TOP 7 Underrated Bass Brands...

[@TheChrist117]

Cort - make basses for everyone and yet in their own range, they produce some very tasty playing and sounding instruments. I've just picked up a Cort Modern 4; it's light, has a thinner neck profile than a jazz, a Markbass preamp and Nordstrand pickups - even Hipshot Ultralite tuners. I paid less than £1000 for this beauty. This is my 4 string work horse.

[@อานนท์จอสูงเนิน]

Agreed. I don't know why CORT are still being avoid to mention.

[@1848revolt]

@@อานนท์จอสูงเนิน I'll tell you why. In the mid 80s my first bass was a cort and it was a piece of junk. Most people don't know just how much they have improved. I learned to play on a terrible action court bass but it made me a better player playing that piece of crap. The corts they are producing now are light years ahead of when I owned one.

[@SisterRose]

i'm thinking of picking up the Cort Action Junior for an easy to transport short scale, I love the look of the trans red one and like the sort of in between a Stingray and P-Bass sound it has

[@chaunceypaulos3712]

People don’t know that cort made basses for other companies and they put there own name on it I play a cort and love it cort curbow made some very good bass’s my cheap Retro 4 sounds killer

[@scottkeeler2306]

@@1848revolt I think everything was out of whack from the sixties until the internet. Nobody l new had any experience setting up guitars and it was always a mystery so I would suffer with whatever the problem was until I could afford a different one. Today l spend a day doing everything from fret leveling to smothering the fret board plus whatever I think will make it better I bought a 90’s Cort p bass for $150 last year and it is fantastic.

[@chunkuswumpus3515]

G&L are criminally underrated as an entire company. I'd like to bring up dingwall with their banjo frets and very unique pickup positions, lakland with their music man style bridge on famous fendery basses and their tendency to have 35" scale basses and Sandberg with the typical German over engineering and some really cool options like a P bass with music man bridge pickup and variety of options because the site is ran like the fender mod shop

[@jonhmusic423]

So happy Yamaha made the list. In my current arsenal I have a TRBX505 and an SLG200S silent guitar, and over the years I've used a range of other Yamaha guitars, keyboards and electronic drum equipment - they are a brand that I would always trust to deliver a reliable product, and have always been consistently impressed with their quality control.

[@JonnyDibble]

You're making me want another!

[@kingdeedee]

I personally don't think they're "underrated" though. The BB line of basses is a staple in music history and there is a healthy number of legendary bassists/guitarists that swear by Yamaha instruments. They're excellent of course, but "underrated," I dunno

[@mjolnircarlssen4211]

In my opinion, Yamaha everything is a bit under appreciated. Yamaha makes fantastic instruments.

[@JasonRennie]

I was worried he wouldn't mention Yamaha :)

[@verticalhamburger9517]

I own a TRBX505. I can't get the truss rod to turn, but otherwise, it works well

[@artemheneralov]

So glad to have learnt about G&L around 10 years ago. Absolutely amazing instruments!

[@dolovo_gaming3081]

So glad to see Schecter on here, I got a Schecter Diamond Series Stiletto Elite series 4 with a through neck and it sounds and plays amazinly.

[@nerigarcia7116]

I had a Yamaha BB414 and I loved it. I've also have a Stingray and Jazz and I found the BB to sit somewhere in between those two in tone, weight, and playability. Passive bass made it simple to dial in the tone and it was both warm and punchy at the same time. The body was full but the next was thin, which was a perfect bland of the Stingray and Jazz. If I could only take one bass with me, it was always the Yamaha. I ended up trading it for a drum set and sometimes I regret it now that the drums sit in the garage unplayed most of the time.

[@GreetTheSacredCow]

I love that you included Yamaha. Great call. As for omissions, Cort should've been in there IMO. A few years ago, SIre would've also qualified, but it seems like everyone is well aware of how good their basses are now. Ridiculous bang for buck.

[@1848revolt]

Agree Yamaha and cort are criminally underrated

[@larrysheppard8433]

Just bought the Sire u5 short scale. The quality is exceptional for the price paid.

[@Manwitch60]

I bough a Yamaha TRBX174 back in May and it is a great bass for the price! I can switch from P bass to J bass and it has really good action.

[@zeejemusic8843]

Like even the really cheap rbx series is still great. Definitely a great call

[@TheGodParticle]

Paid £300 for my yamaha bass a few years ago, said to myself, if I'm still playing almost everyday six years later and loving this guitar I'll buy a fender p around £1.500. You know what, if it ain't broke don't fix it. Cheers

[@michaelwilliams8040]

Great list but missing is Cort? I own a few cort basses and the artisan series especially are high end materials and hardware will a beautiful feel at a affordable price. Super underrated

[@JonnyDibble]

Definitely deserves a spot!

[@paulwells5046]

The cort factory makes ibanez, prs and several more big name brands. For the .only you can't go wrong. After the wood settles in about 4 years they are just as good as anything out there with a few tweaks. Especially pre covid.

[@JakeStaffin]

When I was looking into buying a bass, I first looked into Yamaha- as a drummer first, I trust Yamaha's craftsmanship, so I looked at the BB line. It stayed in my radar as I was trying some P and J basses for some time, then one day I saw a black BB234 at a store. I tried it out and it felt perfect, and ended up ordering one for myself in the satin natural finish. It plays exceptionally well and feels great, and some guitarist/bassist friends have tried it out and loved it. The Yamaha BB series is a gem, awesome to see it getting more recognition.

[@elizabethroth5350]

I bought a second hand (obviously, they haven't been in production for some time now) 2010 Schecter Diamond P Custom 4 about 4 months ago. I'm loving it. The build quality and features, the sound and feel - it's amazing, really. I have since A/B'd it with some very nice and expensive American made Fenders and a couple of Sadowski's, and the Schecter is still a win for me, it is really that good. $500 is all I paid. I'm very happy with it.

[@metallicaandskate]

Couldn't agree more. I just sold my fender P player series because of some issues with the neck. Got a Schecter P4 which was on clearance at GC for $450. Has better features than the fender (graph tech nut, better sounding pickups, better fit and finish), and plays wonderfully. Surprised there isn't more hype behind Schecter tbh.

[@Bass-guitarist]

Great vid, I’ve got Fender P’s and J’s and my go to is a Vintage J bass in sunburst. Keeps its tuning really well and with the Wilkinson hardware just plays like a dream. I did a play test blindfolded with another bassist and gave him my Fender MIM compared to the Vintage Vj74 and he preferred the vintage till he removed the blindfold and couldn’t believe the quality.

[@secallen]

I have a pre-covid fender mim p bass and the equivalent Vintage Reissued V4. The Vintage is better than the Squier custom vibe I tried, but the MIM is on a completely different level especially in terms of playability. My project now is to see whether I can mod the Vintage to play like the Mexican.

[@vlkt7488]

I'd propose to add Bacchus - precious Japanese bases, which look like oldschool JBs but sound extremely modern. And also I'm in love with moon bases - Japan premium bases which are absolutely gorgeous but not even known outside Japan. Great video anyway Jonny, very informative - never heard about SX and 'vintage' basses before.

[@JonnyDibble]

Ah nice! I've never played one myself. Sounds great. Cheers!

[@Neodude991]

Yeah. Bass Japan Direct always as a ton of Bacchus, moon and other Japanese brands at his shop. Good quality basses!

[@koromebi7385]

great visuals and quality but always expensive sadly

[@MrSketchbass]

I have a Bacchus, Global series. Quite great. My only issue with it is the noisy electronics.

[@aarons9259]

G&l is what fender should be.. the quality, fit, finish, and sound is just amazing 👏

[@dominikkavur5373]

Vintage basses are so well built it's actually insane. After trying Sadowsky Metro, MiM Fenders, High end Corts and even some handmad luthier basses.. the Vintage V4 precision that I have feels much more expensive. I'd compare them to Sire V7's in terms of build quality, but Vintage has much better neck shape.

[@thomasfinke6958]

Thanks for mentioning Yamaha. I own one of the late 80s, early 90s bass. It us an active Yamaha Rbx 800A. It was my second bass and I still own it since nearly 30 years. Fantastic Quality, great hardware (tuners, bridge, pick ups) and the body is very light.

[@crustyjusty7]

Good call on the G&L. I picked up a new-old-stock M2000 tribute and was blown away by the quality and tone, to the point that I no longer play my other basses much anymore. And by sheer luck I found another M2000 in a pawn shop for a bargain price, so I have a matching pair.

[@TheChrist117]

I had an M2000 but unfortunately, it was just a little too heavy but, what a fine instrument. I much prefer the straight forward, volume, blend and 3-band eq to the L2000 set up. The build quality is amazing and the MFD's sing and growl, at will.

[@JonnyDibble]

G&L actually stands for Good & Lovely

[@TheAtlantaThrasher]

I love my Schecter Riot, although I'm not into metal. I was able to get a more upright/p bass sound out of mine by using D'Addario nylon tapewound strings. I really love the sound it produces with those particular stings, as they feel more like cloth an d are advertised as being more mellow than their Chromes flatwound strings.

[@gilbertspader7974]

I have to try that.

[@funkyneil2000]

Those SX P basses are REALLY good! I've played the same model you did and it solidified my decision to buy a P bass!

[@JonnyDibble]

Insanely good!

[@benpimley6084]

I have found gretch and ibanez especially good for shorter scale basses 👍

[@JonnyDibble]

The G2220 is brilliant!

[@franzturczynski4693]

I'm waiting for a Gretsch Junior to arrive. I just bought it 2nd hand. Can't wait. I'd love to try out a Fallout or Banshee.

[@brunocyclist]

@@JonnyDibble absolutely! I strung my Gretsch with LaBella 760FSs and it sounds massive. Love those single coils. 😉 It has a certain off-beat coolness to its styling too. Last Wednesday I had my very first 'gig' as a bassist with it - music school combo night in a town pub. It absolutely rocked. 😎

[@Blakeadam52]

The *Take-it-backer*

[@JonnyDibble]

😆😅

[@clinterz]

Love my G&L’s. I’ve had gibsons, Ricky’s, and musicmans(I worked in set up at musicman for two years). Never played a fender that I really liked. The L2K that I bought direct at the factory in 1986 is still my main bass, it eats stingrays for lunch.

[@SisterRose]

I feel like for budget basses people talk about Harley Benton a lot but not J&D, they make some incredible cheap basses. I have a SFG Jazz Bass I got from them for under 200 quid, it plays and in some ways sounds comparable to my friends 80s custom shop Jazz Bass

[@michaelkeefer4293]

I think you could probably throw ESP onto this list. I used to have a LTD B-205 many years ago that was fantastic. Only sold it because I didn't like the neck profile and string spacing, but it was solid and sounded great.

[@JonnyDibble]

Ooh yes! I'm still yet to try one myself

[@polarbear3427]

My B206 sounds wonderfull. LTD is usually praised by many people for their quality/price ratio, so not underrated ; )

[@soyounoat]

A guitar player friend of mine who loves Schecter guitars bought a Schecter Omen 5 string bass for a very low price, and asked me to check it out. I did a basic setup and truss adjustment, and it plays so well, I leave my basses at home when I visit him, because I LOVE that Schecter. Plays sweetly, and there isn't a dull position anywhere on the neck. Great tone, good looks, big yet comfortable for me, I want to buy it from him but he's keeping it ... for now.

[@jeredalmeida1880]

G&L ASAT 5 is the Musicman Killer! The output on that thing is so hot, it'll make you jump out of your skin. Schecter Stiletto Custom has the most buttery, articulate neck and fingerboard. I would take either one of those basses over something like a Ken Smith or a Spector any day.

[@rowanspiritwalker6667]

Hohner B-Bass Pro IV......I've had two of them and absolutely hands down my fave. Awesome thinner neck, neck-thru-body, super playability, active/passive pickup switch - works both ways, not just one. The strings can be set just a hair over the frets without buzz. Gobs of low end vibe and sustain. Just a truly awesome bass and a serious workhorse. Note these are NOT the headless ones. I paid $300 American for my black one and $100 for my red one (both second hand).

[@itzzy]

Am I the only one who thinks the jackenbacker is good looking? 😅

[@JonnyDibble]

Maybe... maybe

[@Blakeadam52]

Yes. Lol

[@jjcbassguitars2114]

Yeah afraid so. Good to be individual though 😂

[@thierry18]

It's kinda got it's own thing going on, which I appreciate, but I still don't like it lol

[@elihop9419]

Honestly I love it in both shades of green that it comes in! 💚

[@twistdmojo]

I've owned 3 Schecters. Great sounding basses all. The Stiletto studio 5 and Stiletto Custom 5 had the most incredible growl. It were both very heavy and I have a bad back and neck, so every gig with it resulted in a subsequent chiropractic adjustment. The Baron is a cool bass, but a real nose diver. I've been looking at one of the Jackson short scale basses, but haven't pulled the trigger yet. I already have a good P/J so it's been hard to justify. I owned a Yamaha BB400 back in the 80's. Great bass, sadly lost it in a burglary.

[@LoudSodaCaleb]

I bought a G&L M2000 10 years ago. Over time I sold my other basses and never needed to buy more basses because the M2000 literally fit every gig and band I played in. I am breaking my decade long celibacy of buying basses just to get another G&L as a back up to my main. Straight up the most reliable and versatile bass ever. It really is just the best parts of a jazz bass and a stingray. Plus they don't go for crazy price (for now).

[@scottkeeler2306]

Submitted for your approval: Definitely vintage 70’-‘95 Fernandes and Burny Japanese lawsuit Fender and Gibson models are very well made with the right materials and attributes.

[@danhedonia]

"The 5 string is just an assault on the eyes" ... yes, yes it is. Well put

[@ericmullenaux5265]

Reverend basses and guitars are super underrated. I'm absolutely in love with mine.

[@carlosdrfx]

Cort is a huge but underrated brand, having good quality for the money and great designs. Yamaha is my favourite, though!

[@JonnyDibble]

I agree! Some great basses there 😊

[@gwitch]

I just wish some of these brands did 35” for the extended ranges. I’d loooove a G&L 5-string, but for some reason, a tighter B-string is only valued by the “metal” brands rather than the more traditional ones.

[@t-zex4650]

Congratulations on new haircut. All the basses I own are from the underrated list. I am filled with the sense of sophistication. Cheers to that!

[@JonnyDibble]

The mullet is growing stronger everyday 💪 Cheers!

[@pwokaren]

I have 2 G&L and always wonder 💭 why they weren’t more famous especially coming from Leo Fender’s personal factory. Also liked the sections about Schecter and Yamaha.

[@JonnyDibble]

I guess it's because people saw them as tweaks on old designs rather than original new products? Must've just not had the same cultural impact

[@artemheneralov]

@@JonnyDibble I'd say ASAT basses are *sorta* their original thing, but it doesn't seem to matter to the market all that much...

[@brianjuffs4662]

My first bass was a Yamaha rbx250. Still have it, now modified to fretless. Owned and sold many basses I now have the BB734 and love it.

[@JonnyDibble]

Nice 😍 734 has such a nice neck

[@Zakkunie]

I've had my first RBX250, not my first bass though, since like 2004 I think and it's been through some shit lol. I just refinished it last year, matte arctic white and also, same as you, converted it to a fretless and finished the fingerboard with super glue, added a high mass bridge and EMG PX. What really made me convert it was the fact that I found another one at my local Goodwill in working order for $35 lol. But I've since replaced the the pup with an Aguilar DCB and added a 2 band pre with a bypass switch and a off brand high mass bridge like a Gotoh. I LOVE the feel of the neck on these, but I really do wanna try all other Yamaha basses just based on the fact that even this lower tier model feels this good lol

[@njp2k914]

I can recommend retrovibe they are affordable, gorgeous and punch well above their weight! As well as this revelation basses are great and have the spectacular entwistle pickups in!

[@itsarubiks]

I think Aria basses are slept on. I got lucky and was able to find an early 1980s Aria Pro II TSB-350 for around $300/£235. They were bigger in the 80s than they are now, and honestly, I've always been partial to Japanese made basses like Aria or Ibanez

[@TheChef470]

Great segment ! There are so many reasonably priced options out there these days. : )

[@loiseaunoir1021]

I've tried the Jacksonbacker 5 and I liked it a lot, but I got a TRBX305 blue instead and it knocked my socks off.

[@voto04offical70]

Washburn is a pretty underrated bass brand. At the moment they don't have a lot going for them, but the Washburn basses from late 90's and early 2000's are great!

[@marcioazzarini]

Agree!

[@lukehinkle9614]

I agree too. I just got a Washburn XB125, which is in the early 2000s that you speak of. For $200 used, I had absolutely zero buyer’s remorse.

[@mrfarenheit0323]

My first bass and first stringed instrument was a Yamaha Rbx 170. I’ve moved onto a pbass but man, I do think about that old blue Yamaha a lot. Couldn’t have asked for a better intro instrument.

[@jaymichael7815]

You nailed it, bass mate! Well done.

[@basyngwie]

That silverburst jazz! Come on man! I've never wanted a jazz bass in my life but now I kind of need one.

[@JonnyDibble]

🥵🥵🥵🥵

[@floppytnarwal1641]

I have to add MTD Kingston. Especially the super 5 it's my go to bass with incredible sound options. The A symmetrical neck is really comfortable.

[@WAMilyFamily]

I came here to say how good these basses are. I had a couple of Euro Spectors that were absolutely incredible but both ended up having truss rod issues due to the high humidity in Japan. I shopped around and tried out dozens and dozens trying to find a bass that would fill the void. I did like a couple of Schecter and Lakland basses and there were ones I was planning to go try again if I didn't fall in love with something. I tried the MTD Kingston Heir and was absolutely blown away. The assymetrical neck profile is incredibly comfortable, it has a beautiful body shape, and the range of tones is fantastic.

[@Xubuntu47]

Nothing wrong with pedaling a bike with a bass on your back. I made many a trip to my local music school that way. Kept me off transit during the height of the pandemic.

[@JonnyDibble]

As long as the bike is a Yamaha.

[@Xubuntu47]

@@JonnyDibble I wish. It was a Brompton. I must have looked ridiculous. The tiny wheels, and the bass bag sticking way up there...

[@shaan__real]

when l started bass i got a schecter diamond series bass for 200 bucks pre owned. great bass and im still using it

[@aldik_dj]

I’ve always found it funny when I learned that Yamaha made motorcycles when I knew them for making instruments. Considering I played the clarinet when I was in elementary and middle school. And then way after, that’s when I learned about motorcycles and was shocked to find that out 🤣

[@pablofichaje]

Maruszczyk is a GREAT Polish brand. Really well made, you can order heavy customised basses and pretty good ergonomic. Also Sandberg, not so customisable but they make the best jazz bass I have ever played

[@JonnyDibble]

My next review is a Sandberg California TT 😍

[@stephenmerchant9532]

Bought G&L L1000 when they 1st cane out and boy do I wish I still had it

[@bernarddowd6446]

I think Cort gear is really well made, and they use Bartolini pickups as well.

[@bernarddowd6446]

@Funky Monk Yes I know, I had a Cort B4 with Barts and it was an active bass.

[@bobby1970]

I love Johnny's voice. It is very attractive and arousing. He is good looking also.

[@JettoDz]

G&L and Yamaha are like knowledge checks or industry secrets, it feels like. Did someone frown down on you and your Pacifica? They don't know. Did someone look at you weirdly because they saw the G&L Logo on your Jazz Bass? They don't know. Did someone else make a "Wait, is that a..." face at any of the previous points? That is a cultured fellow human being you would want to chat with after the show.

[@QWRTkeyboard]

I was looking for yamaha trbx 505 or 605 (same pickups and preamps). I I found 605 in my nearest music shop by chance. Altough I didn't have much time it felt nice and great. I liked the tone etc. I think I'm going to buy it.

[@FJcv-lt7qu]

Often forgotten is that Yamaha are first a musical instrument company making everything from cheap recorders to concert-hall grade pianos, and their logo - even on bikes - even my FJ1200 3CV that I loved - is actually 3 tuning forks.

[@jisakoff]

My first fretless bass was an SX Jazz copy. I had it more than 20 years ago. The paint job was fantastic. I did upgrade the bridge and pickups. But it was chunky - probably the heaviest bass I’ve owned. I wish I had it back but sold it when I got my Cort Curbow 5 fretless.

[@chrisbarraza7700]

Appreciate the Yamaha call out, they are legitimate excellent. BB, TR, RBX all excellent models for their prices.

[@emaheiwa8174]

Cort GB! ❤

[@JonnyDibble]

Cort is a great one! Should've made the list

[@mikeymacaque]

I’m not a metal player and I have very expensive basses in my collection, and if I was buying a new “beginner level” bass tomorrow I think Jackson is the best on the market. I pick one up every time I go to Guitar Center I play one and love it.

[@nigeltooby7681]

Spot on. I discovered Yamaha and own a BB435. Versatile or what, and the quality rivals my Stingray 5. 😊

[@vladislavgalis3676]

I have a Vintage P bass and an SX PJ bass. Both are solid instruments. I would dare to say that the Vintage sounds way better than a typical MIM Fender. And the neck on the SX is super comfortable.

[@JonnyDibble]

I definitely want to get a Vintage P - the fiesta red distressed one!

[@vladislavgalis3676]

@@JonnyDibbleThe siesta red is smoking hot! 🤘

[@MarkRendle]

FGN are good judging by my new Mighty Jazz Boundary, which is the cheap end. Japanese company that used to make basses for a bunch of brands, now selling their own direct. Unique feature: the frets are ever-so-slightly curved to account for the string spread from nut to bridge, so they always intersect at right-angles.

[@danroberts3585]

The Yamaha basses, especially TBRX Series, all sound like P basses unless you get a Nathan East signature 5 string. Great video, though. You mentioned some brands I had forgotten about and some I've never heard of before.

[@jamesmelissawhite4807]

I'm saving for a bb434 right now

[@JonnyDibble]

Amazing! Hope you enjoy it 😄

[@joshdennis1]

These sound great, really nice fretboard. However, they are heavier and neck dive badly. Great for short gigs, and bedroom playing. Not for long gigs

[@jamesmelissawhite4807]

@Josh Dennis i have several good wide 4" padded gruv gear straps and I put hipshot lightweight tuners on most of my basses. The bb434s I have been looking at weigh between 8.8 and 9.1 lbs (sweetwater post pictures and weight of each individual bass. They are awesome for that) and that's not too bad in the great scheme of things, at least for me. Thanks for the heads up tho and I will pay extra close attention to the weight of the one I get 🙏

[@joshdennis1]

@@jamesmelissawhite4807 good move. I suppose my experience is based off the 5 string model, so will naturally be heavier and less balanced with the extra tuner

[@kijekuyo9494]

I'm pretty sure that Sire wouldn't be classified as "underrated", but if anyone is unfamiliar with them, you might want to check Sire out.

[@GVike]

Peter Hook is fanatical about his Yamaha BB1200S basses and eventually Yamaha made a signature model for him. Eventually I want to get an active Yamaha again.

[@TheAlfaproyect]

Great video Jonny!! I have a Vintage V96, a Stingray copy, and I can't believe the quality for the price. I still have yet to see a comparison between that and a SUB or Sterling Stingray.

[@JonnyDibble]

Thanks Pablo! I'm getting a Sterling Sub series soon, will ve cool to compare to my USA stingray

[@devindickinson3903]

couldnt agree more on schecter any one who sleeps on them is missing out

[@JonnyDibble]

100%!

[@davidsmythe7645]

I play Spector bass you’re right they are excellent !

[@griffingooch1722]

I just found a Jackson Spectra JS3 in snow white for $120 mint condition with a bag and cable on Facebook Marketplace. I will say it just converted a guitarist to bassist in 48hours

[@iamgribs]

Yamaha rules for budget basses. Sire are amazing also!!! Ltd are an honorable mention

[@ikramshehu8048]

Grat list, in my humble opinion, you just missed one Cort bass (the factory which maybe made half of the basses you mentioned). Cort basses, again in my opinion, are the best basses for the price. From wood used to the craftsmanship, nobody can't be better than Cort, the artisan series I think is the best bass for them money period.

[@The_Metal_Mechanic]

I just got myself a used Yamaha TRBX174EW a couple weeks ago, and I found a set of the EMG GZR PJ pickups and a few Hipshot Ultralite tuners for dirt cheap. Not counting a Hipshot Xtender I had lying around, I spent about $400 and she sounds and plays better than almost every bass I've tried at Guitar Center for under $1k.

[@stefanscally4449]

I've been playing the same Yamaha for 15 years, it's like part of me I love it. It's super light like 7.5lbs, very danceable, I think being lightweight is an underrated feature. Anyway I love that instrument. Yamaha.

[@davidenoc]

I have one and looks and sounds amazing. I'm planning to buy another one on the new green army color.

[@ericburd]

I have a G&L LB 100 Fullerton and it out precision the Fender Precision. I have a 75 Precision and I almost NEVER pick it up now...

[@jackshittle]

Yamaha used to win a lot of bass shootouts from Bass Player Magazine. They did something like "Best Under $500 basses" and the Yamaha RBX 750 was the winner (back in like 1990/1991). They would say that the Yamaha was an entire class better (build, components, playability, tone) then the other basses they were comparing. So the RBX 750 was my first "real bass" after starting on a $99 used pawn shop bass. So I would agree that Yamaha basses are totally worth checking out and will probably beat other basses in the same price range.

[@gavinhouston1484]

There are a couple of Yamaha's I really would like. I'm a drummer working on learning bass and love, love, love Yamaha's drums. Problem is, no lefties. It breaks my friggin heart.

[@indignow]

proud owner of a Vintage VIJ75, cheap but solid components and sound.

[@n_phaneuf]

G&L consistently out perform fender and squire. Fender custom shop is untouchable but for my money I’d rather have to USA g&l

[@JonnyDibble]

I'd love to try a USA G&L!

[@PontiusPontiac]

My favorite bass is the Orange O-Bass :3 got one a few years back and I can't help but love it

[@JonnyDibble]

I played one for the first time last month! Sounded great

[@scottbrower9052]

Love the Jackenbacher.

[@michaelbrohl1625]

I definitely would have put Reverend in there but it's a good list.

[@paul-michaelgobitas3574]

Vintage!!!! My favorite p bass is a Vintage Icon V4, all stock, had it for 10 years, still my number one.

[@JayGose]

Yamaha makes and designs great basses. I got my first 5 string bass this year. I went to get an Ibanez and left the store with a BB435. If you are in the $500 price range budget, you can"t beat the Yamaha BB435. They are $569 list price, but when I told the sales person that I was on a $500 budget he said " we can make that happen".

[@jasonferridge510]

Great video. I have a Yamaha BBN5A from 1998 and I could not be happier. It has a user adjustable eq preset for the active eq!very cool 😎

[@JonnyDibble]

Cheers!

[@StratBurst92]

I agree with Yamaha, I have the TRBX 174 & TRBX 304 both are quality basses.

[@_araport_5186]

I love Danelectro basses. They’re wacky but they sound soo good

[@billsmith2212]

If you are in the UK , check out the Chowny Basses . The NT4 and NT5, medium scale , has Aguilar pick ups and pre amp and Hipshot tuners and bridge . The SWB Pro , 24 fret short scale , has EMG pick ups and pre amp and Wilkinson tuners . They are reasonably priced . I believe both are made in India . I would appreciate a review . Thanks .

[@wilfredovazquez2942]

Another great video. Agree with your list 100%.

[@jeichorn63]

"Don't be a knob in the comments." Excellent. 🙂

[@TwoBassed]

Yamaha RBX 270 was my first bass, is comfortable and easy to play!

[@davidenoc]

I think Dean got some good basses but really underestimated like the Hillsboro line.

[@lovrika8491]

Speaking from personal experience, I've owned an SX Jazz Bass VTG Series for like a year and a half, and I've played the hell out of it on this time, and I can second the idea they are very good and affordable basses. Personally, the only issue I've got was from the electronics, as the bridge pickup was unsoldered when I bought it, but, I just had to remove the pickguard and solder it myself and the bass was ready to go. Obviously, you're not gonna get the intonation or shenaningans that an expensive bass is gonna give you, but it works amazingly ok for its price. Also, as a side commentary, it feels a lot more rigid and solid than other basses in its price range, what for me is an advantage. They are good options, specially if you are looking for something with a good price-value relation. PD: English is not my mother language, so sorry if I have made any misspellings or gramathical errors.

[@paulwilkinson8308]

In the late 80’s I bought a cort steinberger copy. Loved it but it got stolen during one of the numerous house parties my roomies and I always had…☹️

[@garethjones3979]

Yamaha are brilliant, I've had several BB and TRB models and still have an old BB fretless. The BB1500A is one of the best active 4 strings ever made! I'm only playing 5s now, so have an ESP LTD AP-5 ( ridiculously good PJ), Fender Jazz Deluxe 5 and a lovely 90s Ibanez SR405, with the most wonderful neck ever

[@JonnyDibble]

I feel like there's a big BB shaped hole in my collection

[@garethjones3979]

@@JonnyDibble they are criminally underrated

[@talesfromthetoiletseat8295]

I play a Yamaha. It’s pretty good for 500 bucks. I will likely change the preamp someday but that is me nitpicking about toan lol

[@paulyfortissimo]

I love my Westone, especially since I put flat would strings on it.

[@Driftuner]

FGN probably. One of those brands that everyone seem to enjoy to ignore, but everything they do is just top notch for the price

[@JonnyDibble]

LOVE my FGN jazz!