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Bass budget = $1,000. Help!

#23
jrellett said:
Any help would be greatly appreciated!
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I've carried a Squire onto the stage of national act venues more than once or twice I'm still here and have all my feathers.

If you like your bass, play your bass. Don't fall into the headstock trap. I know that's a lot easier to do when you actually own a high ender you could bring if you wanted to but that's just a mind game.


Having said that, if I was going to do a hip hop gig and was looking for a purpose built ax, it would definitely be a 5 string that was known for a monster B and I'd probably be evaluating everything against Lakland Skyline if I was looking to hit the <1k price point.
 
#24
I've heard the Ibanez ATK basses work great for hip-hop. The ATK800E model has a neck pickup as well, which will help with getting a good slap tone. Also, they fit into your budget nicely.

However, there's also tons of other great basses to pick from as well, like these ones:
- Sterling by MusicMan Ray34 (Pretty much a Stingray for half the price)
- Squier Vintage Modified Jazz Bass (VERY affordable, and gets tons of praise here on TB)
- Fender Road Worn Jazz Bass (Just a great bass in general, especially if you really need the Fender name)
- G&L Tribute L2000 (Very versatile, and can get you almost any sound you need)

Link to the ATK800E
http://www.musiciansfriend.com/bass/ibanez-atk800e-premium-4-string-bass-guitar
 
#28
Carvin are nice but I dont trust their 1 peice necks. Would diff get 5peice neck option if I got carvin. Ibanez in that price range is goona be more bass for your money imo. Carvin isnt the value it used to be decades ago price wise. Compared to todays nice imports.
 
#29
jrellett said:
(I'm rockin my GSR 200 from way back in the day that I can't bear to part with).
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Sounds like you're happy with the Ibanez. If you're like 99.9999% of people that love Ibanez basses, it's because their ergonomics really work for you. I'd say get a nice used Soundgear 5-string (like a SR505) and upgrade the onboard preamp for a decent upgrade in sound.

Hit the stores, play lots of basses, and find one that feels right. You can tweak the sound later with a new preamp (though it does sound fine with the stock preamp). It's much harder to tweak the feel of a bass, and if you dig Ibanez, there is no reason to force something less comfortable on yourself.

EDIT: Steve's Lakland suggestion is a very good one too.
 
#31
I actually own a gsr200 too. Got an emgx series jp pup set in it. I can't part ways with mine either. Something about it I just have grown attached to. I totally agree with trying out plenty of basses. Ibanez does appeal to me personally, but it really does come down to whatever sounds good to the individual.
 
#32
man, I love the sound of a P with flats for RnB and Hip Hop stuff (think Pino's work on D'Angelo's Voodoo).

that being said, you absolutely can't go wrong with either a Precision or a Jazz. I would just suggest to go the passive route if you're going to be using any effects for those aforementioned synth lines. IMO, effects sound WAY better with a passive bass running through them as opposed to an active.
 
#33
I'd love to have me a g&l jb-2 or an American standard fender jazz. Imo, if you got the money to invest, a solid jazz bass with an aguilar preamp would give you a smooth r&b tone. Just as a suggestion... but with a grand to spend you've got a lot of different options to try. Have fun dude and play everything!
 
#35
How about an MIJ Fender Aerodyne? The export (to America) models are easily within your budget, Invalid Link Removed.

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/bass/fender-aerodyne-4-string-jazz-bass

It may not be as "boomy" as straight-up Precision, but based on what you're looking to play, the crisp tones the Precision/Jazz configuration might serve you well.

As far as "weight/feel" goes, it's quite different from it's MIM/MIA cousins. Specifically, it's significantly lighter than most long-scale basses (mine's 8.5lbs) and it sports a very slim fast-action neck, if that's your taste.
 
#37
I love my Carvin--they make great stuff. Also take a look at the MTD Kingston. Some are under a grand, and while they can't compare to Mike's custom basses, they're a good value and are reliable and versatile.
 
#38
#39
bassgod0dmw said:
Used Fender American Standard J



More bottom than a P. Most hip hop guys seem to use a J or J style bass.
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If you call Musicians Friend, Sam Ash or Music 123, they will almost ALWAYS give you 15%-20% the cost of a new American Standard Jazz or P even if they says "Fenders are excluded" from sales. I've gotten a number of American Standard J and Ps NEW from Musicians Friend for just under $1000. You just have to ask. If I had a $1000 to spend and I wanted a Fender, there's no way I would buy anything that wasn't American Standard or above. YMMV.

If you decide to go that route...
 
#40
Dang y'all... thanks a ton for the suggestions. I have a much better idea of what direction to take my search. I am convinced of 2 things: 1) I need to buy something from the TB classifieds (crazy deals!), and 2) I need to play me a whole mess of basses.

Now I just need to find a place in Orange County to play a good variety that is not Guitar Center ;)
 

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