Best bass $3000 or under

[jarrhead]

get a spector euro (5 i know..)

And get like a Markbass 410 and a new amp! You MUST get a new amp!

If you want the spector euro tone, check out Sequoia Throne Drum and Bass track for just drum and bass great tone.

Of course, just my opinion. I love the Markbass though!

A PJ would give a great punch, the spector will give a warm tone that fits anything.

 

[ghiadub]

I would go with a used Mike Lull jazz, I got one on a great deal and it has turned into my main bass, edging out my Sadowsky, Pedulla, G&L, Fender, and Modulus.

Just a passive jazz bass but it has something the other basses lack. Also, it is the best playing, partly due to the PLEK setup they give it.


I picked it up for $1100 used, that would have left plenty of cash for an amp.

YMMV

 

[Luka38]

get a lakland joe osborne or darryl jones, possibly with chi-sonic pickups. i don't think you will be able to find a dj with chis but even with the stock lakland pickups the sound will hit you in the face unlike any other fender bass

 

[4stringman]

either a modulus Q4 or a new rig and a used gibson thunderbird studio would be my vote

 

[dexter71]

Hey, I'm looking for a new bass, have a budget of about $3000, and want to upgrade from my fender mia pbass. Any suggestions?

I haven't been able to test any of them yet, but some basses catching my eye: the warwick corvette $$ neckthru, and the lakland joe osborne.

Again, throw what you've got at me, please. I'll be grateful for any suggestions.

IMHO.. sadowsky metros are a good way to go. Check them out before you make a decision. They are priced under 3.000 and are excelent basses.. I have two, a JJ and a PJ, and I couldn't be happier with them.

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

and according to the profile you described.. they are a perfect match. Make sure you talk to kevin or to roger himself so they can give you further information.. but my guess is that you will be very satisfied with what they have to offer.

Good luck in finding what's best for you!

Cheers,

 

[ishouldbeking]

From the way you describe the tone you're after it sounds like all you really need is an appropriately aggressive rig (GK would do it without breaking the bank, but there are a lot of fantastic options out there) and honestly... a precision pretty much fits the bill for that kinda tone. You say you don't like the MM tone, so perhaps active basses aren't for you... but if the tone of a precision on its own isn't quite aggressive and in your face enough, you might just need a different pickup. As far as I'm concerned, a P bass with a Quarter Pounder, or something along those lines, is gonna give you exactly the sound you described.

EDIT: you could totally get that tone without spending much at all too... something like a Fender Frank Bello Signature would most likely nail that tone.

 

[Rushlover13]

Um, Rickenbacker 4003 or 4001, duh!

 

[afireinside]

Buy about 20+ different basses from Rondo. 5 strings, 6 strings. All different styles and your covered. My SX jazzes are comparable to my 2008 MIA jazz.

 

[capnsandwich]

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

Talk to Nino.

BINGO!!!

I did and got exactly what you want, plus one string, for $2000. EMG 40J pickups, 18v Aguilar OBP-3 preamp, 34" inch, swamp ash body, punch your freakin' lights out, and it looks good too. Nino can get you what you want and you'll still have money left over for a new rig. Please, at least look at his website.

 

[bigntasty]

Fender Custom Shop. Done deal.

 

[wallshakerpbass]

The Spectors look really good, as do the Laklands. I've played Rics before, both an early 80's model and an '09. I didn't really like either. The necks on the new ones are just too thick for me, I don't like the laquered neck, and I don't think the sound is worth $2k.

I actually just found a place online that is about 30 min. from me that stocks Spectors, Laklands, MTDs, Warwicks, Valentis, and Sadowskys. I'll definitely take a trip there soon.

 

[GYang]

I would search for used Sadowsky PJ + pre '98 Warwick Thumb NT for 3000 (possible).
No single bass can come close to usability value of this combo.

 

[elavate7]

musicman big al's are nice

 

[P-oddz]

A budget of $3,000?

The world is so cruel sometimes.

 

[babebambi]

warwick thumb
warwick ss2
warwick LX
warwick $$ NT bubinga

THIS.

 

[phat daddy]

You cannot go wrong with Lakland. You can find a great used USA Lakland bass for under 2k these days and I would suggest for you the 4-94, Joe Osborne, and the Darryl Jones models. Used ones pop up here on TB all the time, and as much as I hate evilbay there is a goldmine of good used Lakies on there usually.

And yes, by all means, take the other 1k+ and get yourself a killer used amp. People on TB generally take great care of their gear, as everything I've gotten trading and buying on TB has basically been in new condition.

Best of luck on your decision!

 

[-Jam-]

If you have 3k then why not go all the way and amass to a Sadowsky or nice fat Rick

 

[t0t0m]

A Status Graphite bass, either a KingBass or s2 Classic.

 

[denchiq]

You cannot go wrong with Lakland. You can find a great used USA Lakland bass for under 2k these days and I would suggest for you the 4-94, Joe Osborne, and the Darryl Jones models. Used ones pop up here on TB all the time, and as much as I hate evilbay there is a goldmine of good used Lakies on there usually.

And yes, by all means, take the other 1k+ and get yourself a killer used amp. People on TB generally take great care of their gear, as everything I've gotten trading and buying on TB has basically been in new condition.

Best of luck on your decision!

there's an awesome passive US BG4 PJ for sale at 1700. Even though I pklay fives, I seriously considered getiing this one