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Best Basses Under $400????!!!!!
- Thread starter bordinco90
- Start date
Totally love the CV Squiers, but if you can dig the light relicing, the ESP/LTD Vintage 204 @ 349 new (much less used) is the best value out there.
These are great out of the box but make a great modding platform and are P/J configured.
These are great out of the box but make a great modding platform and are P/J configured.
the VM jazz is a really solid bass, i've had mine for two days and can't put the thing down! i think i'll get a 60's CV P next, i want some more buttah in my diet
I'm brand new to bass playing, but have played guitar for a few years.
I picked up a mint, older, Carvin B4, active p'ups, with case for $340.
Shop around. Lots of deals to be had.
FWIW - I have a Squier Tele II that plays as well as my MIM Tele (2x the $s), or my Gibson LP Std (10x the $s). Price has more to do with what's on the headstock, or in your brain, than anything else. Tone is in your hands (and the amp
).
I picked up a mint, older, Carvin B4, active p'ups, with case for $340.
Shop around. Lots of deals to be had.
FWIW - I have a Squier Tele II that plays as well as my MIM Tele (2x the $s), or my Gibson LP Std (10x the $s). Price has more to do with what's on the headstock, or in your brain, than anything else. Tone is in your hands (and the amp
)....as mentioned might be worth saving a little bit more and get an instrument that you will use for the next 15+ years.
Or , you could go ahead and buy a brand new cheaper Squier that will last you just as long.
a used G&L Tribute L2000. I doubt you can find better than G&L, even with a few hundred dollars more.
Engine207
Losing faith in humanity...one call at a time.
Actually any used USA Peavey. I have an '84 Foundation, '84 Fury and a '95 Fury. All great basses and under $400 combined. IMO, you just can't find a better deal in the used market right now.
Ibanez SR300. & SR370. ESP Ltd F-154dx, B-154dx, B204SM & B204BM, Also the new Jackson JS3 . And my fave, the BC Rich paulo warlock passive bolt on. Closest to your $400 limit like the Ibanez SR370. But its extended low bass and treble along with high output equals a lot of active basses Ive owned, and if you add active 2band preamp of choice its really killer tone versatility wise.
I do agree on what you guys are saying, but if you take care of your bass. Maybe add something here take away something there. Could it possibly be a bass you could use for 15 years?
As others have stated, if you like Fenders, at this price point you can't go wrong with one of about a gazillion options from Squier, ESP, Schecter, the old USA-built Peaveys, et al.
But there's so much else out there in this price bracket, especially if you go used.
If you like Music Man basses, don't forget the Sub and the Ibanez ATK300 and 305. The ATK's are a little heavy, but they're an interesting choice. Set neutral, they sound a lot like an EBMM with a little extra warmth and presence in the midrange. From there, the active EQ and coil switch will take you to pretty decent P-Bass sounds, as well as bright/scooped EBMM sounds, and many others.
If you want a P/J for versatility, you can't beat the Schecter Diamond series.
If you like Jazz neck and MM bridge sounds blended (like an HS Ernie Ball), there's the Cort GB series, and if you get a good buy used, MTD Kingstons, Carvin, and other really nice, and much more expensive basses.
Don't forget G+L Tributes, some of which cover the same tonal ground as the other basses mentioned above, and more.
Then there's the various Warwick Rockbasses, and the odd older offshore Spector. The Spectors make a particularly interesting alternative to the metalhead-favourite Ibanez SR series.
One thing about buying used, is that as long as the bass is 5 years old or more, you needn't worry about warranty. The pots and jacks are the first things to go on cheap basses, and it usually happens outside the warranty period, so there's really no advantage between new or used there. And if the neck and frets are still straight and even on a used bass at the 5 year point, then they're not going anywhere.
Plus, the original owner already took the hit on depreciation. So if you buy a $600 to $900 bass used and don't like it, you can easily sell it on for roughly what you paid for it. Good luck trying to do that, after buying a $400 offshore bass brand new. Even if it says Squier on the headstock...
But there's so much else out there in this price bracket, especially if you go used.
If you like Music Man basses, don't forget the Sub and the Ibanez ATK300 and 305. The ATK's are a little heavy, but they're an interesting choice. Set neutral, they sound a lot like an EBMM with a little extra warmth and presence in the midrange. From there, the active EQ and coil switch will take you to pretty decent P-Bass sounds, as well as bright/scooped EBMM sounds, and many others.
If you want a P/J for versatility, you can't beat the Schecter Diamond series.
If you like Jazz neck and MM bridge sounds blended (like an HS Ernie Ball), there's the Cort GB series, and if you get a good buy used, MTD Kingstons, Carvin, and other really nice, and much more expensive basses.
Don't forget G+L Tributes, some of which cover the same tonal ground as the other basses mentioned above, and more.
Then there's the various Warwick Rockbasses, and the odd older offshore Spector. The Spectors make a particularly interesting alternative to the metalhead-favourite Ibanez SR series.
One thing about buying used, is that as long as the bass is 5 years old or more, you needn't worry about warranty. The pots and jacks are the first things to go on cheap basses, and it usually happens outside the warranty period, so there's really no advantage between new or used there. And if the neck and frets are still straight and even on a used bass at the 5 year point, then they're not going anywhere.
Plus, the original owner already took the hit on depreciation. So if you buy a $600 to $900 bass used and don't like it, you can easily sell it on for roughly what you paid for it. Good luck trying to do that, after buying a $400 offshore bass brand new. Even if it says Squier on the headstock...
MIM Fender!
my Standard Jazz V looks and plays better than some boutiques that i've played. i paid $300.(used). all it needed was a good set-up. the previous owner bought it, never set the action properly, and left it in a closet for 4 years!
my Standard Jazz V looks and plays better than some boutiques that i've played. i paid $300.(used). all it needed was a good set-up. the previous owner bought it, never set the action properly, and left it in a closet for 4 years!
