Twincam Posted March 15, 2016 Share Posted March 15, 2016 I keep thinking of two relatively cheap bass guitars ive had in the past that were surprisingly good instruments. The first was a peavey millennium active, the ones with the quilted top. Had rubbish tuning heads but the rest of it was a pretty good instrument, zero issues, nice neck, lightweight, easy to setup, decent output. Sold because even though active it was a bit too dark and one dimensional sounding. The second was a squire bronco bass. After I levelled the frets etc it could take a fantastic action. Very easy to play. But I really liked its "rubbish" strat pickup. Not great in the bass department not the highest output but did have good mids and a good growl, I thought it worked really well with pedals too. Again very one dimensional. And being picky the bottom strap button was misaligned. Any other stories of basses that have surprised you in a good way? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cLepto-bass Posted March 15, 2016 Share Posted March 15, 2016 [quote name='Twincam' timestamp='1458064308' post='3004365'] The second was a squire bronco bass. After I levelled the frets etc it could take a fantastic action. Very easy to play. But I really liked its "rubbish" strat pickup. Not great in the bass department not the highest output but did have good mids and a good growl, I thought it worked really well with pedals too. Again very one dimensional. And being picky the bottom strap button was misaligned. [/quote] +1 on the Bronco. I loved mine from years back but sadly it had an unfortunate episode with a flight of stairs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cameronj279 Posted March 15, 2016 Share Posted March 15, 2016 Squier vm jazz basses are surprisingly good. I've played a good few expensive and vintage Fenders and all of them have been horrendous except the squier. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kevsy71 Posted March 15, 2016 Share Posted March 15, 2016 [quote name='uzzell' timestamp='1458065837' post='3004390'] +1 on the Bronco. I loved mine from years back but sadly it had an unfortunate episode with a flight of stairs. [/quote] +2 ! My son has one and I keep borrowing it for fun. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lozz196 Posted March 15, 2016 Share Posted March 15, 2016 Korean made Squiers - I`ve had a few of these and all have been incredibly good quality, in build/playability and sound. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
3below Posted March 15, 2016 Share Posted March 15, 2016 Chinese corvette rockbass, Peavey Milestone III jazz type. S/H knock down bargains. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cocco Posted March 15, 2016 Share Posted March 15, 2016 Low budget Yammies. Every one of them bats out of its league. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daz39 Posted March 15, 2016 Share Posted March 15, 2016 I have a Peavey Millennium passive - J type; really good range of noises, lovely neck. Only pain is neck dive from the pointy head. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Twincam Posted March 15, 2016 Author Share Posted March 15, 2016 [quote name='cocco' timestamp='1458074722' post='3004523'] Low budget Yammies. Every one of them bats out of its league. [/quote] Indeed that's because apparently they have the same qc checks as there more expensive ranges. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cato Posted March 15, 2016 Share Posted March 15, 2016 (edited) [quote name='Cameronj279' timestamp='1458072909' post='3004481'] Squier vm jazz basses are surprisingly good. I've played a good few expensive and vintage Fenders and all of them have been horrendous except the squier. [/quote] I treated myself to a '70s VM Jazz a few months ago & I've been delighted with it. I bought it because I wanted something cheapish I could have a go at modding & I've changed a few bits and pieces, but even as stock it was a great bass. The neck is one of the nicest I've ever played. Edited March 15, 2016 by Cato Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cameronj279 Posted March 15, 2016 Share Posted March 15, 2016 [quote name='Cato' timestamp='1458077184' post='3004569'] I treated myself to a '70s VM Jazz a few months ago & I've been delighted with it. I bought it because I wanted something cheapish I could have a go at modding & I've changed a few bits and pieces, but even as stock it was a great bass. The neck is one of the nicest I've ever played. [/quote] The one I tried is one of the only 3 Jazz basses I've played that I actually enjoyed playing. The other two being a Sadowsky and a Spector (so 9/10 times the price minimum) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MoonBassAlpha Posted March 15, 2016 Share Posted March 15, 2016 Another +1 for the Bronco. I had one in the house for a week and couldn't put it down! £72 off eBay well worth it for an absolute delight. Unfortunately I bought it for someone else :/( Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Telebass Posted March 15, 2016 Share Posted March 15, 2016 [quote name='cocco' timestamp='1458074722' post='3004523'] Low budget Yammies. Every one of them bats out of its league. [/quote] My experience also. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paul h Posted March 16, 2016 Share Posted March 16, 2016 I'm still very much in love with my SX 75JB LTD and my Retrovibe Aero2. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Black Coffee Posted March 16, 2016 Share Posted March 16, 2016 Peavey grind bass - the mahogany one. Solid build and sounds just as i think a passive bass should. From a diatance the wood looks like a more expensive bass than it is. Also the BB 425 yammies are a steal, i love mine. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lowhand_mike Posted March 16, 2016 Share Posted March 16, 2016 Squire Jazz bass starter kit, the bass is an Affinity and it is actually pretty amazing for the price, the pick ups have a pretty high output and it sounds lovely, i do occasionally use it for gigs its just a little heavy. Bought it for my daughter to learn on but she never really got into it unfortunately. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EliasMooseblaster Posted March 16, 2016 Share Posted March 16, 2016 [quote name='MoonBassAlpha' timestamp='1458078247' post='3004587'] Another +1 for the Bronco. I had one in the house for a week and couldn't put it down! £72 off eBay well worth it for an absolute delight. Unfortunately I bought it for someone else :/( [/quote] +...are we up to 4 now? My very first bass was a Bronco. Really nice little bass. I eventually realised it was a bit small, and snubbed it in favour of long-scale basses, but I couldn't have asked for a better starting point. [quote name='3below' timestamp='1458074626' post='3004520'] Chinese corvette rockbass, Peavey Milestone III jazz type. S/H knock down bargains. [/quote] My first fretless was a Corvette Rockbass. Traded it in a for a fretless Jazz last year, but again, a very good starting point given I wasn't sure whether I'd get on with fretless basses in the long run. Nice neck on that thing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grangur Posted March 16, 2016 Share Posted March 16, 2016 I had a Westfield B1000 and was surprised at how well made it was and the quality of the tone. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
neepheid Posted March 16, 2016 Share Posted March 16, 2016 Ibanez Talman TMB-100. Why is it surprising that Yamahas are good when I can't recall reading a "Yamahas are crap" post, ever? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheGreek Posted March 16, 2016 Share Posted March 16, 2016 Bass Collection Nanyos - but I'm not alone in this - now own 3. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
keefbaker Posted March 16, 2016 Share Posted March 16, 2016 [quote name='neepheid' timestamp='1458126349' post='3004881'] Why is it surprising that Yamahas are good when I can't recall reading a "Yamahas are crap" post, ever? [/quote] Because people associate Yamaha with other stuff generally. I know I personally think of the old PSR range of bontempi crap keyboards. So I know a little monster in the back of my head does a sideye and says, "really?" when people say Yamaha's are really good. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
neepheid Posted March 16, 2016 Share Posted March 16, 2016 [quote name='keefbaker' timestamp='1458127022' post='3004893'] Because people associate Yamaha with other stuff generally. I know I personally think of the old PSR range of bontempi crap keyboards. So I know a little monster in the back of my head does a sideye and says, "really?" when people say Yamaha's are really good. [/quote] I should have said "Why is it surprising [b]to people on this forum[/b] that Yamahas are good when I can't recall reading a "Yamahas are crap" post, ever?" Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Twincam Posted March 16, 2016 Author Share Posted March 16, 2016 [quote name='neepheid' timestamp='1458128112' post='3004905'] I should have said "Why is it surprising [b]to people on this forum[/b] that Yamahas are good when I can't recall reading a "Yamahas are crap" post, ever?" [/quote] I had an rbx 170, my 2nd bass it wasn't bad. Very well made and put together. Didn't like the weak pickups or the neck profile. But as yamahas budget model it was pretty good better quality than similar priced basses of the time. Bought from cash generator for 65 quid delivered (mint condition) sold a few weeks later for £110. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kodiakblair Posted March 16, 2016 Share Posted March 16, 2016 After my first bought new bass everything is good [attachment=214802:Kay EB100.JPG] Even the one before it with 3 strings,no tuner pegs and nailed in pickup (on a semi ??) was better than the Kay Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Skol303 Posted March 16, 2016 Share Posted March 16, 2016 Peavey Cirrus BXP. I owned a 5-string and it was a superb instrument, [i]really[/i] good build quality for the money (I picked it up for something like £280). Eventually sold as I discovered that 35" scale isn't for me. Otherwise it would have been a keeper, for sure. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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