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BEST (NEW) BASS UNDER $300

#81
wohnjalker said:
Hello! First time poster here. I'm sure this topic has been beat to death, but I wanted to go straight to the best source of info I could think of... I've seen many lists on pages I've otherwise never heard of, so who knows what their real motives are for listing the basses that they've chosen. My only criteria here is that the bass be new, NOT used, and also $300 max. I've bought used basses in the past that ended up having issues and I just want a clean slate, so to speak. The more people that contribute to this list, the easier it is to narrow down my choices, which in turn could help people here that may be in the same predicament... thanks in advance!
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Yamaha TRBX series. Very nice for the $$$
 
#82
Yamaha TRBX 174 is right about $200. I hear that they play and sound great. Stock Passive electronics are just fine and gig-worthy. They look more expensive than they are. Play a few. If you find the right one, it will even make a solid platform for later upgrades such as fancy pickups and a preamp.
 
#84
Big Jon 71 said:
Honest opinions on the SX brand. Sound? Feel? I’ve never even heard of them until I got on here.
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I would enthusiastically recommend them if GC didn’t have used Squiers for the same price. The hardware on the cheap ones is usually pretty bad - I’ve had two that couldn’t take a standard size (.105) low E string without filing/drilling the back of the bridge. The wood quality is horrendous on the low end solid color models, covered by thick lacquer. They sound just fine. They play very nicely out of the box. The necks are chunky, lotta people like that. I’m not one of those people. They are a bit on the heavy side, and they tend to neck dive a bit. I have seen pros touring with them, twice now. If you’re hellbent on new they are not a bad way to go. I have a 32” scale jazz copy they make because NOBODY imports a cheap 32” save Rondo. I like it fine.
 
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#85
arbiterusa said:
I would enthusiastically recommend them if GC didn’t have used Squiers for the same price. The hardware on the cheap ones is usually pretty bad - I’ve had two that couldn’t take a standard size (.105) low E string without filing/drilling the back of the bridge. The wood quality is horrendous on the low end solid color models, covered by thick lacquer. They sound just fine. They play very nicely out of the box. The necks are chunky, lotta people like that. I’m not one of those people. They are a bit on the heavy side, and they tend to neck dive a bit. I have seen pros touring with them, twice now. If you’re hellbent on new they are not a bad way to go. I have a 32” scale jazz copy they make because NOBODY imports a cheap 32” save Rondo. I like it fine.
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Yeah I got a used Squier Affinity from GC. About 130/140.00 with shipping I think it was. No case but I had an old one I could use. Just thought I’d give them a whirl. I’ve owned many squiers figured how bad could it be. Really really solid bass. Very loud. Looking to even buy another used one on there. But some of SX colors are really sharp. There’s a foam green with white guard that’s pretty snazzy. But like you said I can get a Squier for about the same price. Who knows.

I appreciate the review and info:)
 
#86
arbiterusa said:
I would enthusiastically recommend them if GC didn’t have used Squiers for the same price. The hardware on the cheap ones is usually pretty bad - I’ve had two that couldn’t take a standard size (.105) low E string without filing/drilling the back of the bridge. The wood quality is horrendous on the low end solid color models, covered by thick lacquer. They sound just fine. They play very nicely out of the box. The necks are chunky, lotta people like that. I’m not one of those people. They are a bit on the heavy side, and they tend to neck dive a bit. I have seen pros touring with them, twice now. If you’re hellbent on new they are not a bad way to go. I have a 32” scale jazz copy they make because NOBODY imports a cheap 32” save Rondo. I like it fine.
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BUT, the wood quality on the transparent and natural finish guitars and basses is typically really nice. I don't currently have any Rondo basses, but I have an SX Telecaster, two Douglas baritones, and a Douglas seven string. They all look great and sound decent. If I played guitar more, they'd all make superb mod platforms.
 
#89
el_Bajo_Verde said:
Hello! Are you looking for a 4-string or a 5-string?

Sterling by MusicMan Ray4 and Ray5 are available. Some Ray5's are on sale for $244 now and the 4-string is $299.

Squier Vintage Modified basses are also very good. They have 4-strings and 5-strings for $299.

Ibanez Talman TMB-300 is a nice 4-string for $299

Jackson has JS2 and JS3 4-strings for under $300 as well.
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This pretty much covers what I was going to suggest. I am not familiar with the Jackson though.

The Squiers, Ibanez and SBMM SUBs are all great suggestions imho - good basses I would/have gigged happily. The value is just a plus.

I think Epiphone makes a lot of nice stuff these days as well....the new Embassy Pro is around $300 I think....

Best time ever to be shopping for a $300 new bass...
 
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#94
i third (or 7th) the “don’t give upon used” sentiment.

Reason 1: better bass for far less money

Reason 2: even a new bass can be jacked up, right out of the box. Especially at the lower price points.

Not sure if you have any decent music stores near you, but if you do, I would recommend going there and trying every used bass you can find. Good chance you will find a winner. But worst case, even if it turns out to be a dud, you can still return it.

Good luck! Tis a great time to be a bass player!
 
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#95
wohnjalker said:
Because used basses tend to be a crapshoot... I bought a nice Peavey Forum bass a while back and I got it to my tech and he said the neck was permanently slightly bowed, and the only way I could counter that was to use super light gauge strings, so needless to say I sold it and now I’m just looking to buy something brand new.
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New instruments under 300 can be a crap shoot too. Buy used from Guitar Center as they have have a 30 day return policy on used instruments. (May be 45 now)
 
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#100
A bunch of people have chimed in on this instrument, and I'll do so too- the Ibanez Talman TMB-300 (or even the 100 if you want a true P/J combination).

It's a great value, has the essence of a P-bass, with quite a bit of flexibility for such a low-priced instrument.

I'd buy one this instant if I wasn't already committed (and how many of us around here AREN'T committed?) to my DIY/KIT 70's P-bass project...
 

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