Good intermediate bass guitars?

[Jeff Scott]

You may want to define your idea of "mid-range". (I wish I could afford Jeff Scott's mid-range!)

Well, with basses going from sub $200 up through $10,000+ customs, basses in the $1200-3000 seem pretty intermediate, IMO.

 

[MobileHolmes]

I think those are all fine choices. Given your musical taste, is also look at Sterling by Musicman, or whatever they call their import line as Flea and Timmy C have played stingrays at various times, and that sound really fits the style

 

[japhy4529]

A few suggestions come to mind here:

1. Buy used. You'll get much more bang for your buck. Not sure what you're price range is, but you can find used Fender American-made Jazz and Precision basses on the TB classifieds in the $700-900 range. Other used basses to consider (IMHO) would be Ernie Ball Music Man Stingrays or Sterlings, Spector Euro, Lakland Skyline, etc...
2. I've never played a Tobias bass, but if you like what you have, you can find used models on TB and other sites. Here's an example of a used Tobias Toby Pro Neck through
3. If you decide to go new, check out Americanmusical.com. You can make zero-interest, monthly payments on your bass and they'll ship it right out to you. Note: I have no affiliation with this site, but I have bought equipment from them previously with no issues.

 

[T-MOST]

For that $$$ you can beat a Marcus Miller Sire right now... if you can find one.

 

[stgabhas]

This

 

[Eli Raines]

If you do get the chance to go to a music store to try out some instruments, I find it's nice to take an extra set of ears/hands with you. It's nice to be able to not only have somebody else stand back listen while you play each bass and give their feedback, as well as to be able to stand back and just listen while somebody else plays. Of course everybody plays differently and may not sound like you sound on a given bass or have the same opinions on what sounds good. It's ultimately your own opinion that matters most, but I always like getting feedback from people I trust.

All that being said, MTD Kingston basses are pretty cool. I've only played on a Saratoga (their version of a jazz) myself, but it was a sweet instrument! Especially for the money. Maybe worth checking out Used is also good! I play a Peavey T-40, which is really solid and can be had relatively inexpensively. Be forewarned though... those suckers are HEAVY!

 

[PortlandBass77]

I've never played a 'bad' Ibanez before, so I would recommend them.

 

[madmanmerc]

I'm actually ordering the sire v7 marcus miller this week. looks like a good deal and is getting great reviews here

 

[madmanmerc]

I'm using an epiphone toby standard iv, not mine though

I have the toby. its what I use. I know it doesn't get much love here. but for the price its real solid and a great player

 

[nerkoids]

Ibanez Talman basses. Squier Vintage Modified. Marcus Miller V7.

All made in Indonesia. Some pros use them, if not for the stage, at least for recording gigs.

 

[Sav'nBass]

Before anyone can really answer you we would need to know what your budget is.. but the Sires are a good option.. That Squier above is also a good one.. the Ibbys are good.. and the Brubaker Brutes are pretty nice too if you don't want to spend too much and you want to go new.. You also want to ask yourself if youi want to make a jump to a 5 or not...

 

[RiZzBot]

 

[Lionel Albert]

Something in tune and comfortable, without electronic problem.

 

[bass J]

From one new-bee to another........i think you should keep a couple things in mind. First, as you learn you will likely stray off into music types and styles you may have never even thought of listening to let alone playing. Suddenly you will appreciate other music and find you enjoy playing that stuff because it is fun, cool or both. So think about something versatile. My bass teacher told me as you play, you will find "your bass" and you will know when you find it. As an older guy picking this up as a young grandfather, I pretty much thought that was sort of kid ********...well o have to say, he's right. You will know. So, get something versatile, decent quality, and not too expensive...since you will likely find your bass as you learn to play.

I would suggest G & L tribute series basses. I have a L-2000 which is an incredible value ...especially if you can pick one up used. You can find them 400 or less. When I started I wanted a EBMM Stingray. Well, as it turns out I knew someone who knew someone.....I got an incredible stingray at a great price. It's cool. I like it, but I didn't love it. I liked my L-2000 too, but I didn't love it. I tried P-bass, Lakelands(I like A LOT) Ibanez, Epi, Gibson, German Warwick (nice), and then.....I had a chance to check out an old G&L L-1000. My first thought...ugly thing (tobacco brown boring single pick up) but I will try it out sine it was designed and produced right after Leo fender had left music man and started G&L ....and it was a spin on the Stingray best I could see. Picked it up, plugged it in. It felt great, sounded great, not much of a looker but man the thing had me hooked. I am fortunate I can keep the other two I had purchased along the way, but I almost always pick up the L-1000. I keep the Stingray tuned down 1/2 a step so I can pick it up and play without tuning the L-1000 down. I still like the L-2000 too...it sits in my office and I pick it up to escape 15 minutes at a time when I am having a bad day it is berating and put together very well. Nice thing is I could easily and quickly unload the L-2000 and the Stingray and recoup all of my investment easily.