I've got about $350 to spend, on what?

[MK1]

I'm going to get new bass after selling my Hofner CT. I didn't get very much for it, so I have about $350 to spend. My main player just to give you an idea is a Fender Mustang Bass.

I like the more unusual basses (rather than the typical P and J everyone else has). I was looking at a couple of Vantage basses or maybe even a T-40. Weight isn't a big deal to me, its more playability and sound I'm after, what do you suggest?

Maybe there are some gems out there I've never heard of.

 

[THand]

This:

http://bass-guitars.musiciansfriend.com/product/Ibanez-ATK300-Electric-Bass-Guitar?sku=511834

 

[WhoSeyes]

Go for the T-40


OR


get a Squier VM Fretless jazz and discover the fretless side of bass. Yeah, I know, you said "no classic shapes", but this is (I think) the best fretless in that price range.

 

[isthimus]

gibson thunderbird, hands down. you might have to buy second hand at that price but its well worth it.

 

[Jonathan1990]

EPIPHONE thunderbird, hands down. you might have to buy second hand at that price but its well worth it.

There.

 

[cap'n crunk]

gibson thunderbird, hands down. you might have to buy second hand at that price but its well worth it.

Street on the Gibson Thunderbird is $1499. He ain't gonna find one used for $350, unless its owner has developed a ripping crack addiction. Now, the Epi version, sure. But that's a different animal.

 

[IronLung1986]

i've seen some used BC Rich Mockingbird basses for around that price. a lot of times they have the very cool double P bass pickup configuration and the quality of those instruments is surprisingly good. they're neck through, sound great, and look awesome.

 

[Kaa]

My Peavey Foundation in the Classifieds.

 

[Vakmere]

Take the $350 and buy grocerys, play the Mustang.

 

[joeyl]

put it in the bank for rainy days.

 

[azfryguy]

what about the fender jaguar

 

[PeaveyPippin]

+1 on the t-40
+1 on the epi T-bird
+1 on the Squire VM, though fretless may or may not be your brand of vodka

All awesome basses in your price range

 

[tijuana_bass]

Link Removed

 

[MK1]

^ that is a sweet suggestion, too bad I'm already tapped out on vacation time. I'm going on a cruise in October, and sanfransisco in February.

 

[hdracer]

Save another $350 and you can get something really good used. $700 on the used market will get you a top notch bass.

 

[darkstorm]

Ibanez SR300 would be my first choice. $300 new at internet stores.

 

[KaseOfBass]

Squier CV P Bass in Fiesta Red if it were me...but guessing that's not unusual enough. Out of what you listed the T-40...in natural of course.

 

[MichaelSmalley]

Street on the Gibson Thunderbird is $1499. He ain't gonna find one used for $350, unless its owner has developed a ripping crack addiction

For 350, you could start a very respectable crack addiction of your own.
/drugs are bad... just say no.

Do you just want a unique bass? You could add some cool effects to your rig, if you're a effects kind of guy. The Banshee talk box is cool.

 

[MK1]

Save another $350 and you can get something really good used. $700 on the used market will get you a top notch bass.

That would be ideal, but my wife and I made a deal that I could only buy something new if I sold something. I'm mainly looking for a backup for the Mustang, thats why weight isn't a huge issue. I just scored a sweet deal on a Sunburst T-40, so I'm pretty pumped about that.

 

[JasonKain]

My opinion: Depends on the sound you're looking for. New, Squier's VM Jazz, VM Precision, P bass Special, and VM Tele all go for under $300. I've been looking at the Classic Vibe 50's P, and that's about $350. Epiphone Thunderbirds are also a staple choice, and I've heard nothing but good things about the Ibanez ATK. Dean puts out a nice double-soapbar model in their Edge 1 Quilt top.

As a T-40 owner, it's a solid bass. Definitely a tank. If you are looking for one, play the market. eBay will only have 2-5 up at a time, but it's a constant stream. One comes off, another goes up. You won't regret waiting until the perfect one comes up.