Most people think that the primary tone of a solid body instrument is just dependent on the electronics, the strings, and the bridge.  Nothing could be further from the truth.

A solid body instrument is actually an acoustic instrument.  Fine solid body guitars are made of fine tone wood. 

The acoustics are the limiting factor on sound.  You can't simply replace electronics on a cheap instrument and expect great results.  While the acoustic sound is low volume, the quality of that tone is the major factor in the sound.

A great example are the Fender Instruments.  The Fender Squire looks like a regular Fender, but it is made from plywood.  Simply replacing the electronics won't make it the same as an American Fender made with tone woods.

Similarly, Gibson sells guitars made of good acoustic qualities, while under the brand name Ibanez, owned by Gibson, they sell guitars shaped and that look the same as their Gibson counterparts, but lack the tonal quality of the wood.

Solid Body Guitars and Electric Basses:

Generally, Electric Bass players have no choice but to start on a solid body instrument.  They also make acoustic-body electric basses, but they are generally much more expensive.

Mike Pedulla Quote:

Mike Pedualla makes boutique high-end solid-body instruments.  They are played by many of the world's greatest bass players.  He made the bass that is pictured, an incredibly lively, responsive, hi-fi punchy bass.

“Basses are first made acoustically, and that’s where the heart of a good bass comes from—that’s where it sounds off first,” he asserts. As a result, he gives primacy to body shape and wood choice, treating electronics as a component that is “there to bring out what the bass already is.” If you put your ear to the horn of one of his basses, he argues, that’s the same sound you’ll hear coming out of the amplifier."

How to test the acoustics of a solid body instrument: 

The first thing I do when selecting a solid body instrument is play it unplugged.  If it doesn't sing when it's not plugged in, I don't even bother with plugging it in.

Watch out for absurdly heavy instruments as they may have more sustain but are a pain to own and play.  Realize you may have over 25 lbs hanging on your back for hours.

Wash your hands before playing, and clean the strings off after playing them.  You hands have natural oils and acids which effect the string life.  

Quality Instruments:

No one ever regretted getting a better instrument.  It will generally sound much better, be easier to play, and will actually improve its sound over time and be more motivating. 

A higher end used instrument generally are your best investment.  

Cosmetic flaws drastically reduce the cost of most instruments.  I look for these.  In Vintage Instruments, if there are any changes, it vastly reduces their value, even if they improve the instrument.  

EBAY:

EBAY is a huge gamble.  Feedback is fairly useless, as many people have friends pad their feedback.  Also, people are afraid of leaving honest negative feedback because of the fear of retaliatory feedback.

If

Pedulla Thunderbass, a handmade, great-sounding lightweight modern electric bass.

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