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Advice on purchasing a bass
- Thread starter scg
- Start date
Michael Schreiber
Commercial User
Hi @scg , welcome to TB!
Yepp, I also played an old one - and it felt good and sounded great.
Same for Yamaha.
Though in general, I'd suggest looking for old (used) basses, as well, because the ones I tried (from the 90s) sounded much better to me than newer ones. Might be that the wood was of better quality, or it is even the aging of the wood. I really don't know why, it's just what I observed.
That aside, I liked both Ibanez and Yamaha basses; very good quality, especially for that low price; not too heavy, no neck dive (well balanced), and very smoothly playable (easy on both gripping and fretting hand) - but that's just my limited experience. And also the fact that they survived from the 80s/90s up to now, still being in excellent shape - speaks for them
Fazit: If wearing the bass and playing the neck feels comfy and it sounds great to you, I'd say you can't go wrong.
Best of luck - and post a picture on your New Bass Day, would be great! \m/
Yepp, I also played an old one - and it felt good and sounded great.
Same for Yamaha.
Though in general, I'd suggest looking for old (used) basses, as well, because the ones I tried (from the 90s) sounded much better to me than newer ones. Might be that the wood was of better quality, or it is even the aging of the wood. I really don't know why, it's just what I observed.
That aside, I liked both Ibanez and Yamaha basses; very good quality, especially for that low price; not too heavy, no neck dive (well balanced), and very smoothly playable (easy on both gripping and fretting hand) - but that's just my limited experience. And also the fact that they survived from the 80s/90s up to now, still being in excellent shape - speaks for them
Fazit: If wearing the bass and playing the neck feels comfy and it sounds great to you, I'd say you can't go wrong.
Best of luck - and post a picture on your New Bass Day, would be great! \m/
Budget in $80 for new strings and a setup by a luthier. I love my Squier VM Jaguar. It looks like a Jazz and PBass had a baby and dropped it on its head!
I'll say +1 on a used MIM Fender Precision.
I bought one last year for not a lot more than your budget. It's probably my favourite of all my basses right now.
No need for any modifications (mine were purely cosmetic). New set of strings (I used Fender 7250ML NPS), basic set up (learn how to do that), and you'll never need another bass.
It's arguably the most recorded bass in history (the Fender Precision), and works perfectly on nearly all genres of music.
I bought one last year for not a lot more than your budget. It's probably my favourite of all my basses right now.
No need for any modifications (mine were purely cosmetic). New set of strings (I used Fender 7250ML NPS), basic set up (learn how to do that), and you'll never need another bass.
It's arguably the most recorded bass in history (the Fender Precision), and works perfectly on nearly all genres of music.
I find them gimmicky, cheap sounding. They take away more than contribute. Whatever was spent on the electronics could’ve been spent on wood, hardware, or assembly/fit and finish.
If it is just for recording I would go SX great price point and they are gig-able if that time arrives. If a second choice I would say Yamaha quality instruments and in your price range. RTS
godofthunder59
Life is short, buy the bass.
- Feb 19, 2006
- 9,060
- 38,448
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- Endorsing Cataldo Basses, Whirlwind products, Thunderbucker pickups
Used MIA Peavey Patriot, Foundation or Fury. These can be found in your price range. Made in USA quality for very little Money.
I had a SUB bass. Not a huge fan of the tone for recording, and I do own a Ray classic which records perfectly.
At the low range and based on the genre you are doing, I would get a Classic Vibe Squier P or J. Just pick between one of the 2 and then I would suggest stringing with flats. Flats make mixing the bass a lot easier, IMO, since it slots right in above the kick and below the synths so you will be able to easily control it. Since you may be new to bass mixing, I think having a passive Pbass with flats will make your life a lot easier, plus it is a sound used on a ton of modern pop records.
At the low range and based on the genre you are doing, I would get a Classic Vibe Squier P or J. Just pick between one of the 2 and then I would suggest stringing with flats. Flats make mixing the bass a lot easier, IMO, since it slots right in above the kick and below the synths so you will be able to easily control it. Since you may be new to bass mixing, I think having a passive Pbass with flats will make your life a lot easier, plus it is a sound used on a ton of modern pop records.
Since your primary use is writing and recording, noise from the instrument is going to be an issue. You can go mad trying to get a cheap instrument to stop making whine, hum, crack, snap, fizzle, boom, hissssss, honk, whirrrrr, hic-up, ...
At the same time you can get lucky and get something that is quiet.
If at all possible, bring whatever you record with and try the bass thru that before you buy it.
Use brand-new, quality connectors / cables / cords.
At the same time you can get lucky and get something that is quiet.
If at all possible, bring whatever you record with and try the bass thru that before you buy it.
Use brand-new, quality connectors / cables / cords.
I agree that by and large, you'd most likely get the quickest, most no-hassle & useable tones with a traditional J, P or even P/J type of instrument. I would say don't overlook the option of a nice Bass DI recording unit if you don't already have one. Something along the lines of a SansAmp VT or similar. The tube & cab simulation will certainly make for a wider palette of tones that sound great in many different musical genres.
You're not going to get any kind of decent recording bass for $300 or less. Tried that myself, and ended up giving away the bass to a buddy because it was junk. (the Ibanez GSR205SM)
However, I did find a very decent 5 string for $400 new: Ibanez SR305. (my avatar) That $100 bucks more was like a light year jump in quality between those 2 price ranges. You might check it out.
However, I did find a very decent 5 string for $400 new: Ibanez SR305. (my avatar) That $100 bucks more was like a light year jump in quality between those 2 price ranges. You might check it out.
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I'm of the Ibanez camp. Best bang for the buck. I switched from Fender in 1981 and have loved Ibby's since. They're like customized hot rodded basses right out of the gate. Great prices too. You can get one as low as $179 up to $499 and they will last you a long time.
Good luck and let us know what you decide on, and how you like it!
EDIT: Just received this new bass in the mail lunchtime. Can't wait to go home and try it!
Ibanez SR300E Left Handed. Active Electronics, three band EQ. Super fast neck, sounds excellent.
Good luck and let us know what you decide on, and how you like it!
EDIT: Just received this new bass in the mail lunchtime. Can't wait to go home and try it!
Ibanez SR300E Left Handed. Active Electronics, three band EQ. Super fast neck, sounds excellent.
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I suggested a Peavy Fury and stand by my suggestion. But I can vouch for this too, my first bass ever was and still is an Ibanez EDB600. I still have it and it still rules. Very versatile. Ibanez basses are just great basses no doubt.
But, for $300 or less for recording, get that USA Peavy Fury no question.
Just wanted to say thanks again for all the replies. I've got some exploring to do, but if/when I find something I'll report back and post a pic 
