I need another bass

[Eilif]

I'm looking for a beater bass. Preferably a P-Bass in the $300 range. I've been looking at the Matt Freeman Sig Squier for $379.99. Although, it's a little over my budget it'll stay in the back of mind. Open to other brands not just Squier/Fender.

P-bass style
$300-$400 range
Not stuck on Fender/Squire.
Here you go...

Products - Vintage Series Basses - The ESP Guitar Company
ESP/LTD Vintage 214.
A P/J P-bass that knocks the socks off even the Squire CV's for the same price ($380). The only downside is that it only comes in 2 colors, ash natural and alder black. (3 if you count the fretless alder sunburst model). I've got the fretless model and it is a very impressive instrument. If I didn't already have a Fender MIM P, I'd buy the fretted version too. Stock it's very nice and more than adequate, but with a set of EMG Geezer pups it's killer. Rosewood is the most common, but there's a few dealers online that somehow have maple versions as well.

 

[Eilif]

Two other basses that really impressed me and are ridiculously cheap are the Ibanez Talman TMB100 ($200)...
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
...and TMB300 ($300).
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

The only differences are the addition of block inlays, matching headstock and a bridge humbucker on the 300. The design is a bit funky in appearance, but I think it's quite a looker. It's got a nice comfortable p-bass neck and unlike most active electronics systems on cheap basses I found it to be quite a useful feature. I had a chance to play several of them recently and they won me over. It's also available in myriad colors some of which aren't even listed on the Ibanez website.

 

[PortlandBass77]

Here's a few that fit your bill:

Harley Benton PJ-4 HTR Deluxe Series - Thomann UK

Harley Benton MB-4 SB Deluxe Series - Thomann UK

Harley Benton JB-75MN SB Vintage Series - Thomann UK

Harley Benton PB-20 BK Standard Series - Thomann UK

or if you prefer, there's always SX: Link Removed

 

[yakmastermax]

Invalid Link Removed

View attachment 720484

Hey man how is the finish on those G&L Tributes? It is poly right? And have you ever played a 5 string Ibanez SR? I was wondering how the neck feels on the G&L as compared to a Sound Gear Ibanez.

 

[Killed_by_Death]

I've played some BTB Ibanez, but I don't even take the Sound Gear ones off the rack.

I also can't really say about the Tributes. My ASAT is American made, but I hear the Tributes are made with the same electronics as the American ones. That's not the case with Fender American vs. Fender Mexican.

 

[Davbassdude]

I'm seriously considering making my next (and last) Bass a G&L L-2000. Does it have more of a J-neck profile?

 

[Killed_by_Death]

L-2000s come with a [Invalid or Expired Link Removed] with 9 1/2" radius.

That's for USA models.

The Tribute series has 1-3/4" nut & radius of 12".

 

[michaelm.archer]

don't we all... ...

seriously, how could you not have gas all the time on here? ...

My opinion is to weigh out your current gear on things like: rarity, collectability, availability, replacability. If your instrument is 1/50,000 or more, just play the hell out of it. If it's really expensive, have it covered on your insurance. Play the best instrument you can, weighing out all of these things. I'd rather play on equipment that inspires me, than play on something that just gets me by, because I'm afraid it will suffer damage or loss...Link Removed

good information

 

[friaraustin]

Semi related to topic, but which of the Squiers have the thinnest and non sticky neck profile, with a nice weight balance (no neck dive)?

 

[cv115505]

If you can find one of the old, american-made peavey precision-type basses, it'd likely fall way of under your budget and be a better instrument

 

[scowboy]

This!
- Used Fender MIM Standard Precision (I've seen several locally go for $300 or less)

or Jazz Bass of course. I was in a pawn shop some time ago and they handed me a totally beat to death MIM Jazz for under $200 to try a super clean Euphonic Audio combo they had (ironic?). It played like crap but I could have taken it home and had it playable in 30 minutes. They had two of them in really funky colors (to me anyway). It was lost on me at that minute that I should have started negotiations to take one home to be the beater bass. I went back a week later for one, both gone!

My point is there are great deals on MIM Fenders all over the place. For the most part they play pretty dang good.

If you go pre-owned, some of that "beating" will have already been done for you! In that league:

- Used Fender MIM Standard Precision (I've seen several locally go for $300 or less)
- Used Yamaha BB Series (gives you the P/J thing at a surprisingly affordable price point)

 

[scowboy]

Funny little add'r to this thread. I remember when this type of bass could be called a Peavey T-40, things really do go full circle, don't they?

 

[tubatodd]

I've be come quite the connoisseur of ~$300 basses. They make up 90% of my collection. If you want a P-bass with a bit more tone options, I HIGHLY recommend the Squier Deluxe Dimension bass. I got my second one last week. Love it!

 

[Lobster11]

If I end up purchasing a beater, the other basses will not go unplayed. I'd rather not lug around a nice looking semi-expensive bass. I can and will play it at home (or take it out occasionally) while my beater is my main gigging bass. I thought people did this all the time?

I'm not so sure that people do this "all the time," though I suppose I could be wrong. I don't know what everyone else does. Sometimes, for sure: Nobody wants to bring their baby to an outdoor gig if it'll be in the hot sun for hours, or to an Animal-House toga party where it's likely to get smashed. You certainly want to have a beater to bring to those gigs. But to my mind, those situations ought to be the exceptions rather than the rule. I guess I just don't see the point of owning a beautiful, "semi-expensive" bass that no one else ever gets to see and hear. I want to look and sound my best when other people are watching and listening, not when I'm practicing at home in my living room. But maybe that's just me?

 

[cchorney]

I play two fairly "close to expensive" basses. One of which has a certain finish that dings REALLY easily. Me being a perfectionist would like to keep it in good condition so I don't want to lug it around all the time. I'm looking for a beater bass. Preferably a P-Bass in the $300 range. I've been looking at the Matt Freeman Sig Squier for $379.99. Although, it's a little over my budget it'll stay in the back of mind. Open to other brands not just Squier/Fender.
I play pretty much anything and everything (except metal, nothing against it though)

Thanks!

Get an early 80's bass. They tend to run around 300-500 bucks and they will be "broken in" cosmetically. And they sound a lot like Fender P basses of teh same era - just WAYYYYYY less expensive.

 

[static0verdrive]

Any Squier CV, or any Ibanez. Them's my picks anyway, but there are tons of decent basses to be found for around $300. Don't leave out used ones!

 

[InhumanResource]

Link Removed

Wow, that's really a great value. I'd jump all over this if I was looking to dump some cash.

 

[Dan Knowlton]

Me, too! I only have 7 basses and I feel like I'm short at least one - actually, I will be selling three more to get down to my basics: jazz'ish, P'ish, fretless and something else (Lakland 55-94). I'm also considering getting rid of one of my bass rigs and some Raven Labs and other pedals.

I guess what I am saying is that gear comes and gear goes - GAS is eternal!

Dan

 

[barginkov]

. a great bass I have played many times at Sam ash is a mim jazz . Plays great , sounds as good as the American std. And is lighter weight. A used one might be in the 300 tange

 

[Kukulkan61]

I play two fairly "close to expensive" basses. One of which has a certain finish that dings REALLY easily. Me being a perfectionist would like to keep it in good condition so I don't want to lug it around all the time. I'm looking for a beater bass. Preferably a P-Bass in the $300 range. I've been looking at the Matt Freeman Sig Squier for $379.99. Although, it's a little over my budget it'll stay in the back of mind. Open to other brands not just Squier/Fender.
I play pretty much anything and everything (except metal, nothing against it though)

Thanks!

You might want to look in the classifieds here on TB..lots of good deals I even have a Freeman listed,it's the only one on there that I can see...