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$300-$400 to spend for a bass

J

jordanstreet

Mar 10, 2012
3
0
#1
First off please don't flame me, I'm sure you all get these questions a million times but let me elaborate for you. I'm a guitar and keyboard player looking to spend around $300-$400 on a bass to use for my projects. Normally I just use a synth in kontakt but it's just not passing anymore.

I'm hoping you guys have some recommendations on a good bass in that price range. I'm definitely looking for something used as I figure for this price it's the only way to get something somewhat decent. I'm a big fan of carvin guitars (I have a CT6 myself) so I'm drawn to their cheaper 4 string passive basses. Also I was considering Ibanez.

In regard to style, I mainly do guitar instrumental music so think Andy Timmons Band, Dave Weiner, Steve Vai, etc...

Also while I'm asking, for recording methods I'm considering a sansamp Bass Driver, or a Radial DI with either Ampeg SVX or Softube Bass Amp Room. Any thoughts?

Thank you all so much!
 
#2
You can get a sweet-playing and sounding Fender MIM Jazz or Precision for that amount or less, sometimes a lot less. Set it up with the strings of your choice and solid action, and you can do nearly anything. That's the easy way.
 
#8
If you want a good affordable passive bass, a peavey millennium bxp bass would be a good choice. this bass has a nice punchy sound for a passive bass. it also sounds awesome with effects. if you're more interested in buying an Ibanez bass, there's an Ibanez sr250 and the Ibanez sr255(if you want a 5-string bass). I've been curious about the Ibanez sr255 and I've been thinking about buying that bass. so far there's one good review on the Ibanez sr250. here's the link to the Ibanez basses on the Ibanez website.

Ibanez sr250
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

Ibanez sr255
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
 
#10
Wow, thank you all very much for the plethora of responses.

So it seems that the Fender MIM P or J are popular... I did some research on the differences and it seems like I just gotta play them both to see which I like better. Are there any significant tonal differences between the two? I know one has 2 single coils and the other 1 "split" single coil. What exactly do they mean by split?

Also what are your thoughts on active vs passive? I know in the electric world, active pickups in general don't stand up to passives in clarity of articulation, sustain, body, etc. Does this translate to the bass world?
 
#14
jordanstreet said:
Wow, thank you all very much for the plethora of responses.

So it seems that the Fender MIM P or J are popular... I did some research on the differences and it seems like I just gotta play them both to see which I like better. Are there any significant tonal differences between the two? I know one has 2 single coils and the other 1 "split" single coil. What exactly do they mean by split?

Also what are your thoughts on active vs passive? I know in the electric world, active pickups in general don't stand up to passives in clarity of articulation, sustain, body, etc. Does this translate to the bass world?
Click to expand...

P and J sound very different to a bass player, but the typical listener would never know the difference. In a sentence, the P has more prominent mids, and the J has a scooped tone. There is also a difference in neck shapes (P bass is wide, J bass is narrow) but the necks are interchangeable and there are many models that come stock with the "wrong" neck.

A "split" coil is exactly that - look at a picture of a P bass. It's technically a single coil pickup split in two - one half for the E and A strings and the second half for the D and G strings.

Active vs. Passive is complicated, but you can easily get by with personal preference in the $400 price range. Cheap active electronics are nothing to get excited about, so spending money there is not necessarily a great idea.
 
#15
Fender Precision Bass Lyte 1989 with original hardshell case | eBay

1996 Fender Jazz Bass - MIM - Oly White Mexican Jazz | eBay

1990s IBANEZ SOUNDGEAR SR400 BASS in CANDY APPLE RED | eBay

Invalid Link Removed

Probably safe to say that most anyone on this forum (minus the gear snobs :D)would be happy playing one of these. All good bets. For a first instrument, I'd go with a used Fender Jazz or a Soundgear.

As far as active v. passive goes, don't sweat it. Plenty of pros play passive gear. Go test drive instruments at the local giant guitar store in your price range and find out what's comfortable for you to play; you can tweak sound details afterwards. A bass that feels right for you should be the first priority.
 
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