Non-Rick inexpensive bass

brammy · Post by **brammy** » Thu Sep 20, 2007 1:05 pm

another pix... I think the black is classier looking than the sunburst.

brammy · Post by **brammy** » Thu Sep 20, 2007 1:25 pm

For about the same price there is that Dean Stylist bass:

http://www.guitarplaza.com/destb1elbagu.html

Which is advertized as a jazz bass. Gets excellent reviews:
http://reviews.harmony-central.com/reviews/Guitar/product/Dean+Guitars/Stylist/10/1

charlyg · Post by **charlyg** » Thu Sep 20, 2007 1:33 pm

A lot of good reviews on SX at Talkbass , for jazz copies. I have one, Ronn has three I think.

sloop_john_b · Post by **sloop_john_b** » Thu Sep 20, 2007 1:35 pm

Love that Country Gent bass!

brammy · Post by **brammy** » Thu Sep 20, 2007 2:33 pm

Eastwood Fretless bass
http://cgi.ebay.com/FRETLESS-Eastwood-EUB-1-BASS-replica-AMPEG-AUB-Vintage_W0QQitemZ250164172889QQihZ015QQcategoryZ4713QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

johnallg · Post by **johnallg** » Thu Sep 20, 2007 8:43 pm

They pretty much panned the EUB copy. Most important comment was it didn't sound like the origional at all.

I would suggest trying the hollow body basses out before buying, or making sure a return is possible, as they vary in how/if they feed back.

Charly, I've been following your SX quest, thus my question on which. I have never seen one, and don't know the quality of fit and finish. I realize for around $180/200 it ain't gonna be a Rick, but I do want it to be decent and the fret ends finished enough not to chew my hand up.

woodyng · Post by **woodyng** » Fri Sep 21, 2007 4:22 am

ibanez is now making a short scale 2 pickup artcore hollow body bass.i don't know the price,but their long scale artcores are well made,great playing and sounding basses and i am sure the short-scale models will be too.bass is my main instrument,but i prefer a full-scale. i did have a greco beatle bass copy that i liked quite a bit,they usually cost about $500,if you can find one....

firstbassman · Post by **firstbassman** » Fri Sep 21, 2007 4:28 am

Couple of things . . .

I have (or had) both of Kent's original suggestions:

And they are both great instruments. But, as Kent said, the Epi LP is standard scale (34").

Which brings us to my second comment - scale terminology. In my book, "short scale" is 30 inches. The Ibanez GAX is 32 inches. What I call medium scale. As I have mentioned before, whether it is small hands or lack of talent, I find medium scales basses much easier to play than 34-inch basses.

There are several short scale basses out there (Squire Bronco, Rondo's basses, etc.). I find those to be too small.

I am still in the market for a medium scale J-type bass but have yet to find one (except for Fender's Stu Hamm model which is above my price range).

freshmattyp · Post by **freshmattyp** » Fri Sep 21, 2007 5:25 am

You might also want to consider a Danelectro Longhorn.

charlyg · Post by **charlyg** » Fri Sep 21, 2007 5:38 am

John - There are 3 major threads at Talkbass on SX basses. By and large, the comments are great. I have only heard a few fellows who had to have the frets dressed out of hundreds of comments. You can always email Ronn Roberts as he has 3. I only have the one that was relic'd, so I am not the first owner,and the setup is all jacked up. I am toying with the P/J but with these two MIMs I just bought, it will wait. I may sell the Deluxe V right away, depending on how it feels. I didn't used to like Fender V's as the neck was too wide at the body. WE'll see. The fretless MIM was defretted. I haven't priced a fret job to see if I should just get another neck instead. It has a natural finish,which is what I want. I am also gonna pick up the SX Fat Ash 6 string (natural finish) so I can put my Pearly Gates in. It should be a BEAST!

brammy · Post by **brammy** » Fri Sep 21, 2007 9:24 am

Hofner is making its "Icon Series" and a violin bass in available for $350. I suppose this is akin to Fender's early Squire products and Gretsch's Electromatic series.

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/Hofner-Icon-Series-Vintage-Bass?sku=511788

I'd definitely take an Eastwood Club over this. But for a Beatles cover band, this is a good option and it at least says 'Hofner' on the headstock.

brammy · Post by **brammy** » Sat Sep 22, 2007 7:52 pm

well, I ordered one of these today from

http://www.myrareguitars.com/clubbass.html

I'll let you know....

johnallg · Post by **johnallg** » Mon Sep 24, 2007 4:06 pm

Sorry to lead you astray, Kent!

Eh, it's only money! Enjoy and do let us know what you think of it.

brammy · Post by **brammy** » Mon Sep 24, 2007 7:51 pm

haaaa.... well, I have high hopes! They're saying it sounds good with flats. I've only ever owned one bass (an old 335ish Epiphone) so I doubt I'll be a great judge. Still, it WILL appear on the upcoming "Fletcher's Greatest Hits" CD.

brammy · Post by **brammy** » Sat Sep 29, 2007 4:33 pm

(I just wanted to keep this thread going)

my Eastwood Club bas arrived and it feels very nice and looks great. Its so light as to have a bit of head dive, but not too bad. I have not plugged it in yet (me bad).

It came with what appear to my non-bass-player eyes as being very heavy strings (60's?).

Can anyone recommend a decent brand of lighter guage flatwound bass strings? I dont need super-duper, but I dont want to buy junk.