Under $1K you can get a FINE bass used - a good MIA Fender or EBMM. Heck, I'll sell you my EBMM Bongo HS for less than that!
Enjoy the benefits of a premium membership!
Upgrade Account
-
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.
A warwick for $450 is just a name. Its not a great brand for low end basses. You can say you have a warwick if that makes you feel better, but the ball dont lie, that thing is not going to speak like the expensive ones.
The guys recommending budget lines like squier and sx are on point. Those basses no real branding. All the money goes into the bass because sx doesnt advertise and squier wants to see the random pro use on a tour and move units by word of mouth and abundance in chain stores.
Id suggest just filtering the classifieds to your needs and really studying the basses and looking for steals. It will help you learn whats really good at your price point.
While I don't agree that SX And Squires are "all the money into the bass" (since they are made in China for peanuts), I do agree with the last statement: Read the classifies, ask sellers about their basses. Her on TB, folks are usually happy to share info with new players, even that means answering a simple question about a bass they are selling.
Same here...I'm planning on buying new one sometime soon. I spotted some Ibanez bass at low prices at reverb.com. I'm thinking of buying one from there.
i say ibanez get the SR650/SR750 with the Nordstrand pickup.
The nordstrand is basically our Seymour Duncan of the guitar world.
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
The nordstrand is basically our Seymour Duncan of the guitar world.
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
I own an Ibanez SR500zw - zw = zebrawood, it cam outfitted with a 5 piece wengewood neck, smoked black hardware, active Bartolini Mk-1 pups & preamp. It's a beautiful bass, plays like buttah and has tone galore. Cost is $699 @ GC
Last edited:
If you're picking up a bass and going to do some home recording with it, I would suggest a P bass. It's will be easy to mix and you'll be happy with the tone in a mix.
I will guarantee that if you play a P bass in the store by itself and compare it to flashier basses with more top end zing, you will prefer the other basses. But if you play it in a mix, that's where it's grunt shines. You will completely fill the space between the kick (sorry @JimmyM) the bass drum and the bottom of the guitar range with thick, meaty tones. I hated P basses for almost 20 years and never got that until the lightbulb clicked one day and I tried a P outside of the Guitar Center audition chamber.
I will guarantee that if you play a P bass in the store by itself and compare it to flashier basses with more top end zing, you will prefer the other basses. But if you play it in a mix, that's where it's grunt shines. You will completely fill the space between the kick (sorry @JimmyM) the bass drum and the bottom of the guitar range with thick, meaty tones. I hated P basses for almost 20 years and never got that until the lightbulb clicked one day and I tried a P outside of the Guitar Center audition chamber.
Last edited:
The Ibanez sr650 which streets for around $700 is a bass you may never outgrown. It's well made and sounds great. And it has a slim neck, perfect for guitarists used to smaller necks.
Edit/ add: I would avoid less expensive Ibanez models because quality drops off too much for my liking.
Edit/ add: I would avoid less expensive Ibanez models because quality drops off too much for my liking.
Watch these two.
German made Warwick Corvette Double Buck $$ 4 string nirvana black oil finish
Warwick Corvette Standard GERMAN MADE Electric Bass Guitar
The double buck is what you want, I bet it gets two bids or something.
German made Warwick Corvette Double Buck $$ 4 string nirvana black oil finish
Warwick Corvette Standard GERMAN MADE Electric Bass Guitar
The double buck is what you want, I bet it gets two bids or something.
As an eBay Associate, TalkBass may earn a commission from qualifying purchases.
Ibanez BTB Basses are awesome and sound great, for around $800 or little more you can have a Bass that's 5 piece neck-thru body with Bartolini MK-2 humbucking pickups and 3-band active EQ. BTB's have a great reputation.So I'm a guitar player looking to pick up a bass. I'm happy with my guitars and have little desire to get another. I would like a solid bass to play around with and record.
I'm basically choosing completely on aesthetics as I know zero about basses. I'm leaning towards buying new as I just don't feel as comfortable with used basses as I do with guitars.
I like the looks of Ibanez and Warwick basses. I have no preference for pickups, scale lengths, etc as I have never really played bass. I know ibanez budget guitars are always good so I bet their basses are too. I don't know anything about Warwick other than I like the body shapes. I feel like I want a 4 string as jumping right into anything higher could be a big mistake. Maybe not but given my current level a five/sixer seems like a bad idea.
I bet this thread is made all the time. Sorry bass players
You can get a pro bass for under a $1k.
This will probably sound insane, but, try an Ibanez micro bass. They sound great and at 28.8" scale, it'll be more familiar. I say try it just as a reference point, not necessarily to buy it. If it has any redeeming value @$185 then you shouldn't have to go anywhere near $1k to get what you want.
If you're going to insist on moving up to a larger scale length, you're going to put your hands through a work out no matter what you do. Since at first it's all going to feel uncomfortable, it'll be a while until you can understand exactly what aspects of the neck your hands can adjust to and which ones you can't. So, you might go through several basses until you understand what's best for you. May as well save money along the way for what you'll eventually really want.
You'll have to decide how important it is for you to play a 34" scale length bass. Is sound your priority? How important is the scale length to the sound in your opinion? That's why I say you should try the Ibanez micro.
Keep in mind is that practicing on a bigger neck cab make a smaller neck feel effortless. So, you can use that to your advantage.
This will probably sound insane, but, try an Ibanez micro bass. They sound great and at 28.8" scale, it'll be more familiar. I say try it just as a reference point, not necessarily to buy it. If it has any redeeming value @$185 then you shouldn't have to go anywhere near $1k to get what you want.
If you're going to insist on moving up to a larger scale length, you're going to put your hands through a work out no matter what you do. Since at first it's all going to feel uncomfortable, it'll be a while until you can understand exactly what aspects of the neck your hands can adjust to and which ones you can't. So, you might go through several basses until you understand what's best for you. May as well save money along the way for what you'll eventually really want.
You'll have to decide how important it is for you to play a 34" scale length bass. Is sound your priority? How important is the scale length to the sound in your opinion? That's why I say you should try the Ibanez micro.
Keep in mind is that practicing on a bigger neck cab make a smaller neck feel effortless. So, you can use that to your advantage.
Look, here is another option. For about $300 you can get the Sterling by Musicman basses... and they are GREAT instruments. Not just "great for the price," but every bit as good as a lot of "pro" instruments. Just something to think about.
To be objective, they sound better and feel better (to me) that the B.C. Rich in my avatar. Why did I buy the B.C. Rich? Because I'm a dumbass that wanted what I wanted. (I like my bass, but it was an "emotional" decision not a logical one.) (And granted, that's a Korean one, not a U.S. made one- but it IS well made, and it DOES have a nice feel and sound.)
Don't be like me. Ignore the looks, or any emotional attachment to brand, ignore the name on the headstock. Buy what feels good TO YOU, and what sounds good TO YOU.
To be objective, they sound better and feel better (to me) that the B.C. Rich in my avatar. Why did I buy the B.C. Rich? Because I'm a dumbass that wanted what I wanted. (I like my bass, but it was an "emotional" decision not a logical one.) (And granted, that's a Korean one, not a U.S. made one- but it IS well made, and it DOES have a nice feel and sound.)
Don't be like me. Ignore the looks, or any emotional attachment to brand, ignore the name on the headstock. Buy what feels good TO YOU, and what sounds good TO YOU.
What I have played in the Warwick Rock Bass line was not acceptable at any price. Likely just the few I've tried, but they had unacceptable set-ups and glitchy pots. They looked cool, but...
If you can find a German Warwick in your price range, that's another bass altogether.
As said here, Ibanez SR series are easy playing with slim necks. The new SR 650 is the place to start.
But I recommend you go by sound and playability rather than looks. Bases are as different as Strats and Les Pauls and Tele and SGs. So, what style of music do you play, and what's the sound you're looking for?
A Warwick with MM-style humbuckers will sound very different than one with Jazz-style single-coil p'ups. An Ibanez with Nordstrand single coils will sound very different than one with dual-coil Bart MK-1s.
Let me suggest you take a day, and go to every music store you can and play every bass you can. You'll discover what feels best and sounds best (and looks best) for you. You may find a $300 bass that works just right for you and your needs, or that you just have to have that Fender American Standard Precision Bass.
If you can find a German Warwick in your price range, that's another bass altogether.
As said here, Ibanez SR series are easy playing with slim necks. The new SR 650 is the place to start.
But I recommend you go by sound and playability rather than looks. Bases are as different as Strats and Les Pauls and Tele and SGs. So, what style of music do you play, and what's the sound you're looking for?
A Warwick with MM-style humbuckers will sound very different than one with Jazz-style single-coil p'ups. An Ibanez with Nordstrand single coils will sound very different than one with dual-coil Bart MK-1s.
Let me suggest you take a day, and go to every music store you can and play every bass you can. You'll discover what feels best and sounds best (and looks best) for you. You may find a $300 bass that works just right for you and your needs, or that you just have to have that Fender American Standard Precision Bass.
I've owned Warwick rockbasses before and ibanez years ago. I now own a Warwick thumb and there is no comparison in tone, build, and quality compared to those other two. So a used German Warwick would be the ticket or I'll throw another wrench in your gear, you may consider a Spector euro. You can find one for under 1k and they are phenomenal basses for the money.
I would recommend the Yamaha TRBX505 Yamaha TRBX505 Trans Brown or 504 Yamaha TRBX504 Trans Black
I do not own one but I do keep my eye on what is available to beginners in the local music stores and this bass consistently is very playable, well made and has a wide range of tone options.
I do not own one but I do keep my eye on what is available to beginners in the local music stores and this bass consistently is very playable, well made and has a wide range of tone options.
For an entry level bass, >$1000 is a really big price range, especially if you "know zero about basses" and "have no preferences" about them and are making a choice simply based on aesthetics. I'd venture to guess that at this point, you're not even sure if you like bass, so the upper end of that price range would be a lot of to spend.
And you can get some really good basses (used - nothing wrong with that) for (more or less) $300! For example, you may want to try a used Peavey Foundation with Super Ferrite pickups, those things rock! Great growl and bite, super easy and playable neck, light, and good quality. Or do a search for best value basses, for best entry level basses, or best affordable basses that are good, something to that effect - you'll find plenty of great options.
Further, what kind of bass sound are you looking for? I'm sure you can recognize what kind of bass tones, sounds, and playing styles you like from the music you listen to. Then do some research on what basses and pickups can get that sound, or ask around here on TB - people will be glad to help, and you'll find whatever sound you're looking for. It would suck if you spent $800 on fancy Warwick because you liked how it looked, then found out you were after the sound of a P-bass, or a hollow-body shortscale, or something else. If you're interested in a bass look up videos to get an idea of how it sounds. The sound of an instrument, coupled with the feel, must be the most important aspect - far more important (IMO) than aesthetics.
I don't own a bass more expensive than $500, by the way - and it was a Fender MIM jazz bass I bought when I was in eighth grade, before I knew anything about basses. I had to have a Fender. But it wasn't the sound I was going for, and I could have gotten something better and cheaper if I knew I what I was doing.
End of rant. Good luck!
And you can get some really good basses (used - nothing wrong with that) for (more or less) $300! For example, you may want to try a used Peavey Foundation with Super Ferrite pickups, those things rock! Great growl and bite, super easy and playable neck, light, and good quality. Or do a search for best value basses, for best entry level basses, or best affordable basses that are good, something to that effect - you'll find plenty of great options.
Further, what kind of bass sound are you looking for? I'm sure you can recognize what kind of bass tones, sounds, and playing styles you like from the music you listen to. Then do some research on what basses and pickups can get that sound, or ask around here on TB - people will be glad to help, and you'll find whatever sound you're looking for. It would suck if you spent $800 on fancy Warwick because you liked how it looked, then found out you were after the sound of a P-bass, or a hollow-body shortscale, or something else. If you're interested in a bass look up videos to get an idea of how it sounds. The sound of an instrument, coupled with the feel, must be the most important aspect - far more important (IMO) than aesthetics.
I don't own a bass more expensive than $500, by the way - and it was a Fender MIM jazz bass I bought when I was in eighth grade, before I knew anything about basses. I had to have a Fender. But it wasn't the sound I was going for, and I could have gotten something better and cheaper if I knew I what I was doing.
End of rant. Good luck!
Of the two I'd take the Warwick, but in the classifieds here you can find some used EBMM Sterlings/Stingrays for under $1000, that's what I would go with.
