Help needed

Used (obviously) USA Peavey Fury and Foundation basses.

 

The new Squier Classic Vibe Precision or Classic Vibe JazzBass. Maybe the Yamaha TRBX304. Most any Yamaha & Ibanez in that price range are really good.

 

Hey Steve!

What kind of music are you into?

No offense intended, but how big are your hands. In other words, would you prefer a slim, smaller neck? A fatter neck?

Roughly where are you. The answers for someone from Paris Yexas will differ from the answers for someone from Paris France.

Are you opposed to used?

More information will help us help you.

 

At your price point I think Ibanez and Yamaha basses are hard to beat if you are looking at new instruments.

 

I’m a big fan of the Ibanez Roadstar.

I have an RB850 and it’s my go-to gigging bass when I don’t feel comfortable bringing an Alembic or Spector due to shady venues or the weather.

But it is a 30 year old bass... Used USA Peavey are also highly recommended and within your budget. Hmmm, they’re several decades old too.

 

if you go the used route you can find some pretty good deals. I got a MIM Fender Jazz for $350 off Craigslist.

 

The Squier Classic Vibe and Vintage Modified series are really good basses at your price point. Used, even cheaper.
Those are my recommendations.
The Sub is not so great in *my opinion* although there is a bass for everyone.
As people have suggested, many a first bass has been an Ibanez, for a good reason. And the Yamaha's give you more than their price point would suggest.
You could make any of these work with your styles, and they would all be good options that you wouldn't need to stress about your decision.
See what your bass heroes play if that helps you tip the scale. The point is...GET PLAYING!
And have fun!

 

If you feel you’d rather have a USA made, or Japanese, Chinese, Indonesian made bass, you can probably find several of each origin in your price range. It’s more about how the bass fits your playing style, than where it was made. The new Vibe Squiers I suggested are mostly made in China. But, there are some extremely well made bargains, in old vintage USA Peavey basses. They are probably the best & highest quality if you go with used. I have no experience with the Sterling Sub or the Roadstar. But the I suggested the Yamaha TRBX304 because it also has humbuckers.

 

You shouldn’t have extra problems with any 70’s-80’s basses - unless, you get something with very rare parts. I bought a ‘79 Gibson RD Artist new. Within a couple of years there were problems getting the printed circuit board fixed. Sold it by ‘82! (That would be way out of your price range anyway.). Stay away from things with strange unusual parts , and you’ll be happy with vintage gear.

 

You can get some really well made basses in that price range so don't panic.

Yamaha, Ibanez, Squier, Sire, even look at Jackson. And I am a big MusicMan fan so biased. I'd say try as many as you can stand before you choose because what is right for me may not be right for you because all this stuff is subjective. And nothing wrong with used.

I think in general you are looking at a few good options. When you play them, pay attention to how your hands feel on the neck, the comfort of your plucking hand position, etc. If your hands are smaller you might be more comfortable with a shorter scale. Just try a bunch.

Have fun. And never, ever let the drummer drive.

 

Ibanez RB series from that era had some weird corrosion issues, particularly the bridges. Be sure to check it carefully. Great sound and ergonomics, though. Happy hunting!

 

Classifieds here. Used Squier.

 

Based on these, I would say... Squier Classic Vibe Jazz Bass. You will do a long run with it until you feel it is time to change and that might not even happen. Now if you decide to go used, I would suggest the Classic Vibes that were made in China in the mid 2000, those were the crème de la crème for that price range... I've got one from 2013 that was Crafted in China and it is amazing.

 

Guys keep in mind he's an Aussie.. $400 AUD = $274 USD right now.

That being said, I once scored a beat up MIM jazz for $250 USD with some chips in the finish that had some shoddy electronics.. replacing the pots was a pretty simple and inexpensive task, though I let my dad do it because he's pretty handy with a soldering iron.

I paid $250 USD for my MIM Strat as well.

For reference, a brand new Sub Stingray in the US goes for $299 USD, though you guys tend to have a pretty hefty import tax, so I'd imagine a NEW SUB in stores on your continent would reflect that, but if any stores on your continent carry them, I'd check their prices for reference to see how comfortable you are shelling that out for the SUB Ray 4. Used should offer a significant discount.

I couldn't find a Sub, but using an Ibanez SR300e for example, brand new $350 USD over here, $599 AUD @ Big Music Australia.. so $400 AUD for a used SUB doesn't sound bad at all if it's in good shape.