Looking for Recommendations for a new Bass ($500-600)

The Yamaha TRBX 604 is a good choice.
There are a lot of fans of them on TalkBass.

But you can’t go wrong with a Precision Bass style. There are enough different types of them available now to find one that has a different headstock & tuners.

 

In your shoes I'd research which decent 'middle class' basses I like and hunt them down in the second-hand market. For $500-600 you should be able to find something very, very nice.

 

If you really like the Ibanez, you could always just replace the tuning peg, which should be infinitely cheaper.

 

+1 for Yamaha.
For the <$500 I don't think you will find a better bass than the BB434


<Edit> just noticed you like the 2+2 headstock. In that case, I'll echo the TBRX604 - it's a damn good instrument for $600
Bottom Line, Yamaha doesn't make crap

TRBX - 600 Series - Yamaha - United States

 

(The BBP34 that is being demo'd in that video is a bit more expensive... But you're right, of course, about Yamaha BB being worthy of an investigation by the OP.)

 

Ibanez's feel very different then a traditional fender style bass. Ibanez will have a significantly smaller body, slimmer and longer neck as well as active electronics. It's kind of a cop out answer but you should really go to a music store and see what you like and dont like.

For $500/$600 my choices would be (all can be found used in your price range)

- Warwick Rockbass Corvette: Would have a relatively similar body feel and versatile tone.
- G&L L2000 Tribute: More traditional looking with a HUGE sound. L2k is well known around these parts as a gem
- Sterling by MusicMan: Don't have a ton of experience with these, but from what I've played I thought they were pretty decent if you're into the MM tone.

Other options that I have no experience with but would consider are Spector Legend, Yamaha BB and MTD Kingston.

Lastly, I know you don't like Fender headstocks, but if you wanted a bit of a project you can find 90s MIJ or even MIA Fender PJs. Chances are it would need a bit of work, but IMO it would be the coolest option.

 

Squier's VM series is pretty decent and I'm told the newer CV series is good too. I have a natural Squier VM70s Jazz that I had the pick-up wiring series-paralelled to get a beefier tonal option and this bass can outrock, outfunk and outpunk with the best of'em in the price range. By most accounts, the respective P versions are also good options, but I never tried them. I recently bought an SBMM ray24ca that works good as well.

 

What Soundgear model did you have? Also what are some of things you liked or didn't like about it or even wish it had or could do? This would help in listing some possible choices for you.

 

My mistake - I grabbed the wrong link.
Here is the BB434


While the BBP is a higher-end instrument, the differences are minor to the point where I'm not sure I could justify a BBP in general (different bridge, slightly different electronics). The BBP does get the IRA wood process, which is very cool... but not $1000+ cool

 

Go look for a used Ibanez SR750...one of the 2015-2016 models. Active/passive, 3 band EQ, absolutely jaw-dropping looks, and Nordstrom Designed pups that are KILLER. You won't regret buying one

 

Lakland MIK
Also used market is full of good deals.

 

Don't forget the Sires!
If the fender like headstock issue can be overcomed, p7 or v7 are great instruments in your price range new.
The pre-amp is a little bit complicated but once you've understand how it works, you can get almost any tone out of it !

 

Forgot to mention... I have the pick-ups wired series/paralell, which gives me an option between the stock Jazz tone (Paralell) and a meatier P-ish tone (series). It's an unexpensive mod, cost me 60$ at a local shop. One can cover lots of musical ground with those 2 tones.