The Iconic Beatle Bass Made Affordable Again

With the creation of this site, we've been blown away at the excellent instruments available without ever breaking the bank. There are so many affordable basses to be had regardless of your style and regardless of your budget. Also, we've been humbled to be part of sharing some great lesser known companies and the great work they're doing, so we can share in the fun of music, whether at a concert or listening in the car.

Well, I'd love to share with you some of our favorites so far...

Rogue VB100

There is no more iconic story of "cheap thunder" than Paul McCartney and his purchase of what would later be dubbed the "Beatle Bass", the Hofner 500/1.

The story goes Paul McCartney was walking through town and saw this bass which was symmetrical in the window and had a price tag the young musician could swing, £30. At the time, everyone played Fenders, but they were too expensive for him. So, that day he left with it and assumed the position of bass player for the group. He would take that unknown German company, Hofner, into the spotlight on the Ed Sullivan Show, Shea Stadium, and quite a few times across the world. 

Everyone ended up wanting a Hofner and the company raised their prices quite high on their instruments. But since then many companies have made replicas of those original Hofner basses, like this new Rogue VB100 (from a distance you would never even be able to tell the difference). 

This model is currently being played by Alain Johannes, who has played bass with the likes of Queens of the Stone Age and Them Crooked Vultures. 

I really love this particular gear piece, because it speaks to the heart of Cheap Thunder, which is; you don't need to go in debt to be a musician. Just make great music with what you have. But...if you were to want to add a new bass to your arsenal this one could be easily had for $200. Now, THAT'S a great deal!!