jbkim Posted March 4, 2004 Report Share Posted March 4, 2004 I'm a guitarist primarily. I want a bass for fun/recording... and CHEAP is a must . I've narrowed the field to the"Kramer Focus 420S" for something super cheap ($99) or either the "Kramer Striker 422S" or "Yamaha RBX270" (either $150.) I've read the reviews on Harmony-Central... the $150 basses are rated more or less about the same (the Yamaha had many more reviews.) Have the bassists here tried either? Opinions? Which would y'all get? While I'm here, how are Earnie Ball bass strings? Thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MKGBass Posted March 4, 2004 Report Share Posted March 4, 2004 Don't know about the basses, although personally i'd go with the yamaha. I've played a few of those, and they aren't terrible. Ernie Ball makes decent bass strings. They're really inexpensive which is great. But if you play a lot they go dead pretty quickly, and i've had a tendency to break ones older than a month, but then again, I'm a REALLY active player. Still use em though, cuz they're the most affordable. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ace Posted March 4, 2004 Report Share Posted March 4, 2004 I'm really critical as to harmony central ratings. It seems like a lot of those ratings come from persons who a) rate in the first phase of euphoria after buying their new dream instrument or whatever or b ) don't know the difference between a decent and a great instrument. From my experience with Yamaha gear and lack of experience with Kramer's new stuff, I would clearly suggest you spend an extra 50 for a Yamaha bass. so long ace Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
westhemann Posted March 4, 2004 Report Share Posted March 4, 2004 the low end ibanez are decent for about $200 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GEdwardJones Posted March 4, 2004 Report Share Posted March 4, 2004 I have a Squire P-Bass I bought on sale for $99. As with Every Squire I've ever owned or played it sounds really nice, it plays fantastically, teh quality of workmanship is crap. If you can find one that's put together well (mine has a nut that was cut about 1/2 again too wide for the A string and the knobs were apparently put on at 45 degree angles to the shafts) you won't be disappointed. The big thing in this class is that quality control is almost non-existant, so you need to make sure you look carefully before you buy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jbkim Posted March 4, 2004 Author Report Share Posted March 4, 2004 Hey, thanks for the input. I wound up going with the Yamaha. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bowser Posted March 4, 2004 Report Share Posted March 4, 2004 get it yet??? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jbkim Posted March 4, 2004 Author Report Share Posted March 4, 2004 I just ordered it about 40 minutes ago . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bowser Posted March 4, 2004 Report Share Posted March 4, 2004 oh cool! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jbkim Posted March 10, 2004 Author Report Share Posted March 10, 2004 Just arrived a couple of hours ago. As expected, setup was... shaky and the hardware/electronics suck ... actually the tuners don't seem that bad but the bridge and pickups are cheap looking. Anyway, I like the way it looks/plays/sounds... definately worth the $150 US price tag . I need to get used to having 24 frets (thumb slapping.) Factoring in the price, a strong 4 out of 5. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jbkim Posted March 10, 2004 Author Report Share Posted March 10, 2004 Oh, I forgot to mention... first impressions, those Ernie Ball strings suck! The stock strings that came with the bass sounded brighter. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
skibum5545 Posted March 12, 2004 Report Share Posted March 12, 2004 As for bass strings, I really like DRs for funk/slap playing. I have only tried the hi-beams, and I hear the Low-riders are even nicer for slap. They're a little more expensive, but sometimes there are good deals on Ebay. $.02 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.