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Bass budget = $1,000. Help!

J

jrellett

Aug 6, 2013
39
7
Orange County, California
#1
First post on the TB forums!

So I've been asked to join this hip hop band, and I've been getting my chops back after taking a 5 year bass hiatus. I'm feeling good about where I am skills-wise, I got myself a worthy amp, and now I'm looking to upgrade my bass to something more gig-worthy (I'm rockin my GSR 200 from way back in the day that I can't bear to part with).

It being hip hop, I'm expecting to be playing plenty of funk and R&B style grooves, but there will also be some call to grind out some real dirty synth-type lines as well (if that makes sense??).

I know I want a 4 string, and I know my MAX budget is $1,000. I'd really like to keep it under $800 or so, but if there's some killer deal I can't pass up I can take it to a G if I need to. I'm fully expecting to buy used after seeing the beauties that show up on the TB classifieds.

I've played around with a few MIM Fenders that were certainly nice but I wasn't crazy about them. The other day I went to a Carvin store and played their new PB4 which I thought was pretty nice - and I've read here around the forums that Carvins have great build quality but horrible resale value. Finally, I've played a few Ibanezes over the years and I seem to like them quite a bit too.

I was hoping to get some suggestions for brands to keep an eye out for in addition to Carvin and Ibanez and especially for specific models. Browsing the classifieds is cool, but it can be a bit overwhelming if I don't have specifics in mind.

Lastly, I really know next to nothing about materials, electronics, etc. I'm trying to learn, but I couldn't say whether I prefer an active or passive, what fretboard material I like, etc.

Any help would be greatly appreciated!
 
#2
Have you played a Fender Road Worn Jazz? Fits your budget. Totally great for funk, urban R&B, hip hop. Can be slapped very well. Can get big and low. Light, classic, up-grade worthy, decent resale, great feel and excellent tone. The finish puts some of the stiff old dudes off, but I think the tone and feel are great.

Got one for $675 used, and another one (even more resonant) for ~$850 new.
 
#3
A USA Fender Jazz would probably fit what you're trying to do more than anything else I can think of in that price range. Other basses I thought of were a Peavey Cirrus and an Ibanez BTB (both of which are way different from a Fender Jazz, but whatever) but I think you'll be more stoked on the Fender than either of those.

I also love my G&Ls but have no idea how they'd work in hip hop. Haven't tried nor heard them in that sort of setting. I do think it'd be damn fun to play bass for a hip hop act so I hope it works out.
 
#5
jrellett said:
So what is it about the Jazz that has you guys recommending it over, say, a Fender Precision?
Click to expand...

Well for starters a Jazz will give you a wide range of tones, you can get "P" like fender tones from it also, great slap tone, great finger style tone, now a lot a funk has a Stingray tone, which you won't get from a Fender and as you look closer you need more than one bass, but a Jazz can get plenty funky, just not as nasty as a Stingray. Honesty I would get an installment plan on a fender (new) and use the rest to get me a nice used stingray..700-800.
 
#6
I would say a new GAMMA, Fender or my personal fave 1st or 2nd generation Guild Pilot blk on blk w pick guard even if you play w fingers...I like pick guards because they keep the bass looking nice...my opinion.
 
#8
I like Ibanez myself and they are one of the best as far as value for the dollar. I prefer P or P/J pickups. Personally I don't think a Jazz bass can sound anything like a P but really that is all relative to the listener.

It seems to me like you need to get out to the music stores and play some basses! Always fun to do. I think just about any kind of bass can play any kind of music. Technique means a lot I assure you as I seem to sound pretty much the same no matter what bass I'm playing.

Good luck!

MJW
 
#10
You may want to look at the Fender Reggie Hamilton MIM Jazz Bass. It's a p/j configuration in a jazz body. The neck is narrower than a P bass but has a deeper profile. It's also switchable active/passive, and comes with a hipshot d-tuner installed. It can cover a lot of ground, and new it's currently $850. And this is my first post, as well. Long time lurker, though:hiding:
 
#12
I'm really diggin my new Reverend Decision. the setup, fretwork and sound are all excellent, it has a great range of sounds and can be had for less than $900 with a hard shell case brand new. I've owned many basses but honestly this new Reverend really takes the cake.

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#15
Look at a G&L L2000. It's a great bass and you can make it sound like whatever you want. Add a single coil mod and you get even more versatility. As a fan of both Fender and G&L, I think their Tribute line is of higher quality than Fender MIM. Further, you can likely get a very high quality used USA G&L in that price range. Best of luck with your search.
 
#18
You should think about getting a 5 string. That low B will give you some nice thick hip hop tones in middle positions. I'd suggest a Stingray Classic 5, but that's way out of your budget. Maybe look into a used Stingray. You can get some under $1000
 

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