Best bass for $1600

[Baird6869]

2012+ Fender American Jazz Deluxe. $1100- 1200-ish used and just killer.

I bought a used Sadowsky Metro 4 for $1600 a few years ago and that was also a great bass.

 

[Osztertag2112]

Id go std fender jazz, or classic 60s laquer jazz

 

[Dirk Rockbottom]

Geez, I want to thank everyone for your responses! You've given me a lot to chew on.
I've decided us bass players are the nicest musicians. Maybe because we're not show-offs. We just like to hang out in the back and on the bottom! I appreciate all your kind responses. You guys are great.

 

[CanadianEh]

MUSICMAN, EITHER A STINGRAY OR A BONGO

 

[Dirk Rockbottom]

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!

I love this bass. What do you think about this one? Guitar Center has it on sale for $850. Invalid Link Removed

 

[Dirk Rockbottom]

Id go std fender jazz, or classic 60s laquer jazz

Fender American Standard Jazz is something I'm definitely going to try out. Thanks.

 

[Dirk Rockbottom]

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.

The pickups aren't powerful enough. And if I turn the tone knob up, it gets tinny sounding. The only way I can make it sound decent is with both volume knobs all the way up and the tone all the way down.

 

[Dirk Rockbottom]

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.

What would you recommend for upgrading the stock pickups and circuitry on a Mexican Fender Jazz? I tried Seymour Duncans, but they seemed way too clean, and not that powerful.

 

[1954bassman]

Before I say G&L or MusicMan.....

You have a Fender you clearly don't like and you are honestly thinking about dropping $1600 on another one.

 

[dcarwin]

The pickups aren't powerful enough. And if I turn the tone knob up, it gets tinny sounding. The only way I can make it sound decent is with both volume knobs all the way up and the tone all the way down.

Maybe get one of those J retro preamps. People love them, just what you might need for wimpy stock j pickups.

 

[PsychoG]

You might want to give a Dingwall Combustion a look. Those are in that price range (less actually) new. Or you might be able to get a used ABZ in that price range as well. The Combustion is the low man on the Dingwall totem pole, but I've been happy with mine.

 

[PhilGordon]

I would recommend a sting ray. I have the HH five string and I love the **** out of it

 

[thehangingmist]

if you really like the feel and vibe of jazz basses, and nothing else will do then the american deluxe jazz is one of the best fenders out there for about 1600$!

 

[dreads311]

Another vote here for a Stingray.

 

[bassbenj]

Before I say G&L or MusicMan.....

You have a Fender you clearly don't like and you are honestly thinking about dropping $1600 on another one.

Yeah, that was my thought as well. I have a MIM Fender jazz and I was unhappy with it. So my first choice was new pickups, strings, setup, shielding, bridge etc. Was just a tiny fraction of $1600 (though not exactly zero fer sure) and that bass just came alive in my hands.

Now if the mods had not done it, then the next step would have been a MIA Jazz and if then I was STILL unhappy then clearly from there it would be time to move on to new territory like a G&L or MM.

But why not try the upgrades first?

 

[Malak the Mad]

I love this bass. What do you think about this one? Guitar Center has it on sale for $850. Invalid Link Removed

If I had the money, I'd grab it, but not before doing a ton of research (TB, Youtube, other online reviews, retailer's customer comments, etc…).

Normally it would be going for a cool $900, but until September 2nd certain Fender lines have been given either a $50 or $100 discount. Not too shabby, eh?

One other thing you might want to look into on the "tone front"…a Tonestyler by Stellartone. I just bought one for a P-bass I'm assembling from parts. From all accounts, it should seriously improve the tone-shaping. I'm not what you would call "electronics-savvy", despite my love of gadgets, but varies the capacitance of the tone pot…or something like that. Do a search for it on TB and you'll find more than a few mentions. More learned folk could explain it better than I.

They're not cheap, but the testimonials alone made me decide to drop a bit extra into my build-project. Maybe it could sharpen up what you already have before you go and drop a small fortune on a new bass?

 

[Bassist4Eris]

You'll [DEL]get[/DEL] spend the most [DEL]from[/DEL] for a made in America Fender.

Fixed that.

Seriously, when I bought my P-bass, I tried out an American Standard, but ended up going for the 70's Reissue (MIJ?) for much less. I'm not saying the 70's Reissue is better than the MIA, I'm just saying it was my personal preference. YMMV and all that. My point is, don't automatically associate higher price with a better bass, even within the same brand. I once had a guitar player who got rid of a $1,000 Strat in favor of a $300 Squier, because he liked it better.

 

[ncapone]

Classic StingRay

 

[aparker82]

It's a bit less than $1600 as I believe it was $789 but my wife bought me this bass yesterday and it's absolutely amazing. The quality and tone of these Ray35's is unbelievable, than again in the $1600 price range you could buy a stingray. I will say though this blows my MIM Fender P Bass out of the water in all aspects.

 

[Dirk Rockbottom]

Before I say G&L or MusicMan.....

You have a Fender you clearly don't like and you are honestly thinking about dropping $1600 on another one.

When I bought this one I was still a "beginner", but since I've advanced in my ability I've become aware of the limitations of this $599 Mexican bass. Other basses I've played have more powerful sound, so it must be the pu's. Also, the circuitry is inferior and I'm assuming the American made would be better, but I haven't actually played an American made yet. The price has always put me off. But I've just come into some extra dough and figure it's time to upgrade. I've always believed in the saying, "get the best instrument you can afford". I have to get out there and try them out when I have the time. Just trying to get a list together now. Thanks.