5/6 string: Midrange Ibanez SR, Warwick Rockbass, or MIM Jazz bass?

I've owned the ibanez and the rockbass. If you want modern sound go with the Ibanez. If you want classic sound good with the rockbass. Weight and build quality is similar. The Ibanez can get a little uncomfortable on the theigh while sitting due to the thin profile. The hardware may be slightly better on the wick.

 

Nobody ever got fired from afar band for buyin a Fender. But the Ibby would be my choice if I needed a more modern tone. Otherwise it would be Fender for me

 

I would personally go with the Ibanez. The SR500 series is common for a reason. Good electronics, and one of the fastest necks out there. The Warwick Rockbass line is getting better, but I would still rather have an Ibanez. Fender isn't my thing at all.

 

I went through this about 6 months ago and ended up getting a 2009 Rockbass corvette basic from a pawn shop in my area. I have had several people try to buy the instrument off of me, and it has seen a solid musical production cycle as well as a half dozen or so appearances on cuts for copyright and youtube with some collaborators. Besides a fret level and a setup I replaced the MEC passive single coils with Dimarzio Model J pickups, this gave the instrument more of a round bottom and of course eliminated any possible hum from less than sterile playing conditions.

The pickups are V V T with a series/parallel for each pickup and a master series/parallel on the tone control.

That being said, I believe firmly that any bass you buy should be well played by you personally before you purchase it. That might even mean going to play the basses a few times on separate occasions for at least 15 minutes at a stretch.

Also, I wouldn't discount Peavey or even a basic Carvin from their ready to ship section (Carvin being my one exception to the play before you pay policy as their return terms are excellent).

 

Brubaker Brute!

Awsome bass within your price range

http://www.ebay.com/itm/NEW-Brubake...ring-bass-w-flame-pickguard-bag-/390622895720

Buy it! You will thank me later.