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Vintage Bass Guitars at Thrift Stores

  • Writer: Tapetown
    Tapetown
  • Nov 14
  • 2 min read

Six colorful electric bass guitars on a wooden wall display, featuring various patterns and designs, creating an artistic musical atmosphere.

Thrift stores and flea markets can turn up vintage bass guitars priced at $150, perfect for laying down grooves on a budget. Models from the 1960s to 1970s, used by players like Jack Bruce or Motown sessioners, sometimes appear in second-hand shops, overlooked by sellers. Here are 10 vintage bass guitars you might find for cheap, great for music creation and recording studios.


1. Epiphone Rivoli

  • Era: 1960s

  • Used By: Early soul session players

  • Sound: Warm, semi-hollow tones for soul and rock.

  • Why It’s Exciting: Gibson-like quality at thrift store prices.

  • Thrift Price: $150–$350

  • Spotting Tips: Semi-hollow, cherry finish. Check neck joint and pickups.

2. Danelectro Longhorn Bass

  • Era: 1960s

  • Used By: Surf rock bassists

  • Sound: Bright, quirky lipstick pickup tones.

  • Why It’s Exciting: Unique vibe for music creation on a budget.

  • Thrift Price: $100–$250

  • Spotting Tips: Short scale, horn shape. Test electronics for shorts.

3. Harmony H-22 Bass

  • Era: 1960s

  • Used By: Indie rock bassists

  • Sound: Warm, hollow-body tones for melodic grooves.

  • Why It’s Exciting: Affordable for recording studios and gigs.

  • Thrift Price: $100–$200

  • Spotting Tips: Single-coil pickup, sunburst finish. Check for neck cracks.

4. Kay K-1-B Bass

  • Era: 1960s

  • Used By: Blues rock session players

  • Sound: Deep, punchy tones for rock and blues.

  • Why It’s Exciting: Budget-friendly with vintage sound for songwriting.

  • Thrift Price: $150–$300

  • Spotting Tips: Solid body, single pickup. Inspect fretboard wear.

5. Silvertone 1444 Bass

  • Era: 1960s

  • Used By: Garage rock bands

  • Sound: Bright, twangy tones for lo-fi grooves.

  • Why It’s Exciting: Cheap, fun for music creation and demos.

  • Thrift Price: $100–$250

  • Spotting Tips: Often with Sears branding. Test pickups and neck.

6. Guild Jetstar Bass

  • Era: 1960s

  • Used By: Folk-rock bassists

  • Sound: Warm, resonant semi-hollow tones.

  • Why It’s Exciting: High-end brand at a bargain for studios.

  • Thrift Price: $150–$350

  • Spotting Tips: Double-cut body, single pickup. Check bridge for rust.

7. Teisco NB-4 Bass

  • Era: 1960s

  • Used By: Japanese rock bands

  • Sound: Quirky, bright tones for unique grooves.

  • Why It’s Exciting: Affordable for experimental music creation.

  • Thrift Price: $100–$200

  • Spotting Tips: Short scale, odd pickups. Test wiring carefully.

8. Supro Pocket Bass

  • Era: 1960s

  • Used By: Garage rock bassists

  • Sound: Raw, punchy tones for rock.

  • Why It’s Exciting: Compact and cheap for recording studios.

  • Thrift Price: $150–$300

  • Spotting Tips: Small body, single pickup. Check for body cracks.

9. Yamaha BB-300

  • Era: 1970s

  • Used By: Session players for pop

  • Sound: Clear, versatile tones for rock and funk.

  • Why It’s Exciting: Solid build for music creation at thrift prices.

  • Thrift Price: $100–$250

  • Spotting Tips: Bolt neck, black body. Test action and frets.

10. Vox Wyman Bass

  • Era: 1960s

  • Used By: Bill Wyman with The Rolling Stones

  • Sound: Bright, punchy hollow-body tones for rock.

  • Why It’s Exciting: Iconic rarity for performance gear on a budget.

  • Thrift Price: $150–$350

  • Spotting Tips: Teardrop shape, short scale. Check electronics.



A vintage bass like the Epiphone Rivoli or Danelectro Longhorn from a thrift store can anchor your music creation for cheap. Test playability and haggle for the best price.

Test neck, pickups, and tuning stability.


 
 
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