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Best bass for 300$

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Drubio8119

Dec 8, 2010
40
0
32
El Paso TX
#1
now lets see i can onyl afford a bass for 300$ and i have been led to many different kinds of basses i have found here

first up The vintage Modified Squier Jaguar bass

Seems very good but my local GC doesnt have one to try but from what i here it is amazingly good for the price

Next up an Epiphone thunderbird IV bass

Not as versatile as jaguar but looks beautiful and can handle well only problem is neck dive

as well as the vintage modified squier p bass

overall good reviews

not sure which one to get for all sound well but im leaning towards the jaguar. What would you guys pick or add to the list? what would you get for 300$. Only rule is no ibanez basses. (never liked ibanez :P)
 
#3
I'd snag one of the Classic Vibe or Vintage Modified Jazz basses. Make sure you play the one you're buying first though, as at that price range the quality can vary significantly. If you get a nice one, it'll keep up with instruments better than its price range, but there is the risk of getting a dog too.

Whatever you get, put some new strings on it and get a pro setup if you can't do one yourself. Totally worth the outlay, as it will make even a cheap bass play and sound awesome.
 
#4
i already own a modified fretless jazz squier :D and i love that jazz feel just im looking something with a bit more pop :d but thanks for your opinion intrepid i might have to try that jazz bass since well i dont have a fretted one and it might sound different ^^
 
#7
crystalman85 its not that i like fender style it is just they are within my budget :D but seems nice but i am getting my money from a reimbursement so i kind of have to use it GC :/ anything from their in the 300$ range you would suggest? :O

and samc2527 why do you like your epi thunderbird? :O
 
#8
Personally....... I think a Squire P bass or Ibanez Soundgear are pretty awesome in that price range.
Why?
Because with new strings and the right setup the squire P gives you a solid tone and plays well. Its also fairly cheap to add some Duncan QP's, CTS pots, vintage wires and a switchcraft jack.
The ibanez will play like butter and has some really usable tones right out of the box. If you wanted to upgrade the Ibanez eventually it will cost a bit more but you can throw in some real Barts and an NTMB preamp... this will make for one hell of a tone.

Either way both are wonderful instruments that although are totally different flavors.... will both do a LOT for the cash.
 
#9
hmmm jsut out of curiosity i have been pplaying bass for 2years now but some terms i read are weird to me and parts of the bass i didnt exactly know. so what are "pots"?

also is the squier p bass like the VM jaguar? just the jaguar is p/j
 
#10
Drubio8119 said:
hmmm jsut out of curiosity i have been pplaying bass for 2years now but some terms i read are weird to me and parts of the bass i didnt exactly know. so what are "pots"?

also is the squier p bass like the VM jaguar? just the jaguar is p/j
Click to expand...


Pots are basically your knobs.. well... its what is inside. Lower priced instruments usually have very small low quality pots. However you can upgrade to the same stuff used by boutique brands for very little money.
Bestbassgear.com has some kits for P and J basses so you can replace the guts with high quality parts.

Squier makes a number of different P basses... whichever ones you like are up to you and your budget. just check the GC website.... go to "basses", then click "4 string", then click "squier"
 
#14
I've had an epi thunder bird for like 3 years there great basses 4 the price but ive had 2 problems one is its heavy neck which wasnt that big of a deal but once i moved on to my warwick i stopped using it as much and the neck curved up like a banana within like a month of unproper car which is mostly my fault and i fixed after messing around w/ the truss rod 4 a couple of weaks. Not to mention its insanly durable i would deffinently recomend it for you :)
 
#16
Drubio8119 said:
hmmm note to mention as well is i love playing muse and alot of indie, ska music do you guys think a p bass is good for these types of music? :O

also thanks alot Lakland you are really helping me out tonight :)
Click to expand...

For Muse, Indie, Ska you can do either a P or a J. Both are widely used in those styles.... for punk/ska you'll tend to see P basses more often... I know ive seen Muse using a Jazz bass but I know he also plays Status basses as well.

Another thing to note is that Guitarcenter.com has a used section where you can look through the whole company and if you find something you like they can send it to our local store. This way if you can save some money you'll be able to get new pickups right away... or some new strings... or a strap... whatever you want. Its up to you. Its not that a Squier needs new pups because the stock ones sound great... but some better pups and replacing pots etc. will really bring that bass to life.
 
#17
:D thanks Bassman... you guys wouldnt believe how happy i am to be getting a new bass even if it is cheap but to me it is rather expensive xD i feel like a kid in a candy store when it comes to basses since i love playing basses tooo much T.T im so stuck between what to get because sicne im in a band now my fretless isnt exactly good for gigging for the type of music i play. also it might be weird switching from fretless to fretted since im so used to no frets :D xP
 
#20
that warwick seems tempting but ive been reading mixed reviews on it :/ but i am appreciating all the help. any tips for playing a p bass or fretted bass that might be different from a fretless. i know most move from fretted to fretless but im doing the opposite xD any tips or advice?
 

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