Basses

[CW14]

I'm new to the world of basses so I need a bit of help choosing a decent, low-end one. I'm looking at around AU$500 or less, so under about US$330.
Yamaha seem to make a lot around that price range. Anyone had experience with these?

[jiujitsu_jesus]

I've never played a Yamaha, but I used to have this Essex - no, let me finish! :D I know they're a budget brand, but it was a rock-solid bass. It really depends on what your price range is, and for under $500, they're mighty good value. I forget what model it was exactly, but a higher-end Essex should fall into that bracket, if I'm not mistaken.

[Lordathestrings]

... Yamaha seem to make a lot around that price range. Anyone had experience with these?

I play an RBX350 4-string that I bought used on eBay for under $200. I love it!

It actually weighs less than most of my 6-strings, it has killer tone, and the intonation is perfect.

[Kevin Taylor]

Yeah, I used to own a decent Yamaha bass.. loved it too.
I'm sorry I sold it now.
About the only thing that bugged me about it was replacing the battery for the active pickups. There's no way to know when the battery is running low.

[Krunek]

I'm new to the world of basses so I need a bit of help choosing a decent, low-end one. I'm looking at around AU$500 or less, so under about US$330.
Yamaha seem to make a lot around that price range. Anyone had experience with these?

Personally not, but my former bassist and my current bassist both played yamaha. Decent low end would be the description. Never heard complaints about them. If I can chip in a piece of advice? Don"t go for the serie, don"t know what is the name, but it is the one with flashy finishes and stuff. If it is going to be yamaha, try the BB series. And let us know! ;)

[acapella]

I'm going to agree with what everybody said...Yamaha rocksorz. I thought I had made up my mind to buy a Fender Jazz for over $600, but then I tried out the Yamaha BB414 which was at least $200 less and immediately noticed it was much louder and played better. The guy at the store told me that the BB614 was basically the same but with active pickups, and I tried it out and sure enough, it felt just as good but sounded even better and louder than the BB414, which had already been louder and better than the Jazz. So I got the BB614 for $525 (I bought a bunch of other stuff there so they gave me a deal on it) and I've never looked back. Bottom line, Yamaha may not have alot of status or flashiness, but they make arguably the best product for a lower price.

[PRSplaya]

Take a look at Peavey while you're at it. I've got >THIS< (http://www.peavey.com/products/browse.cfm/action/detail/cat/30/item/115121/number/00577510/Grind+Bass+6-String.cfm) model, and love it to bits! Got a great deal on it too! You can usually find them for under $400 USD.

[Vegas Wierdo]

Yamaha BB series. Hands down. Best inexpensive bass you can get. I'm a bassist first and foremost. Lots of pros get a BB and sometimes replace the pickups, and they'll use it as their primary. One of the secrets of the pro bass world. It has the P-J pickup configuration (Precision bass in the mid + jazz pickup in the bridge) which is quite versatile.

The RB series also isn't bad, but I would recommend the BB series over it.

A lot of pros also get Mex-built Fender J-basses. Can't go wrong.

OLP makes a cheap knockoff of the MusicMan Stingray. They're not bad, but they're not great. You can replace the humbucking pickup for substantial improvement and still have it cost a good bit less than the real deal.

Peavey makes good stuff, usually, not always.

Cort makes them out of some weird plastic but I hear they're cheap and decent. The cut on them is good if you like doing upper register stuff.

I tried a Warmoth Rockbass the other day and I really liked the feel (I have small hands) but I don't know how they're rated.

Avoid Ibanez Soundgear if it's anything under the 800 series. The ATK series is good if you can find them... Artcore isn't too shabby. Don't know about Roadgear. The BTB series is good but a lot of people don't like the feel. Like the Wizard guitar necks, all flat/wide, but they're good if you've got small hands.

I'd also recommend the G&L Tribute L-2000. It's cheaper than the American-made version and I'm told that the quality difference isn't quite enough to justify springing for the US-built version, unless you really got some ca$h burning a hole in your pocket.

[CW14]

Okay cheers. I'll go test run some BB's when I get a chance. Any particular models that stand out?

[acapella]

Okay cheers. I'll go test run some BB's when I get a chance. Any particular models that stand out?
BB614, dude, BB614! Unless you want something cheaper though...as I said the BB414 was also good. That's all I tried though.

[CW14]

Okay the BB series seems to be a little expensive from what I've seen so far -the cheapest model is around AU$800 rrp.

Is there anything wrong with the RBX series?
Cause they seem to be more in my price range

[Kevin Taylor]

That's what I used to have.
No complaints. Like I said, I'm sorry I sold it.

[Andrew Sa]

take a look at Cort basses as well, they make some really nice inexpensive, and some really really nice expensive basses.

[CW14]

Thanks guys. Decided on the the RBX270. Seems fine for what I need it for

[Lordathestrings]

You'll like it. Yamaha instruments are made by people who care, and the quality shows.