My other quelm...the SR800 could just be an older model, but I don't know any ibanez's excluding the lower end gio's, with p/j configurations...and the color, plus price point, it looks like a Frankenbass tbh. I'm just really weary of spending a lot of money on something I've never actually seen. If I was right handed, and could walk into a pawn shop and buy an old bass for $100, I would...but buying used online kinda freaks me out.
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I came into some money today (possible NBD)
- Thread starter BassPlayer95
- Start date
Or wait an extra week or two, and go to rondomusic.com -- he's bound to get some new lefty models coming in, and SX basses are not expensive and well built. Mind you, your GC credit would be useless, but then again, you could spend it on other gear from there.
You have 3 days (if it's considered "vintage") or 30 days to return it, per their published policy. You'd be out shipping, but that should not be huge, for GC to GC shipping. One thing for sure - you will never get the sort of "Deal" on new that you can on used; but I suppose someone has to drive it off the lot the first time and get that very expensive new bass smell out of it. I find that $30 in new strings, some lemon oil, and general cleaning works for me at less than half the price of new...
Even as crappy as the pictures are, I sincerely doubt either of the ibby's mentioned is a Franken-anything. No pickguards to hide behind, no sign of sloppy routing, and the rightys are configured with the same pickups for the same model (though the SR300s clearly come with different pickups at different times.) Circa 88-93, and custom paint (per one source of info I could find on the SR800, the lefty was only black or red, and was always a P/J.) As for the price, it's probably at least $100 off just for being teal... The 300 dates to 97-07 and is the stock color for lefty SR300DXLs
Even as crappy as the pictures are, I sincerely doubt either of the ibby's mentioned is a Franken-anything. No pickguards to hide behind, no sign of sloppy routing, and the rightys are configured with the same pickups for the same model (though the SR300s clearly come with different pickups at different times.) Circa 88-93, and custom paint (per one source of info I could find on the SR800, the lefty was only black or red, and was always a P/J.) As for the price, it's probably at least $100 off just for being teal... The 300 dates to 97-07 and is the stock color for lefty SR300DXLs
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Actually, the best value right now for a new bass is this one, off of e-bay. I bought myself this thing and even out of the box, it was pretty sweet:
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I'm modifying it quite a bit, just because I think black is boring and all that, but it is a solid performer.
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I'm modifying it quite a bit, just because I think black is boring and all that, but it is a solid performer.
I don't know if it's every GC location, but the ones near me will do a set-up for half the normal cost if it's a used-gear-purchase through them. That's why I sometimes have them shipped to my local store, instead of coming straight home. That, and if I'm going to be out of town, they can sit on it for a couple of days.
I have a S101 Jazz Aerodyne clone that I bought for $160 new. It's awesome. It's my backup's backup, and my daughter is about to start playing it.
I originally posted this on the Fender forum, so excuse the wording, but didn't want to retype the exact same thing...
I want to ask about some basses I am considering. One the Squier VM Jazz maple neck (left handed) or the the Fender standard jazz bass (left handed). (I understand this question contains both brands, but I have only played the Squier, so I am posting my question here.) Brief background:
Been playing bass for about 4 years on the same crappy starter bass. I received $200 to guitar center plus a returned pedal, giving me roughly $300 to spend in credit. I've considered other brands, Ibanez, Schecter, etc. but nothing really sticks out to me quite as the Fender/Squier brand. Being left handed my options are limited. Currently in my price point is the Squier VM jazz maple neck (there's also the rosewood neck model, but it didn't sound as good to me personally...) and the standard Fender jazz with a rosewood neck. I love the Squier's maple neck, the tone is amazing and the looks are beautiful. However, will I be happy in a year with a $300 instrument? Should I spend the extra $300 and get a Fender? Electronics wise, the Fender is probably going to have a better suited tone for modern music which fits the majority of what I play and the Squier seems more suited for funk and stuff, idk...thoughts on that? Maple v. rosewood isn't that big of a deal, but I find the maple to be a little bit snappier which I like, but again the electronics. I really want to keep the instrument as stock and possible, because I don't have the skills or the money to make any modifications...so it seems the Fender is the best way to go...but something draws me to the Squier. Help?
I want to ask about some basses I am considering. One the Squier VM Jazz maple neck (left handed) or the the Fender standard jazz bass (left handed). (I understand this question contains both brands, but I have only played the Squier, so I am posting my question here.) Brief background:
Been playing bass for about 4 years on the same crappy starter bass. I received $200 to guitar center plus a returned pedal, giving me roughly $300 to spend in credit. I've considered other brands, Ibanez, Schecter, etc. but nothing really sticks out to me quite as the Fender/Squier brand. Being left handed my options are limited. Currently in my price point is the Squier VM jazz maple neck (there's also the rosewood neck model, but it didn't sound as good to me personally...) and the standard Fender jazz with a rosewood neck. I love the Squier's maple neck, the tone is amazing and the looks are beautiful. However, will I be happy in a year with a $300 instrument? Should I spend the extra $300 and get a Fender? Electronics wise, the Fender is probably going to have a better suited tone for modern music which fits the majority of what I play and the Squier seems more suited for funk and stuff, idk...thoughts on that? Maple v. rosewood isn't that big of a deal, but I find the maple to be a little bit snappier which I like, but again the electronics. I really want to keep the instrument as stock and possible, because I don't have the skills or the money to make any modifications...so it seems the Fender is the best way to go...but something draws me to the Squier. Help?
It cost me about $15 to ship a short scale, and $25 to ship a 34" from the midwest to my door on the east coast. I consider that a valid "rental" fee if I decide I don't like it 29 days later.
Also, if you're buying used from GC, don't be afraid to offer them less. Take 10% off the price, they'll go for it.
I emailed a store about a used bass about two days ago and they haven't emailed back, is this common? Should I email again or just forget it?
Call them on the phone!
I bought my black 1997 SR800 used from GC in Michigan for $160...stole the thing.
Only problem was the bridge hardware had some corrosion and some belt buckling on the back....other than that it was killer right out of the box and GC even put on new Ernie Ball rounds.
I've looked far and wide for quality active basses for cheap that are usually lightweight....this SR800 is a monster.
You can later buy a used Fender Squire P bass for $150 or less...sometimes under $100.
Where can you buy S101s? I can't find them anywhere other than that one seller on ebay. I'd LOVE to have such a bass...
Save your gift card and credit until you NEED it. If you amass a collection of low end basses, you'll have...a collection of low end basses. My friend called it "Artist poverty mentality," meaning artists constantly justify cheap tools saying it's 99% of the way there for 1/10th the price, etc.
I just sold everything I had, including some decent basses, and a few low end ones, and got a very nice bass. It was used on tb, not super super expensive but more than I've spent on an instrument before, and fits me perfectly.
Now I see what a great instrument really is. When I play the lone remaining low end bass here, that I can't sell because it's not really mine (long story that's not interesting), it's not terrible, but it's not great either. I did gigs on it and it worked ok. But the new bass (birdsong) is incredible in feel, fit, finish, and sound. And will fit every gig i do, hopefully for the rest of my life. The only reason is get another bass now is if a killer paying gig absolutely required it. Since that's yet to happen in my life, I'm not worried about having "options."
I wish it didn't take me until 40 to learn this. I sound old and parent-like now, huh?
If your dean plays on tune and doesn't make extraneous noises, play it while you save for what you really want, whatever it is. When you know tons of songs and are cool to work with, nobody paying you will care what kind if bass you play. And they probably won't care too much what it sounds like unless it makes noise that it's not supposed to. And if you're that valuable to them as a player and they don't like the sound, they may even buy you the instrument that they want you to have. It's happened! Not to me, but it's happened...
I know a guy who was subbing for the Spider-Man musical when it was running on broadway, and that bass chair requires 5 different basses- all of which were provided and were required to play. And there are other situations like that too. Not just broadway either, someone else I work with tours with a well known metal act and he got a deal (or may have been free, I didn't really ask) on instruments that were needed for the gig.
Anyway, good luck with whatever you decide, if you're like me you'll disregard everything I just said and then post the same advice to someone else in about 20 years! ;-)
Best of luck and cool of your dad to support your music no matter what
I just sold everything I had, including some decent basses, and a few low end ones, and got a very nice bass. It was used on tb, not super super expensive but more than I've spent on an instrument before, and fits me perfectly.
Now I see what a great instrument really is. When I play the lone remaining low end bass here, that I can't sell because it's not really mine (long story that's not interesting), it's not terrible, but it's not great either. I did gigs on it and it worked ok. But the new bass (birdsong) is incredible in feel, fit, finish, and sound. And will fit every gig i do, hopefully for the rest of my life. The only reason is get another bass now is if a killer paying gig absolutely required it. Since that's yet to happen in my life, I'm not worried about having "options."
I wish it didn't take me until 40 to learn this. I sound old and parent-like now, huh?
If your dean plays on tune and doesn't make extraneous noises, play it while you save for what you really want, whatever it is. When you know tons of songs and are cool to work with, nobody paying you will care what kind if bass you play. And they probably won't care too much what it sounds like unless it makes noise that it's not supposed to. And if you're that valuable to them as a player and they don't like the sound, they may even buy you the instrument that they want you to have. It's happened! Not to me, but it's happened...
I know a guy who was subbing for the Spider-Man musical when it was running on broadway, and that bass chair requires 5 different basses- all of which were provided and were required to play. And there are other situations like that too. Not just broadway either, someone else I work with tours with a well known metal act and he got a deal (or may have been free, I didn't really ask) on instruments that were needed for the gig.
Anyway, good luck with whatever you decide, if you're like me you'll disregard everything I just said and then post the same advice to someone else in about 20 years! ;-)
Best of luck and cool of your dad to support your music no matter what
