Non-Rick inexpensive bass

brammy · Post by **brammy** » Thu Sep 20, 2007 11:01 am

I'm NOT a bass player, but I need to get one for my budding home recording hobby. I'd like to get a short scale, and I'm partial to the gibson look as opposed to the fender look.

The Epiphone EB-0 can be had for less than $200, which fits my bass budget.

Any other suggestions?

shinynewtoy · Post by **shinynewtoy** » Thu Sep 20, 2007 11:03 am

How about one of the Rogue Beatlefakeys? I have one and for the price it's a great little bass. Feels like a toy but certainly sounds the goods.

(Clarification... it felt like a toy even before I started playing upright. Now everything feels like a toy, my Geddy and Rick included.

)

randyz · Post by **randyz** » Thu Sep 20, 2007 11:14 am

I purchased one of these Epi's in a beginner's package for my 10-year-old nephew. The overall finish and construction seemed good and solid. I played it for only a few minutes after tuning it up. My only comments would be that it was very top heavy and prone to head diving. Since I'm not a bassist, I played with a pick and found that the strings sometimes contacted the pick-up cover. There seemed to be noticeable hum from the pick-up too. I've seen these basses on display at a local Guitar Center store. I'd recommend trying one out.

brammy · Post by **brammy** » Thu Sep 20, 2007 11:33 am

What I really want is a Hofner Club Bass

But at around $2000, its a little out of my price range.

I once saw an Ibanez bass with a similar les-paul styling. Or was it Epiphone... I forget.

brammy · Post by **brammy** » Thu Sep 20, 2007 11:37 am

It was this one, which can be had for under $250. Not bad, but not a short scale.

brammy · Post by **brammy** » Thu Sep 20, 2007 11:44 am

another short scale possibility is the
Ibanez GAXB150 approx $170

charlyg · Post by **charlyg** » Thu Sep 20, 2007 11:45 am

www.rondomusic.com

teb · Post by **teb** » Thu Sep 20, 2007 11:53 am

I don't know about the current versions, but the old EB0's with just the big humbucker don't record particularly well. The tone isn't crisp enough to do much with. Read my posts about my Frankenstein Gibson Les Paul bass in the "Favorite bass" thread above. In most cases, adding a neck pickup makes a lot of difference when you're recording. You can always roll back the brightness if desired, but you can't add brightness where there isn't any coming out of the pickup.

brammy · Post by **brammy** » Thu Sep 20, 2007 12:12 pm

http://www.rondomusic.com/bassguitars4.html

Douglas WVEB Violin Bass SN - $145

Brice AL Bass CSB - $270

Brice Harm Short Scale Bass - $350

johnallg · Post by **johnallg** » Thu Sep 20, 2007 12:16 pm

Kent:

http://www.nitro-tone.com/browseproducts/Eastwood-Club-Bass-in-Sunburst.html

http://www.eastwoodguitars.com/ - click on Bass and the Club is the first pic.

Latest issue of Bass Player gave it a decent review.

johnallg · Post by **johnallg** » Thu Sep 20, 2007 12:20 pm

Not to highjack, but if one wanted a CHEAP Jazz copy, knowing you'd be replacing the machine heads, pickups, and probably the bridge, would you go with an SX, Squire, Squire Standard, used MIM Fender, or what? Or the Squire with the Seymour Duncan pups?

brammy · Post by **brammy** » Thu Sep 20, 2007 12:24 pm

Eastwood Club Bass in Sunburst

WOW!.. thanks for that John. Of course, at $450 you just blew my bass budget!

The also have a gretch-y looking one for the same price that is nice:

johnallg · Post by **johnallg** » Thu Sep 20, 2007 12:35 pm

That one was reviewed also.

I just figured if you really liked the Club Bass, $450 was a lot easier to come up with then $2000!

johnallg · Post by **johnallg** » Thu Sep 20, 2007 12:39 pm

To hear them: http://www.bassplayer.tv/

Click on Basses & Gear, then New! Gear Preview, and the Club and Classic 4 is right there - video and sound.

brammy · Post by **brammy** » Thu Sep 20, 2007 12:50 pm

Yea, John.... I'm really leaning toward this puppy.
http://www.myrareguitars.com/clubbass.html
The Eastwood Club also comes in Black.

That was a good video link. It sounded pretty good to me, but I'm no bass expert.

Here's a couple of reviews:
http://www.vintagebass.com/thedudepit/archive/index.php?t-22688.html

http://www.vintagebass.com/thedudepit/archive/index.php?t-19304.html

Pretty good reviews. One person described it as "3/4 the Hofner at 1/4 the price".

another video
http://www.eastwoodguitars.com/Bass/clu ... lub-JJ.htm