Help, "interesting" used beginner active bass recommendations

[ajdes]

Hey there,

I'm new the fourms but I've been reading a lot of posts. I'm a beginner bassist currently learning for fun while we've got extra time at home. I've played guitar on/off for a while, so im not completely new to stringed instruments.

I really enjoy playing rocksmith (streaming tablature game) and it is recommended by rocksmith bass players to use active pickups for better accuracy. So I'm in the market for a used beginner bass with active pickups. I'm looking to spend in the $350 or less range.

Now obviously I could just buy a new inexpensive model with active pickups, however I'm more interested in finding something used with a bit more "character". I generally like the look and feel of Fender/Squier instruments (but i'm open to anything). As an example, I really like unusual models from the 80's and 90's. Something along the lines of a made in Korea "pro tone" Squier bass would be a great fit, but I dont think any of those came with active pickups.

Does anyone have any favorite cool / interesting / unusual low-end bass models w/ active pickups you would recommend which could be had used in the $350ish (or less) price range? I'm currently borrowing a friends bass, so I'm not in a rush to buy something, but I would like to start scouring ebay / reverb / craigslist etc for when something pops up.

In addition to "character", I'm also looking for something that plays well and is a good build quality value. 4 string only. Thank you for your help and recommendations.

 

[Maxdusty]

Hey there,

I'm new the fourms but I've been reading a lot of posts. I'm a beginner bassist currently learning for fun while we've got extra time at home. I've played guitar on/off for a while, so im not completely new to stringed instruments.

I really enjoy playing rocksmith (streaming tablature game) and it is recommended by rocksmith bass players to use active pickups for better accuracy. So I'm in the market for a used beginner bass with active pickups. I'm looking to spend in the $350 or less range.

Now obviously I could just buy a new inexpensive model with active pickups, however I'm more interested in finding something used with a bit more "character". I generally like the look and feel of Fender/Squier instruments (but i'm open to anything). As an example, I really like unusual models from the 80's and 90's. Something along the lines of a made in Korea "pro tone" Squier bass would be a great fit, but I dont think any of those came with active pickups.

Does anyone have any favorite cool / interesting / unusual low-end bass models w/ active pickups you would recommend which could be had used in the $350ish (or less) price range? I'm currently borrowing a friends bass, so I'm not in a rush to buy something, but I would like to start scouring ebay / reverb / craigslist etc for when something pops up.

In addition to "character", I'm also looking for something that plays well and is a good build quality value. 4 string only. Thank you for your help and recommendations.

What is considered Active basses most of them are typically those passive pickups but with active electronics, ie. preamp. Just so you know what to look for.

However, if you can find one, you can try to find a 1990s Ibanez SR800 which has PJ pickups. It has both active pickups and preamp. Terrific Made in Japan basses that you can typically find used for under your budget. These were the higher end premium Ibanez basses of their day.

In terms of new models, an Ibanez Talman TMB100 is $199 new and these basses pack a lot of wallop and has a retro kind of look to it. 2 band EQ.


Another good inexpensive bass is the Sterling Ray4 (SUB series). It's a powerful bass with a 2 band EQ. It's the Sterling version of the classic Stingray bass. Brand new $299 so if you find one used, you'll be way under your budget.

 

[Mighty Thumb]

Second gen Sire V3 goes for around $375 new. That’s a lot of band for your buck.

 

[ajdes]

What is considered Active basses most of them are typically those passive pickups but with active electronics, ie. preamp. Just so you know what to look for.

Ya I'm not sure, I'm guessing it's mostly the preamp as I've also seen people say they've had success using a "clear boost" pedal with passive pickups.

The SR800 seems very cool. Doesn't seem to be any cheap ones floating around right now, but I will keep an eye out.

 

[wraub]

Ibanez RB 850. Trust me.

 

[ajdes]

Ibanez RB 850. Trust me.

View attachment 3982283

Very nice! How does the rb850 compare to the sr800? Ibanez has a lot of models to keep track of!

 

[wraub]

Well, the SR is a Soundgear, so it's of more recent mfg than the RB, which is from the Roadstar series, an older line from Ibanez. The Roadstar I posted is from 1984. The Soundgear line has some very fine instruments and covers a wide range, so definitely has models in your price range, although the SR800 typically would be more expensive than the RB850, iirc.

I suggested the RB because I know they are good (I have 2) and they are commonly found used in your exact price range (there's even some listed atm on reverb and the bay (no affiliation). If I were to look for one, I'd look for an '85 model, as the ones I have are from then are are quite good ime.

If you are looking for "good, unusual, and maybe older" they should be on your list, imo. Fortunately, that's a pretty long list, I'm sure other TBers will be around shortly with more.

Very nice! How does the rb850 compare to the sr800? Ibanez has a lot of models to keep track of!

 

[Maxdusty]

If you want to go for unusual shapes but good basses, it usually requires scouring the used sites, CL or here on the TB Classifieds.
As an example, I got this TUNE TWX41 bass for around $200 a while back. Today, on Reverb, there is a similar black one for $400. These are terrific basses. TUNE had a model that was very popular in the 80s called the Maniac.


Another bass I also had was an Ibanez Ergodyne EDA900. There are actually two pickups on this bass, the soapbar and a piezo pickup under the bridge. Typically find these used for $200-400 these days.


Schecter also makes some affordable basses. A used Schecter Stealth should fall within your budget.

 

[Guild B301]

Schecter, & Jackson basses would be good choices. I especially recommend a Jackson because they have such nice necks.
Both brands have several basses that fit your criteria. The Jackson Spectra, and Schecter Stealth would both be in your price range, used.

 

[mongo2]

I really enjoy playing rocksmith (streaming tablature game) and it is recommended by rocksmith bass players to use active pickups for better accuracy.

I have to ask, how are active pickups more accurate than passive pickups?

 

[Guild B301]

I have to ask, how are active pickups more accurate than passive pickups?

On some of those learning game apps, just having a strong signal helps it track better. That’s probably what the other players meant when they suggested active to him.

 

[Big Shrek]

Hey there,

I'm new the fourms but I've been reading a lot of posts. I'm a beginner bassist currently learning for fun while we've got extra time at home. I've played guitar on/off for a while, so im not completely new to stringed instruments.

I really enjoy playing rocksmith (streaming tablature game) and it is recommended by rocksmith bass players to use active pickups for better accuracy. So I'm in the market for a used beginner bass with active pickups. I'm looking to spend in the $350 or less range.

Now obviously I could just buy a new inexpensive model with active pickups, however I'm more interested in finding something used with a bit more "character". I generally like the look and feel of Fender/Squier instruments (but i'm open to anything). As an example, I really like unusual models from the 80's and 90's. Something along the lines of a made in Korea "pro tone" Squier bass would be a great fit, but I dont think any of those came with active pickups.

Does anyone have any favorite cool / interesting / unusual low-end bass models w/ active pickups you would recommend which could be had used in the $350ish (or less) price range? I'm currently borrowing a friends bass, so I'm not in a rush to buy something, but I would like to start scouring ebay / reverb / craigslist etc for when something pops up.

In addition to "character", I'm also looking for something that plays well and is a good build quality value. 4 string only. Thank you for your help and recommendations.

This post pretty much screams "Check Out Peavey!"
Low cost, high build quality basses...usually found for really low bucks (sub-$200) in pawn shops,
most made in the USA prior to the BXP's.

active pickup models that I know of...
Fury
Forum
Dyna-bass
Cirrus (those get a bit pricey...with reason!)
Millenium (different models have active & passive...check carefully)
And some of the Grind's have active pickups.

May be a few more I missed...no doubt someone will be along shortly to add on

 

[mongo2]

On some of those learning game apps, just having a strong signal helps it track better. That’s probably what the other players meant when they suggested active to him.

Thanks.

 

[ajdes]

This post pretty much screams "Check Out Peavey!"
Low cost, high build quality basses...usually found for really low bucks (sub-$200) in pawn shops,
most made in the USA prior to the BXP's.

active pickup models that I know of...
Fury
Forum
Dyna-bass
Cirrus (those get a bit pricey...with reason!)
Millenium (different models have active & passive...check carefully)
And some of the Grind's have active pickups.

May be a few more I missed...no doubt someone will be along shortly to add on

Thanks. Any specific model or age range you would recommend? Seems some of these models have several iterations

 

[Sponson Thrisby]

Yamaha TRBX. Pretty much the whole line except the 174 (I think) are active.

TRBX - Specs - Yamaha - United States

 

[Big Shrek]

Thanks. Any specific model or age range you would recommend? Seems some of these models have several iterations

Really, any of the actives with Original pickups are pretty nice. Must admit partiality to the T-40, Forum, Fury, & Dyna-Bass lines.
The Fury's have the same active pickups as the Cirrus line at 1/3 the average cost...so there's that bonus!
Fury's also have a slightly thinner string spacing at the bridge...may help some folks, might not help others.
3/4" between 'em at the bridge works for my long thin fingers tho
Reportedly the pots are different from the Cirrus, in that the Cirrus pots have a center detent & the Fury doesn't,
except for the P'up blend pot, which does.

If you need more encouragement, read this BP review of inexpensive basses. Bass Player
the Fury won "outstanding construction", "outstanding tone", and "outstanding value" awards.
of twenty-five basses, it was the only one that won all three.

I'm in the same boat, kind of, currently looking for a decent deal on one of those to fill that 5-string spot,
wouldn't say no to a T-40/45 either...
Clean & clear chest-thumping lows, with mids to spare. I turn the high down all the way for isolation purposes.
Tone control gets a lot of options between the pickups...It can sound like a Single Coil or humbuckers with a quick twist.

Here's a look at my blue Fury VI.

Hrm...I may need to break out the good camera...5-megapixels ain't quite cutting it.
So here's a better look at someone else's...lol





Anyway, the sound is what tends to set Peavey's apart...it just seems like there's some extra OOOMPH! when you play one.
for lack of a better term...doesn't take much volume to get crisp clear sound out of it. Kind of Kenwood-type clean power.
Which may be why I like 'em so much...zero mud. You'll hear others wax poetic on the play-ability of the necks as well.
The sound options from fiddling with the knobs, amazing! Peavey did some great things with their pre-amp & pickup blend settings.

Wouldn't mind a Cirrus, but they're a wee bit on the pricey side...
but if you find an under $600 deal on one, jump on it.

 

[ajdes]

Thanks everyone for the replies so far. I've done a fair amount of searching based on the recommendations and I think right now I'm leaning toward either a MIJ (Ibanez) or MIA (Peavey) model. I'm really into some of the 80's and 90's colors that i've seen. For example, the SR800LE in "Ruby Red" or "Caribbean Blue" w/ black hardware really pop and seem like uniquely vintage colors (at least to me). So I guess i'm more or less waiting for a deal to pop up.

One question I have is regarding neck width and thickness. I'm currently playing on a (borrowed) Fender Precision Bass which I gather has a fairly thick neck (which I feel neutral about). I know everyone is different and it really comes down to preference, but is there a risk that I will get something that is going to be uncomfortable? I read several reviews about Ibanez and Peavey models having "thinner and faster" necks (though I guess that depends on the model). Is there a "normal" range of neck dimensions that I should be looking for? I'd be hesitant to buy something either too thin or too thick until I have more experience and know my preferences.

 

[ajdes]

If anyone is curious, I ended up buying a 1986 Ibanez RB850. It plays easy and sounds great to my ears. I really like the "red pearl" finish with black hardware, very 80s looking IMO (in a good way). It came with a hard case and some lightweight La Bella flatwound strings, definitely a different feel than the heavier roundwound strings I was playing on my friends guitar.

With shipping and tax it came in just under budget which I think is a pretty fair deal. I included some pictures (sorry my camera is crappy). It's got some dents and dings, but overall its in pretty decent shape.

Thanks everyone for the recommendations!