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Basses with 2x2 headstock?

Spectors are 2x2. I found one in a pawn shop for $200, cleaned it up, set it up w/ new strings, and it's a great bass.

spector.JPG
 
Planning on selling one of my basses. I would like to get one with a 2x2 headstock tuners layout. Always preferred les pauls for guitars, so that headstock style is appealing.

For ~$1k, looking for ideas of basses with this layout. My biggest hurdle is that i want passive electronics. Not averse to active, but i want great passive tone. Although not ideal, im willing to do the electronics if i find a great body and neck.

Here’s the ones ive found so far:
Ive tried ibanez sr line, though great, but string spacing is a bit tight. Dont have warwicks to try. Dont care for schecter. There is a washburn taurus that seems a good one, but considering it was ~$300 new, paying $600 seems crazy, its an option. I would tell you the 2 very expensive brands that are great examples of what I’m thinking about, but don’t want to distract from someone giving me ideas.

Thanks in advance. Have a good holiday!!!
If you are interested in something unique in this category, maybe look for an Ampeg Big Stud. They were made for a short time in the early 1970s but come up from time to time on Reverb and always for under $1,000. Here's a photo of mine:
002-jpg.3349762
 
That is my sense of the matter as well. However, I'm reluctant to commit to that without firm proof.
I have heard (again, Internet hear-say FWIW) that Fender offered some sort of rebate to affected owners?
Possibly a settlement intended to shut down bad press ASAP, but i don't know that to be certain either.
Did Fender ever post an admission of sin?
I have to ask, given you only live two doors down from Area 51. :roflmao:

I've inaverently been in thread hijack mode tonight. Apologies to the OP, and others.
Without irrevocable proof, can we get back to the OP's questions? Thanks.

it’s not up for debate anymore. They’ve changed the specs to say “single-coil”.
G2220 Electromatic® Junior Jet™ Bass II Short-Scale, Tobacco Sunburst
 
Roadstars (and the older Roadsters) can usually be picked up for between $500.00-$1,000.00 depending on model, condition, etc. My favorite is the RB620, which is the P-bass style pictured above. Very powerful pickups, very well built, nice necks (not too thick or too thin).


I'll second this recommendation for the earlier 80s Ibanez Roadstars. The later ones had 4 in line headstocks compared to the earlier 2 + 2 Gibson style.

I still have my '83 Roadstar that I bought in '88 and was the first bass I ever owned. They're fantastic basses.
 
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Roadstars (and the older Roadsters) can usually be picked up for between $500.00-$1,000.00 depending on model, condition, etc. My favorite is the RB620, which is the P-bass style pictured above. Very powerful pickups, very well built, nice necks (not too thick or too thin).
+1 one on the 80s Ibanez Roadstars/Roadsters. My second bass, 40 years ago, after my first HondoII was one of these (there are also passive models) which I had stupidly converted to fretless and yet I wish I still had it.

Fantastic basses
 
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Planning on selling one of my basses. I would like to get one with a 2x2 headstock tuners layout. Always preferred les pauls for guitars, so that headstock style is appealing.

For ~$1k, looking for ideas of basses with this layout. My biggest hurdle is that i want passive electronics. Not averse to active, but i want great passive tone. Although not ideal, im willing to do the electronics if i find a great body and neck.

Here’s the ones ive found so far:
Ive tried ibanez sr line, though great, but string spacing is a bit tight. Dont have warwicks to try. Dont care for schecter. There is a washburn taurus that seems a good one, but considering it was ~$300 new, paying $600 seems crazy, its an option. I would tell you the 2 very expensive brands that are great examples of what I’m thinking about, but don’t want to distract from someone giving me ideas.

Thanks in advance. Have a good holiday!!!

You answered it already.

Gibson Les Paul Tribute bass. I have one. Awesome little bass for under 1k new.
 
For ~$1k, looking for ideas of basses with this layout. My biggest hurdle is that i want passive electronics. Not averse to active, but i want great passive tone.

They're not common, but you might like the Guild B-301/302. I've been playing a 301 since I bought it new in '77. Even less common is the 401/402, which offers a switchable active mode. These are total funk machines for me.

Demo on YouTube
 
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+1 one on the 80s Ibanez Roadstars/Roadsters. My second bass, 40 years ago, after my first HondoII was one of these (there are also passive models) which I had stupidly converted to fretless and yet I wish I still had it.

Fantastic basses

I know a thing or two about stupid fretless conversions. Ah, well. :banghead::D. This here was a 2007 US jazz with an S1 switch. The bass I cut my modding teeth on and also the one that convinced me to knock it off.

But getting back to the Roadstar II, I took a chance earlier this year with my first used gear purchase on TB, mostly wanting something Japanese and early '80s. Couldn't be happier, it's everything I love about a pbass with just a slightly different flavor. Pickup is hot!
20200416_182459.jpg
 
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First gen Gibson EB4 fits the bill.

They were kicking around for around $800-$1000 which is a great deal for a USA made bass that is very versatile.

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Have to say, I wasn’t considering this kind of pickups, but it’s growing on me the more i look at this. I wish I could find one in my budget in this color. How does the neck play compared to a jazz?
 
Have to say, I wasn’t considering this kind of pickups, but it’s growing on me the more i look at this. I wish I could find one in my budget in this color. How does the neck play compared to a jazz?

The neck is somewhere between a Jazz and a modern P. It has a nicely sized volute at the back of the headstock so it will not have typical Gibson headstock snap issues.
 
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