Members allan grossman Posted October 30, 2002 Members Share Posted October 30, 2002 Suppose you're looking for a new bass. What provides the most bang for the buck in the following categories? Under $500 Under $1000 Under $1500 Don't forget the stuff across the pond - not everyone here is in the US. thanks - Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members mikgag Posted October 30, 2002 Members Share Posted October 30, 2002 Under $500=G&L Under $1000=G&L Under $1500=G&L Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members allan grossman Posted October 30, 2002 Author Members Share Posted October 30, 2002 G&L makes a bass under $500? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members bassplayer7770 Posted October 30, 2002 Members Share Posted October 30, 2002 Originally posted by allan grossman Under $500A used Carvin, Peavey, or possibly a Reverend.Under $1000Reverend and Peavey (Millennium Series).Under $1500Peavey (Millennium Series and Cirrus), Spector (Czech), and Ernie Ball Musicman (Stingray or Sterling).I've never played a G&L, so I can't comment on those. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members mikgag Posted October 30, 2002 Members Share Posted October 30, 2002 Originally posted by allan grossman G&L makes a bass under $500? o.k........... Under $500=Rogue Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members willsellout Posted October 30, 2002 Members Share Posted October 30, 2002 500Ibanez soundgear 1000used stingrayor used other brand 1500Laklandstingray Dan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CMS Author Craig Vecchione Posted October 30, 2002 CMS Author Share Posted October 30, 2002 Under $500: Fender MIM, Yammy RBX, Ibanez SR400, SRX500 Under $1000: Fender MIA Under $1500: RICKENBACKER 4003 G&L ASAT or L MM Sterling or Stingray Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members bassmanatlarge Posted October 30, 2002 Members Share Posted October 30, 2002 Under $1500 - JAF Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members bassplayer7770 Posted October 30, 2002 Members Share Posted October 30, 2002 Originally posted by bassmanatlarge Under $1500 - JAF You know, I was thinking about that too, but I haven't played one. Do you have any reviews? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members da_witch Posted October 30, 2002 Members Share Posted October 30, 2002 Under 500: Ibanez, but not the ones with the low numbers... Under 1000: Ibanez has also pretty cool ones, Peavey and some Yamaha's (depending on the fact if you want a 4 string, a 5 string or a 6 er) Under 1500: Get yourself a custom one...otherwise a nice Ric... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members bassmanatlarge Posted October 30, 2002 Members Share Posted October 30, 2002 Originally posted by bassplayer7770 You know, I was thinking about that too, but I haven't played one. Do you have any reviews? Not yet, but I'll get ya some from people who have played one... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members bassaussie Posted October 30, 2002 Members Share Posted October 30, 2002 Definately Ibanez in each category. They are by far the premier bass manufacturer in the world, and their products are market leaders in each category. Rawk orn!! m/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members lug Posted October 30, 2002 Members Share Posted October 30, 2002 might wanna add recs for both 4 anf 5 string basses Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members MrJoshua Posted October 30, 2002 Members Share Posted October 30, 2002 I'll assume we're talking strictly about new gear here. Under $500 Two suggestions - for a four-string, find a decent Mexi p-bass or jazz bass. They're servicable, you know you can get a decent tone out of them, and with a good setup it can be a very playable bass. If you want to step up to a five-string, check out some of Yamaha's gear. I have a BBN5, which I don't think they make anymore, and it's a fantastic bass for well under $500. Passive j-pups, 24-fret neck with a rosewood fretboard. It plays well and sounds great, with solid construction. Under $1000 This is where things start to get extremely subjective. If you're looking to spend between $500 and $1000 on a bass you should already have a pretty good idea of what you're looking for in terms of sound and playability. Here are a few suggestions, though. First, let's look at our old friend the Fender MIM P-bass. I know, it's under $500 (well under), but for a few hundred dollars you can give it some great upgrades to put it in the $500-1000 category. A good setup, maybe a new nut, a Badass II or other aftermarket high-mass bridge, some new pups and/or the Raven Labs preamp will make this bass a tone machine and keep your total budget under a grand. If you choose your bass carefully and pick one with a good neck and solid construction these additions will give you a bass that will hands-down beat an American p-bass in terms of sound. Check out the Ibanez BTB series of basses. I might be remembering wrong, but I think they list for prices in this range. (If I'm wrong I'm sure someone will tell me.) I've only had a chance to play one briefly, but it was a nice bass and I've read lots of reviews on them. Mainly, shop around! Try out all the basses within a 10-hour drive of you, and find one that feels and sounds right to YOU - after all, you're the one that has to play it! Under $1500 By the time you want to spend over a grand on a bass you better have some pretty decent skills to go with it. You should also know exactly what you want in terms of sound, number of strings, and playability. I have a Warwick Corvette Standard 5-string, and I love it. It's absolutely an amazing bass. That said, I'm not all that impressed with the newer ones (with the ovangkol necks and wenge fretboards - I prefer the old-style wenge necks). However, they're well worth trying out. I recommend you stop by a store and try one out if they're available in your area. I believe the MIA Fender basses fall in this category as well. However, to be brutally honest with you, I've never been terribly impressed with the MIA basses in the bang-for-the-buck category. They've never seemed THAT much better than the MIM basses to me, which means if I was going to buy a Fender I'd get an MIM and do the upgrades we discussed in the previous section. There are a ton of other basses in this category as well, but for this much money I really have to recommend that you get out and try as many basses as you can. Spending over a grand on someone else's recommendation isn't the best way to get what you want. Get out there and find the one that's right for you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members non mushall Posted October 30, 2002 Members Share Posted October 30, 2002 $500 - Spector/ Ibanez$1000 - Yamaha TRB /Spector$1500 - Musicman / Status Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Nate42 Posted October 30, 2002 Members Share Posted October 30, 2002 Originally posted by bassaussie Definately Ibanez in each category. They are by far the premier bass manufacturer in the world, and their products are market leaders in each category. Rawk orn!! m/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members ezweave Posted October 30, 2002 Members Share Posted October 30, 2002 I asked myself, "What would I buy if I had..." Under 500Carvin Bolt-On (4 String) Fender P-Bass Special (4 string) Under 1000Lakland Skyline 55-01 (5 string) Fender P-Bass Deluxe US (4 string) Spector NS2000 (4 string) Under 1500Music Man Stingray (4 string) Music Man Sterling (4 string) Ric 4003 (4 string) Just a few suggestions... try before you buy! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Nate42 Posted October 30, 2002 Members Share Posted October 30, 2002 I'd like to add the under $200 category, in which essex is a clear winner. Hell, essex + good bridge + good pickup can be had for ~$250. Under $500 I'd say Ibanez or Schecter, they both have a number of made in korea basses that are great in the bang for the buck category. Avoid the GSR series like the plague. Oh yeah, and used T-40s should be available in this range. Never played one, but hell its the forums favorite discontinued bargain. I want one thanks to you bastards. Under $1000 theres a whole lot of great contendors. Ibanez BTBs, (should be able to get a 510 for less than 1000) are good stuff. A good used G&L should be available in this range for the fenfer fans. Made in Korea Spectors, Schecters, ESPs, lots of decent choices. Under $1500 is starting to get into what I'd call high end, where opinions matter a lot and there's really no correct answer. Check out Lakland Skylines, Modulus Flea and modulus vintage J, Czech Spectors, G&Ls, and numerous other great basses. I would avoid the MIA fenfer, but thats just me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Bogster Posted October 30, 2002 Members Share Posted October 30, 2002 Originally posted by Nate42 where opinions matter a lot and there's really no correct answer. Nate ol' buddy, I would say this applies to ALL gear, regardless of $$$.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Nate42 Posted October 30, 2002 Members Share Posted October 30, 2002 Originally posted by Bogster Nate ol' buddy, I would say this applies to ALL gear, regardless of $$$.... You're right of course, but I'd say the lower end gear has more clear cut good deals than the higher end. With high end stuff, its all bound to be high quality (at least it damn well better be) the little subjective details are the only thing that really matters. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members ezweave Posted October 30, 2002 Members Share Posted October 30, 2002 BTBs have a weird neck... I wouldn't buy one unless I played it first. I like P-bass type necks, but those are just plain odd. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members zachoff Posted October 30, 2002 Members Share Posted October 30, 2002 $1-$500 - Schecter Stiletto $501-$1000 - Reverend, of course $1000-$1500 - Gibson Thunderbird Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members chopzilla Posted October 30, 2002 Members Share Posted October 30, 2002 I haven't checked "buy" prices on all these, but I think I've got 'em right... Under $500: Cort Curbow, Dean Edge 4, Hamer Import Cruise Bass (so overlooked it's pathetic--beats the MIM Fenders) Under $1000:Yamaha RBX 750 (or whichever is the current production model high-end RBX), Fender MIA (passive models), Ibanez BTB Under $1500:EB Sterling, Peavey Cirrus I'm sure there are others Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members mitica Posted October 30, 2002 Members Share Posted October 30, 2002 $500-1000: Fenfer Geddy Lee Jazz (MIJ)! OK, so I don't get out much, let alone to try basses, but I just love this puppy. Especially after having sworn off kittens. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Skippii Posted October 30, 2002 Members Share Posted October 30, 2002 Under $500: DanelectroOLP About $500Dean Rhapsody (might be a little more)Ibanez Ergodyne Under $1000Ibanez BTBBC Rich Innovator, Neck-thruCarvin Under $1500Modulus FleaBC Rich USA--this may be moreGothic Custom Guitars Under $5,000Basslab DN1000Sadowsky Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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