Members killersoundz Posted June 19, 2009 Members Share Posted June 19, 2009 http://guitarfitters.com/sitebuildercontent/sitebuilderpictures/webassets/alvbassf.JPG They've got this bass at the local pawn shop for $209. Same one as in that picture. I don't believe it has active pickups (I REALLY WANT ACTIVE PICKUPS) but for $209 it seems like a good deal. What do you guys think? I don't really play bass I just want one to record bass tracks for my own stuff with and to possibly have a decent bass on hand as a backup for recording. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members bassthumpintwin Posted June 19, 2009 Members Share Posted June 19, 2009 Hmm..... It's been a while since I picked up an Alvarez 5er... (or any of their basses/guitars for that matter). They do make some pretty decent acoustics IME. 209 seems like a pretty good deal if the bass is in good shape/working order. I'd check the tightness of the B string. As you say, I don't think they have active electronics either. See if you can plug it in and try it out... you might like it, you might not. Other than that, it looks like a decent bass. Best bang for the buck at 209? Hard to say. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Bryan316 Posted June 19, 2009 Members Share Posted June 19, 2009 It should stay in the pawn shop. These are horrible instruments. Loose bolt-on necks, horrible tuners, bad glue lines between the neck and fretboard, easily-chipped finishes... not to mention tone worthy of a fart joke. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members greenshag Posted June 19, 2009 Members Share Posted June 19, 2009 I played an Alvarez 4 string sometime around 96 or so at a show, and it was decent...reminded me of a Ibanez soundgear a bit. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members killersoundz Posted June 20, 2009 Author Members Share Posted June 20, 2009 Good call guys, the neck was awful after I went back and played it a bit. I walked out with this: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Bogster Posted June 20, 2009 Members Share Posted June 20, 2009 Good call guys, the neck was awful after I went back and played it a bit. I walked out with this: HOLY SHIT!!! It's my samick! Well, not the exact one (unless you flew to Orange Park, FL to get it ) but an exact replica of the one I had. That is a great bass, man. Don't ever let anyone tell you any differently. And congrats! And here I was going to reply that I owned an Alvarez AEB5BC fiver some years ago. I didn't keep it long.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members killersoundz Posted June 20, 2009 Author Members Share Posted June 20, 2009 HOLY {censored}!!! It's my samick! Well, not the exact one (unless you flew to Orange Park, FL to get it ) but an exact replica of the one I had.That is a great bass, man. Don't ever let anyone tell you any differently. And congrats! And here I was going to reply that I owned an Alvarez AEB5BC fiver some years ago. I didn't keep it long.... Yeah I like that bass a lot. Who knows how long I'll keep it, I buy and sell gear like its my job. The neck on that thing is AMAZING, very thin and fast. Got it for $350 total which I think is a decent price for a 5 string with active pickups and a great neck and fret job. Do you know the model number by any chance, I have no indea. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members The Real MC Posted June 20, 2009 Members Share Posted June 20, 2009 Alvarez basses are a crapshoot, there are good ones and bad ones. I happened to land a really good Alvarez six shooter, plays and sounds great. That glue joint between the neck and headstock makes me nervous though, and those tops are "photo-flames" not a real finish. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members JC Bass Posted June 21, 2009 Members Share Posted June 21, 2009 We have that very model of Alvarez 5-string at my church. It's a decent enough bass, but the output on the B-string is far lower in volume than all the other strings. I have tried EVERYTHING I can to fix it, but there is just nothing that can be done to resolve the issue. I personally don't like playing it, and only play it when I can't use my own bass for whatever reason. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members samson3382 Posted June 21, 2009 Members Share Posted June 21, 2009 Good call guys, the neck was awful after I went back and played it a bit. I walked out with this: nice bass. looks very similar to my soundgear. love it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Bassguitaraddic Posted June 29, 2009 Members Share Posted June 29, 2009 Alvarez ??????? NAH, KEEP OUT !!! I would not put my trust in any of their instruments. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members The Real MC Posted June 30, 2009 Members Share Posted June 30, 2009 We have that very model of Alvarez 5-string at my church. It's a decent enough bass, but the output on the B-string is far lower in volume than all the other strings. I have tried EVERYTHING I can to fix it, but there is just nothing that can be done to resolve the issue. I personally don't like playing it, and only play it when I can't use my own bass for whatever reason. My Alvarez has a really great low B which is HARD to find. I got lucky, but they are a crapshoot. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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