Good Second Bass?

[birdman14]

I started playing bass since September '09 and got a Epiphone Thunderbird. I love the thing and going to hold on to it for a while, but I would like another bass as a step up. I would like some help from a much more experienced crowd of fellow bass players. P.S, Im only 15 so I would like to keep my budget to about 500-700. Help?

 

[SanDiegoHarry]

First, BUY USED. You can get genuinely nice bass for $500 if you are careful. New - you won't get much.

Were I a younger player, I'd look at the nicer Ibanez 5 strings. Talk to your teacher about what he recommends, then theck the TB classifieds (you have to join, but it's worth the $20 per year).

 

[SJan3]

You're close to Fender Highway One Jazz money..

 

[thezombieritual]

First, BUY USED. You can get genuinely nice bass for $500 if you are careful. New - you won't get much.

100% agree! I haven't bought new since 2008. But I agree, you must be careful. If at all possible, play it in person.

 

[tangentmusic]

Your T'Bird is a fine bass. There are tons of basses out there. Are you more into a traditional style bass, like a Fender Precision or Jazz? These are a good 2nd bass to have at your disposal.

 

[Need2KnowBasses]

First, BUY USED. You can get genuinely nice bass for $500 if you are careful. New - you won't get much.

This is good and bad advice. There are great deals to be found in both the new and used market if you look around. Don't limit yourself to either. If you do enough looking you can occasionally find better prices new than you would find on the same item used. A few examples of deals I've found on new basses:
Ibanez ATK 300 $140 normally $500
Dean Hillsboro $148 normally $299
Warwick Rockbass Streamer $272 normally $950
Warwick Rockbass Corvette active $280 normally $700
G&L SB-2 $310 normally $599
Godin Freeway active $310 normally $750

Each of those was priced better than what you would find them selling for used.

As far as a second bass to upgrade to all the above are great basses. My personal favorites in your price range are G&L tribute series, Warwick Rockbass series, and Ibanez ATK series.

 

[mcapote]

my main bass is a spector dual H, my 2nd bass is a P 3rd a jazz, 3 different sounds. tb is a humbucker right? so i would probably go P or PJ if it were me, fender probably be the best bet.

 

[Emm9T]

Scroll the classifieds here, no finer place to get QUALITY used gear.

 

[Gasman]

Agree with going used. That said, I second the ibanez ATK 300 if going new. I'm not generally a fan of ibanez's, but that's pretty good budget bass with a lot of character. I think it's in your price range

 

[superdick2112]

Ibanez ATK or used Schecter anything - best under $1k basses I've played in quite a while. Something with active pickups/guts might be a good alternative, sound wise, to your T-Bird.

 

[itwasagift]

Squire Deluxe J bass V Active. These things eat up many basses that are way more expensive and its just under 400 online. You really can't beat it unless your a name brand snob

 

[jbalou02]

Duhh! Another Epi Tbird! Lets supersize that to a Pro V please, extra sauce hold the tomatos.

 

[lowendfriend]

Try a Lakland 55-01...or a NEW Warwick Rockbass Corvette $$

 

[Porkbun]

If nothing in the classifieds strikes your fancy, check out craigslist.org, where I have found many steals.

FROM MY EXPERIENCE: I personally didnt notice anything special about the ATK300 (weird right?) and I think its because of My ESP F-205. I feel that Ibanez' are unmatched in the 0-400 range, but from 500 and up theres more competition and better options. I also wouldnt recommend Schecter if you are not a fan of thick bodies, necks, and frets (having played and owned both).
Ive owned 4 ESP LTD's.
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Basically new $125 ESP F205 (retail $700)
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F204 Video
I love ESP now. A ding or two and a few years pass and the price plummets, but the sound stays the same. Seeing and playing the basses for yourself first is also recommended. I just turned 16 and went through 7 basses last year. Another good thing about buying used is that you can wipe it down, take some good pictures and mark it up
(does not apply to TB), but buying new, you can only lose money

 

[ben12390]

classic vibe squier jazz. its SUCH a good bass. and not even "for the cash" its just a good overall bass.
and they are under 350 new.
go to any GC, they have them there, you should be impressed.

 

[Staccato]

Enjoy your T-Bird for now. Raise the budget as can to 800+, and the 'used' possibilities will be many! You might want a USA bass.