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If You Could Only Have Two Basses...
- Thread starter RyanJD
- Start date
I'll play.
I would wait and watch for a nice used American Standard p-bass. You'll find them in the $700 to $750 range from time to time.
The remaining $250 to $300 I would likely spend on a used mim Jazz or Squire CV.
If I really needed a 5 string, (personally I don't) I'd probably look for a decent used older american Peavey Foundation or a used Schecter for the second choice. My first choice wouldn't change.
Admittedly these are fairly safe choices, but solid basses in my opinion.
I would wait and watch for a nice used American Standard p-bass. You'll find them in the $700 to $750 range from time to time.
The remaining $250 to $300 I would likely spend on a used mim Jazz or Squire CV.
If I really needed a 5 string, (personally I don't) I'd probably look for a decent used older american Peavey Foundation or a used Schecter for the second choice. My first choice wouldn't change.
Admittedly these are fairly safe choices, but solid basses in my opinion.
Great pics..............As of now, I would keep my P Bass Deluxe($1100) and my P Bass Road ($1000) .
I don't know, I have about 6 USA Peaveys(Foundations, Dyna-Bass, Forum, Unity) and have spent less than $1000 total. Do I really have to limit it to just 2?
At 18 I had a Yamaha RBX PJ and a Yamaha Pacifica guitar for less than 500$ after I turned 18 I got a Yamaha BBNII5 that cost around 1000$ and it was ( and still is ) my fav bass after 12 years and many other basses that cost more. Once I got the BBNII5 I got rid my RBX and Pacifica. I played everything with it and it was my only bass during my college degree. I don't buy in the "you need a P bass, a jazz bass and an active 5 for this and that and bla bla bla".
Hmmm. I'm not sure exactly, but I would look heavily at:
Used EBMM SR4 + used Squier CV of choice
Used MIA P + Squier CV J
Used MIA J + Squier CV P
Used G&L L2K + Squier CV of choice
Any of the above US stuff + Ibby ATK
Basically, find a US made bass for $800 or under then add in a used Classic Vibe with the leftover cash. All on the used market of course.
Used EBMM SR4 + used Squier CV of choice
Used MIA P + Squier CV J
Used MIA J + Squier CV P
Used G&L L2K + Squier CV of choice
Any of the above US stuff + Ibby ATK
Basically, find a US made bass for $800 or under then add in a used Classic Vibe with the leftover cash. All on the used market of course.
Given a $1k spending limit, I think I would hunt down one nice used Spector Euro. Here is a pic of the one I scored off of CL last week for under a grand.
The Euro has a lot of things going for it; hand-crafted quality & workmanship, a graphite reinforced 3-piece maple neck running the length of the body, great ergonomics with the arched top & back, good balance sitting or standing, and a killer-sounding set of active EMG P/J pickups.
If a miracle happened & I could find a used Spector Euro and a used Ric 4003 for under $1k, that would be my "budget" dream pair.
The Euro has a lot of things going for it; hand-crafted quality & workmanship, a graphite reinforced 3-piece maple neck running the length of the body, great ergonomics with the arched top & back, good balance sitting or standing, and a killer-sounding set of active EMG P/J pickups.
If a miracle happened & I could find a used Spector Euro and a used Ric 4003 for under $1k, that would be my "budget" dream pair.
I'm moving in this direction. I was up to four basses (a small number compared to others here), and found out something revolutionary. You can only play one at a time (unless you are really talented), and the little nuances I liked about each bass on it's own couldn't be heard in a mix.
I'm trying to whittle down to a J and a P. The two of them DO sound completely different in a mix, especially if you put flats on the P. You can find all manner of J and P style basses in all prices ranges and can certainly own them for less that $1k.
I am planning on holding on to my Lakland 55-02 as it has been my main bass for quite awhile, and because it sounds so dang good. It is a good "jack of all trades" to have as a backup and even if I don't play it on a gig, it rides shotgun in my Mono double bag in case I need it.
So..long story short....a P and a J of some type and you're pretty much covered.
I'm trying to whittle down to a J and a P. The two of them DO sound completely different in a mix, especially if you put flats on the P. You can find all manner of J and P style basses in all prices ranges and can certainly own them for less that $1k.
I am planning on holding on to my Lakland 55-02 as it has been my main bass for quite awhile, and because it sounds so dang good. It is a good "jack of all trades" to have as a backup and even if I don't play it on a gig, it rides shotgun in my Mono double bag in case I need it.
So..long story short....a P and a J of some type and you're pretty much covered.
A Jazz-style 5 string fretless and a MM-style (or any bass with a big fat bridge humbucker) 5 string fretted (both Active with some onboard EQ). That way your Rock, Pop, Gospel, Country, Hip/Hop, R&B, and Jazz bases are all covered. This will allow for more options than you're ever gonna need such as tonal variations, alternative tunings (tenor/piccollo), and phrasing differences.
Apart from that, a decent tuner and maybe a mild overdrive/DI are all your really gonna need.
Apart from that, a decent tuner and maybe a mild overdrive/DI are all your really gonna need.
So close to this with my current basses
But for under $1000
Id take my current MIA Fender P that I bought used for $750 and either a Used MIM Fender P or a Squire VM/CV. And that would put me right around $1000 with a bass I love and Im sure another solid bass for either backup or alternative tuning.
But for under $1000
Id take my current MIA Fender P that I bought used for $750 and either a Used MIM Fender P or a Squire VM/CV. And that would put me right around $1000 with a bass I love and Im sure another solid bass for either backup or alternative tuning.
A four string jazz bass and a five string with a more modern tone such as an Ibanez SR, Shecter Stilleto or Spector Legend.
MIM Jazz bass and an Epiphone Thunderbird. It's hard to beat the versatility of a Jazz, and the Thunderbird has a classic yet non-Fender design. A Precision could also work, but it covers some of the same territory as the Jazz. A Thunderbird would add a bit more diversity while still being an iconic design.
I'm presuming you mean "price paid" and not original retail price....
For me then, it would be the Conklin GT7 and the Warwick Corvette Standard fretless 4. My total for both was around $900. Wide range of available sounds & techniques, wide range of notes, both excellent instruments.
For me then, it would be the Conklin GT7 and the Warwick Corvette Standard fretless 4. My total for both was around $900. Wide range of available sounds & techniques, wide range of notes, both excellent instruments.
Fender P
Spector NS-2 (P/J)
...but i'd REALLY miss a short scale.
Show me an NS-2 for under $1000!
I'd keep my SS Jag ($169). I also have an Ibanez AEB 5, which lists for $200. That puts me well under a grand. In fact, if you throw in my amp, gig bag for the Jag, case for the Ibby, cover for the amp, Monster cable cord, and Snark tuner, I'm still under a grand. The tax might put me a little over. Maybe I'd trade in the Ibby for another Jag which I might get de-fretted just to try a fretless, but I'd miss the ability to practice without plugging in like I can with the Ibby.
This used to be my Dynamic Duo... before I seriously injured my hand and had to quit bass playing for a couple of years...Wish I'd just stuck em in the closet instead of selling them :scowl:
'07 FSR J-bass and '07 FSR P-bass. They're MIMs but with an ash body and tort pickguard. Per the thread criteria, they cost right about $1000 for the two of em.
I have the FSR Jazz and I put some DiMarzios in it. It really is a sweet bass. But that P is sick.
The wood on that one is...mesmerizing...
I would try to find a used Fender J-Bass Special,along with a used Lakland Skyline 5'er. I'd be good to go then.
