There is no shortage of photos, examples, and discussion of Alembic and other high quality basses on this forum. I'm one who is always on the lookout for a great deal, who really enjoys finding an instrument that performs far beyond it's price range. So I would like to query this group, a group that probably has higher expectations than the average musician's forum; what basses, or guitars, have you owned, or currently own, that you would consider far better than the price would indicate.  For me it would be my Wishbasses. I have upgraded both with EMG active pups, and they are stellar, both in tone and playability. I recently acquired two Hohner B Bass V five strings. An older one with trashed frets that I had de-fretted, and a new one with a pretty quilted maple top. They both have active EQ, and one piece maple neck-thru construction. The active Eq seems to generate lots of harmonics, with a square wave feel to them. Adds definition to the low B. Those 4 basses in total, represent about $1200. Anyway, what should a bargain hunter like me be on the lookout for?

If you like B.C. Rich their newer N.J. series(which is made in China) Mockingbird basses are quite impressive in build quality. I believe for $599.00 you get a neck through body, quilted maple veneer and a see through red or black finish, with the maple neck having a clear gloss finish from end to end. One thing, guts would need to be replaced. It does sound good but I could'nt tell a discernable differance when turning the tone/e.q.? knobs.

Eventhough I own two handmade high end basses (Working at a luthier's workshop has it's marits.) And I own a high end Gibson Guitar, my love lies with the odd and the cheap. I own three squiers, I own a 1984 Ibanez Roadstar and a cheap POS Stagg Fender Jazz bass knock off. Because I love the cheap vibe and the fact that I can modify them wihout feeling guilty about screwing a good instrument up.
 
One cool cheap bass you could look out for is this one.
http://www.squierguitars.com/products/prod_images/basses/0326902500_xl.jpg
This is a Bass which I never thought would be reissued but it's such a cool bass that I'm already sharking for one.

Dean B2 (squared) 5 str w piezo. Not super cheap but great sound and fairly sophisticated guts. ebay $540 or so for new 4's. I'm selling an amber 5 for $500.  
Fender Korean Esquires. I replaced the Scorpion and Celtic models with emg 81's and sperzels. I also have a red gt with a Duncan Invader & sperzels. They play beautifully and have great sustain. Also very light. ebay in the $300's. I'm selling the gt for $275.  
Hamer Korean flamed archtop double cutaways. Necks are a bit base ball bat but great fit and finish, good sustain and I put in emg 89 and 81 and sperzels. $275 Purplely burst w body binding.
I must render unto the Wickershams what is due the Wickershams. (currently new bass and refinish!)

As I've previously touted in other corners of this forum, I nominate the Daion Power Mark XX as the finest production line guitar ever built.  Alembic-style construction with great attention to detail.  9 piece rosewood/maple neck, hippie sandwich (one I have has rosewood core and natural ash top/bottom, the other has maple core and stained ash top/bottom.  I brought the rosewood one to Alembic and Susan said they would have to charge me $3000 for the woodwork alone).  They show up on ebay 2 or 3 times a year and go for about $850-900.  Olie has the bass version which he has spoken of before in admirable terms.
 
Bill, tgo

Amen Bill. For the money you can't beat them.

I would like to retract my prior statement.
 
What I should have said is, for three times the money you can't beat them. !
 
I have owned and currently do own several high end (I hate that term but it gets the point across) basses and guitars, the Daion Power MK XX's are in my top 3 or 4 favorites.
 
Alembic being undeniably my favorite and the best. IMHO
 
Bill we have got to JAM some time man. I can see hours maybe even days of fun.  
 
Simply Marvelous,  
Olie

westone 5 string- 200$ goes where my alembic doesnt
gibson 67 eb2d mint red-$1200 never leaves the house
eko fiddle body bass 68-300$
alembic classico- $6500- hey thats a bargain- esp after mica tells you its one of the best they ever made
ns design 5 string-$1500
i would grab a daion but i cant play 4 string electics

Flax:  What about the titty bass?  hehehehe
 
Olie:  I'd love to.  Anytime you're out this way or if Willie repeats his benefit golf tournament with NORML like he did in 2005, I'll head out to Austin again.  (You should see Willie play.  He has a baseball swing and plays the course like a pool table - bouncing the ball off of rocky hills.  It's a trip - of course he owns the course!)  If I get that close, I'll find a way to pull it off.
 
Bill, tgo

http://traditionguitars.com/basses.html
 
My brother-in-law picked up a used MTB500 on eBay for about $300.  Great action and a very comfortable neck.  I've only played that one he has, but it played very very nicely.
 
If I can find one for a similar price, I will definetly pull the trigger and then swap out the pickups for some Barts.

Yamaha BB-series. I've got three 80's examples that undoubtedly were my best price/quality buys ever, but the new reissues (especially the passive ones) also beat all the competition when it comes to 'bang for buck'.
 
Wilfred

the Bass on the right is a very funky fender-jazz Bass sounding De-armond 5 string with a 3 band EQ I found new for $250,00 a few yrs ago!

My old Westone Quantum was cool, but I think there is tons of decent stuff around these days. I played a Tanglewood (now Cort) Curbow a few years back that was great; also a cheap Aria which a friend bought on my recommendation. I like Ibanez basses (not very cheap, but certainly way less than Alembic), and I have to say that I'm quite a big Epiphone fan. Also my old Hohner Jack was quite good, as was my old Vester VB11.

Danno, I'm interested in your opinion on the B2 5 string as I've never played one but find them intriguing.

Long scale, neck thru, good construction and craftsmanship, great sound, full tone control including blend of piezo or piezo alone, easy to adjust. Overall a very good bass that can get those acoustic-like percussive attack tones. The peghead is a bit funky and not friendly to most gigbags. I got it used at GC on a whim. At the time they were going for $900 new. For the money they are very versitile and I hear Dean has discontinued them.