I haven't owned an active bass in a while. What are some good options under $1200? I like modern takes on traditional looks but not a p or j clone. A Lakland skyline 44-01 is one I'm considering. What else is good?
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Active 4 string, under $1200?
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You could take a cheaper passive bass, gut it, and put an active preamp in. I prefer to do that, so I can choose the sound I like.
Sterling by Music Man.
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Chowny Bass Guitars
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Ibanez
I’d give this a look.
Sadowsky MetroExpress Hybrid PJ Ocean Blue Metallic High Polish w/Maple Fingerboard
Sadowsky MetroExpress Hybrid PJ Ocean Blue Metallic High Polish w/Maple Fingerboard
Go used and save yourself some money
There are hundreds of them to choose from, and they’re all good
Buy used and you can get a $1600 bass for $1200 or better.
Thanks - I'm open to used. Looking for suggestions/inspiration. Wondering if there's anything out there I haven't seen. I like that Sadowsky Metroline alot but I don't think I want to go with a j styled bass. I think I'm looking for a soapbar sound. I've been using j and p basses for a while and want something different.
The Yamaha BB734a is getting great coverage. I’ve owned several Yamahas and have loved them all.
Sterling Stingray Ray34HH is an excellent bass. They are so nice I have 2 of them.
The world is your oyster, but here's one that goes slightly against the grain:
ESP/LTD [Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
The pickups are active EMGs (they require a battery) but the controls are a simple vol/blend/tone setup like you'd typically find on a passive bass. So this is essentially a traditional bass with a souped up modern engine.
I have no direct experience with this bass, but some TBers have the 5-string version (AP-5) and like it a lot. My main bass is a modded ESP/LTD I've had for over a decade and it's served me well.
ESP/LTD [Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
The pickups are active EMGs (they require a battery) but the controls are a simple vol/blend/tone setup like you'd typically find on a passive bass. So this is essentially a traditional bass with a souped up modern engine.
I have no direct experience with this bass, but some TBers have the 5-string version (AP-5) and like it a lot. My main bass is a modded ESP/LTD I've had for over a decade and it's served me well.
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Had the choices not been limited to active basses, I would've suggested this.
Reverend Thundergun...passive, pure and potent.
One of the best-kept secrets in the bass world.
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Cort Artisan series. Think their C series has actives too. But you should be able to get the A series stuff for well under a grand, most of it.
I had a Sterling stingray with a roasted maple neck and it felt super nice for the price. Only thing that felt noticeably cheap on it compared to the American stingrays I’ve owned was the tuning machines but they did the job.
