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Best American Made Bass?
- Thread starter Fletz
- Start date
Ricks are the best bass for me, but I'll add my voice to the G&L chorus as well.
I've never seen one (guitar or bass) that didn't impress me.
I've never seen one (guitar or bass) that didn't impress me.
My early 90's Carvin LB20
EBMM are great for metal as are Jazzes and P's, Rics...almost any bass that has the potential to cut-thru. My Carvin pictured is amazing for metal. Seriously.
I've played a lot of basses, especially lately as I was in the market for a new 5 string . . . that said . . . everyone of the basses mentioned in previous posts are great, and a person needs to test as many of them that they can, to see, hear, and feel what suits them the best . . . for me, MIA Jazz Fenders do that for me, and the 5 string that I bought??? A Lakland Skyline 55-60 CS with blocks and bindings . . . cause it's 99 and 99/100ths of the Fender, and it was available - the Fender was not, and I would have had to wait many, many months for the Fender Jazz that I wanted. So, now I'm contemplating a MIA P-Bass V string . . .
- Apr 1, 2000
- 17,399
- 9,831
- Disclosures
- Endorsing Artist: Roscoe Guitars, DR Strings, Aguilar Amplification
Maybe I was unclear. His point was that the Fender was so immediately and vastly superior to the Carvin that it wasn't worth spending the time trying to get a sound out of the Carvin.
The dude is a fantastic player with years of world-class experience. Doesn't take long to figure out if a bass has it or not.
Roscoe...they're amazing instruments made in Greesboro, NC. Not sure if I would consider them a production bass but their dealers usually have stock.
I like your list Fletz. I think those calling for G&L have a good point. And I would submit the more recent Peavey USA offerings, especially the Cirrus, which emulates a boutique bass.
I hear the Cirrus is no longer a "production model," but only offered through Peavey custom shop. Does that count?
I hear the Cirrus is no longer a "production model," but only offered through Peavey custom shop. Does that count?
Never played a MIA G&L. I will however, say that the Tribute series easily runs on par, if not better than any MIA Fender I've ever played.
So far, the best american production bass I've played has got to be the AV RI '62 Precision.
So far, the best american production bass I've played has got to be the AV RI '62 Precision.
That's a great foursome, no question about it. A US Lakland isn't a production bass, but they're fantastic (IMO--I have two). And they have models that will give you other tones than your current four, such as the Decade, the Hollowbody and the 4-94.
I have little experience with US G&Ls, but I bet you could find something in that lineup to add diversity, too.
I have little experience with US G&Ls, but I bet you could find something in that lineup to add diversity, too.
Pacman said:
Well my carvin sb is far superior to any fender I've ever played or owned, but than again it's just my opinion and to be honest it's my choice so that's why I don't own any fenders anymore. Thanks for sharing your friends experience though!
That's what makes basses (all instruments, I suppose) so cool: The American P-Bass I have is the ONLY P-bass that I've loved. I've played good ones, even near great ones, but the only one that melts like butter in my hands is the one I own (very lucky). Because they are made from wood and manufactured by people (for the most part) there is a magic in each one. Some times the magic is consistent, sometimes it's a spark. For example, I feel like all Stingrays feel the same. The one I have vs. the ones I pick up at GC all have the same great feel to them. Now, the argument could be made that I am happy with that "standard" feel and the magic Ray is out there somewhere. I love my Ric, but frankly only played a few in my life. And, honestly, the Jazz I have is cool, but I am not sure I LOVE it. I love the way it looks and like the way it feels. The P I mentioned above, I had to have the second I played it.
I'm rambling, but you get my point ...
I'm rambling, but you get my point ...
As far as instruments I can play in my local guitar center:
EBMM Stingray Classic
Fender American Special Jazz (And Precision)
aand...then I got nothing.
EBMM Stingray Classic
Fender American Special Jazz (And Precision)
aand...then I got nothing.
That's cool. His opinion is as valid as anyone's, and I just disagree. So do a lot of other people. I still think five minutes with any instrument is far from enough to really know what it's capable of, but maybe this guy has some very specific things he looks for and can assess things quickly.
Why is a US Lakland not considered a "production" bass? I look on their website and they have "standard" models with standard options. There's a brand new "standard" 55-94 Deluxe hanging on the wall at my local guitar store (that is a Lakland dealer). Does being ******** expensive mean it's not considered "production"? Maybe the question should be revised to "what's the best American made bass under $3000 MSRP?"
Basses are like women. 5 minutes is not enough to know if she is "the one". But, 5 minutes can be WAY MORE than enough to know that she's NOT "the one".
- Mar 8, 2011
- 12,232
- 51,187
- Disclosures
- Authorized greenboy designs builder/Owner of BNA Audio
Yep...I have been buying/playing P-Basses since the late 70's and my less than 5 year old AM STD P-Bass is as good or better than any of them
