Just looking for sub $200 beater bass suggestions.

[Systolic]

Hey all, l'm just looking for suggestions on a cheap beater bass. I'm not being too picky this go 'round, i generally prefer p/j or humbucker basses and need at least 21 frets although 22 or 24 or is preferable. Flexible on the neck too so long as it isn't extreme one way or the other.

Currently have a SBMM Ray5 that I can't seem to get along with. Don't get me wrong, it's a nice bass, but I just don't care for the Stingray body size/style and the on board preamp tends to clip my pedal chain/amp, and I don't really feel like doing a preamp swap.

New or used. Just want it to be less than what i paid for the SUB ($225)

I've been looking at/for used Squier Dimensions and Yamaha TRBXs pretty hard.

Throw some suggestions at me!

 

[A-Step-Towards]

There is a used ibanez roadstar local to me for $200 ive got 3 for $80-$200 and there all the best basses I got in that range. Your budget would be on the low end but possible. USA peaveys, squier classic vibe and vintage modifieds are pretty easy for $200 to find.

 

[Watchootognbout]

Hey all, l'm just looking for suggestions on a cheap beater bass. I'm not being too picky this go 'round, i generally prefer p/j or humbucker basses and need at least 21 frets although 22 or 24 or is preferable. Flexible on the neck too so long as it isn't extreme one way or the other.

Currently have a SBMM Ray5 that I can't seem to get along with. Don't get me wrong, it's a nice bass, but I just don't care for the Stingray body size/style and the on board preamp tends to clip my pedal chain/amp, and I don't really feel like doing a preamp swap.

New or used. Just want it to be less than what i paid for the SUB ($225)

I've been looking at/for used Squier Dimensions and Yamaha TRBXs pretty hard.

Throw some suggestions at me!

You're in Madison Wisc?There's a Music-Go-Round in Greenfield.
They have quite a few inexpensive basses.Invalid Link Removed

 

[AdamK]

I've also been looking for a sub $200 beater bass to sort of replace my Jack Casady bass that's been signed by a great idol of mine, Dave Schools. A Fender Squier VM Jazz bass caught my eye on craigslist for $180. Seems like a pretty good deal and I think I would like it. Though, I do not slap at all, so I would not be utilizing it for that purpose at all. My original plan was a Fender P-bass. My friend has one he may sell for somewhere in the $200 range most likely.

 

[Crusher47]

Yamaha RBX

 

[jd56hawk]

You're in Madison Wisc?There's a Music-Go-Round in Greenfield.
They have quite a few inexpensive basses.Invalid Link Removed

Try to talk them down on this one.
Believe me, it's a really nice bass...the DMT J-Hot pickups are some of the best jazz pickups around. First time I played a Dean Motto I thought it was active!

Invalid Link Removed

 

[Stinsok]

I gotta DBZ I'll put on ya! MM style, P neck, thin carved body, Babicz Bridge.

 

[VWbug]

Yamaha RBX?

 

[Systolic]

Some good standard fair suggestions here, keep'em coming.

 

[Charley Umbria]

Any used U.S.-made Peavey. A Fury or a Patriot would be perfect.

 

[buldog5151bass]

At that price, the issue is not just model, but that there will be some dogs and gems, depending on what axe you pick up (lower the price, higher the likelihood of it barking). Best bet, hit up pawnshops, CL, and used instrument stores. I've seen playable Squiers for under $100.

 

[Treadstone71]

Yamaha RBX

I agree with Crusher47. The RBX series are quite solid, quality basses for their cost. You can typically pick up an RBX 170 in a PJ configuration used for about $170 Canadian, probably $120 in the US.

 

[Dave Curran]

Wait, are you looking for a 4 or 5 string?

 

[GKon]

I'm a huge Carlo Robelli fan. My gigging bass is a CB. Great sound, great feel, under $200.

 

[Eilif]

Any used U.S.-made Peavey. A Fury or a Patriot would be perfect.

Very much agree. USA Peavy's are one of the best deal for used instruments and some of the only ones that interest me in the under $200 range. In most (though not all) cases they're worlds ahead of the Squire and Ibanez models that pack the $1-200 new/used price range.

Fury and Patriots are only 1 pickup basses, but they have are well made with 21 frets. The older Fury or Patriots will have more of a P-ish neck and have super-ferrite pickups. If you'd like a very nice P-clone the 90's USA Fury basses are a very nice example with traditional p pickup but slimmer J neck. You can find Fury's (especially the 90's versions) for under $200 quite often.

Also, Peavey Foundation basses (J neck and 2 ferrite pickups) are a touch more expensive, but you should be able to find one under 225. Also, the "Foundation S Active" is a sweet American made P/J with active pickups that you might be able to find for under 225. Though folks are discovering their value and quality, there's alot of USA-made Peavy basses from the 80's and 90's that often pop up within your budget. Most of them will have 21 or more frets and be really well made instruments.

I'd skip the more recent imported series' of Fury basses. Not bad, but nothing special and there's no reason to buy them instead of an older USA model.

 

[winegamd]

For that price range a used peavy is probably your best bang for your buck. You might be able to find a used Squire vintage modified around that price, too.

 

[karl_em_all]

Ibanez Soundgear

 

[tbplayer59]

You might be able to find a used Squire vintage modified around that price, too.

I bought a Squier VM (5 string, new) and still can't believe how great an instrument it is.

 

[Shardik]

A used Cort is actually a good choice. I have a Cort and Squiers made by the Cort factory in Indonesia with great build quality for the buck, even new. The only weakness I've found is that the pickups aren't always top notch, but that goes for the others, too (like Yamaha RBX and Peavey Millennium, which I also owned before).

My point: Cort drops a lot in price when used, but are still good basses.

 

[Systolic]

How heavy are those 90's era Peavey basses? I had a '79 T-40 that was just silly heavy.