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Buying new bass, any suggestions?

#21
I've been a drummer forever. About four years ago I got serious about the bass. I had an older Jackson bass that I bought for $125, it was okay to learn on. I found TB and spent months reading about everything available.

I realized that I needed to try some things my self. I went through a LOT of inexpensive used basses that I would resell down the road if they were not for me.

I eventually ended up buying a Fender. But the inexpensive basses helped me to realize what I REALLY like.
 
#23
Yango said:
Run to your local Ernie Ball Musicman dealer, and buy yourself a Classic Stingray. If you prefer skinnier necks, grab a Classic Sterling. You cannot go wrong with either of these instruments. If I had discovered these gems a couple of decades ago, I'd have saved myself a lot of time and money...
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They are nice basses, but no chance you'll find one new in Australia for <$2500.
 
#24
I'd look in the used market( private sale). Much more bang for your buck. If you find something you like, run it past the folks here on TB. they'll let you know what to look for and what it's worth.
 
#25
Try a Spector out also. I've let a few folks play mine (I gig with a USA Model NS4 and a Euro NS2) that have never picked up a Spector and they fell in luv with the feel and quality. I like the Neck Thru NS2 and NS4 Spectors, but they also make bolt ons also and even models that look more the shape of a Fender Jazz.
 
#26
I can help with Aussie prices,as I've bought both MIM and MIA basses recently.

Expect to pay $1000 for a MIM. A MIA will be closer to $1900 right now.

BUT they are worth the extra bucks. Much better paint job and finish. MUCH better bridge with string-thru body or bridge. Better pickups. Comes with a Fender case and tools, the MIM comes with NOTHING NADA ZILCH -outrageous for a $1000 bass IMHO.

I have MIA P, and MIM P and Jazz, all three are very good instruments,all three have nice necks. All three stay in tune well. All three sound good. It's just that the MIA is better. Get the best you can afford if as you say it will be a keeper. get the MIA
 
#28
Wow with 2.5k usd, I suggest that you look beyond fenders. Not saying that they aren't good...just that you can get better quality basses with that same money. Definitely buy used because you can get much higher quality at a lower cost. The top recommendation in this price range for me are Roscoes, you can get a custom one which is more versatile and plays much better than any fender out there, and looks much nicer with a beautiful top wood as well. F basses come close, Mike lulls and Xotic basses are worth a try.
 
#31
What kind of music are you playing? How about something like an Ibanez ATK, which is supposed to sound a lot like Stingrays? Or maybe an Ibanez Ergodyne EDB bass, which are really small and lightweight and have an interesting sound to them?

What I mean is, don't restrict yourself to any brand. You have a budget, use it to its best potential, i.e. spend money on an instrument, not a brand.
 
#34
I just bought a Fender FSR Jazz Bass from Musician's Friend for $499. Excellent bass. Ash body (very resonent. Excellent sustain) sounds good and plays good. They only difference between this bass and the Fender American Special I had it the neck on the American Special had carbon rods embedded in it for stability of tuning. I actually like this bass as much and for $400 less it is a deal. The stock pickups are nice and I plan to keep them. They cut through the mix really well. These are are "Fender Special Runs" (FSR) for guitar center and it's sister companies Musicans Friend and Music 123.
 
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#35
Couldn't agree more with those that suggest upgrading your amp/rig with a slice of that money (if you haven't already).

Most nice and low-quality basses ran through a crappy combo amp will sound like a crappy combo amp. A good (not even necessarily great amp) will make a massive difference in your perception of the instrument.

Once you find the tonal ball park you're looking for, narrow it down by finding a bass you find to be very playable and don't mind slinging over the shoulder.
 
#36
Just because you can spend a large amount on a bass doesn't mean you have to. I bought a new Squier Vintage Modified Jazz 77 4 string bass with natural finish and maple neck. It is a solid bass guitar and it looks just like a Fender American Standard Jazz. It has no dead spots on the neck, has good intonation and stays in tune, all for $299 USD at Guitar Center with free setup. This might be a good way to start and in 6 or 8 months from now, when you start to find your niche, then look to a higher end instrument and keep the Squier for practice and backup. :):cool::bassist:
 
#37
A lot of good advice throughout this thread, but there are a few I feel should be re-stated and added upon.

bass12 said:
Something else to consider: there may be some well-made Japanese basses available to you in Sydney (though I don't know what those would be) that could be a cheaper option. Just a guess though, as I've never been bass shopping there.
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My first bass, along with my most recent acquisition, are Crafted in Japan Jazzes. Specifically, they're members of the Aerodyne family (one Export model and now a Non-Export). Both are fantastic pieces of musical craftsmanship and worth the extra bucks paid for them. My point is, being in the Land of Oz and given your proximity to the Land of the Rising Sun, I'm guessing the shipping costs would be considerably less than getting them shipped to The States. It might be worth checking out Ishibashi's english website for examples of their new and used models. Y'know…see if something inspiring presents itself. ;)

EclecticLady said:
This can't be repeated enough. Also (and I may get crucified for this), if you are set on a Fender design, you may end up finding that one of the Squier CV or VM models sound and feel as good (if not better) than their Fender counterparts. Don't judge them by their lingering reputation. They've upped their game considerably over the past few years.
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The Lady brings up a very valid point. Earlier this year, I had an absolutely killer Classic Vibe Jazz. (The only reason I don't have it anymore is because I traded it towards an equally killer Classic Series '70s Jazz which has ergonomic features that work even better for my hands) Don't pre-judge them by the Squier label. When they kicked off the CV line back in 2008, it appears they did a cross-the-board revamping of their quality control.

PortlandBass77 said:
If you don't mind the weight, look for a Peavey T-40 on CL or ebay. Otherwise you can't go wrong with a Fender Blacktop Jazzzzzzz
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Ahh…the Blacktop Jazz. Easily THE MOST ballsy and aggressive passive bass that I've had the pleasure of trying…and then owning! :cool: And don't let the price tag fool ya. If you're looking for a bass that kicks like a mule, but is also capable of being mellow (by rolling off the bridge pickup and adjusting the tone), while staying within a more-than-reasonable price point, it's the way to go.
 
#38
Man buy yourself a Brubaker Brute MJX-5. Play it for awhile then put in some high end Pups and a preamp. You'll end up with a killer bass, spend less money and won't be playing on what every other guy or gal is playing. They will still be recommending other basses to you while trying to play your bass :)
 
#39
For up to $2500, you have a lot of options. While in your original post, you said you learned on a "cheap Yamaha", but there are many good Yamaha basses out there - consider me a big fan. There are many good Yamaha BB basses for well under that amount of money, and you can get some very usable tones from them. Many pros like them.

I'm also a big fan of G&L - you can find them of many flavors of tone for 4 & 5-string basses, and they're a good value used. Also, if you want a new custom built one, they're also well below your asking price. The most expensive models start well under your asking price. Try pricing one out with your options in the builder: http://www.americanguitarboutique.net/Bass_index.html
 

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