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Decent/Cheap bass for Jazz Band?(Squier?)

Discussion in 'Basses [BG]' started by WyrdoBass, Jun 25, 2008.

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  1. Jun 25, 2008 #1
    WyrdoBass

    WyrdoBass

    May 31, 2008
    Mission Viejo, CA
    I'm still a beginner, and this coming year i want to join jazz band at my school. Any ideas for decent basses under $300? With my type of financing i'll be working hard to even get that, 'cuz my parents sure as*H-E-double hockey sticks* won't help money-wise... I can barely get them to drive me to GC. :rollno:
    I was thinking about a squier P or J bass, leaning in the direction of the 70's modified J bass ( love the block inlays and natural finish too!:D) any opinions?:help:
     
  2. Jun 25, 2008 #2
    Thump Jr.

    Thump Jr.

    Jun 8, 2008
    SW FL
    Well, SX basses (found at rondomusic.com) generally get good reviews from the forum-goers here. I haven't played one, myself, but they're all basically under $200. You might look into those. Also, keep in mind that you will need an amplifier.
     
  3. Jun 25, 2008 #3
    TeeMartin

    TeeMartin

    Jul 18, 2006
    Either that natural finished Squier or a used Fender would be good for $300.
     
  4. Jun 25, 2008 #4
    Lesfunk

    Lesfunk Bootlegger guitars : S.I.T. Strings Supporting Member

    Apr 5, 2007
    Florida USA
    Yamaha too. RBX 170 $179.00
    BB414 $399.00
     
  5. Jun 25, 2008 #5
    j3b3r

    j3b3r

    Aug 19, 2000
    Squire Vintage Modified 70's Jazzbass :bassist:
     
  6. Jun 25, 2008 #6
    StarscreamG1

    StarscreamG1

    Dec 17, 2007
    Squier Vintage Modified Jazz is a great bass. I have never touched an SX but I have heard some pretty good things said about them and they are cheaper then the Squier even. I have also seen a few SXs that look pretty much dead on to the Squier VMJ.

    From my personal experience, Id go for a Squier VMJ. Lotta bang for the buck.
     
  7. Jun 25, 2008 #7
    superfunk47

    superfunk47

    Sep 9, 2007
    If you're playing jazz, are you sure you don't want a fretless? Like the VM fretless? Ahh, I shouldn't be telling you to get something you don't want.

    If you like the 70' VMJ, by all means get it, it's a great bass! :bassist:
     
  8. Jun 26, 2008 #8
    WyrdoBass

    WyrdoBass

    May 31, 2008
    Mission Viejo, CA
    Thanks for the opinions and ideas everybody... It's funny you mentioned that, Superfunk47, today my parents dropped me off at the library and i walked over to Reno's Music (small music store- I only saw 7 basses) and i tried out a squier fretless Jazz bass and I loved it! I still like the ease of using frets but i loved the tone of the fretless:D- and i previously played cello, so i'm not entirely unaccostomed to a not having frets... man... I can't decide! Oh well... I'm nowhere near being able to buy yet so I'll just keep working- I have $150 saved up right now... I still don't know about the amp situation... I might ask for one over the holidays and try to make do with my Fender rumble 15 until then, but i doubt that it'll have enough power... I could always look for a decent used amp. what do you think is the minimum wattage i should look for?
     
  9. Jun 26, 2008 #9
    WyrdoBass

    WyrdoBass

    May 31, 2008
    Mission Viejo, CA
    Now after looking at GC.com, I realize that the fretless squier I played was probably the VM fretless... I'm not sure though. It didn't have a pickguard but the finish looked a lot lighter than the stock photo. Agh what to do... Whatever I still have a lot of time before I have to decide ::D:
     
  10. Jun 26, 2008 #10
    adronchase361

    adronchase361

    Jun 8, 2008
    Squier VM '70s J-bass or a SX bass at Rondo's.
     
  11. Jun 26, 2008 #11
    jayarroz

    jayarroz

    Jul 10, 2007
    Boston
    Endorsing Artist: Glockenklang
    Get a Rondo SX bass, they are way!!!!!! better than a squier and they have a trust rod which is huge, I'm pretty sure squire's don't have a trust rod. American Fender 10, SX 7, MIM 5, Squier 3.
     
  12. Jun 26, 2008 #12
    bh2

    bh2

    Jun 16, 2008
    Oxford, UK
    I'd go for the vm jazz fretless... looks like a super bass.
     
  13. Jun 26, 2008 #13
    tbone409

    tbone409

    Feb 17, 2007
    kenosha, wi
  14. Jun 26, 2008 #14
    WyrdoBass

    WyrdoBass

    May 31, 2008
    Mission Viejo, CA
    dang, all these basses look great, but i don't know about ordering online... I'm gonna check and see if rondo has return policy and look at the waterstone although i'd prefer not to buy online..I like one SX model with the chrome pickup and bridge covers and the sunburst finish (but kinda wondering why rondo can be so cheap...)

    above all I'd prefer to buy from a place where i can try before i buy.

    again though, what do you think the minimum wattage should be for an amp for Jazz band? I doubt my rumble 15 will work well enough...
     
  15. Jun 26, 2008 #15
    RickBlair

    RickBlair

    Feb 13, 2004
    North Easton, Mass.
    You can return a bass to Rondo for any reason within 30 days but you will have to pay the shipping charge. Not an uncommon policy. If you are a beginner I think you would be more than satisfied with a SX bass. I have a Modulus Q5 as my main bass but I frequently do outdoor gigs with an SX Jazz and not only do I not have to apologize for using it, I get compliments on the sound of it. They have a few rough edges in construction quality but overall they get the job done. You can use the money you save to put towards an amp. A good overall amp setup for a jazz band might be a 4x10 cab and a head with at least 300 watts. Used Carvin and Peavy cabs/heads are pretty plentiful and available for a reasonable price.

    Rick B.
     
  16. Jun 27, 2008 #16
    WyrdoBass

    WyrdoBass

    May 31, 2008
    Mission Viejo, CA
    Hmm... After all this i might end up getting an SX. Maybe with the chrome stuff:D I guess I'll just have to wait and see what I end up deciding on, but the SX do look good...

    I could always change out the electronics if i don't like the sound of the stock pickups- I'm pretty good with that stuff

    http://www.rondomusic.com/sjb62ct.html Anyone have this particular SX? How is it?
     
  17. Jun 27, 2008 #17
    rptrsn2

    rptrsn2

    Feb 21, 2008
    Northeast Missouri
    Endorsing Artist: Aurora Strings
    check out esp.
     
  18. Jun 27, 2008 #18
    dakpluto

    dakpluto

    Oct 14, 2006
    Orlando, FL
    I'd say you would be 100% with either a SX from Rondo or a Squier VM (which have been really good lately.)
     
  19. Jun 27, 2008 #19
    Philbiker

    Philbiker Pat's the best!

    Dec 28, 2000
    Northern Virginia, USA
    Look on your local craigslist for a combo around 100 watts. Should be sufficient. Peaveys tend to give you a lot of bang for the buck.
     
  20. Jun 27, 2008 #20
    WyrdoBass

    WyrdoBass

    May 31, 2008
    Mission Viejo, CA
    I think I've finally decided: an SX bass
    http://www.rondomusic.com/sjb62ct.html
    and there are a ton of 90-100 watt amps on my craiglist

    I just need to finish getting the money!:ninja:

    thanks everyone!
     
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