Unfortunately I probably won't have the money to buy until July or august, and I'm a four string player. Thanks for the offer though!
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Best high-end basses for under $3250?
- Thread starter Johnboch
- Start date
I was thinking about stambaugh, but I wouldn't spend that kind of money without getting one in my hands for a test run first.
This place is REALLY great. Be ready to spend a LOT of time
Really?? I had a horrible experience there. Maybe it's because I'm younger and kinda scruffy looking, but I've had better service and more knowledgable salespeople at GC. Their boutique selection is pretty good, but in that kind of price range, I'd say go the custom route, talk to the luthier and really get something thats going to fit you as a player.
EDIT: check out Chicago Music Excahange too, their selection isn't as great, but they have a really nice Sandberg that I've been eyeing for a couple of months, you'd be saving me some arguments with my bank account
Check around, but a lot of the time, something like the small companies can be pretty rare. I think there are 2 Stambaughs in my state, although not quite the type of state that won't play anything outside of normal production basses.
Regardless, I have yet to play the basses I've ordered before buying, although some of the basses I ordered had pretty unique specs and probably didn't exist before I ordered them. Ordering sight unseen isn't without risk, but it's not as daunting as it might seem if you know what sort of specs you need. Most of that will be getting the right neck profile for your playing style.
Interesting - I'm certainly not old (27) and quite scruffy as well (Rockstar / Hawks playoff beard). In fact, I dress quite poor, I have holes in my dirty shoes. I still had a good experience in there.
They left me alone after I told them what I needed. I was very specific in the amp/cab I wanted to test basses out with, and I only asked for assistance when taking down some of the basses hanging up high on the walls...locked me in a little room with the amp/cab of my choice and let me go to town.
It was also during a work-day, maybe noon on a Wednesday, so it was slow in there. I bet on weekends or after work it's a little more hectic.
he was looking to spend "only" 3000 ish. ( how sick is that) my monarchs and emporers are alot more than that. Nothing like them. they can't be beat..... pardon the bad scan of an old picture in my desk....
That being said the sadowsky's are very versatile. everybody seems to love them. they show up in all types of music.
i wouldn't trade my fodera for one or anything else but if I were looking to spend "only" 3000 on a bass i would find it hard to beat. Maybe because i have other foderas.
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Haha well first, I'm the OP. Second, part of why I'm going is to test an emperor and an NYC side by side.
See, I'd probably ask him to set it up as low as a Fodera, AND i'd probably order EMGs with a pope preamp...probably set neck, too. I'd feel pretty bad asking a luthier to basically build a monarch for me.
By the way, did you read the part about the EMGs and the three band pope preamp going into the NYC? If it's using the same tone woods, electronics, and setup as an emperor, won't it sound like an emperor?
Good words right here. Mark at Bass Club has some great basses in stock of all kinds. Your tonal preferences sound pretty different than mine, so I'm reluctant to make suggestions. I will say that I'm a pretty big fan of US Laklands (I have three) due in part to their outstanding necks. I notice he has an ash-bodied USJO in the store--that might get you where you want with some EQ'ing (or maybe the addition of a preamp). But others might better fit the bill for you.
I've been to Bass Club more times than I can count and Mark has always been very helpful and cool (despite the fact that I have yet to make a major purchase). Good luck with your decision!
The Sadowsky Metro line of basses are excellent and under $3,000. I own a Ultra Vintage 5 string jazz with the traditional ash body and maple board. It's got snap, zing, punch, can get VERY trebly when dialed in and is definitely more jazzy than a Warwick.
The Metros have a nice warmth to them as well which can easily be achieved with the tone controls with little effort.
I also own an MTD 535. Great bass but without an artist endorsement from Mike (which would knock it down to $3,000) you're out of luck unless you buy used.
Having a jazz (pickup) bass in your collection is a no-brainer. You'll love it and it'll be the most versatile bass you own.
You won't go wrong!!
The Metros have a nice warmth to them as well which can easily be achieved with the tone controls with little effort.
I also own an MTD 535. Great bass but without an artist endorsement from Mike (which would knock it down to $3,000) you're out of luck unless you buy used.
Having a jazz (pickup) bass in your collection is a no-brainer. You'll love it and it'll be the most versatile bass you own.
You won't go wrong!!
I'm afraid to try a MusicMan 25th Anniversary 4 string, for fear I'll sell my children to get one ($2600ish). Could you try one, and tell me how awful it is? 
What makes a fodera a fodera imho is more the way the bass plays versus the way it sounds. Mike makes great preamps , but who is to say they are really better than anyone elses. pickups same thing really. I love their electronics but are they really better than their competitors???? When you play a monarch you remember how it feels in your hands forever. I can remember the first time i walked into the shop and played my first bass (# 23 ). It felt like nothing else ever. Sold my series 1 alembic soon thereafter. Electronics wise the alembic probably was much better than the first circuits and duncan pups Vinny was using at that time. But the way it feels and plays is something special. The NYC bass is more of a jbass clone set up by Joey and Vinny. IMHO
i vote buy used. Go through the classifieds here until you find something you really like when you do ask for sound samples and see if its what your going for.
when you do ask for sound samples and see if its what your going for.
