Any suggestions guys? need help

[Jslag]

hey guys ive been playing bass for a while now and play an upright and do combos and big band stuff and want am going to get a new electric bass for jazz and like funky vic woot stuff and want to know what would be best! i can spend about 800 at the very most! i was looking at the ibanez sr700 or one of those sr basses! But what other brands are good? and models?

[inthebassclef]

I would say look for a nice used Geddy Lee Jazz. They are usual in the $600-700 range and you can't beat that neck, just make sure it is one of the Japanese made. Of course you can't go wrong with a used american P or J bass. In my experience Ibanez are very hit or miss but usually miss.

[gr8bassplayer]

Originally Posted by inthebassclef

I would say look for a nice used Geddy Lee Jazz. They are usual in the $600-700 range and you can't beat that neck, just make sure it is one of the Japanese made. Of course you can't go wrong with a used american P or J bass. In my experience Ibanez are very hit or miss but usually miss.

Yes, Ibanez's are very hit or miss. I would agree. I prefer my Squier VM Jazz over any fender I've played, though. That would leave you a few hundred dollars for new pups or any upgrade you want.

[Jslag]

gr8, that is to low of a price for me to be comfortable with quality of the materials

[bassgod0dmw]

Used American Standard Jazz

[Jslag]

standard or deluxe?

[bassgod0dmw]

Standard IMO, but I prefer a passive Jazz. It will work in literally every single situation you could ever be in. Well, except for when you need an upright

A good P would fit the bill too, but I think a J is much better suited at what you're looking for.

[GroovinOnFunk]

Originally Posted by Jslag

gr8, that is to low of a price for me to be comfortable with quality of the materials

This is a useless post, IMO.

You can definitely get a good Geddy Lee jazz bass at that point. Used USA standard maybe can be found for that price, but honestly, I'd almost prefer a Geddy Lee. I have a USA standard now. Leaves a littles to be desired for me without swapping out the pickups. In trying to decide if its worth it to invest more in it, I've been considering either going GeddyLee or the other end of the spectrum something like an active G&L jazz.

Btw, don't rule out G&L either. I'd take a G&L over Fender (standard and dlx. Not including custom shop) any day. They just put a lot more care in the craftsmanship of their instruments.

[Jslag]

what g&l models are good? better than say an ibanez sr600 or 700

[zachoff]

You'd probably be looking at a G&L JB-2 if you're particular to Jazz Basses. You don't need to spend the money on the USA unless you really want to. The Tributes are great basses. I have two of them and you'd have to put a gun to my head before I'd give up my G&Ls in favor of Ibanez.

If you're wanting a comparison of G&L to Ibanez SR... Totally different sound, totally different to play, totally different mojo... Totally different basses.

[gpx1200]

I have owned several low end and high end Ibanez basses one thing to consider about them is as you go up in model/price mostly only the woods change until you get to the sr1200 premium line then you get the titanium rods in the neck, better preamp,norsdstrand pickups, monorail bridge,ect..
sr500 mahogany body, jitoba/ babinga neck,rosewood/abalone finger board
sr600 ash body "............................"
sr700 mahog/figured maple body ".........................."
sr800 mahog/burld poplar body "..............................."
these all have the same pickups,preamp,hardware neck.
you can also find the sr500s with some realy nice quilted/splaterd maple tops for an extra $50 I have a beautifull 505qm, I didn't even want a 5 string but I couldn't resist, I had to have this bass
that said I love Ibanez soundgear basses they play efortleesly ,look awesome and the quality is very high for the money spent. if you like a modern style bass with a fast neck you realy should check out some sr basses.
personaly I think fender basses are way overrated,outdated and overpriced.
a friend at a local music store practaly forced me to check out a "vintage" p bass and all I could think was holly crap I can't believe this log cost's 2x what my spector euro cost

[Jslag]

so the sr500 and sr700 are the same?

[bikeplate]

Find a light road worn Mexican Fender jazz

[gpx1200]

Originally Posted by Jslag

so the sr500 and sr700 are the same?

the only difference is the figured maple top on the 700 other than that it's the same bass. it might sound a little different with the maple top but that is the only difference.
pickups,bridge,preamp,neck are all the same as the sr 500

[verycoolname]

Originally Posted by Jslag

so the sr500 and sr700 are the same?

The only differences are the body/top woods/finishes. I opted for the SR600 while searching for an Ibanez (as I read the SR500 had some problems with finish etc.) I love mine; pickups sound good, and the EQ is plenty versatile. The neck's the bast part; very fast and thin, with a smooth satin finish.

I wouldn't disregard Fenders though. If you're into thin necks (such as Ibanez), the Geddy Lee is a good buy. Fender is the quintessential (IMO) bass guitar (not exactly the best, but the most well known). You can't (in theory) go wrong with one.

My advice is to narrow it down to 3/4 choices and play them all at GC (or other music store of choice). That's what I did with the SR600; narrowed it down to four basses (2 Ibanezes, 2 Fenders) played them all, and picked my favorite one.

Good luck!

[AngelCrusher]

Originally Posted by Jslag

hey guys ive been playing bass for a while now and play an upright and do combos and big band stuff and want am going to get a new electric bass for jazz and like funky vic woot stuff and want to know what would be best! i can spend about 800 at the very most! i was looking at the ibanez sr700 or one of those sr basses! But what other brands are good? and models?

A Fender Jazz bass is always a great option. Highway 1, Road Worn are both great.

But it sounds like you may want an active bass. The challenge is finding one that does not sound crappy when you record.

I'd try and hunt down a used Lakland Skyline..it's worth saving up a little more cash.

But if you can't do that, hunt down a used Fender Jazz bass. It is the best way to go for that price point.

[Jslag]

im not doing much recording as of right now! i will soon be off to college to study bass so i want to get my electric now and get a feel for it! i will look at lakland