Best basses on a budget

[AlphaMale]

So I see lots of threads setting a limit of $1000...how about, say $300??

What are the best bases (both in initial quality and ability to upgrade) for less than $300??

Or does everyone but me spend at least $1000 on their basses??

My most expensive bass was 279

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/prod...Bass-wQuilt-Maple-Top?sku=514311&src=3SOSWXXA

It's 450 now. You're not going to find many GREAT basses

but maybe you should go for this it's about 280, it's a really good bass.

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/Traben-Array-4String-Bass?sku=512053&src=3SOSWXXA
They should have it in stock at your local GC

 

[slybass3000]

I can understand how you could think that, but when $300 is your max, an extra $200 is not really the same water.

There are threads of this kind that you suggestion would have fit- My observation is, that even in those threads, someone always goes over.

Let's hope this only happens with fantasy budgeting.

I was so happy when I found that bass that I wanted to let the OP that it might be an excellent choice for him. It was for me. I owned about 20 basses and they are all pretty expensive except for the MIM.

Sylvain

 

[nothumb]

As others have said, MIM Fenders, Vintage Modified Squiers (love the look of these too), and SX are all excellent values and can be upgraded easily and in stages. Right now my main gigging bass is a MIM Fender with a Quan bridge and Duncan QP's... bought it used for 250 with the Badass II already on it.

I'm not as big a fan of the Ibanez line, but that's more of a feel/ preference / style issue, no doubt many people find them to be of high quality.

 

[deejaid]

Yamaha BB300. I bought one used for $150 when I first started playing a year ago and it is a great bass. The quality is excellent, neck feels great. It is a great foundation to build upon with some upgrades, ie Lindy Fralin or Nordstrand pick-up going in real soon.

I have played other basses, but this old 1980 BB does it for me. Great Pbass for cheap.

J

 

[Muddslide]

While I think many Squiers and MIM Fenders are great, and I am a big booster for SX products, I would like to see more mention/discussion of the Jay Turser basses.

I have a copy of a '54 P (single coil pup) that is really astonishing for the price in most regards (it does have a chintzy--but functional-- nut and bridge.)

However, Turser makes P and J basses as well, plus some nice looking hollowbodies. Like to hear more thoughts on some of their other models. My JTB-401 is the only Turser bass I've played (though they make some nice guitars.)

 

[levis76]

My Jackson C20 concert bass was only $240 brand new. The stock passive p'ups were a bit noisy, so I cleaned up the wiring and shielded the cavity. All of the hardware is good quality, and it responded quite well to the active EMG's I installed last year, but EMG's make everything sound great. I have had several Ibanez basses as well, Washburn, and Dean all make good inexpensive instruments that respond well to upgrades.

 

[Rockles]

I have found an EXCELLENT Fender Jazz MIM brand new for less then $500.00. It is worth the double at least.

Sylvain

+1 I love my MIM jazz.

 

[Kwesi]

I can understand how you could think that, but when $300 is your max, an extra $200 is not really the same water.

There are threads of this kind that you suggestion would have fit- My observation is, that even in those threads, someone always goes over.

Let's hope this only happens with fantasy budgeting.

Here Ye! Here Ye! From this day forth all threads with a specified price limit must lower the aforementioned limit approximately $300USD to accommodate those posters who feel the need to surpass the limit ever so sightly. Thusly, when such as poster suggests an item and that item does goes over the adjusted limit it should fall within range of the real limit.

I'm smart like that.

 

[progrmr]

lots of options to check out - thx!

Just for future searches, here's a summary:

Cort Artisan
Dean
Epiphone Thunderbird
Essex
Ibanez SR line
G&L Tribute
Jay Tursur
Peavey Millenium AC (active) BPX
Schecter
Squire Deluxe with active pickups
Squier Standard JAzz
Squier Vintage Modified
SX
SX LTD line
Traben
Traben Array
Yamaha
Yamaha BB300

 

[slybass3000]

Here Ye! Here Ye! From this day forth all threads with a specified price limit must lower the aforementioned limit approximately $300USD to accommodate those posters who feel the need to surpass the limit ever so sightly. Thusly, when such as poster suggests an item and that item does goes over the adjusted limit it should fall within range of the real limit.

I'm smart like that.

I know what you mean but you don't have to bash on me for that. I bought it new and I'm sure you can find a used one for $300 or less.
I just wanted to help the OP with a very good option from my experience .....that's all!

Sylvain

 

[Kwesi]

I know what you mean but you don't have to bash on me for that. I bought it new and I'm sure you can find a used one for $300 or less.
I just wanted to help the OP with a very good option from my experience .....that's all!

Sylvain

that post came out of more boredom than bashing-intent I actually agree that you could find an MIM Fender Jazz for just around that price. In fact here's one:

http://cgi.ebay.com/Fender-Jazz-Bas...ryZ64400QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

$280, equipped with badass II bridge and only one string! you can't go wrong, lol!

EDIT: forgot about shipping... even then its still close

 

[El-Bob]

+1 for peavey, and ibanez, not sure why nobody has mentioned ESP/LTD yet though... alot better than most of the other suggestions IMO/IME

 

[limit6]

used Ibanez ATK300. Mine is '93, got it for 250 on ebay 4 years ago, and I have a stingray. The Ibanez gets a lot more use, and unfortunately, puts my stingray to shame.

 

[lamonica78]

I used to own an OLP. They are basses licensed by Music Man. The bass I had was a Stingray copy and it sounded great. It had only cost me about $250 a few years ago. I believe that Tony Levin has a sig model for a little over $300 that is supposedly a pretty solid bass for the money.

 

[gdthomas]

These are a pretty good bang for the buck bass.
picked mine up for 212.00 after tax.
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[bassmanrocke]

I have bought 4 used USA Peavey Foundations and one Peavey Patriot in the last 4 months. The most I've spent on one is about $150 with a case, and they have quickly moved to the top of my favorite to play list ahead of my Vintage Fenders. Greatest buy out there, but don't believe me, please. I'm still on the hunt.

 

[ehque]

SX..essex
Ibanez sr basses

+1

 

[Joey.Ogden]

nobody seems to have mentioned them (sorry if someone did) but today I picked up a Slammer by Hamer P-bass copy... it costed me $119 Canadian, and basses are much more expensive here.

Maybe it's not typical, but I must say, I plugged it in and thought I was hearing Roger Waters... it sounds so good.

Almost makes me regret tearing it up for the parts. but I'll refinish it in a less ugly colour, so it'll all be cool. lol.

 

[X Wolf]

Another vote for the G&L Tribute and the Squier VM series.

George

 

[Stompin Tom]

I have an old (86 I think) carvin... all ash, dual humbuckers, glued on neck, top quality hardware, etc.

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That thing has a very distinctive and amazying high mid growl. The pups are awesome, too (stereo output option, if you want it). It plays and feels great. I like fenders, but they've never really felt right in my hands... You can get these old carvins cheap on ebay.