Stagg BC-302

I bought this bass from Long & Mcquade in Toronto Canada for $129 CAD + tax ($145 total). It was on sale. The original price was $265 tax ($300).

Features: 4-String "Fusion-Humbucker" electric Bass guitar - Pickups: 1 x Humbucker Bass - Controls: 1 x Volume + 1 x Tone - Body: Solid Alder - Neck: Hard Maple, bolt-on, 867 mm, (34.2 in.) - Fingerboard: Rosewood, 24 frets - Bridge: "JB" Classic - Machine heads: Diecast nickel, black - Colour: Black.

This black bass (BC302-BK) has very simple features with no extra pre-amp electronics, whatsoever. One humbucker pick-up close to the bridge, a volume knob, and a tone knob. That's it, pretty simple.

The machine heads and bridge are also black. They look fine and solid.

Before I bought this bass guitar, I have been playing electric guitar for almost 20 years. I got interested in the bass because of bassists like Flea and Dave La Rue, to name a few.

I want a starter bass that is not bulky and heavy, with a humbucker pick up because I like the thick sound and the "growl". I was intending to get a P-bass. But I shopped around for awhile first, until I stumbled on this product.

At the store, I was really amazed of the sound of this bass: full and thick enough despite it's relatively small and light body. I did not expect this kind of sound quality for the price, but it's just amazing piece. It's got no buzz and the sound just makes one think you are playing a more expensive bass. Comparing to the other more expensive bass guitars at the store, this bass sounds comparably warm like a P-bass so I got hooked into it right away. The sound is just awesome.

The action of the bass is just right. probably I can lower it further; but right now, I'm happy with the string action. The pick up is placed just ok. As for the finish, I think this is a display unit, and one of the remaining few left, so there are a few light scratches, kind of watermark, and I think 3 very small dents. That didn't bother me because the sound for me was more important. It's going to have these flaws anyway overtime and may even be distressed as I use it, so I'm not really the superficial, meticulous, type when it comes to relatively finish flaws. Besides this ensures that the product is solid, and that there are no serious sound or even finish flaws. That's why I typically prefer to buy the display item when it comes to musical instruments. It has been tested OK, which is good.

I really like the neck feel of this bass, because it feels almost like a regular electric guitar except that it has four strings. It's incredibly light and easy to play and move around. I'm satisfied with it.

I don't think I will have a problem playing live with this bass. As for the hardware, probably when I decide to do an upgrade I would replace them in a couple of years time. As of now, they sound and do just fine. Again, this bass might become more distressed overtime as I play it, but the paint job is just ok. The strap buttons are fixed properly. I can say I can depend on it.

It's got a standard manufacturer's warranty through the dealer so I guess I am not really worried. I usually buy my musical instruments from Long & Mcquade and I've not have a problem with them. The store has very knowledgeable staff who are courteous; and also they offer more competitive price than the other local music stores so I always check them out first.

This is my starter bass, but I'm no stranger to bass guitar and sound because I listen and watch my favorite bass players like Flea, Dave La Rue, and Thomas Rissell. They absolutely play more expensive bass than the one I have, perhaps 10 times or more expensive, but I'm not yet into that level to make such huge investment. I strongly believe this bass is comparably good when it comes to sound to the more expensive basses. If it got stolen right away now, I'ld replace it with the same bass. Overtime, I'ld probably buy other basses depending on the progress I make with this bass. My favorite feature of this bass is it's light weight and easy playability, and of course the sound. I wonder if it would look even nicer with an all maple neck and fingerboard. But as of now I have no regrets with this bass.

I bought this bass on e-bay for the amount of ??? 96,= plus ??? 22,= shipping costs. The price in the store is in the Netherlands more than ??? 200,=

Features:
4-String "Fusion-Humbucker" electric Bass guitar - Pickups: 1 x Humbucker Bass - Controls: 1 x Volume + 1 x Tone - Body: Solid Alder - Neck: Hard Maple, bolt-on, 867 mm, (34.2 in.) - Fingerboard: Rosewood, 24 frets - Bridge: "JB" Classic - Machine heads: Diecast nickel,

The color of my bass is transparent blue. I rate this category with a 6 because of the quality of the bridge and machineheads. They look very cheap and almost as if the are made from plastic.

The sound really surprised me. Especially when you are slapping it resembles the sound of Music Man Stingray. I have tried the cop by OLP-MM2, but that bass really didn't sound like the original at all in my ears. The sound is warm and the E and A strings and bright on the D and G strings. But I have to mention that I immediately replaced the original strings with D'Addario EXL180 Nickelwound, .045-.100. I am also surprised with the sound bcecause the body is relativelt small. Yet it has a full sound. Whether I play with a plectrum or with my fingers or slap ont it, I love the sound. The variety is limited, because it's a single coil and you only have a volume and a tone control. But if you like the MM sound that's okay. The pickup is not noisy at all and has a normal output! I alsso have a Yamaha BB604 active 3-band EQ bass and I don't have to put up the volume when I switch from bass! I play different styles with this bass: blues/funk/rock/soul and pop. And I think that the bass can handle that. But that's my personal opinion. Given the fact that it's a very cheap bass I rate the sound with an 8.

Every bass that I have bought. I had to adjust to my personal taste. Also this one. The action was was bad when I received it. The E and A- were too high and the G-string made strange noises when I pushed on the fingerboard during playing. But that also coauld be caused by the poor quality of the strings which were on the bass when I received it. The pickup didn't needed to be adjusted. On the fingerboard there is a strange white glow as if it has been powdered. But again I didn't bougt this bass new from a store!

Reliability: I surely will use this bass on stage! It looks to me that the durability is limited. I am glad if it will last at least 5 years. I haven no experience with Stagg so time will tell and learn.

I play the bass for 30 years and this bass was an 'experiment'. Normally I buy my bass in a store and lately I discovered e-bay. It was fun bidding on this bass. I won it in the last minute! I play this bass at home on a Peavey Microbass and on stage or during rehearsel on a Warwick Blue Cab 60. I also have other bass guitars:

Yamaha BB604/ Squier Bronco/ HK (an unknown German bass made in China but assembled in Germany. Also from e-bay :-))

What I love about this bass is the sound, the shape of the body and that it's weigt is light! I have back problems so the fact that it doesn't weigh much is a good thing for me. And despite it's light weight the sound is still warm.