The benefits of being cheap!

[bitzerguy]

The Godin Exit22 is my favorite cheapo. I got it new for $275 CDN. The neck is unbelievable. Very thin and narrow, excellent set up out of the box, stays in tune very well and has all kinds of tone flexibility. It was originally a satin finish, but Paul's S&Z treatment got the satin finish to a great gloss, Now the mahogany looks wild.

I also like to use Kel Audio HM-1 condenser mics. I got a pair for $90 each when they were introduced and love them.

Best cheap recording amp: Vox DA5. For the money, this thing cannot be beat. And you can take it with you. It busks well, does the campfire at the cottage well. Great bit of kit.

[johnallg]

Chuck, +1 on the SX basses. I got the '62 Jazz one for about $125 delivered and other than the pots not being up to snuff, it is a great bass. I changed out the bridge to a BadAssII I got off the 4001 I bought, only because I had it. The machine heads are very nice and stay in tune. I agree the stock pickups are really good. This is a lot of solid bass for the money and I wouldn't hesitate to recommend it, especially to a parent for a budding musician. Great bargain.

I am interested in the Acoustic cabs so plan to check out the 1 x 15.

[rickboy88]

Is this the one you got, John?

http://www.rondomusic.com/sjb62qmdredsb.html

The wheels are grinding... It would be just $159 including shipping.

[johnallg]

Is this the one you got, John?

http://www.rondomusic.com/sjb62qmdredsb.html

The wheels are grinding... It would be just $159 including shipping.

David, no, just the plain black one. That one you linked is a photo flamed applique on the wood, but they all look really nice from what others on TalkBass have said. For the money, you get a lot of good playing.

Mine - you'd think I would have cleaned the finger prints first!

[qwezirider]

webstrings.com

inexpensive!

[johnallg]

webstrings.com

inexpensive!

A big +1 - the stainless rounds sound awesome on my Rick.

[berth]

The best deal in midi foot contollers is the Behringer FCB1010. At $150 it's got more features than the big boys' models, built like a tank, is versatile too. It has two expression pedals and a dozen switches. None of them is easy to program but this one's worth sitting down with the manual, for the money you save.

+1 on this one. There's a Yahoo group too with a lot of answers. The Uno mod makes the FCB1010 even more versatile (with things like stomp box mode for the top row).

[kiramdear]

Attention, strap lock shoppers - here's your best buy:

After you enjoy your adult beverages responsibly, simply remove the thick rubber washers from under the stoppers and slip them over the end of the buttons after your strap. Really nicely secure and two bucks each. I'll toast to that!

Apologies if I plagarized this from someone here. I think it bears repeating.

[rick_ovic]

My Carlo Robelli 8 string bass - $150 on eBay. It was my first "overseas" guitar purchase

Such a big sound for such few dollars and the sparkle finish is something to behold!

[woodyng]

I like that 8 string,dar! it's been 25 or so years since i last had an 8 stringer-i may have to look for one. howzit play? it also doesn't hurt that it looks very similar to a hamer 8 from back in the day....

[johnallg]

I agree, nice 8 Darren. I too am curious as to the sound.

[rickenbrother]

My Carlo Robelli 8 string bass - $150 on eBay. It was my first "overseas" guitar purchase

Such a big sound for such few dollars and the sparkle finish is something to behold!

Cool 8 stringer, Trotty! I almost bought one of those very same basses. I don't think they are available new anymore.

But I did manage to find a used Carlo Robelli 12 string bass guitar a few years ago, thanks to Scott Jehlik.

[johnallg]

Dang, you must have a grip of steel Joey. Beautiful grain on that one.

[rickenbrother]

Dang, you must have a grip of steel Joey. Beautiful grain on that one.

I find that bass easier to play than a Hamer 12, because there is more space between the sets of strings, so I can play fingerstyle.

[firstbassman]

For cheap basses, SX (from http://www.rondomusic.com) makes some pretty good instruments for really cheap.

Not just for basses.
I have three SX guitars and they are all amazing for the price.
The Agiles are one step up, but the SX are fine for me.
And Kurt is an easy guyt to work with (even though he is very busy).