Best bass under $3,000?

[RodneyM]

Hmm.
I wonder what the worst bass over $10,000 is.

 

[Pings Bass]

This is funny BUT, I played a new one in GC last week. Just amazing in every respect/aspect for a $300 bass.

I'm not even kiddingI love my cheap-o stingray

 

[Chrisk-K]

A MIA P and a MIA J.

 

[chuck3]

I read up on Mike Lull, he’s in WA I go there a lot and plan to check his stuff out. Thanks!

My main bass guitar is a Mike Lull with a P neck and J pups. Although I have a bunch of other basses, including one custom one, I play the Lull the most by far.

 

[sflajimmy]

I read up on Mike Lull, he’s in WA I go there a lot and plan to check his stuff out. Thanks!

Personal decision, but I recently bought a used Lull P4 on here for under 2K and I'm like where have you been all my life. The neck profile, weight and tone that I've always searched for. Certainly at least worth checking out. I don't see myself ever parting with this bass.

 

[SgtHulka]

https://www.musiciansfriend.com/bas...aGhgK_Mf61wRR07XQzf4yVvTYqeAgcgxoCta8QAvD_BwE

 

[oldskoolskatedad]

I hear what you’re saying for sure, I love all those guys’ playing too. This all started because I decided to get one great bass that will last me forever, although honestly I doubt I’ll ever really be done searching. I really just wanted to see what was out there from the guys on TB

I was honestly totally surprised that I couldn't find an "End All, Be All, Forever Bass" but instead realized that basses are like beer for me. I love IPAs but don't want to drink the same one every night. If I did have a bass doctrine it would be to not scrimp on amplification, though this is entirely dependent on the types of venues one plays these days. For me it's still just as important as what's hanging on my shoulder.

 

[Blaze Barlow]

I’m in the market for a new bass, I have $3,000 to spend but could spend more if I find the right one. I live in an area with a very limited bass selection, but I travel for work almost every week so have been visiting bass stores hoping to get my hands on upper end basses to try out with limited success. So far, I have my eye on Sandberg, Mayones, and G&L. I’ve only owned lower end basses, so looking for recommendations if y’all wanna pitch in. I play rock and punk mainly and dabble around other styles for practice. Thanks!

................Elrick Standard Series Handmade New Jazz Standard, Rosewood Fingerboard 4-String Bass Guitar

 

[Kipp Harrington]

Find a Squier Classic Vibe P bass and put a $2600 pick guard on it.

 

[Playbyear]

Hmm.
I wonder what the worst bass over $10,000 is.

Probably a bogus counterfeit/parts, vintage collector P bass.

 

[Green1]

If I had 3K to spend, I would probably order a bass from Valenti. I have had USA Laklands and NYC Sadowskys and the Valenti gives nothing away to either of them. There are a lot of good options at this price point. Good luck.

 

[Brad Johnson]

I have a weird hang up about buying used, a bit irrational maybe but I prefer new. I like G&L / Fender necks, they feel comfortable to me. MM necks feel chunky. Weight wise I’d prefer under 9 lbs but balanced well to avoid neck dive. I understand Sadowski has this nailed but I don’t know if I’ll ever find one that I can get my hands on unless I go to New York (I’m in NV). I like the sound of passive electronics but want the option of active. I like colored finishes, no natural looks.

Hey, you like what you like. Nothing wrong with that.

What you described wouldn't have to cost $3k new.

 

[SteveC]

Roscoe

 

[Marc DLarosa]

I agree that You can get a couple of KILLER/APPROPRIATE used/or new basses, for the dough you have.

BUT, YEP... Punk Rockers love NEW looking basses...

 

[Ric5]

 

[Nakoatron]

Can’t go wrong with going used

sadowsky modern
Mtd 535-24
Warwick streamer stage 2

All 3 top picks.

 

[NaH]

Dingwall

New Combustion or NG-2 or a used Canadian Model.

 

[Sergius Durante]

Nope, I’m open to anything really but I don’t want to order something I haven’t put my hands on first

Well that kinda limits you, For punk I would get an american Pbass, Rotosound steels (no flats, sorry not sorry TB). The classic punk bass tone. But you should consider Warwick, versatile for everything

 

[getBAK]

Lots of good info here already, here are my two cents

Once you clear ~ $2500 for basses, the build quality really stops improving and you're just buying something with a prettier finish.

There is no perfect single bass. My Dingwall is amazing, but there are things it won't do - which is why I have my MTD Fretless, but there are things it won't do, which is why I have my TBC Jazz/Music Man Hybrid thing, but there are things it won't do, which is why I have an upright... You are better off buying a couple of basses that hit different ends of the spectrum of what you want to play.

Some brands that haven't been mentioned here
Dingwall don't let the fan frets intimidate you, it takes about 10 minutes to get used to them
Fodera frankly $3000 is a cheap one though
Yamaha for some reason people forget that Yamaha makes spectacular instruments. You can buy a brand new top-of-the-line BB-Pro series for $1600 new.

GK 1001RB and/or Fender Rumble

Whoa-Whoa-Whoa... don't spend a ton of money on a bass than run it through a "meh" amp. I suggest you take $1500 of your budget to buy a Mesa Subway 800 head and 2x10 or 1x12 Cabinet

 

[Bass Thunder]

Yep in process now!

Fly into Burbank airport and uber to Bass Exchange/Amp Shop in North Hollywood.
If you walk in there with a strong budget and can't find something you like, then I can't help you.

Good luck