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Looking for a bass. Have weird requirements.

sgoodwin

sgoodwin

Apr 17, 2012
111
101
#1
Hey guys. I'm looking for a bass, here's what I'm thinking:

- I like a thicker neck like P-basses. Not that super tapering J's tend to do.
- I don't want any active electronics.
- I'd like to spend less than 700$ if possible.

I'm not looking for a Fender or anything, that's just what I know for comparison. Does Ibanez or somebody else make something that does this?

I've tried every Squire P except for the vintage modified. Couldn't find one of those.

I tried a MiM Fender P and liked it, but the shop wants a little more money than I'm planning on spending ( I'm in Europe, so they're a bit more expensive I think).

What else should I try?
 
#8
Essen said:
I know you said passive, but I'll go ahead and suggest an Ibanez ATK300/700/750. You can get these pretty cheap of ebay. Thick, sturdy neck and has a musicman/p-bass kind of sound.
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I don't have many requirements, but passive is definitely one of them. No batteries or no fun. :/
 
#9
You're spot-on about thick necks. No dead spots, more lard in the sound (you can read more at Invalid Link Removed but it's very simple). My previous favorite neck was the old 1 7/8" wide P. This one is the same width, but chunkier and wider toward the bridge. More like a baseball bat.

My favorite current production cheapo is the one I just got, a Squier Affinity Jazz Bass V. It was $200 shipped from GC. Thankfully for a cheap bass, this has an alder body, maple neck, and rosewood fretboard, so it makes all the right J sounds. Right out of the box the action was somewhat high but I'm OK with it. Also the intonation wasn't done, but I'm leaving that for when the new strings come in the mail.

Everyone complains about the Affinity tuners being small diameter. Well it doesn't look out of place on minis in a 5-in-line headstock as the original Fender Jazz V had.

Overall I'd say Fender created its own worst competition when it offered this plank.
 
#12
The G&L SB-2 and JB-2 are both passive- not sure how the necks are because I don't own either. But I do have a Tribute L2500 which has a thick chunky neck (which is a downside for me).

Considering how great a bass the L2500 is, and the really great build quality of the G&L- as well as the attractive selling price- it might be a good idea to give them a look-see. They may not do it for you, but on the other hand you may find you love them.
 
#13
labman72 said:
The G&L SB-2 and JB-2 are both passive- not sure how the necks are because I don't own either. But I do have a Tribute L2500 which has a thick chunky neck (which is a downside for me).

Considering how great a bass the L2500 is, and the really great build quality of the G&L- as well as the attractive selling price- it might be a good idea to give them a look-see. They may not do it for you, but on the other hand you may find you love them.
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Those are also more than 700$ :P
 
#18
waynobass said:
I doubt if there are many 70's Peaveys in the European market.

How about this Schecter?

[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
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+1.

I have a Diamond P5 and a Model T and the build quality, playability, and sound are worth a lot more than the price dictates. The Model T neck is slightly tapered like a Jazz, but is deeper front to back than the Geddy I once had.
 
#19
lug said:
Plus, they have a true passive mode. When the switch is in passive, the active circuits are completely out of the signal line and the bass and treble knobs still work (they are pre-preamp by design).
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I have a Tribute L2000 with a non-functional preamp. I gig with it regularly; it sounds great as a passive instrument, has a nice chunky neck and it was dirt cheap (I forget how cheap...$200 or $250 or so).
 

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