Best bass for $1,500

Used, US Music Man or G&L or German Warwick. New, probably a $1500 Yamaha BB (whatever model that would be)? Kiesel also comes to mind, if you're not too wild with the options you can have one built for around $1500. Just my opinion.

 

The Fender Geddy Lee Jazz (US) is around $1500, and covers a lot of the ground you are looking at. Ibanez basses are very nice. The Jazz bass has very different sound.

 

if you like thinner necks i wholeheartedly recommend one of the premium ibanez basses, i’ve got a sr2605 that is my main player,also got a neck thru sr1400. both are beautiful and play very well,are very well made and the titanium bars in the neck give me confidence the necks won’t warp or twist down the road. I really love the feel of wenge necks,hopefully you have access to try one.

 

Make sure you look at the Yamaha TBRX series; with your budget you can easily afford the 604/605. Beautiful slim neck, passive/active switch, battery indicator light, and it does Jazz, P and modern active really well. It was my second bass after a Squier Jazz and I could not give a solid excuse for the basses I have bought since then. The mid tier Ibanez basses are nice to but Yamaha has a good vibe for me.

 

I just got an SR1105B, and I’m satisfied..

 

For $1500 I’d go with a used Fender Beck V....there’s probably no style if music you can’t adapt it to...the most versatile passive bass I’ve heard..you could probably get Keisel to build you a PJ4/5 for less than that and that would work too..

 

Get a Yamaha BBP35. You can't go wrong, seriously...simplicity, phenomenal sound, and effortless playability. For an all-passive bass, it's insane, and I used to be an active 2/3-band eq-only guy. My BBP35 can get any tone from a thumpy Motown or reggae sound, all the way to a gnarly Spector or G&L wannabe...all from 2 volumes and one tone knob.

This is way cheaper than a new one, too:
Yamaha BBP35 Five String Bass - Midnight Blue | eBay

 

IMO, reading your request, you could probably stay in the $500 / $700 price range and pick up something used in the Ibanez SR series, Sire,or Schecter that is really nice. Your playing habits and styles will progress and leave you with more cash once you learn more about what you need and suits you.

 

Why do you want a more expensive bass? What is the SR650 not doing you want it to?

 

Sandberg! There's a good deal on a VM4 in the classifieds. I almost couldn't resist buying it but I have a VM5 on the way.

 

Spot-on. That Sandberg is a very good deal.

 

I was going to recommend a USA Musicman used, but if you like the thinner necks of the Ibanez that might not be the way to go. OTOH the Musicmans are amazing basses. You might want to try out a 4-string used Lakland Skyline, their necks are amazing.

 

I'd only suggest that if at all feasible in this day and age of pandemicness, as part of your exploration process, check out something Fenderish...maybe a Squier '70s Classic Vibe Jazz or a Fender Player Jazz. To @DigitalMan's point, a Jazz is definitely a different flavor coming from a Jackson or an Ibanez. And these days, IMHO, you don't need to spend anywhere near $1,500 to get a high-quality instrument.

 

I say, slow down! 3 months in and you're looking at a 4th bass? Why don't you enjoy what you have and put in at least a year of learning and practice before you even consider a new bass?

The SR650 is a pretty good bass (fantastic for the price). Is it not "doing it" for you somehow? You'll have a better idea on what kind of bass works aftee you've been playing a while.

All that being said, there is no shortage of great basses in the $1500 price range. And if you buy used, you're getting even more value.

 

You can play anything with these, I didn't make it bold on purpose:

FENDER AMERICAN PERFORMER PRECISION BASS

American Performer Precision Bass® | Electric Basses

 

If I absolutely had to spend $1500, I'd go a little above that and do the regular ol boring meat & potatoes Fender AP jazz or precision bass. Another at that price point is the G&L JB jazz bass which has the G&L features and is probably about the same in terms of overall quality.

Otherwise, I'd definitely consider just sticking with Ibanez. They make these just amazingly well made and super sounding basses for just dirt cheap.

Probably what you already got is as good as you can do at $1500. So maybe consider buying another one lol.

I'm mostly a Fender/G&L/Rickenbacker type of guy, tho so that's what I'm most familiar with. But there are lots of great alternatives like Ibanez, Cort and others that are great basses for really cheap.

L

 

I’d recommend the Gibson EB4/5 if either style from 2014 and 2016+. $600-$1000, great pickups, great ergonimics.

I lersonally don’t like Fender Basses as they are too big to be comfortable vs the Warwick style stuff.
I think Warwick is huge for a reason. They’re simply better designed for playing than fenders.

I chose this Gibson becuase it’s affordable, high quality, but taps in to that shape and style that makes Warwick a great choice.

 

Try out a FenderjFender and see how you like that neck. If so, try to classifieds here. You can find a used one for under a grand.

 

You like Ibanez. I would stick with that.