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$300-$400 to spend for a bass

#21
Big +1 on the Peavey Millennium BXP.

However if the choice is between P and J then try them out if you can to see which you prefer. In general for studio Ps are a solid choice as they make a habit of fitting nicely and easily into mixes. Also if you can try out the Squier Classic Vibes. As stated above they are often better than the Fender MIMs.
 
#22
For that kind of money, you do have a wide choice available to you. Some points to consider though, do you want a slim neck, low action, what kind of music do you play.
All these factors would help determine the ideal bass for you. It might be best to just go to a music store to try a few to find a make, model that would be ideal for you.
You can easily pick up a used passive Spector bass for that price range, I bought a Spector Performer the other day for $149 used at Guitar Center. Or an OLP Musicman copy? Lot of basses you can choose from if you opt for used.
 
#23
Edward G. said:
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.
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+1 to this, but I also agree for you to look into the Squier Classic or Vintage Modified basses as well. Research and play a bunch of different basses if you are able to at a local music shop. You can read reviews and listen to opinions all day, but it is based off what that particular person thinks, once you actually play, feel and listen to the bass with your fingers, eyes, ears your views may be a lot different. It really is the only way to decide if you ask me...or if you do like taking risks.
 
#24
Go to your local Guitar Center, ask them go look these up on Guitar Center online:

107483520
107369326
if they are ask if they can cut you a deal on the price of shipping if you bought BOTH of them - You might be able to get them for $420.

That would be a Squier Classic Vibe Precision AND Classic Vibe Jazz.

If you only want one - I still would recommend at least checking out used.guitarcenter.com and search for "Vibe" (don't search for "classic" - most shops abbreviate it) . Also search for "Vintage" and any of the Squier Vintage Modifieds would be a safe choice. There's also an SX for $79 that's worth it.

They also have 7(!) G&L Tributes of various flavors - L-2000 / SB-2 / and JB-2 in that price range of which you could only buy 1 but you could resell for the same price if it didn't work out. The L-2000 for $280 before shipping is a no brainer.
 
#26
WardEarth said:
Don't want to be a nay say'r. but I'm not that into the fender MIM stuff. Had a jazz once and every other bass I've had has been nicer in many ways. Really don't like the body style, and there has been so many different copies of it. Check out the "hot deals" section in talk bass. There is great stuff in there.
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I respect this, but what you get with a Fender or Fender clone is significant after-market modability. While affordable non-Fenders that totally smoke are certainly out there to be had, the ability to modify them easily can be limited. That having been said, if that's not an issue for you, by all means look everywhere at everything in your price range.

A Fender is as much about convenience and flexibility as it is about how it sounds, and not the last word on anything.
 
#28
lowfunk99 said:
Samick Fairlane FN-4...

Better build quality then the Squires... Sounds just like a jazz and has a great neck...
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I think this is the first time in all my years of Talkbassing that I've actually seen a Samick recommended. :p

I'll put my vote in for the Squier Classic Vibe basses. Can't go wrong there. Better instruments IME than MIM Fenders.
 
#33
If you using it primarily for recording projects I'd suggest a Jazz Bass because it will give you far more tonal variation. You can EQ a JBass to sound similar to a PBass but no much the other way around. PBasses are "one trick pony's but that one trick is awfully good.

If you want that old time 60's thump a PBass with flats is the way to go but if you want a lot of tonal variety get a JBass. In your price range you can but new Squier CV's of either style for $350 or less and if you keep your eyes pealed on EBay or CL you may find a used one from $225-$250 in excellent condition.

I play a CV Jazz and later this year I'll have a CV PBass. For the money you cant go wrong. The one I play is as good as any MIA Jazz Bass I ever owned and I got it $250 w/case. Not a mark on it.
 
#34
I've found that it's difficult to get good tones out of active basses when going through a computer. Not that you can't it just seems harder to achieve for some reason, and I own more active basses than passive. I just found for me a killer rig for going through my computer. A 92 Peavey Fury (that I purchased for $175). I put new electronics and a new Bill Lawernce P-46 Pickup. I had Chromes on it at first and they sounded nice. I decided to try some DR Sunbeams on it and WOW what a tone machine! AND it sounds phenomenal whatever I play it through. One of the best VST amp sims I've found (an I've tried a bunch) is Guitar Rig which you should already have if you have Komplete. Also You might want to give Izotope Alloy a whirl. It has some some nice presets and you can use it by itself or after an amp sim for some more "tweaking". I've found I really like using it's compressor and limiter in tandem to balance my dynamics.

Hope this helps.
 

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