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For $260, which would you choose(from my list)?

R

Roger89

Apr 12, 2009
13
0
#1
Hey boys,

I'm getting a used bass guitar soon. I have a few choices to choose from, but I'd like your opinion abt these guitars and which one you think ranks better. They cost $260± each. Among them are:

Fender Squire Precision Standard (Special edition - chrome and black)
Yamaha RBX375 (5 strings)
1985 Ibanez Roadstar II RB960

Asuming all these bass are in good playing condition, which would you recommend?

I play jazz, sometimes rock(U2, Incubus), and worship songs.

Thanks!
 
#2
i would get a used standard series squier for likw 100-150 put a gotoh 201 bridge on it and some seymour duncan 1/4 pounds on it that would be like 250$

but if you dont want to mod.... ibanez all the way if its in good shape

i dont like 5 strings or yamahas
 
#7
RBX 375 is the weakest link. Just don't buy that one. I've had one for a couple of years and I've never in my life played worse bass. I don't even wanna sell it cos then I'd feel like a scammer.

The B-string sucks no matter what kind of a B-string you put there, bridge is very very bad, the whole thing sounds like plastic through amplification, the body wood doesn't resonate so it really doesn't seem to play fine at all acoustically. I thought I couldn't dislike mine more but then the neck got warped, active electronics broke down and a knob fell off.

My contribution :P
 
#8
I would probably go with the Ibanez, but it's really impossible to say, at the moment. The old RB series were classics. However, the Yamaha does have the B string, which, in my opinion, adds a whole new dimension to your sound. But 5 strings may be a little much for the beginning bassist.

Just play each, and take home the one that fits you best. If at all possible, use each of them in a band situation to see if you can better understand the strengths and weaknesses of each bass.

Good luck.
 
#10
bongomania said:
That 85 Ibanez will probably have better construction and more rugged components than the other two.
Click to expand...

+1

Given the choices, even though I normally wouldn't take a 4 over a 5, I think the Ibanez is the best option. The Yamaha comes in at a close second, haven't had bad experiences with them. The Squier is also OK, probably. As long as it's not an Affinity and it doesn't have a low B on it, it will perform just fine. The electronics and pickups are the weak link, and maybe some sloppy fretwork. A 4 with no guarantees counts quite low in my book, hence the 3rd place. However, if you're a 4 guy, I think you'd be more pleased with the squier than the yamaha, if the ibby doesn't work out for you.
 
#16
Yamaha makes great basses. I have kept my BB605 over many basses of much higher value.

I know that Squire is better than it used to be and a great buy for the money, and I have tried to like them but I have not kept any of the Squires I have owned. In the end they still feel "cheap" to me.

I had a Roadstar II and it was a pretty nice bass. It was a long time ago so I don't remember.
 
#17
I'd have to go with the Ibanez. For the $$ it'll be the best bass as far as build quality ... they can take a beating.

IF the Yamaha was an older RBX, I'd say get that ... but the newer one's just don't have the quality components of it's predecessors (early RBX's were the top of the line Yammy's ... until the TRB's came out).

As far as the Squire ... they're good basses. Decent quality for the $$. However they seem to become basses that beg to be upgraded. So if you are looking for a bass to upgrade at a later date (usual suspects ... PU's, bridge, etc), then go for that. Even though some folks dig'em just the way they are.

The most important thing is to pick the bass that works best for you ... since the look/feel/sound are different for each of the above.
 

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