best bass guitar for 600$

[MNAirHead]

FIRST ---
Quality strings and Quality Setup.. this only allows you $500.... maybe the most important move.

used something...

 

[plangentmusic]

A Squier deluxe AND a CV Precision?

 

[Ewo]

For a 5 string, I'd recommend the Lakland Skyline 55-01 and 55-02, used. Scope out the TB classifieds. They'll go for around the price point you want.

 

[SurferJoe46]

I was feeling particularly macabre last night - maybe I missed one of my prescription pills - but I really don't like to buy used.

That's just me - but I tried it once and found a super sweet Les Paul Special Epiphone that had gobs of character, miles of sustain and generally some of the sweetest sounds I have ever heard in a bass. I still have a pix of it somewhere - let me look:::

It was a great bass - but I didn't own it first and it just felt like it wasn't part of me.

It's said that a musical instrument is an extension of the [DEL]artist[/DEL] player, and I felt off balance with this bass. If I wasn't comfortable with it - then it wasn't gonna work.

The weight wasn't too-o-o much of a problem, and the looks were certainly great and it was smooth and solid and the pots were quiet and the p'ups were super Motown - just what I wanted.

It just wasn't MINE.

As it is, I didn't want to add to the OP's confusion with advising him to buy any one brand or another, or even say that one bass generally sux and bites big ones - but he could do much worse than buying anything but a Fender/Squier as they are generally accepted in all venues and places where a bass is to be played.

They are just 'normal' and 'acceptable' for all modes of music. Trying to NOT get all Freudian here; I just cannot warm up to used gear. It's not really the germs - they can be removed as well as sun baked-on nasal secretions .

Any drool should be your own though.

 

[REAPER52]

My opinion - BUY NEW and get the warranty in your name and the new bass smell.

If you buy used, you get germs, dirt (commonly admired as 'funk' - but it's really dead human skin cells, mucus, tobacco drool, dried up beer residue - from the bottle or the drinking person and snot mixed with blood from the last owner) and scratches, gouges and dings that you didn't give it yourself.

Have pride in whatever bass sings for you and play it as you see fit.

There is no BEST bass for $600.00. There are good, bad, great and total failures at every price point.

There is no BEST bass for any money - you are in a quandary as you have asked THE most asked question and have entered into the black hole of musical [DEL]desire[/DEL] whoredom and you will never be satisfied ever again.

Get used to it and roll to your own waves.

Play everything you can get your hands on and see for yourself.

good advice- but there is nothing wrong with buying used . you can get a great deal on used bass's right here on the forums for sale section, but you need to know what your looking at. i would buy used in a heart beat . also try Bass Emporium -Kyle is the guy i bought my last bass from, he is honest and good to work with. for 600 you should be able to get a pretty nice bass.

 

[theduke1]

G&L Tribute is the best way to go put all your money in the bass a caswe and effects can always come later!

G&L the only true Fender left on the planet!!

 

[Ben Noblit]

Yamaha BB's or G&L Tribute are both great basses. Go to your music store and play a lot of basses.

 

[REAPER52]

There is a NIB Fender Highway One USA in the 4sale section today- check that one out - nice bass.

 

[selowitch]

MIM Fender Standard P or J would do nicely.

 

[FakeWhiteMan]

I would look at the Sterling rays and the Rockbass active corvettes... zzounds is doing the active corvettes for around $400 and music123 has a 20% off coupon for the holidays if your looking at a sterling or w/e from them.

 

[DwaynieAD]

MIM fender jazz

 

[keeperthumpin]

Also check out the Ibanez ATK 300. Very versatile in looks and sound. Good deal right now from MF. Usually a $500 bass on sale for $200. Don't let the lesser price fool you. I dig mine!!

 

[johnny6644]

I'd put in a vote for Rockbass Corvette. The one I've got now sounds as good as and plays better than my Warwick Corvette. Look around and you can find one for a lot less than $600; I bought mine, lightly used, for $350.

 

[abcdefranklin]

I'd say get a squier classic vibe and a sansamp and you'll be good for w.e tones you want you'll still have a ton of money to upgrade it how ever you want it etc. Or you could get a geddy lee used here for 500-700

BUY USED. I bought a squier classic vibe from here with american std. pickups for less than 300 and it came in brand new condition.

 

[Billy3000]

I didn't think about used for some reason. With $600 you should be able to find a good used Fender P or J. I've never played a sterling by musicman so I can't speak for those.

As for new basses I still say Squier classic Vibe, I really don't think there's any new basses in the $350 to $600 range that are better than them IMO.

 

[Baron Von Vik]

If you buy used, you get germs, dirt (commonly admired as 'funk' - but it's really dead human skin cells, mucus, tobacco drool, dried up beer residue - from the bottle or the drinking person and snot mixed with blood from the last owner) and scratches, gouges and dings that you didn't give it yourself.

Nice imagination, Howard Hughes. You're scaring the kids.
Although "Snot Mixed with Blood" sounds like it would make a cool punk song.

 

[EdMerc]

I'm going to be getting a "bonus" soon (on call pay) and plan on buying a better bass. Right now I don't own my own. It's a loaner from the church band.

Anyway, I've been spending time playing EVERYTHING I can get my hands on. I don't let looks dictate either 'cause you just never know.

I've played some really expensive jobs and some cheapos, some custom basses, some absolutely gorgeous jobs, and all the ugly ones too, but the one I keep coming back too is an Ibanez sr500. It just fits me right. I find it super easy to play, and love how it sounds.

I'll probably never order a custom made bass, but if I did it would feel just like this one. So why bother?

Point is, it's not a very expensive bass, but it's right for me.

Hope this helps,
Ed

 

[Tommygunn]

I was feeling particularly macabre last night - maybe I missed one of my prescription pills - but I really don't like to buy used.

That's just me - but I tried it once and found a super sweet Les Paul Special Epiphone that had gobs of character, miles of sustain and generally some of the sweetest sounds I have ever heard in a bass. I still have a pix of it somewhere - let me look:::

It was a great bass - but I didn't own it first and it just felt like it wasn't part of me.

It's said that a musical instrument is an extension of the [DEL]artist[/DEL] player, and I felt off balance with this bass. If I wasn't comfortable with it - then it wasn't gonna work.

The weight wasn't too-o-o much of a problem, and the looks were certainly great and it was smooth and solid and the pots were quiet and the p'ups were super Motown - just what I wanted.

It just wasn't MINE.

As it is, I didn't want to add to the OP's confusion with advising him to buy any one brand or another, or even say that one bass generally sux and bites big ones - but he could do much worse than buying anything but a Fender/Squier as they are generally accepted in all venues and places where a bass is to be played.

They are just 'normal' and 'acceptable' for all modes of music. Trying to NOT get all Freudian here; I just cannot warm up to used gear. It's not really the germs - they can be removed as well as sun baked-on nasal secretions .

Any drool should be your own though.

I always buy used (mainly because I'm poor), but I have no problem connecting with any of my basses, one of which is an absolutely never sell bass because I think it's my "soul mate"... its the $200 GAS-killer.

 

[smcd]

I've bought some spectacular basses used that I could never even think of buying new.

 

[roccobladr]

my vote goes for a new Squier vintage modified. I was VERY impressed with them and was GASsing for the p bass for a while. VERY nice for the price. and in your case, only playing for 6 months, I think its a great next bass for you. (or really for anyone)...but like what was said before..GO TRY THEM OUT IN PERSON!

Its like buying a car. Sure there is a model and brand of car, but each one is built a little different. There might be a Squire that plays like absolute poopy, but the same one next to it might play like a dream.

Good luck!