birthday in a few short weeks
 

my 21st birthday is on march 10th, and my sister is going to help me get an inexpensive 4 string, 300 and under.

Any recommendations, i want a new one and no craigs stuff. So far the best one ive seen has been the squier vintage modfied, the 70's one that is natural and black. Any other hidden cheap gems?

also im preferring passive pick ups, already have an rbx375 for my active 5 string metal needs.

The SX gets a lot of love around here. (But I haven't tried them, so I can't tell you if they are good or not).

had that squier, not a bad bass at all! But I like the black&maple more :D
Also, try the Classic Vibe basses

Perhaps a Squier Jaguar?

http://www.fender.com/basses/jaguar/...ed-jaguar-bass

I've heard very good things about the Vintage Modified's Duncan Designed pickups. The all-black with block inlays is passive, and the Precision/Jazz pickup configuration should lend itself to a nice variety of tones.

I know you said you wanted passive, but if you can, try out the VM Special. It's the same P/J configuration, but it's got an active bass boost built in. The thing is a friggin' cannon!

http://www.fender.com/basses/jaguar/...r-bass-special

Either way, both would fall within your budget, especially the VM Special. Just out of curiosity, how set on a 'new' item are you?

Squier VM is about as nice a bass you will ever find for around $300.

SX basses are cheap and well liked around here but I would be weary unless you are good doing setups, fret ends, shimming, etc. some are great out of the box, many aren't.

I know you said you want passive but the sterling sub ray4 is getting a lot of good reviews. From what I've been reading its a lot of bass for under $300.

Squier VM or CV all the way.

+1. SX basses are great, but they very often require some fretwork to make them play their best. Not a huge deal but if you're not handy with tools, expect to spend some money getting a setup.

That said, after some fret leveling, my SX now plays ALMOST as good as my Fender.

I won't blow smoke and claim that a $200 bass blows away my MIA Fender, but I'd be ok with leaving the Fender at home and rocking the SX.

If you want a precision the amber maple squier vintage modified p bass is the best deal for under 300 I've ever seen. I'd expect the jazz basses to be similar

Totally agree
 

Only thing is you gotta hurry for the amber/maple Precision for it's outa catalog at present ('70s Jazz is a complete success instead) so you may look for a stock exemplar.

Cheers,
Wallace