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Best Bass for £700

SteveB1978

SteveB1978

Commercial User
Apr 21, 2020
33
20
#1
Hi Everyone
I'm new and looking for my first bass. Due to lock down I'm unable to go out and try any out at present. I've read and looked for ages and keep changing my mind. What bass would you recommend for around £700. I quite like schecter omen Stilletto and t bass and Yamaha trbx 604fm Ibanez 650e Jackson x series camo but just can't make my mind up. Any suggestions?
Cheers in advance
 
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#3
SteveB1978 said:
Hi Everyone
I'm new and looking for my first bass. Due to lock down I'm unable to go out and try any out at present. I've read and looked for ages and keep changing my mind. What bass would you recommend for around £700. I quite like schecter omen Stilletto and t bass and Yamaha trbx 604fm Ibanez 650e Jackson x series camo but just can't make my mind up. Any suggestions?
Cheers in advance
Click to expand...
Welcome to TB!

Any of the instruments you listed are more than adequate for the task at hand.

Is 700 your total budget? Or do you have more set aside for the needed accessories like amp, stand, cables, case/gig bag, etc?
 
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#6
Volker Kirstein said:
Welcome to TB!

Any of the instruments you listed are more than adequate for the task at hand.

Is 700 your total budget? Or do you have more set aside for the needed accessories like amp, stand, cables, case/gig bag, etc?
Click to expand...
Cheers £700 for my bass and was thinking of a Blackstar 60 unity combo amp or Fender rumble 100 and if I spend less less on a bass I really liked a Fender rumble studio 40
 
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#7
Vodyanoi said:
Maybe wait a bit until you can try them yourself? I mean, £700 is a lot to just gamble. Even if there's a solid return policy, are you prepared for the hassle of returns etc? Just a thought to consider.

Having said that, in my experience you can't go wrong with either Schecter, Yamaha or Ibanez.
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I know that's probably the best decision but just don't know when shops are going to open again and be waiting months when I could be practicing
 
#8
SteveB1978 said:
Hi Everyone
I'm new and looking for my first bass. Due to lock down I'm unable to go out and try any out at present. I've read and looked for ages and keep changing my mind. What bass would you recommend for around £700. I quite like schecter omen Stilletto and t bass and Yamaha trbx 604fm Ibanez 650e Jackson x series camo but just can't make my mind up. Any suggestions?
Cheers in advance
Click to expand...
Can't go wrong with a Yamaha. I've never picked one up and been disappointed. I currently own a trbx174ew mango wood top, which is a fantastic bass.
I recently just acquired a Jackson JS3V Spectra bass. Five string in walnut top.
I love this bass! Everything about it is stellar.
So, I recommend the Jackson obviously, but you can't go wrong with anything from Yamaha.
 
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#9
Vodyanoi said:
Maybe wait a bit until you can try them yourself? I mean, £700 is a lot to just gamble. Even if there's a solid return policy, are you prepared for the hassle of returns etc? Just a thought to consider.

Having said that, in my experience you can't go wrong with either Schecter, Yamaha or Ibanez.
Click to expand...
Agreed. I haven't played any Schecters before but Yamaha is always great.
I really like Ibanez as well. The new SR bodies are a bit too slim for me though.
Personal preference. I had a SR900 a few years ago that was my steady reliable gigging bass.
 
#10
ruju said:
Can't go wrong with a Yamaha. I've never picked one up and been disappointed. I currently own a trbx174ew mango wood top, which is a fantastic bass.
I recently just acquired a Jackson JS3V Spectra bass. Five string in walnut top.
I love this bass! Everything about it is stellar.
So, I recommend the Jackson obviously, but you can't go wrong with anything from Yamaha.
Click to expand...
I really like jackson x series concert bass cbxnt iv, matte army Drab and would just change the tone nobs and the pickups just think its really nice. But have read other reviews and it's made of poplar and some won't touch it as its soft wood and a cheaper wood but know I can get a better bass with the yamaha trbx 604 but don't like it as much but know its a really good guitar for the money as I can get one for 497 and this is the dilemma I'm in just can't make my mind up
 

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#11
SteveB1978 said:
I really like jackson x series concert bass cbxnt iv, matte army Drab and would just change the tone nobs and the pickups just think its really nice. But have read other reviews and it's made of poplar and some won't touch it as its soft wood and a cheaper wood but know I can get a better bass with the yamaha trbx 604 but don't like it as much but know its a really good guitar for the money as I can get one for 497 and this is the dilemma I'm in just can't make my mind up
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I haven't tried that bass. I've seen it hanging. Pretty nice looking.
I would ignore all the "wood" debates. Alot of misinformation. Alot of repeating misinformation. There is absolutely nothing wrong with poplar from a quality standpoint.
My Jackson is poplar.
Honestly, if this is your first bass you shouldn't even be worried about these things.
I love my inexpensive basses as much as my higher end basses (-1500).
Here's my Jackson.
IMG_20200312_132523.jpg
IMG_20200312_132523.jpg
 
#13
ruju said:
I haven't tried that bass. I've seen it hanging. Pretty nice looking.
I would ignore all the "wood" debates. Alot of misinformation. Alot of repeating misinformation. There is absolutely nothing wrong with poplar from a quality standpoint.
My Jackson is poplar.
Honestly, if this is your first bass you shouldn't even be worried about these things.
I love my inexpensive basses as much as my higher end basses (-1500).
Here's my Jackson. View attachment 3798319 View attachment 3798319
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I know I think that's my problem with being stuck on lock down I'm just scrolling the Web for for bass and then reading reviews and then watching YouTube and what started off as a 300 bass has went up to 700 and just can't make my mind up as know got to much info if that makes sense lol
 
#14
SteveB1978 said:
I know I think that's my problem with being stuck on lock down I'm just scrolling the Web for for bass and then reading reviews and then watching YouTube and what started off as a 300 bass has went up to 700 and just can't make my mind up as know got to much info if that makes sense lol
Click to expand...

First bass? I'd spend the 300, there are some very playable and nice instruments for that price.

For $300. I'd buy a Sterling by Music Man Stingray Ray4. Amazing bass for the money IMHO.
 
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#16
£700 is what, about $825 US? You'd do much better at that price point getting a really nice used bass, in my opinion. I can't comment on how things are where you are, but in the US, American Fenders, Japanese Fenders, US Music Man basses, really high-end Ibanez, ESP, etc., Lakland Skylines, German Warwicks, and other genuinely nice basses can be had for that kind of money on a regular basis.
 
#17
Google says $863. I'd recommend going with a classic for your first one. P Bass, J Bass, Stingray. Just my opinion since you can't really go wrong. Fender MIM, G&L Tribute, SBMM, or maybe a used USA model if you're lucky.

I wouldn't consider a case a needed accessory, nor is an amp particularly if you're not in a band and can play with a computer. I would consider $60-$100 or so for a thorough professional setup a necessity. Get a good bass and have your luthier make it great.
 
#20
Thegrandwazoo said:
£700 is what, about $825 US? You'd do much better at that price point getting a really nice used bass, in my opinion. I can't comment on how things are where you are, but in the US, American Fenders, Japanese Fenders, US Music Man basses, really high-end Ibanez, ESP, etc., Lakland Skylines, German Warwicks, and other genuinely nice basses can be had for that kind of money on a regular basis.
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I really like the the fender deluxe active precision bass or yamaha bb734a or Schecter t bass for that money that's what I've been looking at
 
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