Guitar Center™ Challenge

[colantalas]

"Medium sized bar" doesn't really give me enough info. The places my band plays at though, all have pretty good PAs and at least decent guys at FOH (assuming worst case and we don't have our guy at this gig for some reason). So...
1) Whatever 5 string is ~$1200... would check used first, but most likely end up with an Ibanez something or other.
2) Whatever DI I could find for ~$150
3) Cheap cable, 15' or longer - though I'd try to get them to throw this in for free

After tax, that'd probably put me right at $1500.

This would be how I'd play it as well, though I might spurge a little on a Stingray 5. They have some nice ones at a local GC and it'd be exactly what I'd like to start over with.

I play heavy metal music, for reference.

 

[Dogbertday]

Cancel the gig and take the $$$ cause its more than the gigbwould pay.

 

[hondo4life]

 

[JaredBT]

Fender Deville and std. Telecaster. Dammit! That's the last time we send a roadie to GC.

 

[Wavy]

Make a phone call for a recommendation, hire the PI recommended by the person I'd call. Telling any more would get me kicked off of TB.

 

[japhy4529]

SR1905E for $1449 or a clearsnce Fender Jazz MIA Dlx 5. I'd try and negotiate a strap and cord with the remaining cash. After the gig, I'd return the bass. Just sayin'!

Okay, I've changed my mind. In this fantasy, I'm going to have the gear stolen in Asheville, NC which will lead me to the local GC that currently has a used Spector Euro w/ gig bag for $1399. Hopefully, after giving them my sob story, they knock off $50 to allow me to pick up a strap, strings and cord with the remaining money. I'd then go direct and hope the soundman would be willing to put some bass through the monitors.

The why is because I love Spectors and I could see this bass being a keeper for gigs. I could save up for an amp or sell something else (that wasn't in the van) before the next gig rolls around.

 

[Old Blastard]

Fender Rumble 500, Ibanez Talman 300, Smark tuner, cords, strap

 

[Ben B]

My local guitar center doesn't always have a lot of bass equipment in stock, but let's assume they currently do. I would get a squire vm p-bass 5 or jazz bass 5. Ampeg PF-500 head and PF-210HE cabinet. That should be about $1200. That leaves a little money for accessories and sales tax.

I play mostly classic rock, folk, country blues. So a standard Fender-->Ampeg rig works. I need a 5 string bass for some of the material.

 

[DwaynieAD]

Gk and a p bass

 

[basslicks]

I'd buy an MIA P-bass, a cheap strap, and use the house DI/cords. Why? because then I'd have another MIA P-bass!

 

[ThePresident777]

Ibanez Talman 105 $250 (Talman 100 if they don't have the 105, $180)
D'addario Chromes $45 or less.
10" Guitar Cable $10
Patch Cable $3.5
TC Electronic Polytune Noir Mini 2 Pedal Tuner $80
If they don't have a PA, or it's terrible, Fender Rumble 500 $600
If they do have a good PA:
Tech 21 Blonde $170
Patch Cable $3.5
DI Box $50
Mic Cable $7

$549 to $1088.5

 

[logicman69]

At my GC (Warwick, Rhode Island)

Used Ibanez ATK305: $350
Gig bag: $40
Acoustic BN3115: $500
Cable: $25
Strap: $35
Line 6 G30 Wireless: $200

Total: $1150

Still got $350 left for other things.

 

[Mechayoshi]

MIM p bass
That Rumble amp everyone keeps mentioning
Cables
Leather strap
Dunlop super brights

I didn't total that up but it should work. I'm also assuming I'll have time to set everything up.

 

[friendlybass]

I dunno. Probably a rumble, some sort of neat used bass, a chorus pedal and a dirt pedal. Pack o picks, couple cables, daisy chain supply, strap, the works.

 

[theduke1]

A MM 5er and what amp the rest will buy.
Only cause the don't sell G&L.
An amp is a amp

 

[CharlyG]

Rumble 500
Short Scale P/J(arthritis) or a Longhorn
Snark, cable, strap
Less than a grand.

 

[KickingBass]

$1,300 Bass and a strap. Maybe strings. No need for an amp, it's not like anyone would pay attention to me anyways... J/k

 

[jd56hawk]

You have a gig in 1 hour, and someone stole you van, with all your gear. You will be playing in a medium sized bar. You have 1500 dollars and have to find a bass and amplifier in Guitar Center. Tell what bass and amp you choose and why.

Why?
Simple.
The combination is killer and it will get the job done.

Comfort Strapp, D'Addario flatwounds, Mogami cable, too.

Seriously, I can walk into GC and grab an MIM P bass, an Epiphone Thunderbird Pro IV or a Sterling SUB Ray etc. and still do what I have to do.

 

[Bass'd on a true story]

I'd buy a Fender Elite Jazz, an 810 fridge with the nicest head they have, 5x Mogami 50' cables, a different color strap for each song in the set, whatever tuner is available, and the most expensive DI, all on my credit card. Why? Because GC has a 30 day return policy, and I haven't even given the cops a chance to find the perp yet.

 

[PortlandBass77]

Whichever bass is cheap and plays well / sounds good? I would skip the amp, get a DI, and get one of those fancy planet wave straps

Factoring in sales tax, the actual budget is about $1,385.

I'm basing this on what's available on GC's site right now, new stuff only. Obviously if they had a good used item in stock in that particular GC, it would help with the budget.

You might think it's crazy, but I would need a sixer. My band has songs written around bass parts that require it. Most of our songs would be difficult without it; many would be impossible. So I'd probably grab a mid-priced Ibby, such as the SR506 ($700). I'm also an effects guys, and would need something to cover me for that. Under the circumstances, I'd probably just grab a Zoom B3 ($200). That leaves me with $485 for an amp, which I'd probably use for the biggest/best GK combo it could buy me, which would be the MB112 ($400).

That leaves me with $85 to find a suitable strap and two instrument cables.

And that's the beauty of living in Oregon