A fellow Enlightened One...I absolutely concur!
There are two kinds of people: those who blindly cling to the past, and visionaries.
Enjoy the benefits of a premium membership!
Upgrade Account
-
TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
Join free Log in
Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.
$1500 To Spend On A Bass
- Thread starter Garret Wheeler
- Start date
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)
My rickenbacker buy was the best decision I could have made. A lot of people don't like them for some reason... so I'd try one first(I tried one, it had a bad setup and was a few years old and dirty in the used section...I didn't think much of it. When I got my Walnut I was immediately in love.)
My second recommendation would be the P-bass, especially if you want flats. There's a reason they get such a good reception here. Just make sure it's sunburst and tort.
Musicman or Jazz Bass are also great buys - still extremely versatile instruments. So I guess you can't go wrong, but..yeah. get a rick.
I've actually already got a German Warwick Corvette! It's definitely a lifer, but there's something about it that keeps me from viewing it as "THE ONE". Maybe that idea is silly, because it's by far the nicest bass I currently own, but its tone is so growly and distinctive that it doesn't reach the classic kinda vibe a lot of my idols' basses had. Trust me though, it's not going anywhere!
Gaolee
Official leathers tester and crash dummy
I was wondering how long it would take before one of those came up. If you want it to look a little different, ie non-normal run of the mill bass guitar, then a 2015 Thunderbird with those electronics and a slightly darker sound due to the mahogany construction. You can't go wrong with either one. Both are keepers in my herd.
There are SO many choices out there in that budget range!
If you take your time and shop used, you can get some
pretty cool basses.
One option that may seem out of reach is a real, vintage Fender P or J.
The trick to finding one in that range is to ignore the perfect, all original,
never messed with at all ones.
The thing is that things like refinish, changed tuners, brass nut, etc.
drop that collector value, sometimes seriously.
They don't hurt the sound or the way they play and in some cases
may even be better for some players.
I am in the everybody should have at least one P camp.
It's the sound in most peoples head when they think electric bass.
That said, with careful shopping 1,500 could get you two nice, used
US Peavey Cirruses.
Maybe with a little stretch a used, lower end Alembic.
A new, somewhat custom Kiesel.
All worthy of being lifetime basses.
Consider anything that interests you, but play it and check around to see
if that kind of bass has any inherent quirks or weak points to be aware of.
Also keep in mind that, over time, your tastes and interests will change.
While you may find 'the one' and keep it for your lifetime, expect others to come and go.
It's weird how you can have a keeper that doesn't get played for a long time
and then you rediscover it and fall in love all over again.
If you take your time and shop used, you can get some
pretty cool basses.
One option that may seem out of reach is a real, vintage Fender P or J.
The trick to finding one in that range is to ignore the perfect, all original,
never messed with at all ones.
The thing is that things like refinish, changed tuners, brass nut, etc.
drop that collector value, sometimes seriously.
They don't hurt the sound or the way they play and in some cases
may even be better for some players.
I am in the everybody should have at least one P camp.
It's the sound in most peoples head when they think electric bass.
That said, with careful shopping 1,500 could get you two nice, used
US Peavey Cirruses.
Maybe with a little stretch a used, lower end Alembic.
A new, somewhat custom Kiesel.
All worthy of being lifetime basses.
Consider anything that interests you, but play it and check around to see
if that kind of bass has any inherent quirks or weak points to be aware of.
Also keep in mind that, over time, your tastes and interests will change.
While you may find 'the one' and keep it for your lifetime, expect others to come and go.
It's weird how you can have a keeper that doesn't get played for a long time
and then you rediscover it and fall in love all over again.
Id suggest finding the right Fender Jazz Marcus Miller. Very versatile with professional sounds and controls. Setup responds very well for technique and style adjustments. One of the few production basses that can become sublime. A true jem.
Good luck. Im sure we would all be interested to know, so dont leave us hanging..
Good luck. Im sure we would all be interested to know, so dont leave us hanging..
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)
Since your initial post leaned towards fender-styled instruments (except for the Rick), then I'll add some to the "G&L" suggestion.
A new L-2000, ordered in a cool but not extravagant color, with your choice of slimmer J neck or fatter P neck, will get you throught a lifetime of bass sounds. From the rock you play now to the classic jazz or contemporary R&B you may find yourself playing 10 years from now, it will still be relevant, with both style and efficiency.
A new L-2000, ordered in a cool but not extravagant color, with your choice of slimmer J neck or fatter P neck, will get you throught a lifetime of bass sounds. From the rock you play now to the classic jazz or contemporary R&B you may find yourself playing 10 years from now, it will still be relevant, with both style and efficiency.
I definitely won't leave everybody wondering! It'll be at least a month and a half before I pull the trigger, but right now I'm leaning towards a fireglo Rickenbacker 4003. Even though that's what I'm thinking right now, I still really want an American Jazz bass and Precision, so my intentions are subject to change. Whatever the case, I'll keep everybody posted!
The ric, the stingray, or a mia jazz deluxe. Get a used one in great shape, any one of those is worthy of a lifetime stable. Would recommend bypassing the P unless it's a PJ.
The 'more volume' part isn't *that* critical, since the guitarist will tell you to turn down anyways.
I wish I had $1500 to spend on a bass.
Others have said it: you really gotta go out and play them yourself, in order to make the right decision. It's not just about the model, it's about the specific bass in your hands. They're all different. Travel to stores, try as many as you can. Bring money with you in case you find the one. Play the beaters, some of them are magic. If you're looking for a lifer, it's worth the effort.
Can't recommend the Fender American Professional enough! Pickups are great, body and neck feel great....a CLASSIC that will deliver any tone you want!
Actually at last night's practice the lead guitarist kept saying, "Hey your tone is too clanky", "Your bass is cutting a little too much", "You should probably turn down some".The 'more volume' part isn't *that* critical, since the guitarist will tell you to turn down anyways.
I guess that's what I get for filling in with my dad's blues band!
My $.02 I'd go with a G&L L2000, does pretty much everything. If it were me I'd also
be itching for a used Alembic Epic for that price range.
be itching for a used Alembic Epic for that price range.
Consider a Musicman Stingray HH (double humbucker). Or a Musicman Sterling HH if you prefer a smaller neck. The HS (humbucker at the bridge, single coil at the neck) if you want the ability to have a much more retro sound as well as a more aggressive one.
Last edited:
Latest posts
-
-
Software drums recommendation for practice Latin, Cumbia styles preferred
- Latest: bass player 53
-
-
