Advice
 

So here`s my story. I started playing when I was 15. I stopped when I was 21-22. I had a Rick,a Music Man Stingray, Fender American PBass,I sold them all,yes I know,,I am sorry I did,but I was young. A few years later I got interested again,and picked up an SR800,and then sold it again..and then an SRX500,and sold it again..and I haven`t even mentioned all the amps I had to go along with the basses. So it`s been probably 5yrs since I own one. So,once again my interest has come back. Question is..do I buy cheap,like an RBX170 and see how it goes,,or should I buy a much higher quality bass? Bass choices would be helpful,,been out of the loop for many years.

Squier Vintage Modified Jazz Bass. Nearly Fender American quality for $300 new.

Squier Vintage Modified P in amber maple

Maybe it would help if you explained why you sold your basses. What was it about them that you didn't like?

Simple. What's your budget? If you earn a six-figure income and have relatively little debt, then go for it. Buy a really nice bass. If you are struggling to pay the bills, and would have to whip out a credit card to get a bass, then go cheap (if at all). If you are somewhere in between then buy something medium grade used.

MIJ used Fender basses can be had at a bargain and they are really nice. S.U.B Ernie Ball basses are good and can be found pretty cheap.

There are lots of options out there in the lower price range. It depends mostly on what features you preferred back in the day. You mentioned the RBX - they are up there in terms of value and quality and you wouldn't go wrong with one.

As for the question of price brackets, I would buy something cheaper that you won't feel an urgency to sell if you lose interest after a while and that you won't feel guilty having sitting in its case for long periods of time.

It wasn`t the basses,I loved em. It`s just that I was not able to get hooked up with any bands at the time.So I got tired of just having a bass and playing along with records.

My Fender Aerodyne serves me pretty well. It was my first, and I really lucked out in getting it. I had no idea how good a buy I had made. But outside my personal bias, there are technical reasons I'm recommending it.

Given the attention you've given Ibanez basses, I think it's safe to assume you go for a lighter bass, yes? Well my Aerodyne weighs in at 8.5 pounds. Maybe not as light as some Ibanez's, but definitely lighter than your average Fender Jazz. It's also very well balanced.

Then there's the electronics. It's passive P/J config lends itself to a nice range of tones. P-only for a heavier sound or mix in some/all of the Jazz to bring out some nice brightness.

Cost-wise, consider it to be "middle of the road". They go for about $800, brand new, but I've seen plenty of used ones going for $500 or so.

On another technical note, if you want to add a drop-d tuner, Hipshot has one made for Japanese Fenders. No need to re-drill any holes in the headstock.

Oh, did I forget to mention that they are Sexy As Hell?!

Ah Ah Ah great spot my friend
 

In all honesty
a good point:)

Op's not a proper newbie btw so your "midfield" advice is quite
"well balanced" for what he's lookin' for

Cheers,
Wallace

That is a nice looking bass,I`ll give ya that much. I really like that it doesn`t have dots on the board. I also do like the P/J configuration. I will keep this one in mind when looking around the forums and Ebay.

Check out Guitar Center's used database. There are currently two for sale. One is a standard export model (they're made in Japan) for $450 and a non-export model for $550. You can tell them apart by the output jack. The export model has a stratocaster style jack (my esthetic preference), the non-export has a standard flush-to-the-body output jack.

eBay has a number of different models available, and most of them are non-exports with different colors, pickguards, etc, that you can't get here in the States without doing a special order.

One thing I forgot to mention, as slick and sexy as they look, they are big-time fingerprint magnets. If you get one, keep a polishing cloth handy.

+1 ... only thing I'll add is that you can get them used even cheaper. Great bass! I've got a few of them.

With your history the important thing is to buy used. No matter what level you choose, you don't lose much if you decide to sell again.

+1 on Used... GC USED database is great.... But also check on your local Craigslist. I have sold many of my starter basses on there and even purchased some fairly high end stuff on there too. Best of luck to you.

One thing I might add... If you invest $$ in your gear it might make you (now that you are all grown up) invest just as much time playing and learning your craft. As an adult we tend to value money in a different way. Perhaps you will think to yourself, "well I spent all this money, I guess I better stick to it"

Just a thought.