Best bass under $3,000?

[Real Soon]

I'm a fan of the MGBass Extreman I got from Mauricio. It wasn't custom for me, but was still an incredibly high-quality build, and just one example of what he can do. I don't think he usually does Fenderesques so if that's what you want, there's Bass Mods and a whole lot of other makers, but there's also a beautiful selection of builders who craft their own styles of instruments out there. Beardly Customs comes to mind as an excellent source of unique custom instruments, too.

 

[Real Soon]

Seeing, though, as you want Fender-style necks and no natural finishes, let's remove everything from the table besides Fender. And seeing as you don't want something custom-made (bc you want to play it before you agree to it), but also don't want 2nd-hand, well... MIA Fender?

You have to realize you're setting conditions that are very close to conflicting with each other. To the point of it being worth asking, what do you REALLY want?

 

[bassbenj]

Dude relax. I should have said “what’s your favorite” rather than “best”. I get it. I know how to play, I’m not new at this, I just don’t have much experience with higher end instruments.

Dude I am relaxed. You have admitted you need some education. I just agreed with you! Do you know EXACTLY what you want in a bass? I don't think so. I've got 40 basses and I don't know exactly what I want in a bass. I could try to tell you what the tonal difference between a Fender and a Sadowsky sounds like, or try to describe the differences between my Ken Smith, Modulus, and Alembic basses, but trying to describe tone for someone with words isn't going to get too far. You've got to live with each for a while and form your own opinion. I do suggest that it takes living with rather than a few minutes in a store to learn what a given bass can do. (By the way, I really do not like Sadowsky tone even though it is instantly recognizable)

High end bass story: I was at a guitar show and here was this stage full of high end basses! I mean Drozd, Ritter and things of that ilk. And there was this dude there who could REALLY play checking out all these high end basses one by one. Naturally this attracted a big crowd of us standing around gawking. And after doing the rounds of all those basses putting on an amazing show he picks up a plain old Factory Fender Jazz bass and I tell you it sounded as good as or better than all the rest. We all just stood around looking at each other with our mouths open. So clearly for THAT guy and his way of playing etc. the "best" bass for him was some factory Fender. Go figure.

Just trying to help.

 

[elgranluis]

Of I were you , I’d buy 5 squiers (VM, CV) and put the rest towards your other hobbies. There is nothing I can think of that a 3000 bass can do that a squier can’t.

 

[JeezyMcNuggles]

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!

You want a p bass bro. Use the extra money and do whatever you want with it. Hardware, pickups, fret job, paint job, whatever. But, you want a P bass. A PJ will also suffice.

 

[RhynoRock]

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!

For rock & punk, it's pretty hard to go wrong with good ol Fender basses. P-bass has been the standard for punk since punk started. Matt Freeman, Mike Dirnt, DeeDee, Sid Vicious, all used P-basses. Gibson Grabber or Ripper would be others that would wail for punk too, I think a Grabber was used on Dookie (might have been a G3 possibly). Throw in Rickenbacker as well.

 

[MDH bass]

+1 vote on Dingwall, an ABZ should come in less that 3k, lightweight, versatile, VERY even across all the strings, low B to die for. Or get a pair of import models ? a combustion and a d-roc

 

[dvs20]

I'm gonna go with Sadowsky..... I don't own one, but have played one. the noise those things produce is pretty radical to the point where, Imma have to get one

 

[Barticus]

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.

Based on your comments up until this thread, I’d say make sure that you visit Mike Lull in Bellevue Wa since you’re able to get up that way.

He usually has several on the wall to try, and they’re really great to work with. They do chamber so one key is that his basses are light weight, and nice instruments. Good luck, great problem to have.

 

[topper]

I know most would disagree with me, but I think Spectors and Warwicks are kinda ugly. Just not a fan of the designs, but they do sound great

Gotta stand up for my brand. Not saying there aren't ugly Spectors out there but...

I guess beauty is subjective.

 

[Bass V]

Correction: I don’t WANT to spend stupid money, I’m WILLING to spend stupid money. I’d be plenty happy with a less expensive bass if I find one, but I have no experience with high end instruments so I reached out to y’all

I knew that, it was my attempt at humor, but even a 1K budget leaves me scratching my head at what someone requires other than a good bass cos to me the more you spend the easier it is to get away from great 'pure' tone. pro players tend to have needs beyond tone when cutting thru in a band mix, etc., and I got too many basses that do this but maybe that's your situation. so I felt the Torzal Twist would be the best of all worlds for you since you could customize it to taste in tones and have (maybe) the most playable bass around. I want one, but would rather have a 2-7K EB-0 if I'm gonna spend stupid money, and I have a go fund me for that end lol meanwhile my $100-$200 sweethearts do wonders for my tastes even tho I have more 'acceptable' basses. other than that the $500+ field is so vast it's crazy to even go down that rabbit hole for someone else's wants without knowing their needs, and you've got a few basses in that range, it's all part of the journey to find that few that really click and cover all the bases. have we helped you narrow it down?

 

[Eidolon0274]

-----Whatever you do------

Buy used. If you dont have experience with basses you will end up in an endless flipping cycle trying to find "the one", buying new during this cycle will cost you. You can trade your way to a bass you like with minimal loss.

*If someone can send me back 10 years so I can tell myself that.

 

[Somnambulance]

Yamaha TRBX604

 

[Shlabotnik]

A lot of P-Bass suggestions here for punk and other versatility... a good suggestion and, if you want to go in that direction, perhaps try to narrow down your selection to the high-end manufacturers who make P-Bass style basses. Such as Sandberg, Maruszczyk, Moolon, Nash, Lull, Sadowsky, Fender Custom Shop, etc... And hell, if you can find one for $1500 that you love (quite possible) then you have $ to get a Jazz style as well.

 

[gigetto]

New Ibanez EBH

 

[nilorius]

Best bass for me or you ?? I choosed over 3000e Ibanez GWB1005 and it is my dream bass, but till 3000$ i would choose Fender 5 professional j-bass natural.

 

[Gizmot]

I started reading all the posts but my head started to spin. I've said for decades that there are no $3K basses that suck (I used to say $2K back in the 80s but inflation caught up with me).

But - YOU have to decide what's right for YOU. What I like and feels good to me, you may not care for.

Right now, if I was buying a nice bass, I would probably look at a Dingwall. It might not be my final selection, but that's where I'd start.

Although several people have advocated for getting a bass custom-built, I probably wouldn't do that. My reasons are that if I buy a regular model, I know what I'm getting and I have an idea of what it might be worth down the road. I can touch it, play it and hear it before I buy it.

Get out there and start checking some things out and see if you find something that looks, sounds and feels right to you.

 

[neddyrow]

i think it's time somebody took a vacation to a city with lots of music stores near by. when a buddy took me to a couple shops in Brooklyn and The City, i was surprised at what i liked and didn't like was much different than what i thought i'd like. i like your policy that if you are buying a bass for life, you gotta put your hands on it. set aside some of that 3k for gas and an air b&B so you can play a ton of different instruments. then you'll be sure.

 

[twinjet]

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

With three large in the pocket, I'd take a trip to NYC, have a good time with the lady and come home with a $1,000 used bass. There are so many phenomenal basses out there which have hardly been touched. It's worth a shot in spite of your hang-up.

 

[NikosP75]

Go try the Fender American professional precision bass . If you like the neck, go home load the Fender Modshop and customize you body colors , pickgurds,pickups, and fretboard choise. For 1800 dollars you will have a very good bass perfect for rock and punk music. Not custom but with enough options to make it feel pretty close.