I came into some money today (possible NBD)

[SanDiegoHarry]

Well, that is true for a regular human being.



@ the OP: if you really fell in the love with the Ibanez, I'd say go for it.

I stood 2 feet from him when he did a demo thing not unlike this at a NAMM show a few years ago. He is a *mutant* what blew my mind.

 

[JimmyM]

OK, so two people can play more than one bass at a time. I doubt the OP can

 

[Malak the Mad]

That said, with the ruble taking a tumble, and my impending trip there in April... this one is tempting... comes out to less than 600 dollars...

[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

Oh my Bob! Getitgetitgetitgetit!!!!! drool

 

[FA108208usat2]

You should try Squier Deluxe Active Jazz Bass and The VM fretless both looks great and sounded amazing I have the Squier Deluxe Active Jazz Bass and I never could've been more happier, or if i were you I'd save up some money and buy a fender MIJ or MIM or MIA used.

 

[bassbenj]

My approach is: If I want something truly custom, I'll find a builder, have it built, and pay for a brand new bass. Otherwise, I'm buyin' used. You can get twice the bass when you buy used. It's just the smart thing to do.

I simply don't understand players insisting on buying a new bass, when you can buy the exact same thing (or something way better) for 1/2 the price. It just doesn't make any sense to me financially.

Works for me too. My SR506 cost me under $300 used. (Super killer bass, by the way) But let me also point out that I don't play left handed basses which puts a large crimp in the plan.

 

[BassPlayer95]

Starting from scratch you guys: What about a Schecter?

There's the Damien platinum with those metal as hell bats
The stiletto session which would satisfy my need for a maple neck and possibly a five string option
Or the riot session...pretty much the same as the stiletto as far I'm concerned...I really can't find the difference...

Thoughts?

 

[mtdkingstonheir]

You can't go wrong with any of the basses you listed. If it were me, I would go with the Ibanez SR500 - you really liked it. Squier and Fender Jazz basses will always be around. Go with your "gut" and get what you like.

 

[T_Bone_TL]

...with those metal as hell bats

Put on a blindfold. Have someone hand you a bass. Listen and feel. Do you feel the bats? Do they help your playing? Do you hear the bats? Do they make the bass sound better? Do you even know if the bass you were handed actually has bats?

Get one that sounds and feels good. Do not buy it for looks, especially if you are contemplating buying one that you have not even tried over one that you have tried and liked. Also remember that not all examples of any particular model are the same - so if you are considering a different Ibby SR500 (or a Schecter or Squire or Fender or whatever) to replace your Dean, make sure you actually hold it and play it and like it better than your Dean, and the other options you are considering, without any consideration for how the darn thing looks until AFTER it passes the feel and sound test, if then.

Save your pennies and buy the Ibby you liked; or something better that comes in used. If it was cash money and not GC credit, I'd say skip it entirely and try to learn not to let money burn a hole in your pocket. I'd strongly suggest keeping an eye on the used side. Outside of this, you should really get that under control before you are out on your own - it's a very important life skill, with many repercussions (good ones if you can do it, bad ones if you can't.) And do see what you can possibly get for the Dean, as one more step on the way to affording the ibby. 2 basses at once is not a widely marketable skill...I think that's covered until those folks retire, or possibly forever.

 

[Malak the Mad]

Starting from scratch you guys: What about a Schecter?

There's the Damien platinum with those metal as hell bats

Put on a blindfold. Have someone hand you a bass. Listen and feel. Do you feel the bats? Do they help your playing? Do you hear the bats? Do they make the bass sound better? Do you even know if the bass you were handed actually has bats?

Do you know if it was wing-crafted by bats? 'Cause that'd be totally metal!

I'd be a hypocrite if I said, "Don't buy a bass based on looks". As a former art-student and unemployed freelance illustrator, I know how much power "esthetics" has to make you wanna pick something up and play with it. That being said, there's also another factor to consider…"ever-evolving tastes in music".

I was turning into quite the metal-head in the late '80s/early '90s, but over time, and with exposure to a wider variety of music, my tastes have shifted and evolved. I can still appreciate some slammin' metal, but nowadays I gravitate towards more eclectic fair. My point is, just because you really dig metal at the moment...and in this case, it's esthetic trappings…it doesn't mean you'll be quite so enthused by it in the future.

Another example, and pardon me if it sounds shallow, but…what if you found a bunch o' musicians that you really, really wanted to jam with. Unfortunately, they play more indie/ska/whatever types of music. Gonna whip out your totally-metal-'cause-bats bass?

 

[BassPlayer95]

Thanks again for the help. Encountered a problem: GC doesn't sell the SR500 lefty...ugh. However, there is the SR300 if I wanted to go with an Ibby. I already have a Schecter guitar and I have nothing but amazingness to say about it, so honestly...I would probably buy a Schecter blind...that's how I got my guitar and it turned out to be a good move...honestly, where I live is not a prime opportunity to go out and try basses. Also, does anyone know where I can find demos of the above listed Schecters? I can't find anything.

 

[Jake72]

Thanks again for the help. Encountered a problem: GC doesn't sell the SR500 lefty...ugh. However, there is the SR300 if I wanted to go with an Ibby. I already have a Schecter guitar and I have nothing but amazingness to say about it, so honestly...I would probably buy a Schecter blind...that's how I got my guitar and it turned out to be a good move...honestly, where I live is not a prime opportunity to go out and try basses. Also, does anyone know where I can find demos of the above listed Schecters? I can't find anything.

Hrm... If the SR500 is available lefty, they can get you one if you ask nicely (and putting a deposit on the pre-order will help too). The GC in my area (and I'd imagine that this extends throughout the company) is really focused on moving in-stock inventory (especially at this time of the year), so don't let them feed you a line that they can't get you what you want, but they can sell you the one they have in stock....

 

[vmabus]

Link Removed
Left-handed Ibanez SR800 Teal $179.99
http://www.guitarcenter.com/Ibanez-Used-Ibanez-SR800-Teal-Electric-Bass-Guitar-110625719-i4026126.gc

 

[T_Bone_TL]

Left-handed Ibanez SR800 Teal $179.99

...we have a winner. When you get done freaking out about the color, remember that paint exists, as do stickers, as do vinyl wraps. And of course, that this is ALMOST as metal as showing up with a hello kitty bass (in either case the essential point is to take no guff about it.)

 

[nerkoids]

Here you go, another one. Half-way metal, but not overdone...

http://www.amazon.com/Schecter-OMEN...=1420231326&sr=1-45&keywords=left+handed+bass

 

[nerkoids]

Although, to be honest, if you want a bass right now, I think the Squier 70s VM is the way to go for you. It can do almost anything.

 

[vmabus]

...we have a winner. When you get done freaking out about the color, remember that paint exists, as do stickers, as do vinyl wraps. And of course, that this is ALMOST as metal as showing up with a hello kitty bass (in either case the essential point is to take no guff about it.)

I dunno...I've heard that some people like teal.

 

[BassPlayer95]

I think I'm going to go with the VM. Because the next jazz bass for lefties goes to $600...idk if I want to spend that kind of money. Is the extra $300 worth it?

 

[T_Bone_TL]

Dang guy, you are passing on an SR800 lefty for less than $200? I'm sure you can find something to put the extra store credit into...

 

[BassPlayer95]

I was considering it, but can't find it anywhere on the site. The link only leads to a page for e-cards. I have emailed a store about a lefty fender jazz for $349 though.

 

[T_Bone_TL]

It's a bad link, but if you simply go look for guitar center's used, category bass, Keyword SR800 it shows up (Gilroy, CA but you can have it shipped to the local one) and it's still there, per the website - there's also a black SR300DXL for $249 in Mishawaka, Indiana (I guess both are P/Js if that's a huge deal for you, though it's probably fixable for far less than $350) (Lest anyone be concerned, I not only don't have any fiscal interest in or connection to GC, I have never personally even darkened thier doors, though I have looked at their website a few times. And the OP is trying to spend GC credit, not cash.)