Best QC bang for buck?

[Killed_by_Death]

Fender Japan. Best bang for the buck IMO. Impeccable QC.

They were the best, too bad they quit making them.

 

[Daftom]

Didn't know "Simple & reasonable went with $2,000 grand..

I think all semi-handmade basses I looked at prior to creating this topic were more than that (new).

$2,000 will buy very high quality instruments, specially in the used marketing: Fender, EBMM, Lakland, Sadowsky metro, Warwick, Valenti, Wilkins, Lull, Dingwall, Roscoe, etc. All depends what you are looking for.

I suppose I should look for a used high-end bass (I'm a bit reluctant because that's how I got my current axe and it's not a player; on the other hand it was very cheap).

1. Fender Japan. Best bang for the buck IMO. Impeccable QC.
2. EBMM. Agree with remarks above, but a bit higher price.

Which Fender models are/were MIJ?

 

[yodedude2]

i recommend buying used. i suggest a carvin bolt-on or m.i.a. sub stingray. best 'bang for the buck' that i know of.

 

[SBassman]

Sometimes I think this forum has a "buy used" automatic reply generator.

With $2,000, one can buy a whole lot of awesome New bass.

 

[JimB52]

Musicman has great QC and customer service in case a bad one sneaks through.
Lakland also has very consistent high quality in my experience.

.

 

[PortlandBass77]

The Musicman SUB basses are $300 new and the ones I have played very consistent. I have also heard great things about Sire basses ($300 to $500).

 

[BigBigGuy44]

Ask it but don't call it shilling because it's not.

I agree with @jd56hawk. Bacchus makes a very high quality instrument. Lots of options to chose from as well.

 

[BAG]

I'm sure there are some bad ones out there but i have not heard a single bad word about Godin quality control. I couldn't be happier with my Shifter Classic 4.

There's a couple on Ebay at the moment and well within your budget.

Black Burst
Creme Brulee

 

[MatronMother]

With a $2000 budget I would get a Rickenbacker.

 

[MatronMother]

I would also buy new from a store with a return/exchange policy. Be your own QC.

 

[pie_man_25]

$2,000 will buy very high quality instruments, specially in the used marketing: Fender, EBMM, Lakland, Sadowsky metro, Warwick, Valenti, Wilkins, Lull, Dingwall, Roscoe, etc. All depends what you are looking for.

+1, I got my Fender American deluxe jazz 5 used for 1500 bucks. With that kind of money, a good bass isn't exactly hard to find - Carvin, fender, EBMM, I think maybe
JohnK makes basses for a pretty good price, Warwick, Ibanez (I'd recommend them at any price), Yamaha, with that kind of money you could do a pretty cool Warmoth parts build.

 

[buldog5151bass]

Used Lull.

 

[Lowness]

...........and cue the list of every possible bass currently produced.

 

[stuntbass77]

Ernie Ball Music Man. The definition of consistent in my books.

I agree EBMM's QC is outstanding and that's coming from a fender guy

 

[peledog]

MIJ Fenders
Spector Euro or Korean

 

[GBassNorth]

Depending on your price range and desire to buy new vs used you have a ton of great choices....
New under $1000
G&L tribute series
Musicman SUB Stingray
Korean Spector
MIC Fender

Used under $1000
G&L
Musicman Stingray
Euro Spector
MIA Fender

 

[blue4]

Ibanez. Best bang for your buck at just about any price range from $200 to $2000 IMO.

 

[JakobT]

Ernie Ball Music Man. The definition of consistent in my books.

I love EBMM, but I would call their basses "not unreasonably priced" rather than "reasonably priced".

 

[Joe Nerve]

Best quality control IME is Ernie Ball.

If by bang for buck you mean inexpensive yet still consistently well made, I've been floored by Ibannez.

Worst quality control IME is of course Fender.

 

[Burwabit]

Sadowsky metro used
Or
Roscoe standard+ used