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I need a new cheap bass for jazz. Recommendations?

Discussion in 'Basses [BG]' started by Bass4lyf, Jan 17, 2009.

  1. Jan 17, 2009 #1
    Bass4lyf

    Bass4lyf

    Nov 1, 2008
    Sydney
    I am actually a metal guy, and my main bass guitar is setup in drop c tuning. I have joined my school jazz band and we do practise once a week. I have been using my old crappy ibanez p-bass that i bought second hand and it isnt doing the best for jazz so I want to buy a new cheap bass. My price limit is around $400aud.

    These are the basses im looking into:

    Squire california series J bass - $320aud
    Squire affinity series J bass - $355aud
    Squire affinity series 5 string j bass - $435aud
    Axl badwater p or j bass - $330aud
    Cort gb34a - $400
    Yamaha rbx170 - $365aud
    Yamaha rbx270j - $400aud
    Olp mm2 - $450aud (kinda pushing it, but if its worth it i may go this high)

    Which bass do you recommend??
     
  2. Jan 17, 2009 #2
    mattcampbell

    mattcampbell

    Dec 20, 2008
    Why don't you go to the closest shop to you and try them out for yourself?

    Having said that, I highly recommend the squire.
     
  3. Jan 17, 2009 #3
    Bass4lyf

    Bass4lyf

    Nov 1, 2008
    Sydney
    i wish i could go to my local guitar shop and try them out, but i just got home from hospital today as i had surgery on my leg yesterday, therefore i cant walk. As soon as i can walk, ill be straight to a guitar shop, but until that day comes, i just want to know what everyone thinks.

    I actually like the squire probably the most at the moment, people say that the squires sound almost identical to the actuall fenders, but then other people say that the yamaha rbx170 sounds sooo much better than the squire, so im left wondering.
     
  4. Jan 17, 2009 #4
    Anesthesia

    Anesthesia

    Jun 4, 2005
    Perth Australia
    i have a yamaha and its the bees knees. put a set of flats on and enjoy.
     
  5. Jan 17, 2009 #5
    GeoffByrne

    GeoffByrne

    May 23, 2005
    Wishaw, Bonnie Scotland
    Squiers are good at the mo.. Having said that I played a bunch of Corts while visiting a pal in Abu Dhabi and was well impressed by the quality of the Korean-built models (better than the Phillipino-built, which are fine, but Korean is excellent).

    I played a *great* 6 string.
     
  6. Jan 17, 2009 #6
    jim_bass

    jim_bass

    Jan 15, 2009
    Louth, Lincolnshire, UK
    Hi I have a yamaha RBX374 (active humbuckers), but I/ve also played the 270. It's really nice bass to play and worth the few extra pounds (or dollars in your case?) that the 170 - I think it has a different neck (different wood) and better quality pickups - the 270 also comes in a rather sexy natural wood colour.
     
  7. Jan 17, 2009 #7
    eastcoasteddie

    eastcoasteddie

    Mar 24, 2006
    Brooklyn, transplanted to NoVA
    I have to say that I recently played an Squire Affinity Jazz V, and I was totally blown away. That will be my next acquisition.
     
  8. Jan 17, 2009 #8
    (b)Assman

    (b)Assman

    Jun 22, 2008
    Champaign, IL
    Go with one of the squiers. Maybe a deluxe active V? Or, get an SX and mod it to exactly what you want. (what I did) came out under 300 new pickups/pickguard/pots. If you're looking for a more modern jazzyness maybe a Yamaha rbx a2?
     
  9. Jan 19, 2009 #9
    ThierryA

    ThierryA Inactive

    Aug 7, 2008
    They're closing out and discontinuing Yamaha RBXA2s on musiciansfriend.com, zzounds.com, ebay.com etc. It outclasses all of the basses you mentioned and is probably cheaper at $250usd. At about 80% off, you better hurry.