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Best dirt-cheap bass?


danbronson

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Posted

The new (well, they've been out for a few years now) Greg Bennett Samick stuff is very nice for the money. Although I think some of their designs are aesthetically challenged, the build quality is quite good. I think they represent excellent values in the beginner/intermediate markets.

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Posted

any opinions on the samick?


-wam-

 

Not ones you want to hear.

(Unless Bogster sees this thread. :D )

 

Go for an SX

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Posted

You're right, I'd forgotten about SX! Although, I've heard some horror stories of terrible construction.

 

Anyone around here actually own one? How's it stack up?

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Posted

You're right, I'd forgotten about SX! Although, I've heard some horror stories of terrible construction.


Anyone around here actually own one? How's it stack up?

 

I don't have an SX, I have a Brice from Rondo that is AMAZING, I love it!! The quality is superb for the price.

 

From what I hear an SX is the equivalent of a MIM fender in terms of quality, maybe a little less.

 

But for under $200, wtf? How could you go wrong?

 

Rondo is the way to go :thu:

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Posted

 

You're right, I'd forgotten about SX! Although, I've heard some horror stories of terrible construction.


Anyone around here actually own one? How's it stack up?

 

 

I don't own any, but I've worked on quite a few. They are solid. You get what you pay for though, so they are not great, but you can't do better for $100-$150 unless you get lucky on the used market.

 

The variable flaws I've seen have been in aesthetics and finishing details. The common weaknesses are well known - the pots and jacks and the fretwork. If you can get an SX, drop in CTS pots and a Switchcraft jack and then level and crown the frets (maybe some minor nut work), you will have a professional level bass.

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Posted

Since I live in Canada, they're going to add $45 onto my order and make shipping $27.47. That brings the SX I want to just over $230, which is exactly how much the Samick is that I found. It's been a while since I ordered from the States, so there may even be some duties on it that bring it up even more.

 

So which is better, the SX or the Samick? Now I'm leaning back towards the Samick. The SX sure looks a lot nicer though (I'm going for the natural ash jazz bass).

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Posted

 

So which is better, the SX or the Samick? Now I'm leaning back towards the Samick.

 

 

I have not played a Samick bass recently. I think most instruments in that price range are pretty close in quality, but in the US SX gets the nod for being the cheapest of the bunch.

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Posted

Actually, it's still cheaper. The comparable SX to the Samick is actually the black alder Jazz bass, which is cheaper than the natural ash Jazz I'd get at the same price as the Samick.

 

So I think I'm going to go with the SX now that I think about it more...unless they decide to throw on any other fees I'm not seeing yet. Thanks for the help everyone!

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Posted

The GB designed Samicks are EXCELLENT basses. I wouldn't mind have a P and J of that sort. My Hollowbodied GB Designed Samick was not so cheap, but it's worth every penny for what it does.

 

SX if you want to mod the balls off of something.

 

EDIT:

GB Designed basses aren't AWESOME, but, for the price and all, I'd feel comfortable buying a couple of them. :p

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