Harryburke14 Posted January 6, 2016 Share Posted January 6, 2016 ive just got back into playing bass guitar (I say just, it's been about 3 months of spending 4+ straight hours a day). I'm still rocking the admittedly bad EB-O I had as my first bass. As a first bass it did the job a few years back but I'm looking for something a bit more fantastic. That being said, at the age of 18 and at college only earning £70 a week at my part time job, I haven't exactly got much in the way of funds. I've been looking at the Squier VMJ 70s and the Epi Thunderbird, as well as some of Thomanns Harley Bentons (with the idea of putting in new pickups and bridge and still having a fairly cheap and good looking bass). If anyone knows of any good value (sub £350) bass guitars, I'd like to hear their thoughts. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Harryburke14 Posted January 6, 2016 Author Share Posted January 6, 2016 ive just got back into playing bass guitar (I say just, it's been about 3 months of spending 4+ straight hours a day). I'm still rocking the admittedly bad EB-O I had as my first bass. As a first bass it did the job a few years back but I'm looking for something a bit more fantastic. That being said, at the age of 18 and at college only earning £70 a week at my part time job, I haven't exactly got much in the way of funds. I've been looking at the Squier VMJ 70s and the Epi Thunderbird, as well as some of Thomanns Harley Bentons (with the idea of putting in new pickups and bridge and still having a fairly cheap and good looking bass). If anyone knows of any good value (sub £350) bass guitars, I'd like to hear their thoughts. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Truckstop Posted January 6, 2016 Share Posted January 6, 2016 Yamaha BB424!! Around £200 second hand and really good basses. I've had mine for coming up 3 years, I haven't bought anything else since and it's done nearly 200 gigs and countless rehearsals with no signs of knackering out. Even cheaper still are the BB414's. Slight lower quality build construction but sound and behave the same. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RhysP Posted January 6, 2016 Share Posted January 6, 2016 (edited) If you have the confidence to buy secondhand your money will go a lot further. Edited January 6, 2016 by RhysP Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kodiakblair Posted January 6, 2016 Share Posted January 6, 2016 Don't really see how the BBOT bridge on the Squier VM J 70 will be any better than the BBOT on the Harley Benton but that's besides the point. I like Harley Benton but if you've £350 budget won't suggest a HB, those Sire V7's get a good rep. Used well the world's your oyster. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Conan Posted January 6, 2016 Share Posted January 6, 2016 One of these - http://www.dv247.com/guitars/jack-and-danny-yc-jb-4-string-bass-guitar-3-tone-sunburst--200786 I have a surf green one and my son has one in black. Mine has been modded a bit (more just because I fancied it than it being necessary) but his is completely standard. Both play brilliantly and sound good too. A few little issues (slightly sharp fret ends and buzz from the D string due to the low break angle) but easy fixes and not worth complaining about at this price point. I have gigged and recorded with mine and it is my go-to bass at the moment. Thoroughly recommended! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Harryburke14 Posted January 6, 2016 Author Share Posted January 6, 2016 Just seen this - http://www.hotukdeals.com/deals/epiphone-ebtbvsbh1-thunderbird-iv-reverse-electric-bass-guitar-189-99-amazon-2356854 Ermmm. Really. Really. Tempted. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Harryburke14 Posted January 6, 2016 Author Share Posted January 6, 2016 (edited) Ah so the thunderbird has gone from £190 up to £265. I didn't read the date on HUKD Edited January 6, 2016 by Harryburke14 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cato Posted January 6, 2016 Share Posted January 6, 2016 If you've never played a Thunderbird before then it's worth trying one before you buy, especially playing standing up, not everyone gets on with them.(although I suppose that's true of any bass). I've got a VM 70s Jazz and they're great basses, but you should definitely read up about the Sire V7, they've got a pretty much unrivalled reputation in that price bracket at the moment. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Twincam Posted January 6, 2016 Share Posted January 6, 2016 I would just go for a used Fender the lower mim standards or the modern player series if you have £350. Or if it has to be used any Yamaha, ibanez any squire any guitar made by those will be spot on. As for changing pickups you won't need to. The eb0 has a very slim neck so if you like it go for something with a slim neck, anything with a sub 40mm nut width should be ok. For really cheap the Harley Benton basses are good the ones with wilkinson pick ups are very useable. However the fret work isn't that good. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alyctes Posted January 6, 2016 Share Posted January 6, 2016 If you can find a decent second-hand Peavey Foundation, then grab with both hands. About £150. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Harryburke14 Posted January 7, 2016 Author Share Posted January 7, 2016 Thanks for your suggestions guys. I do like the look of the Marcus Sire V7, but it would mean shipping it from Thomann and not playing it firsthand. Same problem with the HB idea as well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
grayn Posted January 7, 2016 Share Posted January 7, 2016 The Cort GB74 is really nice. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rikki_Sixx Posted January 7, 2016 Share Posted January 7, 2016 If you're looking for something new, I can't recommend the Squier VM products highly enough. I just got myself a VM 70's Jazz around October and I love it. I can't walk past without picking it up, and the quality is amazing. If you're willing to go second hand you could get something pretty special for <£200 - there are some great Yamaha basses going for less than that and they're worth a punt, if you can try one first! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul S Posted January 7, 2016 Share Posted January 7, 2016 [quote name='Truckstop' timestamp='1452093396' post='2946317'] Yamaha BB424!! Around £200 second hand and really good basses. I've had mine for coming up 3 years, I haven't bought anything else since and it's done nearly 200 gigs and countless rehearsals with no signs of knackering out. Even cheaper still are the BB414's. Slight lower quality build construction but sound and behave the same. [/quote] There is one in the classifieds here at the moment for £200. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
darren Posted January 7, 2016 Share Posted January 7, 2016 Ibanez talman Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Harryburke14 Posted January 7, 2016 Author Share Posted January 7, 2016 [quote name='Paul S' timestamp='1452170582' post='2947199'] There is one in the classifieds here at the moment for £200. [/quote] Yeah I sent him a PM Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Subbeh Posted January 7, 2016 Share Posted January 7, 2016 That would be a fantastic choice, it is just a ridiculously good bass for the money and it looks great in that colour! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Harryburke14 Posted January 7, 2016 Author Share Posted January 7, 2016 Of course he is yet to reply. I'm just asking how much extra he wants for shipping, as he's in Glasgow I believe. Considering I live in Birmingham and can't drive yet, anything more than 20 miles away might as well be China Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
goonieman Posted January 7, 2016 Share Posted January 7, 2016 squier classic vibe - any variety, can't go wrong. The new warwick rockbass' are fun too - i've played a few of them and liked them a whole lot. They can all be got 200-250 on 2nd hand market Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lozz196 Posted January 7, 2016 Share Posted January 7, 2016 Squier Classic Vibes, Fender Mex - 2008 oneards but especially 2012 onwards, the Yamaha that Truckstop mentioned, all will be plenty good enough. That said, that Squier VMJ 70s looks a nice bass - got to be worth a try. There`s also a Squier Matt Freeman Sig Precision on here at presnt for £250 - I`ve never played one but have a heard a good few bassists gigging them and they sound fantastic. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paddy515 Posted January 7, 2016 Share Posted January 7, 2016 Godda be Peavey USA Furys ( or Furies?)!! £130 - super slim jazz neck - good tone and output from its P pups and a good looker too!! 1983 but feels and plays like brand new. Paddy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andyjr1515 Posted January 8, 2016 Share Posted January 8, 2016 The Squier VM models are all, in my opinion, great basses for their price point. Some of the Ibanez basses are also worth a look... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andyjr1515 Posted January 8, 2016 Share Posted January 8, 2016 ...also, given a few upgrades, the Harley Bentons seem to be pretty well made at a ridiculous price point. There are a lot of threads that prob give a clue to the better ones amongst their model types... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Harryburke14 Posted January 8, 2016 Author Share Posted January 8, 2016 Does anyone have any experience of buying a bass from Thomann? Juat want to know what they're like for shipping and make sure they don't send a guitar that's bashed up from bad packing and postage. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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