 2014 Westones for sure. I have a majorly modded Thunder Jet bass and it is great fun. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dannybuoy Posted March 26, 2014 Share Posted March 26, 2014 Westone Thunder - they are well made and you can pick up some right bargains on eBay. Hamfist has modded a few, here's an example: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul S Posted March 26, 2014 Share Posted March 26, 2014 Actually, I have just bought a Westone Thunder 1A fretless. For no discernable reason I just haven't 'bonded' with my latest Squier VM Jazz fretless but, straight out of the packaging and plugged in, I can tell this is for me. Weight has always been my only reservation with the Thunder 1A basses but this is actually not heavy, much to my surprise - around 8.5lbs. Cost me £150. Anyone want to buy a sunburst Squier VM Fretless with an East Preamp? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tommorichards Posted March 26, 2014 Share Posted March 26, 2014 The harley benton basses on thomann.de seem like a good basis. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hamfist Posted March 27, 2014 Share Posted March 27, 2014 (edited) A definite thumbs up for the Westone Thunder series (as already mentioned). Basically, anything with decent wood and a decent neck. Fender standard neck heel dimensions adds a lot of potential for further neck swapping etc. in the future. If you have a Dremel/router then you can do all sorts if the basic body resonance is good. A custom scratchplate can cover any new routings if need be. I'd also look around for cheap P basses with solid (mahogany, ash or alder) bodies. My advice is to avoid basswood and agathis bodies. Not heard one I liked yet, although many will I'm sure disagree with me there. Ply bodies CAN sound very good although I avoid them for snobbish reasons. Here's another couple of modded thunders .... [url=http://www.ephotobay.com/share/wt-a.html][/url] [url=http://www.ephotobay.com/share/w1-b.html][/url] Edited March 27, 2014 by hamfist Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
winterfire666 Posted March 27, 2014 Share Posted March 27, 2014 (edited) this thread has inspired me to dig out my old thunder 1a from the loft, it has been defretted in a very messy way so im thinking with a little work i might become an 8 string (octave obviously), throw in some strenghening rods, a new fretboard, leds and a schaller 8 string fully adjustable bridge that i just happen to have lying around and one of these to top it all off [url="http://www.delano.de/products.html?&cHash=dbde957e59&tx_smtdelano_pi1[cat]=1&tx_smtdelano_pi1[series]=14&tx_smtdelano_pi1[strings]=5&tx_smtdelano_pi1[system]=84"]TheXtender 4 HE[/url] Edited March 27, 2014 by winterfire666 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jonnyboy Rotten Posted March 27, 2014 Share Posted March 27, 2014 [quote name='winterfire666' timestamp='1395915787' post='2407840'] this thread has inspired me to dig out my old thunder 1a from the loft, it has been defretted in a very messy way so im thinking with a little work i might become an 8 string (octave obviously), throw in some strenghening rods, a new fretboard, leds and a schaller 8 string fully adjustable bridge that i just happen to have lying around and one of these to top it all off [url="http://www.delano.de/products.html?&cHash=dbde957e59&tx_smtdelano_pi1%5Bcat%5D=1&tx_smtdelano_pi1%5Bseries%5D=14&tx_smtdelano_pi1%5Bstrings%5D=5&tx_smtdelano_pi1%5Bsystem%5D=84"]TheXtender 4 HE[/url] [/quote] Keep us posted in 'Build Diaries' - sounds very exciting! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Annoying Twit Posted March 27, 2014 Share Posted March 27, 2014 (edited) Aria STB P or J bass? I've seen them go for about £40 on ebay, which is a fraction of the price of a Westone Thunder. A few have gone for £50 or less recently. http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Bass-guitar-Aria-STB-series-/171250318163?pt=UK_Musical_Instruments_Guitars_CV&hash=item27df507b53 Westfield P bass or MM copy? I've seen these go for about £50. Or now that I look even less. £40, including a case? http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Westfield-bass-guitar-and-Kinsman-case-/141220480989?pt=UK_Guitar_Accessories&hash=item20e16587dd bargain! £23????? http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/bass-guitar-Westfield-/281277246028?pt=UK_Musical_Instruments_Guitars_CV&hash=item417d6e2a4c Edited March 27, 2014 by Annoying Twit Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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