$2000 Decision

Used Mesa Boogie 400+ and the new Fender American standard. Save up some cash for a nice cab.

 

Go to GC and get the Markbass 1x12 combo for $800 cash, and then spend $1,200 on a nice bass Look on TB and get a nice one used for $800 and save your sweet parents $400.

 

Is this going to be gigging setup?
What kind of music do you play?
Which model amp do you use now? Is it working for you?
Are you happy with your bass? Has it been setup lately?
What type of strings do you use?
What you overall goal with you new setup to be?

 

A Geddy Lee Jazz bass and a Mesa Boogie Walkabout Scout 1x12 you might have to pick up one of them used to hit the 2k number though...

 

+1 on Ashdown amps, I have a Mag 2X10 combo with a 15" Extension cab and i LOVE it. It's not quite the SVT through an 8x10 but for the size and definitely for the $$$ it is rig that's hard to beat. As for the bass situation my GAS list would include a sterling 4 or stingray 5 (if your into the 5er thing)... thats my $0.02

 

Ha! I've been out gigging for years, and don't have $2000 tied up in my complete working rig!!

What are you playing now?

EDIT: just saw what you have.

How about a nicer amp?

I've been somwhat impressed with the new Markbass stuff.

You could get a nice amp rig, and tell your parents to save the rest of their cash.

 

True dat.

Unless you're gigging, I would go with a good sounding lower-powered combo and spend the $$$ on a fine instrument you will keep for a lifetime. Go to the closest well-stocked music store, play all day with one good amp, and buy the one that speaks to you (come here first and then ebay before making a commitment). If/when you gig, your rig will usually only be so you can hear yourself - you'll usually be mic'd or DI'd into the PA.

And congratulations on your alumni status!!

 

Spend some money on what you wanna get to get your sound, but don't spend it all thinking you're gonna get it.

 

I'm huge into Ampeg tube amps, but I'm also down with this little Markbass LMII. Cheap, small, great tone very Ampeg-tubelike. It's totally clean, too. It won't do distortion at all. It's the amp in all their combos, too. If you want a combo, you might like the Jeff Berlin or the Mini CMD121P. Both will cut a loud gig and they sound very full for their tiny sizes.

 

Have you tried the MIA Precisions? The 2008 model line seems to be gaining a reputation as a sweet year for Precisions. I have an 08 and love it. Would be a nice bass to get those deeper tones you want to bring to the party.

GC might knock a few bucks off the price tag, but Perfect Bass has a 10% discount for all TB members. Just type talkbass in the promo code during checkout. You can score a new one at a great price!

Search the forum for some reviews on the '08s. I know there's a few that I've read, some pretty detailed...

 

have you thought about a genz benz amp at all? their new shuttle series combos are awesome in tone (especially for that smooth low end you're looking for), way small and convenient, and still pumps out tons of power. since you mostly just play at home and jam sesh's, it would be a great space saver and easy to haul when needed. you could get a really nice one for no more than a grand.

check it out...
http://www.genzbenz.com/?fa=detail&mid=2258&sid=610&cid=95

 

You aren't the first person to experience the Stingray weak G.

It's a somewhat common problem so I hear. I've experienced it with a few Rays. Not all of them, but more than a couple.

 

Go out and try EVERYTHING you can lay your hands on.

Buy what you like the best and can afford.

I play Sadowsky, Fender and Music Man basses.... so it is almost certain that I would be recommending one (or all) of the three on this forum.

I also love Ampeg heads and cabs as well as Markbass heads... same thing.

We are all different. Try lots, have fun and buy what speaks to you.

 

It's been a while since I played a Dan Armstorng Plexi bass, but those are short scale as I recall.
Don't know if that makes any difference to you, but it's worth a mention.