Alternative to "Fender" basses

[MoeTown1986]

I don't get some replies here. The OP said he has around $500 and doesn't want a Fender. Why would so many people suggest a Squier, which is a cheaper Fender?

 

[gorneyg]

CertainBass.com

 

[John Bottom]

Was that really called for?

Really! I figured it was a matter of time before this kind of thinking would show itself.. I'm new and have been treated very nicely. This is not the normal response you'll get here..at least I haven't seen it.. Sorry..

 

[John Bottom]

I don't get some replies here. The OP said he has around $500 and doesn't want a Fender. Why would so many people suggest a Squier, which is a cheaper Fender?

Yeah..I prefaced my post with I am clear of what the thread says.."but." And the reason is these new Sqires play better than basses hundreds of dollars more.. I get your point but there was a reason. It's not nonsense..

 

[danosix]

Not trying to start anything, but I think he already has. The easy answer is, get a Fender Precision bass and be done with it. For $500 you can get a good used P-bass, maybe even American made, and for sure you could get a MIM and have money let in your pocket. If you don't like Fender, well then, there are many alternatives, LTD, Yamaha, Schecter, Rogue, SX, Douglas, AXL, and many more. Good luck with your hunt!

Where are you shopping?
American anything for under $500 these days is liable to be hot or heavily compromised (modified, broken, refinished badly) and even MIM is going to get close to $500 used 9 times out of 10.

 

[danosix]

Wow!!

I did not hope this quantity of answers from you!!

Thanks a lot for that.

I read quiqly the entire thread.

Sorry for my english (for sure is really bad)

I wish to answer all of your comments, but there are so many.

Finally I think that I'm going for a LTD Vintage 214

I have to say that I'm not an anti-Fender... I have two Strats, a MIM strat and a MIA (Awesome guitars, more the MIA). But always I think that comparing another brand with fender, this is more expensive considering same quality. Maybe I was victim of certain guitar myths (o reality, who knows?). But, for now I'd would try something no Fender.

Okay, much clearer now.

 

[Gougedeye]

Where are you shopping?
American anything for under $500 these days is liable to be hot or heavily compromised (modified, broken, refinished badly) and even MIM is going to get close to $500 used 9 times out of 10.

Well, I was talking about a used instrument. Perhaps I wasn't clear. I've seen many an American made Precision or Jazz go for $500. Just got to be watchful. they usually get snapped up pretty quick!

 

[danosix]

Well, I was talking about a used instrument. Perhaps I wasn't clear. I've seen many an American made Precision or Jazz go for $500. Just got to be watchful. they usually get snapped up pretty quick!

No, I knew you meant used.
That's just not the case around here, at all.

 

[Gougedeye]

That's just not the case around here, at all.

I'm not saying it is a regular occurrence, but it does happen. I was offered an American made Jazz for $450 2 or 3 weeks ago. Regardless, the OP has many options out there.

 

[John Bottom]

Go to Danny Stewart, Bass Guitar Japan, and look at the Momose brand. Fender style bolt on basses in the $1700'ish range... Handbuilt in Japan and the quality is over the top. Danny's customer service is world-class too. He offers a superb return if u don't like policy.

Don't know if this is what he's looking for but I'm interested.. Pretty killer gtrs..

 

[hrodbert696]

I don't get some replies here. The OP said he has around $500 and doesn't want a Fender. Why would so many people suggest a Squier, which is a cheaper Fender?

He said in a follow-up post that he isn't anti-Fender, he just thinks he might get better quality for the money with a different brand.

 

[John Bottom]

He said in a follow-up post that he isn't anti-Fender, he just thinks he might get better quality for the money with a different brand.

I think that's a logical assumption especially if you buy used..

 

[Eilif]

I think that ESP will do well for you, but to quell the myth, Fender does have instruments in the same price range that are just as good.

Maybe a used Fender would be just as good, but I don't think Fender has a better new instrument at the price point ($3-400). My LTD 214 is a nicer instrument than the Squire CV's (nice instruments, but not as good, in my experience) and the next step up from that on the Fender side is a MIM Standard, which is likely better, but is also almost twice the cost.

 

[Hopkins]

Maybe a used Fender would be just as good, but I don't think Fender has a better new instrument at the price point ($3-400). My LTD 214 is a nicer instrument than the Squire CV's (nice instruments, but not as good, in my experience) and the next step up from that on the Fender side is a MIM Standard, which is likely better, but is also almost twice the cost.

Is there not a Modern Player option for P bass?

 

[Eilif]

Is there not a Modern Player option for P bass?

I think it's just Jazz (used to be a telebass though). Either way, the Modern Player basses are priced about the same as the "standard" basses at $600. Fender/Squire doesn't have any basses in the $4-600 range. I don't have any insider info, but it looks like a very deliberate $200+ separation between the Fender and Squire brands.

I don't mean to say that the Fender or Squire basses are bad instruments and they certainly offer a much wider range of P and J style instruments. However, IMO if you're looking for a PJ , LTD kicks Squier's butt at the $3-400 price point. Interestingly LTD also has a similarly priced J bass, though the body shape is a bit slimmed. It's also even more limited in models, having only sunburst 4 and 5 string versions. Products - J Series Basses - The ESP Guitar Company Not my cup-o-tea, but some folks might be interested.

 

[Hopkins]

I think it's just Jazz (used to be a telebass though). Either way, the Modern Player basses are priced about the same as the "standard" basses at $600. Fender/Squire doesn't have any basses in the $4-600 range. I don't have any insider info, but it looks like a very deliberate $200+ separation between the Fender and Squire brands.

I don't mean to say that the Fender or Squire basses are bad instruments and they certainly offer a much wider range of P and J style instruments. However, IMO if you're looking for a PJ , LTD kicks Squier's butt at the $3-400 price point. Interestingly LTD also has a similarly priced J bass, though the body shape is a bit slimmed. It's also even more limited in models, having only sunburst 4 and 5 string versions. Products - J Series Basses - The ESP Guitar Company Not my cup-o-tea, but some folks might be interested.

The Modern Player Jag is listed at $399 the Dimension is listed at $499, It's selling for $399 on Sam Ash. It looks like the Jazz has been discontinued.

 

[Eilif]

The Modern Player Jag is listed at $399 the Dimension is listed at $499, It's selling for $399 on Sam Ash. It looks like the Jazz has been discontinued.

I stand corrected. I didn't look at SamAsh.
I haven't played the Jag or the dimension, but that's a pretty good couple of deals. I've not been overly impressed with the modern player basses I have played: mostly the tele and Jazz basses. Still, if you've got $400, and are looking for a P (and don't mind skinny necks) then the Jag is definitely worth looking at.

I'm still going to steer folks towards the 214, but my opinion is biased towards it since I'm like the P-bass neck and body style.

 

[Hopkins]

I stand corrected. I didn't look at SamAsh.
I haven't played the Jag or the dimension, but that's a pretty good couple of deals. I've not been overly impressed with the modern player basses I have played: mostly the tele and Jazz basses. Still, if you've got $400, and are looking for a P (and don't mind skinny necks) then the Jag is definitely worth looking at.

I'm still going to steer folks towards the 214, but my opinion is biased towards it since I'm like the P-bass neck and body style.

That LTD looks like alot of bass for the money

 

[Eilif]

That LTD looks like alot of bass for the money

It really is. No one seems to stock 214's around here so I wouldn't have ever considered it if an individual hadn't been selling one locally when I was looking for a fretless P bass. The quality really shocked me. I'd always thought LTD's were a good value and well made, but none of them really appealed to me style-wise until the Vintage (P-bass clone) series.

It's fine stock, but just 10 minutes ago the Post-Woman dropped off a set of EMG Geezers for it. Really excited to see where this goes...

 

[Hopkins]

It really is. No one seems to stock 214's around here so I wouldn't have ever considered it if an individual hadn't been selling one locally when I was looking for a fretless P bass. The quality really shocked me. I'd always thought LTD's were a good value and well made, but none of them really appealed to me style-wise until the Vintage (P-bass clone) series.

It's fine stock, but just 10 minutes ago the Post-Woman dropped off a set of EMG Geezers for it. Really excited to see where this goes...

Very cool, that is one of the top 3 P pickups on the market IMHO