Best bass for $500 or less.

[Ragoo]

Just like everyone else on TB, I need another bass, so I have come to you all for help.

Here are my needs in this matter:

2 pickups, any combination of Jazz, P, MM, Soapbars, Humbuckers, etc.
5 strings, so it can be tuned to tenor bass (E A D G C) tuning.
20 or more frets.
High build quality.

Here are things that are preferred, but not necessary:
Clover tuners.
Solid body.
An oddball bass. Something that you won't see very often. This includes both new and used basses.
A thin, fast neck.
A bound body and neck would be cool, but I'm not expecting much on this front given the price restrictions.
Inlays of some sort on the fretboard.
The prevailing color scheme isn't all-black (black finish, rosewood fretboard, black headstock, black hardware, black pickups).

The bass can either be new or used, and if it's used, just give me a general price range I can expect on it.

Thank you all.

 

[Ragoo]

Would it help if I said please?

 

[Ian_Flash]

Check out the Epiphone Toby V. It's a Tobias design, Epi build. I just got a 4String passive model as a back-up and it's phenomenal. The Toby V Deluxe is an active EQ 5'er and for $600 you can buy TWO of them!

 

[TechDeath]

I have an oddball for $350

 

[Ian_Flash]

See if you can nail a Schecter 004 from E-Bay or GC Used. It's a KILLER playing, Quasi Ric w/binding and blocks that they only made for about 3 years and probably regret discoing. Here's a pic:

 

[FloridaSam]

Or a Schecter Stargazer. Fits most of your requests.

 

[Righteous Thunderer]

The Schecter Stargazer has a pretty strong reputation, I'd rock it.

 

[BassedInSpace]

There's a really nice used red Spector in the classifieds for around 400, seems to fit your needs.

 

[zachoff]

Yamaha BB425X.. Probably used unless you can get a floor model or blem. Good used price is around $300, I'd figure.

 

[CrewsControl]

Peavey Axcelerator V
- Made in USA
- purple
- $399

I have no connection to that sale.

 

[nubs]

many many choices in the used market, shop it around

 

[5 Wire]

Peavey Axcelerator V
- Made in USA
- purple
- $399

Beauty.

 

[jeff7bass]

If you're looking for new basses, these are cool.

http://www.amazon.com/Schecter-Diam...d=1365484483&sr=1-42&keywords=schecter+basses

http://www.amazon.com/Schecter-OMEN...d=1365484483&sr=1-41&keywords=schecter+basses

 

[Malak the Mad]

For a while, when I wanted to try out five-string, I got a very nice Squier Deluxe Jazz Active V for $250 used from Guitar Center's online database. It was very nice, great even. Unfortunately, fivers weren't working out for me so I let it go.



The white model is a bit of a rarity nowadays. It's been discontinued, but every now and then one pops up for sale.

If it catches your interest, there are a number of threads here about it.

The funny thing is, being a novice I didn't even think of making into an E to C tenor bass. If I had, I may not have sold it off.

 

[Ian_Flash]

Or a Schecter Stargazer. Fits most of your requests.

Stargazer DOES fit your needs better. I think the Schecters are overall the best basses for around $500 anyway... The Damien or Stillettos are something to consider. Also EMG now makes a natural wood F- series and D series... they're well-made, good-sounding basses at that price range.

 

[CrewsControl]

Peavey DynaBass 5
- glossy white (including the neck) w/ black hardware
- Super Ferrite pups
- somewhat rare
- a little over priced at $569, but not terrible