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Best basses under $400


funkatron

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Ok, I've been assigned the task of finding a new bass for roughly around $300-350 for my friends girlfriend to buy him for his birthday. I haven't really tried many basses in this range lately, and I haven't even really looked at basses lately or anything because I have all my instruments straight, and tend to focus more on buying recording equipment anymore. I'm going to do some research and hopefully get out to some stores a play some the next time I make a trip to the next town for something (no stores here). Anyway, I just thought you bass forumites could give me a couple starting suggestions. So far I'm thinking a Standard P-bass. They're around 400 lately i think. He plays mostly rock stuff, but he wants me to teach him show him some slap, and I really dig active p-ups for slap so I'm still looking around (though I've found P-basses to be great all around, but I haven't played a newer one). Also she does want to get him a new bass, I suggested already that I'd keep a lookout for a good used one because you might be able to find something quite a bit better, but she is firm on going new. Any thoughts? Thanks.

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would you be cool with buying a bass and modding it? If so, I'd recommend an SX with new PUPs, perhaps a bridge upgrade. Figure 100-150 for the bass, 100 for pups, 50 for an upgraded bridge. Bam. If you aren't into modding it yourself, you could prolly get it professionally done for around 75.

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Essex Jazz bass from http://rondomusic.net plus a few other goodies: Fender Custom Shop 60's pickups (hard to go wrong with some overwinding), a BadAss II bridge (more treble zing for slapping), and maybe even a pickguard.

 

Don't install the other parts so he can send them back and swap them for something else if he wants - mainly the pickups. I would recommend getting the black '62 model with a Tort or Black pickguard from someplace like Warmoth (everyone stocks pickguards, just keep in mind that it may need a little filing to fit the Essex), hard to go wrong with either one.

 

Even the bass should feel like a good $350 bass or so, plus all the extra parts would make for an awesome gift!

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A Cort Curbow Retro would be right up there for stock, new.

 

Better tuners than MIM Fender, Jazz pickup setup, active preamp (turn the tone knob one way it boosts bass, the other it boosts treble), slightly heavier than Fender bridge, very comfortable neck, fewer deadspots than stock Fender (but not completely eliminated).

 

If you could find a Curbow for that price, he wouldn't need another bass for a LONG time!

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Originally posted by burdizzos

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Dean Edge.


Never played one that I didn't like.

 

I went to see a buddy's band earlier (they may have an opening for a bass player) and their bassist was using one of these. Sounded pretty sweet through a Rogue amp (something-200-something, easily could have been tubes) through a 4x12 even with a V shaped graphic EQ. If nothing else, it looked nice, one of my favorite basses with soapbars.

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Originally posted by ARES

Foolish. New $400 basses I've played have rarely been up to snuff, but I've played $200 used basses that I'd willingly have sex with.

 

 

Umm...a $400 new bass is usually $200 used...What are you playing thats so awesome for $200 used I have to ask. :rolleyes:

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I think we need a description of that Dean Edge. :p

 

The upgraded version has EMG HZ's, and then the next upgraded version has Barts. Musician's Friend says for the next model up, "Spend a little more... get a Quilted Maple Top... active pre-amp..." But the Edge has four controls - volume, volume or pan, and an individual tone?

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