Shopping for a new bass...what do you think?

[willeubanks]

My bass was stolen recently and I need to get a new one...not having much money to spend I'm thinking going the cheapie route and revamping the hardward and electronics. I've heard good things about the stuff Rondo Music sells, so what do you guys think about the price on this...

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dl...rms=algo=SI&its=I&itu=UCI&otn=15&po=LVI&ps=54

seems like an alright deal to me, but i may make an offer a bit lower....280 seems like maybe just a bit too much.

 

[KeeperOS]

Re: Shopping for a new bass...what do you think?

Is the bass in the photo the one you'll be actually getting?

Cause if it is it looks like a good deal for what it looks you'll be getting.
I'm no bass expert but the wood looks to be decent and there are some good quality hardware in it AFAICT so it means a reduced need for after-market upgrades.

I'd say check it out if you can.

 

[ex-250]

Re: Shopping for a new bass...what do you think?

yeah...seems a little fishy with how often he throws around the word "custom," but body + block inlays & binding + aftermarket pickup + quality bridge + case should probably be worth it.

 

[guitfiddle]

Re: Shopping for a new bass...what do you think?

Dude...for real...check into a used Peavey T-40. You could hammer in nails with it, and still take it to the show in tune. One of the best bass designs, ever.

 

[Rowan]

Re: Shopping for a new bass...what do you think?

It says Squier but this thing is no freaking joke. I played almost every other bass in the local shop. It completely tore apart basses that were over double the price of this one. It sounded almost as good as a $1300 ESP vintage bass. The ESP was better but this thing came pretty close to it in sound. Crazy bang for the buck those 70's modified jazzes are.

 

[saladin]

Re: Shopping for a new bass...what do you think?

Just order a new SX Bass from Rondo, it will be cheaper and then upgrade from there. I've got an SX Jazz sitting right next to me. I put on a BadAss II bridge and a new pickguard. The pickups are stock and they actually sound great. It also has a nice neck, alot thicker then most Jazz basses I've tried. Honestly I've had MIM Fenders and different Squiers and they never felt "right" to me. The SX feels right...go for it!

 

[ex-250]

Re: Shopping for a new bass...what do you think?

did the badass II drop right on the SX? ive really been wanting to add one to my SX p-bass, but i dont wanna be drilling and stuff. i know, its only a $120 bass, but i dont like drilling my belongings :laugh2:

 

[willeubanks]

Re: Shopping for a new bass...what do you think?

Just order a new SX Bass from Rondo, it will be cheaper and then upgrade from there. I've got an SX Jazz sitting right next to me. I put on a BadAss II bridge and a new pickguard. The pickups are stock and they actually sound great. It also has a nice neck, alot thicker then most Jazz basses I've tried. Honestly I've had MIM Fenders and different Squiers and they never felt "right" to me. The SX feels right...go for it!

thats sort of what i was thinking (although i really wish they still had a natural finish P). my only concern really is the quality of the tuning machines. do they hold tune well? i know i'll be changing the pup out anyway, so i'm not real concerned with that and the bridge can't be any worse than an MIM fender.

 

[Rowan]

Re: Shopping for a new bass...what do you think?

thats sort of what i was thinking (although i really wish they still had a natural finish P). my only concern really is the quality of the tuning machines. do they hold tune well? i know i'll be changing the pup out anyway, so i'm not real concerned with that and the bridge can't be any worse than an MIM fender.

Nah the rondo tuners are pretty decent. My bro has a 5 string jazz and a 4 string precision. The jazz needed a fret level but after that it was solid. The P-bass is a good bass but the nut cracked a couple weeks ago on it. He's had both these basses for about a year I'd say.

 

[saladin]

Re: Shopping for a new bass...what do you think?

Yes, the BadAssII drops right in, no problem.

The tuners work just fine.

I will add that the SX Strat's and Tele's are equally as delicious. In fact my new #1 is a SX STL-50 Tele.

 

[ex-250]

Re: Shopping for a new bass...what do you think?

yessss. thats exactly what i wanted to hear, thanks

 

[willeubanks]

Re: Shopping for a new bass...what do you think?

two questions...first off, now that i've read up on it, that vintage squier seems mighty tasty. thanks for the suggestion rowan. but every clip i've heard of one has just been real bright pop/slap stuff. are you using yours for anything different? i guess my question should be what kind of range does that thing have? i'd be looking for something a little more bottom/low mid heavy.

second question, will fender replacement pickguards drop right onto the sx models?

 

[saladin]

Re: Shopping for a new bass...what do you think?

will fender replacement pickguards drop right onto the sx models?

Pbass yes, with the Jazz you'll need to do a little work on the part where it meets the control plate. The control plate on the SX is slightly different. It took me less then a minute with my Dremel tool and looks perfect.

 

[theodie]

Re: Shopping for a new bass...what do you think?

Get an old school used Peavey. Enough said!

 

[willeubanks]

Re: Shopping for a new bass...what do you think?

so the search is over....after all this discussion, i ended up going this route...

the local shop was having a liquidation sale so i went to check out what they had. thanks to rowan, i picked this one up (which being a squier i probably wouldn't have otherwise....guess that shows me.) i went back and forth between this and a MIM jazz that was only $40 more and couldn't believe how much better i liked the squier. WHAT TONE! and so versatile. i fell in love instantly and ended up walking out with it and a hardcase for $305. it was just too good to pass up.

THANKS ROWAN!!!! you're right, it's a truly unbelievable bass.

 

[KeeperOS]

Re: Shopping for a new bass...what do you think?

That's good to hear man, I'm happy it turned out right for you