• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

Best high-end basses for under $3250?

#61
ehque said:
This is good advice. Are you actually thinking of spending 3200 bucks based on advice you read from some anonymous netizen?
Click to expand...

Like anything on TB, there's a good chunk of people just naming their favorite brand, but I feel there have been a few people who pointed the OP in a pretty good direction based on the information we were given. I hate to diminish the "magic" of custom basses, but a lot of it is basic understanding on how to get certain sounds. Aspects like feel will be up to the OP to figure out for himself.
 
#62
If boutique jazz is ur thing, Fodera NYC and STR CS-5 are the best Ive ever owned. I highly recommend both. The Fodera was a little funkier with 70's position pups. The STR was just all around stellar with 60's position pups. Both had maple fretboard. If I had to choose one it would be the STR as it had a smaller more comfortable body similar to a 55-94. Both necks are some of the most comfortable Ive ever played. These were both fivers though.
 
#64
i think that a fodera iis a mimic jazz, alot of people here have said that and many would agree. if you are going for real jazz tone you must try sadowsky, stammies.

with your money you could even buy a new saodwsky ultra vintage 5 or 4.
I have found everything i need and wanted in a sadowsky. good luck and do let us know what you buy in the end.
 
#65
lx_night said:
i think that a fodera iis a mimic jazz, alot of people here have said that and many would agree. if you are going for real jazz tone you must try sadowsky, stammies.

with your money you could even buy a new saodwsky ultra vintage 5 or 4.
I have found everything i need and wanted in a sadowsky. good luck and do let us know what you buy in the end.
Click to expand...

Aren't Sadowsky's and Stammies mimic Jazzes also? I don't get it? :eyebrow:

No Sadowsky I've ever tried sounds like a real 60's jazz. Heck, no 60's jazz even sounds the same as another? Not that they are bad. They are all trying to improve on the original jazz or offer their own take on one. Sadowsky, Lakland, Fodera, Lull, Suhr, all of them.......
 
#66
Johnboch said:
My main bass right now is Warwick double buck. The humbuckers give it a super-agressive sound, but it has the lows, snap, and growl of a Warwick. I'm looking for something on the other end of the spectrum.

I want something that barks instead of growls (plenty of high mids and treble), but is bright, snappy, punchy, and sizzling. I want it to be jazzier and warmer than what I'm used to with my Warwick (I'll be using it in a jazz studies program next year).

My budget is about $3250. Right now, I'm looking at a Fodera NYC 4 with EMGs and a three band Pope preamp added. I'm pretty much sure this will get me the tone I'm looking for at the right price, but does anyone have suggestions for any other basses I should look at, at least for the sake of comparison? Some names I've been hearing besides Fodera are Ken Smith, Lakland, Mike Lull, and Sadowsky, but most of these are out of my budget.
Click to expand...
I played a bunch of basses yesterday, and I must say, only one really did the job. The fodera NYC played like a dream, and it had amazing punch and clarity. I liked just about every bass I played, but the NYC exceeded my expectations.
 
#67
Yamaha BBNE2. Yes, I said it!!! Yamaha
 

Attachments

  • V3_EN_BBNE2_BLACK.jpg
    V3_EN_BBNE2_BLACK.jpg
    17.7 KB · Views: 59
#74
Nothing against "custom' basses. But Donald Duck did fine with a beat up old pbass. James did OK too.

In fact the OP might take a look at a P Bass while in town.

spade2you said:
Like anything on TB, there's a good chunk of people just naming their favorite brand, but I feel there have been a few people who pointed the OP in a pretty good direction based on the information we were given. I hate to diminish the "magic" of custom basses, but a lot of it is basic understanding on how to get certain sounds. Aspects like feel will be up to the OP to figure out for himself.
Click to expand...
 
#76
spade2you said:
I think the OP probably made up his mind 2 years ago?
Click to expand...
Yup. I bought a Wyn two years ago, which was taking a chance because I'd never actually played one, but it is a high-quality build, and it achieves my tone perfectly. It doesn't have the thickness at low action that Fodera does, but my touch is far too heavy for low action, anyway. It suits me better than similarly-priced and more readily available basses (Sadowsky, Lakland, MTD, etc) in terms of look, feel, and sound.
 
#79
I have med 70s p- bass, an Alembic and a zon. Then I got a used Bee bass worker bee. Absolutely blows away the other basses. The feel and tone is just sick. I've been playing the 76 P-bass since day one, I bought it new in 1976. It just got retired the minute I stated playing the bee bass. For me, its the best. Give them a look..:cool:
 
#80
Johnboch said:
Yup. I bought a Wyn two years ago, which was taking a chance because I'd never actually played one, but it is a high-quality build, and it achieves my tone perfectly. It doesn't have the thickness at low action that Fodera does, but my touch is far too heavy for low action, anyway. It suits me better than similarly-priced and more readily available basses (Sadowsky, Lakland, MTD, etc) in terms of look, feel, and sound.
Click to expand...

I was actually gonna suggest a Wyn until I saw the dates. Really breathtaking instruments. I spend most of my time at NAMM at Randy's booth, and I'll be ordering a custom 6 the second I can afford it. Enjoy the bass!
 

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back