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Best Bass Under $400

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#2
the "search" bass :D

this topic has been covered numerous times, and it always comes down to what YOU like. X bass is always better than Y bass according to people, and so on. Check musiciansfriend and search for best customer rating in that price range, then when you find something you like, check those ratings on harmony-central. its all about searching and research, and then of course, trying it! hope that helps without being too harsh

now if this is a personal question rather than a "help me" question, I like the steinberger spirit (use it as my backup 5 and it feels great)
 
#3
"Best" is a personal judgment but I think the OLP basses are a great value for the price. I have a MM3 (five string version) that I keep as a back-up bass. They're a licensed copy of a stingray. Guitar Center usually has a few, you should go play one and see what you think.
 
#7
militiabass said:
What do you think the best bass under 400 dollars is? :bassist:
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I had the same problem asking for sub $600 dollar basses. What kind of music/tone are you going for? Is $400 your absolute max?

Here are some interesting basses I have had my eye on, not all in your price range and I didn't write down prices as used gear will usually be cheaper than new. You can stretch your dollar a lot further when you shop used.
1.Epiphone Thunderbird From my research the China models seeem to have better construction, the tone has been described as a very dark, growl, that is also rich and deep, there is some neckdive to be aware of. (I never played it, this info is from research that I have done)

2. Yamaha BB414 and 614 The 414 is passive and has been described as having beefy pups, very hot. Also described as, "a good second bass". The 614 is active said to put expensive basses to shame, a growly P pup and a honky J pup, may need to replace bridge and tuners on either models.

3.Ibanez ATK300 Made for bass heavy music, chunky growl, nasty raw attack. Great for punk type music.

4. Spector Legend Orgasm of the ears, a real workhorse with active circuit with passive pups... this has been addressed as being bad. You may want to get active pups if you go this route.

5.Peavey T40 A heavy bass tone, sounds massive and loud

6. MM SUB the MM bass has one tone, kinda like a pbass, GROWL!

7.LTD B254 This gem has been desribed as a real looker with an awesome tone and can be had for a good price.

8. If you don't have anything against Fender, they always deserve a look. Squiers are good too, and are less harmful to the pocket book. Best thing you can do is to try them and get the one that feels best to you.
 
#11
JoeVictim said:
2. Yamaha BB414 and 614 The 414 is passive and has been described as having beefy pups, very hot. Also described as, "a good second bass". The 614 is active said to put expensive basses to shame, a growly P pup and a honky J pup, may need to replace bridge and tuners on either models.
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nice breakdown, on all those basses

+1 on the yamaha BBs. i have been researching yamaha for awhile now - and i find that corp. to be of the highest integrity. as yet i personally dont own a yamaha bass - only an acoustic guitar (fg750s) which is unreal, btw. i have played several basses, however.

another note - for what its worth, my neighbors are both college music professors and in their experience (both teaching 35+ years) each say hands down Yamaha for any instrument - you cannot go wrong.

NOTE: tonal/genre preferences aside -i am speaking in terms of construction quality
 
#13
Mon Rominee said:
My brain hurts from these threads.

What ever happenned to get off your ass, try some in your price range and make a decision?

Too strong? Sorry, not my intent...maybe I meant to say "use the search function".
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What if you don't play yet and are planning to learn the bass which is my dilemma. Even after I tell the sales person hey I'm looking for a decent bass to learn on that I won't have to modify as my skill level progresses what do you recommend, they say what kind of music do you play or go ahead try out few and see what you like. What makes a Bass specific to a type of music? I have been told that the Schector Stilleto Diamond Series Custom 4 that the salesman gave me a good deal on ($449) is better than the Ibanez SR400 ($399) for playing Jazz or R&B. How can one 4 string bass be better than another when it comes to a specific type of music. Without knowing how to play and what type of sound I want how do I choose a Bass based on the music that I may end up playing. I only want to learn as a hobby and personal recreation. I have no plans to join a band or anything on that level.
 
#15
JoeVictim said:
If you don't like these kinda threads, why do you go into them...:rollno:
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Maybe I did resist the first hundred thousand times they came up, but now I get a little antsy and want to illuminate the point that this is hardly a new topic / idea / thread. Hence my "search function" quip.

Or, if I were MORE of a dick, I'd say

Gee JoeVictim, textbook retort #1, nice job.

To the OP, I understand your take, and appreciate your dilemma, but honestly, your hands and ears are much more usefull in this equation than your keyboard. Have you ever noticed, on any of these types of threads, that there is not one definitive answer?
 
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