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I can't choose

A

AxeAndSax

Sep 8, 2013
3
0
#1
Hi guys I need help with buying an intermediate-ish bass. My budget is $800 I'm looking into five-hundred dollar basses. :bassist:

Fender FSR Standard J Bass

Fender Blacktop Precision Bass

Fender Modern Player Jazz Electric Bass Guitar

Fender Blacktop Jazz Bass

Fender Modern Player Dimension Bass

Yamaha BB424X Electric Bass Guitar

Fender Modern Player Jaguar Electric Bass Guitar
 
#6
If you're looking for something capable of some super-aggressive tones, but can still deliver a more mellow sound, try out the Blacktop Jazz. Here's the post I made when I got mine earlier this year. But to put it briefly, soloing the neck pickup gives you a solid, if not an exact, Precision sound. When you start bringing up the bridge pickup you get a deep, cannon-like "Jazz on steroids" sound.

Budget-wise, they go for $500 at most retailers. Personally, I'd avoid anyone trying to charge more.

I've thought about getting a Modern Player Jazz, specifically the first generation (V/V/T config). I've tried them out at my local Guitar Center, and it's got a pretty tough-yet-smooth sound, but the Blacktop is still ballsier.

EDIT: I can't pass up the chance to also sing the praises of my Crafted In Japan (some are stamped 'Made In Japan') Fender Aerodyne Jazz. It's quite a "best of both worlds", what with the P/J pickup configuration. It's very light, if that's a consideration, sexy as Hell to look at and fits in with your budget. New ones go for $800, but there are a few used basses here-and-there that fall within the $500 to $600 range.
 
#8
Or, you could dare to be different, and grab one of the mint-condition-from-being-tucked-into-its-case-thrown-under-the-bed-and-forgotten-about-for-30-years-until-someone-mentioned-what-they're-bringing-on-eBay-now vintage Peavey T-40s? They are so versatile, you can pretty much dial them in to sound ANY way you want them to!

Currently, you can acquire one in anything from very good to 99.5 points concours condition on FeeBay ranging from $350.00 to 600.00.
 
#9
I'm curious. What do you think a $500.00 bass is going to give you that you don't have now?

I can appreciate wanting to upgrade, but for the amount of money you're talking about spending, you could get 2 Squier VMs, three SX's, etc. that will likely be just as good as any $500.00 bass you can buy today.

These days, you can get some tremendous tones out of sub-$300.00 basses, and realistically spending $200.00 more isn't giving you much IMO.
 
#11
we have absolutely no idea as to your interest/likes/dislikes/etc ... type of music, gear you already have/had/etc ... a completed profile goes a long way to getting much more accurate advice/suggestions for your particular situation ...

.. however, this is definitely a buyers market .. there are some VERY good buys right now in the used market .. at every level of gear ... JMHO
 
#12
I personally have a full stable of P and Jazz basses, so I would probably get that Modern Player Jaguar and swap out the pick guard for a black one. But the Dimension also has me intrigued.

That being said, If you don't already have one, I would recommend a Precision or Jazz bass. The Modern Player Jazz with the two jazzbuckers looks pretty cool
 

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