$1500 To Spend On A Bass

[Garret Wheeler]

Hello everybody!

Ok, so right now I'm in between my freshman and sophomore years of college. I've recently acquired a good-paying the job for the summer and I plan to buy a really nice bass right before I go back to school. I've gone back and forth between modding a budget bass or just buying a bass that is good enough stock to leave alone, and I've decided I would rather buy a "lifer" than a hot-rodded cheap bass.

By lifer I mean a bass that is solid enough that it'll undoubtedly last me a lifetime, and I'll never even think about wanting to get rid of it. I know all of that stuff is subjective, but what it comes down to is I want to drop somewhere between $1000 and $1500 on this instrument. I know price isn't necessarily an indication of quality, but I want this to be a professional-quality instrument, not just a good bang-for-the-buck. Maybe I should include that I gig regularly and record semi-regularly, so any instrument I acquire will be put to use and will definitely be put through its paces!

So far I've been considering:

A used Rickenbacker 4003 (A lot of times they're closer to $1600 but I could bend my own rules for this one )
An American Jazz Bass (American professional or American standard- I've played both and can't find much of a difference playing and sound-wise)
A Fender P bass (Probably the Classic 50s, which is actually below my potential price point, but I can't imagine a P-bass being much better! OOH- Except maybe the Mike Dirnt Roadworn!!) btw- If I go for this one I may add a second 15" cabinet to my rig with the money I'd save
A used Musicman Stingray (Nuff said)
Lastly, something by Lakland (I haven't done too much research into their stuff, but I know they make some awesome instruments that can be had for around my price-point)

I've seen a lot of these type of threads, but this isn't as much a question of what should I buy, but what are some really nice basses to check out that can be had for $1000-$1500?

My requirements/preferences:
I only want to buy one bass
No modifications NEEDED to make it a solid bass
I prefer 4 strings
I've generally stuck to passive instruments but not by rule
I would like something American (but that's not necessarily a requirement)

 

[Rib 13]

Hello everybody!

Ok, so right now I'm in between my freshman and sophomore years of college. I've recently acquired a good-paying the job for the summer and I plan to buy a really nice bass right before I go back to school. I've gone back and forth between modding a budget bass or just buying a bass that is good enough stock to leave alone, and I've decided I would rather buy a "lifer" than a hot-rodded cheap bass.

By lifer I mean a bass that is solid enough that it'll undoubtedly last me a lifetime, and I'll never even think about wanting to get rid of it. I know all of that stuff is subjective, but what it comes down to is I want to drop somewhere between $1000 and $1500 on this instrument. I know price isn't necessarily an indication of quality, but I want this to be a professional-quality instrument, not just a good bang-for-the-buck. Maybe I should include that I gig regularly and record semi-regularly, so any instrument I acquire will be put to use and will definitely be put through its paces!

So far I've been considering:

A used Rickenbacker 4003 (A lot of times they're closer to $1600 but I could bend my own rules for this one )
An American Jazz Bass (American professional or American standard- I've played both and can't find much of a difference playing and sound-wise)
A Fender P bass (Probably the Classic 50s, which is actually below my potential price point, but I can't imagine a P-bass being much better!) btw- If I go for this one I may add a second 15" cabinet to my rig with the money I'd save
A used Musicman Stingray (Nuff said)
Lastly, something by Lakland (I haven't done too much research into their stuff, but I know they make some awesome instruments that can be had for around my price-point)

I've seen a lot of these type of threads, but this isn't as much a question of what should I buy, but what are some really nice basses to check out that can be had for $1000-$1500?

My requirements/preferences:
I only want to buy one bass
No modifications NEEDED to make it a solid bass
I prefer 4 strings
I've generally stuck to passive instruments but not by rule
I would like something American (but that's not necessarily a requirement)

1a) What genre(s) of music do you like to play?
1b) Name bass players who have inspired you and/or that you wish to emulate in some fashion
2) Fingers or Pick?
3) Slap or not?
4) Do you want one bass to sound like many basses or are you a set-it-and-forget-it player?
5) Roundwound or Flatwound strings?
6) Which amp?

 

[Garret Wheeler]

1a) What genre(s) of music do you like to play?
1b) Name bass players who have inspired you and/or that you wish to emulate in some fashion
2) Fingers or Pick?
3) Slap or not?
4) Do you want one bass to sound like many basses or are you a set-it-and-forget-it player?
5) Roundwound or Flatwound strings?
6) Which amp?

1a)- Blues, Rock, Hard-rock, Classic-era Heavy Metal
1b)- Geezer Butler, John Paul Jones, Tim Commerford, Steve Harris, Chris Squier, and a little bit of Geddy. I like an aggressive tone with lots of mids and a decent amount of top and bottom end, but I like to sound smooth when neccesary.
2)- 99.9% Fingers 0.1% Pick
3)- Ehh not so much, but I goof around with it
4)- I'd like to have some variation but I'm more of a set-it-and-forget-it kinda guy
5) Yes
6) Currently I have a Gallien Krueger 700rb II with a 115

 

[two fingers]

In my humble opinion, pretty much every bass player should have a P bass in the collection. Get that and the 15" speaker. Your rig will double in volume and your tone will get a bump as well.

Seriously, unless you are in a fringe genre as your main gig, a P bass will serve you well.

That being said, and to keep with answering your question, I and many others here have a genuine interest in the new G&L Kiloton. It's kind of a Stingray meets a P bass and then some. It has created a stir around here and there are several threads about it.

 

[vivaknoxvegas]

Good questions by Spazz.

I just took the plunge on a Lakland 55-02, in your price range, and I really love it. But, I already have a P and a P/J for other things. So, it probably will help if you provide answers to the questions above.

 

[Garret Wheeler]

Good questions by Spazz.

I just took the plunge on a Lakland 55-02, in your price range, and I really love it. But, I already have a P and a P/J for other things. So, it probably will help if you provide answers to the questions above.

How's the neck on the Lakland? I've been curious about their basses before, but I live in semi-rural NC so I've never actually seen one in person, except maybe at concerts.

 

[vivaknoxvegas]

For a 5-string, it's very manageable. It's not much chunkier than my SX p-bass. Mine is all maple neck/fretboard. I've only had it over the weekend, but I really love the bass so far. There's a ton of info her on the 55-02, very popular bass.

 

[dr_gonzo]

I'd get a Fender PJ. You get the smooth deep end of the P-Bass, and if you wanna add more growl to it, you can blend it with the J pickup. This way you have plenty of bases covered, and if you want to slap you can fluctuate between that classic funk tone and a more modern one. I think in terms of versatilty and build quality, you can't go wrong with it. Just my two cents.

 

[Rib 13]

1a)- Blues, Rock, Hard-rock, Classic-era Heavy Metal
1b)- Geezer Butler, John Paul Jones, Tim Commerford, Steve Harris, Chris Squier, and a little bit of Geddy. I like an aggressive tone with lots of mids and a decent amount of top and bottom end, but I like to sound smooth when neccesary.
2)- 99.9% Fingers 0.1% Pick
3)- Ehh not so much, but I goof around with it
4)- I'd like too have some variation but I'm more of a set-it-and-forget-it kinda guy
5) Yes
6) Currently I have a Gallien Krueger 700rb II with a 115

Fender Jazz Elite
Maruszczyk Jake or Elwood
or similar

good luck

 

[BigBigGuy44]

RIC 4003 is first on your list. You can pick up a brand new one (in the US) for under $1,500. If that's what you want, I wouldn't settle for anything less.

Just make sure you play one first. Ergonomics are not for everyone. If you try one and love it but don't like the binding, a 4003s is a great option at a lower price point.

 

[wilder]

In that price range (used) I own an AVRI 58 Prevision and a Ric 4003. I'd have a hard time picking between them if I had to give up one. I also own a Roadworn precision and have owned the Classic 50s lacquer Precision in the past. The Road Worn and Classic 50s basses come pretty close to the AVRI. If you can get into an AVRI at the right price, the difference is worth it. The Ric is a little heavier so I don't gig it as much as the P basses, but I record with it a lot. Nothing wrong with the regular Fender USA basses as well. Once again...buy used and you can still get that extra 15" cab.

 

[Killed_by_Death]

Ibanez SRX700, does the same sounds a $1,000+ bass can, but it's not passive (2-band EQ)
neck-thru design
ash body, 5 piece maple neck
lightweight, less than 9 lbs.

used around $300 & you can spend the rest of the cash on a nice tube amp

 

[Anachronism]

Rickenbacker, if you're comfortable with the ergonomics (personally, I love them). Great looks, right in your price range if you're in the US (Wildwood's regular prices are around 1600 for a new 4003, 1400 for a 4003S), incredibly versatile, and Ricks hold value very well. A used 4004 model could also be a great option, if you're able to find one.

 

[nonohmic]

P bass and more volume.

 

[superdick2112]

Rickenbacker, if you're comfortable with the ergonomics (personally, I love them). Great looks, right in your price range if you're in the US (Wildwood's regular prices are around 1600 for a new 4003, 1400 for a 4003S), incredibly versatile, and Ricks hold value very well. A used 4004 model could also be a great option, if you're able to find one.

+1000 This /\

 

[XXL]

An American G&L L-2000 is your answer. It has passive or active options and the MFDs have all the volume you need.

 

[Alex Huddleston]

We have very similar influences it seems... I'm a guy in my mid 20's with a decent paying job and I'm finally able to buy some higher end gear after 7 years of playing. I just picked up a new Ric off of reverb about a month ago for only $1600 and I picked up a EBMM Stingray5 HH stealth black for an extremely good deal about two years ago. I also used to own a MIM Geddy jazz. If I could only keep one, it would definitely be the musicman. The Ric is an amazing instrument, but fills more of a certain niche. The musicman feels like more of a swiss army knife, is extremely comfortable to play and the craftsmanship is on point. You won't be disappointed with a stingray. I never use the neck pickup so I would spring for the single H version. Check out the neck thru version, I haven't tried one out yet but it might be worth dropping the extra cash to get

 

[5544]

If you are planning to take a bass with, then keep using your cheap one. Nothing worse than having an expensive anything get ruined due to immaturity.

If you plan on leaving it at home, why not wait until you are finished with school then buy yourself a graduation present to be enjoyed for years while still living with your parents?

 

[Runlikegregg]

I would buy this
G&L Kiloton

 

[Spidey2112]

Considering myself 'high maintenance', I'm waiting for the '$2K available to spend' thread...