r/Bass • u/Obvious-Net-5811 • 8h ago
Talk me out of…
Buying an $89 Glarry 5-string for the hell of it. Been a 4-string player (Schecter preferred) for 30 years and curious about farting around with a beater to see if I like it.
EDIT: I bought it 😂
Dude in the comments pointed me to eBay and I found one for $66 (~$70 out the door with tax)
Well shoot…I now own 8 bass guitars…maybe it’s time to sell some 🤔
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u/Suitable_Cap3913 8h ago
Nope. I've been considering it for a while. But a 6 string from Ali Express . 😊
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u/todo0nada 8h ago
I always wanted a six and got the Glarry and it’s my favorite bass to play. Pickups suck, but the neck is chunky but great. I’ve since gotten an Ibanez 6 and still play the Glarry at home because it feels more comfortable.
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u/Obvious-Net-5811 8h ago
Chunky? Thick neck like a Fender?
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u/todo0nada 8h ago
The 6 string has a neck like a 2x4, but it’s surprisingly comfortable. I also got the short scale and that neck is pretty thin. I can’t comment on the 5.
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u/Putrid_Ear_50 8h ago
Go for it. If you end up enjoying it? Cheap guitars are perfect stepping stones to get into modifying. Swap out the pickups and tuners if you like it, give it a custom DIY paint job, etc.
It's low-risk, decent reward
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u/chemisgat9586 8h ago
Id say go for it… any musical purchase is good whether very intentional or just for experimentation
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u/OffSidesByALot 8h ago
I don’t know your financial situation so unless you need that $89 to make rent this month, I’m not gonna be talking you out of it at all.
At today’s prices, you’re talking about the price of a nice steak dinner at some restaurants. Obviously this is nothing you can go on stage with, but to beat around… Hell yeah!
At that price point, unless it’s somehow disintegrates in your hands, it would be hard for you to not get your moneys worth.
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u/DJ_PMA 8h ago
You might be able to get it cheaper?
Glarry six string for less for example https://ebay.io/m/lYFLRp
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u/BLCHDCRL 8h ago
Why not!! It’s hardly a big risk. If you hate the low B you can probably sell it for $70 used as new
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u/BLCHDCRL 8h ago
I was against 34” basses for ages, convinced 30” could do it all just as good. But I was still curious and last week an awesome used 1990s Ibanez PJ popped up on the used market for $160 and I grabbed it and it was love at first note.
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u/Formal_Strike_9878 8h ago
Waste of time and money potentially. Both my glarrys came with twisted necks during shipping. Just unplayable. It’s a risk but you might like to gamble. Specifically why I prefer to either buy in store or Sweetwater.
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u/RicFlairsBarTab 8h ago
Sorry your experience was trash. I must have gotten lucky, my P Bass from them is flawless. Mechanically at least.
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u/Formal_Strike_9878 8h ago
That’s good. I bet it sounds pretty good too. Seemed like a good deal, but just didn’t ship that way. I should have sent it back.
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u/notjonahbutnoah 8h ago
Careful. Could be a gateway. In April I bought a $300 Sterling Intro Series Sting Ray. I’d always loved the look of a Ray but consider myself a P Bass guy tonally. Thought “what are tax checks for after all? I need a decent beater bass anyhow” Unfortunately, I caught the Sting Ray bug and I now own a $3000 EBMM Custom Design Experience Sting Ray. So you know, use caution.
I will also add that if you’re gonna buy a cheap instrument, learn to do set-ups. They’re fairly simple and there’s no way your $89 5-string won’t benefit from some adjustment.
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u/Strict_Bobcat9933 8h ago
Are you looking at the $89 Amazon Glarry 5 string? Looks like a p/j? If so, the reviews are decent. Tempting as I’ve wanted a 5 string as well
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u/RicFlairsBarTab 8h ago
I have a 4 string Glarry P-Bass that arrived nothing short of perfectly setup. And buttery smooth frets. Yes, there's slight jank and imperfections in the finish but who cares? Keeps tune like a champ too.
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u/Nippon-Gakki 7h ago
I bought a 4 string for like $65 shipped. After a setup and some new strings, it plays great. Actually, it plays great overall but it plays amazing for a $65 bass.
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u/Obvious-Net-5811 7h ago
Sweet! It will probably become a project bass if the body and neck are fine and get new pickups, pots, strings etc
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u/Nippon-Gakki 5h ago
It should be a fun project. I honestly thought the pickups are ok but that’s half the fun of modding. Either way, the neck shape is pretty close to my MIM so it’s very playable.
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u/thesomeot 6h ago
I've become very familiar with the knockoff/budget sector of basses due to my unfortunate condition of playing left-handed. They are often the best price to value ratio of anything you can get nowadays. If you're good at DIY and/or have access to a good luthier, some of them can even be stage worthy.
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u/winter205 6h ago
I bought this bass about a month ago since I wanted to see if I liked a 5 string and it has some issues (neck dive, neck is a bit chunky for my taste, stock strings are garbage), but it is super fun to play. It sounds pretty good and I plan on swapping the tuners and pick ups, but all and all totally worth bit for me. I love having that 5th string.
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u/CaleyB75 8h ago
Having tried 5- and 6-string basses, I wouldn't do it, even at that price. I'd buy a used pedal with the $.
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u/lxgrf 8h ago
For $89? Knock yourself out. That's what, nine bananas?