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~$300 versatile bass?

#62
I have a squier deluxe active jazz. I find that it works for many different genres. The blend towards the neck sounds a bit like a P, and the active electronics help switch up tones quickly between songs. (Although I did replace the stock pre with an OBP-3)

Also the string spacing at the bridge is 20mm as opposed to the more common 19mm, which facilitates slapping well.

IMO any bass with a single pickup can't be considered versitile.
 
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#64
OK I have to pitch in here. OP I hope you are still following.
You haven’t answered the two or three posts (from wise men) about your amp set up. Seems to me that you are on a tight budget, all of the responses here so far are great recommendations from guys with GAS. Get you basics in order; your Amplifier, choice of strings and technique are much more important than a new bass. Spend your money wisely....
P.S. Keep your bright (SS Roundwound) strings bright as follows. Play one new set, when they go dull (they will), soak them in denatured (read POISION) alcohol while playing the second set. When the second set of string dulls, pull first set out of poison (wear gloves & glasses) and dump second set in. Alcohol will last years, string will last several soaks. This is not urban myth, this works. Do NOT boil your strings...

EDIT: Cleaned out duplicated text..
 
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#67
Actually, with the Hartke pedal you won't even need to upgrade to an EMG as it alone will make your bass sound more like it cost $600. You'll also have the SHAPE filter which you can use to dial in a more useful slap tone. Take the money you didn't spend on the pickup and buy some EB Cobalts. Thank me later.
 
#70
jwilson67 said:
Actually, with the Hartke pedal you won't even need to upgrade to an EMG as it alone will make your bass sound more like it cost $600. You'll also have the SHAPE filter which you can use to dial in a more useful slap tone. Take the money you didn't spend on the pickup and buy some EB Cobalts. Thank me later.
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Do you like the Hartke pedal better than the MXR Bass D.I. or the Tech 21, etc?
 
#71
jd56hawk said:
Do you like the Hartke pedal better than the MXR Bass D.I. or the Tech 21, etc?
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The only other DI I've had is the M80 for about 3 days. It just wasn't for me. I had the Hartke pedal and loved it but I just don't have a need for it anymore. It was more of a tube emulation pedal with the "magic fairy dust" for your sound quality. It would make a $200 amp sound much more expensive. I've never tried the Sansamp stuff but I've heard the Hartke is very similar.
 
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#72
Joe Nerve said:
What the hell is wrong with all you people trying to talk this guy out of buying a new bass?!?!?!!!!! Do you not know where you are!?!?!!!!!! And who you're talking with?!?!?????? Where are all the mods when you really need them?
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+1000! If I was the type that "liked posts" I would like the hell out of this one! People are telling him to spend his money on strings, setup, amps and effects. Maybe he has all that stuff. Maybe he wants another bass. Don't tell me no one else on this board has two basses.
 
#73
Bob Coldwell said:
+1000! If I was the type that "liked posts" I would like the hell out of this one! People are telling him to spend his money on strings, setup, amps and effects. Maybe he has all that stuff. Maybe he wants another bass. Don't tell me no one else on this board has two basses.
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OK - sticking purely to the OP's request then I submit a second on the Sire M3 series basses. I haven't tried one but the reviews are great and they seem right up there in the ultimate value category.
 
#74
These basses are $429 online, OP said $300

Eilif said:
I agree with Gregmon79 that an ATK would be better than just about everything else suggested here (Miller possibly excepted). You might be able to find one for $300 if you look around.

With all this talk of squires I just wanted to throw some pics of the [Invalid or Expired Link Removed] up to whet your appetite. As I said before, I was very impressed with the build quality, tone and usefulness of the preamp. It also has a coil tap switch for the humbucker and 19mm spacing for slapability.

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#77
East preamps cost more than the OP entire budget?

Wfrance3 said:
I agree with everything said, and also wanted to throw a 2 cents worth in for mid sweep. I have a bass that ends up being my "goto" for situations where I want to have my bases covers (yea I said that...). It has an East 5 knob dlx. pre in it. - First of all, imho, a pre is just like the cherry on the sundae. It's not going to take you as far as the right strings and good hand technique. Now having said that, it's pretty cool getting to put that final "tweak" in. The East preamp has a mid sweep that gets me from good to better. Makes you feel more like you did all you could. Very satisfying....
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#78
If the OP doesn't mind a thinner jazz style neck, it's hard to see anyway the Sire M3 could disappoint. It even has the same preamp with mid freq controls as the more "expensive" jazz-style models and should be a slap monster.
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It's a looker too!
$299+$50 shipping

1954bassman said:
These basses are $429 online, OP said $300
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Nope. They retail $300 or less (on sale right now for $280 at MF) just about everywhere and have been since their introduction. $430 is "list", but I've never seen a dealer price one at list. Ever.

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#79
My bad, MSRP is $429


Nope. They retail $300 or less (on sale right now for $280 at MF) just about everywhere and have been since their introduction. $430 is "list", but I've never seen a dealer price one at list. Ever.

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