• 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.

Good basses $250 or under PLEASE HELP

#21
 
As an eBay Associate, TalkBass may earn a commission from qualifying purchases.
#23
Fogoverla said:
Since when did Squier become a decent brand? Last time I really was looking at new instruments, they certainly had issues...

Good to hear their production value increased! Go for something that sounds good, and feels right. I have stubby fingers myself and I prefer a thinner neck.
Click to expand...

The original Squier basses from the early 80's were made with American wood..and the fit and finish was actually better than the U.S. models of the same make(for that time period).

The Classic Vibes could use a couple hardware upgrades...but are a good deal for the two hundred fifty dollars. I do believe they are good enough for show.
 
#25
aalocklear said:
I've only been playing for a year, so 4 string.
I haven't really been able to find info on active or passive either, because I'm entirely self taught. I have no clue the difference.
Click to expand...

active pickups have a 9 volt battery and produce a much hotter signal than passives which do not require a battery. both have their functions, me personally i like active. but thats me.
 
#26
GG Allin said:
The original Squier basses from the early 80's were made with American wood..and the fit and finish was actually better than the U.S. models of the same make(for that time period).

The Classic Vibes could use a couple hardware upgrades...but are a good deal for the two hundred fifty dollars. I do believe they are good enough for show.
Click to expand...

I thought the CV basses were $379.
 
#29
Couldn't post this earlier (because I was heading out), but the Ibanez Soundgear basses are very good. The cheapest you'll be able to do is an SR300 (which is $350, out of your price range), but the resale value on Ibanez basses isn't great, so you'll be able to find an SR300 used well within your price range. I'm sure even an SR500 (which has an "upgrade" (depending on your preference) of Bart pickups) will fall into your range (or not too far out of it) used.

Soundgears have thinner necks (nut width is about 1.4-something, thinner than a Jazz), so you might want to play one before buying it to see if it's right for you.

Also
What kind of amp do you have?
What genre/genres of music will you be playing?
What basses (if any) have you owned/played in the past?

Best thing to do is to play every bass you can find and develop a preference for necks, pickups, etc.
 
#32
I wouldn't buy a bass from Amazon. Go for somewhere that specializes in musical instruments.

I've never dealt with them personally, but reviews on Musicians Friend are spotty.

I purchased an acoustic guitar from Guitar Center and it was packaged nicely, and arrived promptly. My last bass was purchased from Sweetwater, which I'd recommend because 1) They inspect/set up basses before shipping 2) No sales tax (unless you're in Indiana) and free shipping, and 3) THEY PUT CANDY IN THE BOX!

Edit: Check your local CL and even local music stores for used gear. It'll stretch your dollars, and you'll be able to try before you buy.
 
#33
Squier Classic Vibe series fer shure dood.

I paid $200 for a Matt Freeman (the black n' maple P) used on my local CL a little more than a year ago and it has been my #1 gigging bass since the day I brought it home. You should be able to get one for between that and $250 if you're patient and wait for the deal to come to you.

I also have the sonic blue P and the oly white J bass and they're just incredible basses for exactly in your price range if you're willing to be patient enough to go the used route.

If you prefer a satin finish on your necks the VM series is even a small notch down in price from the CV series. :D
 
#36
If you have a Best Buy around you that has a music section, they are blowing out their instruments. The one by me (Mesa, Arizona) has a Blacktop P-Bass for $300. Each one has a different selection though.
 
#37
I'd recommend the Peavey Millenium BXP model. I picked up a used BXP 5- string almost a year ago and am amazed at how this bass has grown on me. I am impressed with the workmanship and even the neck finishing for a low-end bass. I opened up the cavity and lo and behold, it's coated with shielding paint (wow!). What other bass under $300 has that? Truss rod adjustment is at the headstock, for easier setups.

The 4 string passive BXP model sells new for around $240 which is within your limit.

EDIT: Oh - Weight is on the lighter side and no neck dive too! My 5-string is 8.8 lbs. A 4 string should be lighter yet.
 
#38
VerryBerry said:
I'd recommend the Peavey Millenium BXP model. I picked up a used BXP 5- string almost a year ago and am amazed at how this bass has grown on me. I am impressed with the workmanship and even the neck finishing for a low-end bass. I opened up the cavity and lo and behold, it's coated with shielding paint (wow!). What other bass under $300 has that? Truss rod adjustment is at the headstock, for easier setups.

The 4 string passive BXP model sells new for around $240 which is within your limit.

EDIT: Oh - Weight is on the lighter side and no neck dive too! My 5-string is 8.8 lbs. A 4 string should be lighter yet.
Click to expand...

Word, very good basses. I had one briefly (bought it as a gift for an ex-girlfriend and "road tested" the hell out of it until it was her actual birthday), and I actually miss it a lot (the bass, not the girlfriend).
 
#39
Right now I have an active then. I own a ibanez gsr 200. I played a washburn and I thought it was super sweet. Something that I can slap and pick because I don't really play with my fingers. I'm also a fan of indie and like 90s bands, so that's what ill be playing.
 
#40
DiAnnoMih said:
Word, very good basses. I had one briefly (bought it as a gift for an ex-girlfriend and "road tested" the hell out of it until it was her actual birthday), and I actually miss it a lot (the bass, not the girlfriend).
Click to expand...

Not only are the basses good, so is Peavey's customer service.

I'm not derailing the thread here - this is info that could be helpful to the OP or anyone else contemplating a Peavey bass in the lower price ranges....

I bought my Millenium BXP 5-string used. Because of where I bought it and not having the tools to assess what state the neck was in, by the time I could really try it out and do a set up, I had already owned it for a couple of weeks. I didn't pay that much for it luckily, because the neck had too much relief with the truss rod maxxed out.

I called Peavey up (I'm in Canada), to ask how much a new neck was. I was expecting it to cost somewhere near the price of a new bass. I was pleasantly shocked to hear that it was $75 (!). I asked whether it came with the nut and with the nut slots cut and were all the holes drilled.

Peavey responds that No, the neck has the nut slot cut, but needs the nut with pre-cut slots - that'll be an extra $0.88. The tuning peg holes are drilled, you'll have to drill the neck mounting holes and the holes for the tiny screws holding the backside of the tuners.

Sold! I said. They shipped me the neck and nut and I was not charged ANY postage, nor were there any cross-border fees !!!

I now have a used Peavey Mill 5-string with a new neck that I can set up easily and the fret finishing is fantastic considering it's a $75 neck. OK ... a $75.88 neck.
 

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back