Best bass for $1600

Carvin b40 / sb4000 and upgrade pickups/pre if not happy with stock.

 

+1000 Carvin.

 

This one cost me $1,610 with shipping. It's a Carvin. I'm assuming you don't want 6 strings, so you could actually spend a bit less for a comparable 4. You can hear it here if you want. https://soundcloud.com/uneven-steven-518 Check out the tune called "Snakehead Soup"; it sounds like this might be close to what you're looking for. If you're a slapper, you can hear the slap tone on "Caliente". The ones jg42 mentioned are bolt neck, and therefore closer to a traditional J-bass; maybe a better match for you? You can order any Carvin bass with a pair of J-style pups too if that's your thing.

 

how about a used FBASS?

 

I know it's probably not the best bass out there (especially for that much money), but if I wanted to get a bass with everything I dig in one package, I'd snap up a Reggie Hamilton Jazz. Admittedly, I have a weakness for Jazz basses and P/J configurations. But something that has both, can switch from passive to active AND has a Drop-D tuner already installed? That's right up my alley!

What I'm saying is that there's a lot of versatility all right there!

 

Custom G&L.

 

Carvin.

 

Cool stuff!
Are those stock pickups?

P.S. in both tunes bass tones sound more "P" than "J" to me ;-)

 

This is what I'm doing.

 

For $1600.00, you can buy the very, very best bass Carvin has to offer. And, that's with you literally checking every single, solitary option Carvin has to offer! I can't really name another builder you can do that with. At least not for that kinda money. I've been preachin' this to anybody that'd listen since 1997. Put it this way, the vast majority of the time, when I grab a bass to go to a gig, my pre-Gib Tobias stays in it's case, while my Carvin gets played. And, it's not left at home because of the rarity of the Tobias, either. There, I said it.

 

Ok... I'll be the first to say it. STINGRAY.

 

Stingray and/or G&L for something similar but better. For a totally different beast I'd recommend trying out a Gibson bass (the new EB bass sounds and plays absolutely fantastic)

 

Thanks. Yep, stock pups and preamp. The neck pup is a stacked humbucker (which is optional).

 

4003

 

The two that will crush anything in this price range: StingRay and Spector Euro.

 

I'm not trying to talk you out of a new bass, but what kind of problem are you having with the MIM? Maybe you can solve the problem.

Anyway, Carvins are great, as others have said. I'll add Lakland Skylines to the mix. They are really great basses, and there are a few models you have to choose from. You might find a used Mike Lull in this price range, as well.

 

Carvin and Ibanez in my opinion are the best basses for the money. I've owned both I still have the Ibanez and wished I still had the Carvin. The Carvin is a custom build and it's a great experience in addition to being a great bass. Man, waiting on that UPS truck on delivery day is almost sublime. The only downside to the Carvin basses is if you want to sell it, buyers and dealers will beat you up on value, but I think that can be said for any custom bass and it certainly doesn't equate to quality and value that Carvin offers. They are built to last and everything they do is top notch, even the setup.

 

A used Sadowsky Metro 4. My favorite instrument. Set's up plays and amazing. Lot's of great tones that sits well in a mix.

 

Pickups and electronics can be upgraded with better replacements... Then you're talking $160 (or less) rather than $1,600. But if you're just looking for a reason to buy a nicer bass, I can dig that too.