Best bass $3000 or under

[Headless Llama]

ummm...an older pbass!

 

[bobknowsbass]

Here's what I would swoop up in a heartbeat if I had 3 G's
http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showthread.php?t=591572

But it sounds to me that you want a Sadowsky NYC. I've seen these go for $3000 on the classifieds. I've played one and it's definitely on my future GAS list!

 

[Socalef9]

RIC!!

 

[Rudyboy98]

Try checking out different basses in a similar amp set up at a store. You can stay well under budget if you go with the sound and feel of the bass you like in your hand-even without looking to spend the 3k.

R...

 

[denchiq]

Unless you want a Fodera, Ken Lawrence, good Zon, Alembic, Carl Thompson, or a decent double bass.

well you can get a used Zon or Alembic for less than that. The question is, do you need one, both would be very specific.
I'm sure for $3000 you can find a Fodera too - we're not speaking some exact model - right? right?

 

[kaputsport]

Used Pedulla...

/thread.

 

[denchiq]

What bass should you buy?

a) Stingray HH
b) Spector Euro Neck-thru
c) Rickenbacker 4003
d) All of the above used for less than 3k

Oh by the way, the correct answer is d.

not sure if you can get all the three, the Ric would be just a tad below $1800

 

[Rockon!]

Buy a BFR Musicman with the nicest top you can find. And still have spare cash.

Or a 25th ann musicman!
Or a 20th and have spare cash. Hell buy 2.

Thought that Bass Central has a few.

 

[RickenBoogie]

Fender Custom Shop P.

 

[MikeBass]

$3K? Dude, everything is available.

What he said......

I'm looking for check marks in these areas:
34" scale
4 strings
nice thin, playable neck (but not too thin, like those anorexic-neck ibanez sr's)
powerful, hits-you-in-the-face tone that's like a fist, not a warm blanket

Pretty much the opinion on just about every bass by someone....

Yeah, if your profile is current, I'd think about getting a better amp first, or an amp in addition to the new bass.

Yeah, new (used actually) amp/cab. Should be able to grab a nice rig for about $1K-ish
Then take the other $2K-ish and plow through the used ads here on TB and score a nice bass.

Hell, you could grab a GenzBenz Shuttle 6.0 or MarkBass LMII for about $500. A nice 410, say SWR or Eden for about the same.
And snatch up a Sadowsky Metro, Spector EuroLX, Warwick Thumb Bass, Warwick Streamer

Heck, I wish I had $3K for a new rig, I'd clean up!

 

[bassplayer7770]

My custom Hanewinckel was well under $3k. I don't really care for the tone of Pete's handwound dual-coils, though, so I'm planning to drop in some Nordy Big Singles and a good preamp. The oil finish on the body also isn't the most durable. Otherwise, it's a very nice and well-built bass IMO.

http://www.hanewinckelguitars.com/

 

[Dark Horse]

Spend $1k on a new amp and put the other $2k into a Roth IRA.

Your Fender will have TONS of punch when paired with a better amp.

 

[MikeBass]

Spend $1k on a new amp and put the other $2k into a Roth IRA.

Your Fender will have TONS of punch when paired with a better amp.

HA!!
Awesome!!!!!

 

[Phalex]

Tell you what I'd do man.......

Talk to Nino.

 

[Dark Horse]

HA!!
Awesome!!!!!

Don't fix what ain't broke !

 

[DoggBisket]

Check out the First Act custom shop. LOL

 

[ac11367]

34" scale, thin playable neck, and in-your-face tone.....

Someone mentioned G&L and I have to agree. Order a SB-2 and save the rest of the money to upgrade other equipments. I have a SB-2 and it fits all of those criteria (except for the neck part, for which different options are available when you order. My bass' neck is a bit more like a Precision). The tone is definitely in-your-face.

 

[vince a]

I've had experience with the $$ . . . liked the looks and the sounds . . . couldn't get used to the neck. It felt like a baseball bat in my hands, and I have big hands.

I'd keep the P . . . it's perfect, and . . . since you are used to Fender basses, I'd get a new American Standard . . . black with a maple fingerboard, then add a B/W/B pickguard. Thin neck, easy to play, and all the punch or growl that you can handle. You can get one for less than half of what you have.

I'd then get a new bass head . . . Mesa, Eden Wt-550 (yes, I'm partial to this one), MarkBass, etc. Then your P bass will have all the thump you need too!

BTW . . . Ibanez does make a non-'anemic thin neck' . . . it's called the SRX model . . . they're thicker and wider than all the rest of the Ibanez series basses! I bought an older 5 string version just because of that fact. It's called the SRX705NT . . . the newer model is the 695 - I think! Same bass though, and it's a neck thru! One helluva bass for the $$$. They make a 4 string version too.

 

[RAM]

I'm a little surprised no one mentioned it (unless I missed it somehow), but IMO you'd do well for picking up a Sadowsky Metro.

 

[RTL]

A lot of smart people on here... And I'd definitely have to agree with them - get a higher quality amp with a good amount of power first. You'll be floored by how much better the bass you already have will sound.

Once you land a nice rig, hit the classifieds or Craig's List with the remaining cash (if you really want to spend). If you want a really nice bass for cheap, now is the time.