My parents are nuts!

I don't think you will be happy having to stick with a fretless as your main axe... Get a nicer fretted, then defrett your yamaha...


Get a MIM fender, get it over with... and have fun toying with the yammerjammer.

 

I just picked up a MIM jazz after trying out alot of basses in the 400-500 range. Yamaha's were good and were my second choice but the MIM jazz is great! The tone and punch is awsome and i have played basses up to and over 1000.00 that did not give me the tone and playablity for the $ that the jazz did. Try out diffrent jazzes and find the one you like, the p is ok but good for rock.I feel the jazz has alot more to offer for the buck.

 

I'd go with a used Fender Jazz V, you could probably find one for around $400 if not cheaper, or if you don't want a 5, just a MIM or maybe even MIA Fender Jazz.

 

Blech... the Fender 5 I tried was absolutely horrid. I'd stay away from them if I were you.

 

I concur. Fender 5's aren't that great- the MIA's are the only playable ones. If you go used, you can get a Spector 5 or 6 string. The Korean models are excellent for the price and ahve a somewhat flat neck. Cort's curbow 6 is also very good for the price, if you don't mind a synthetic body. It can be found used (sometimes new) under $400. I haven't tried any of rondo's HXB's, but I have heard the HXB 5 adn 6 a pretty decent. They come in fretted and fretless as well.

 

Every time I go into GC(shudder), I always kind of get drawn in by Schecter basses. For some reason they just feel very right, and the construction and sound aint too bad for a mid-low priced bass (about $500). Even though they pretty much exclusively market to the rock/metal crowd, Schecters have a pretty nice EQ section; I was able to dial in some decent sounding slap, funk, and rock sounds. You might want to check them out if you get the chance.

 

Definitely buy used. Yamahas are good buys for the money. If you are willing to go to the $500-600 range, then I'd highly recommend a Lakland 55-01. You might also look around for used Carvins. You can get alot of bass for the money with a used Carvin.

 

You know, Dean basses are also decent buys. Given that you are keeping the budget low, I would definitely look into Dean.

 

Well you can check here:
http://www.harmony-central.com/Bass/Data4/Dean-Guitars/

Harmony central is a great place to get reviews on basses you're looking to get. I myself havent had too much experiance with Dean stuff, but the folks at HC seem to like 'em.

 

score a used sr5 for @800 bucks.

 

get and mtd kingston 5er, id say thats your hands down best bet for the money.

 

I played one at my local music store and it was just awesome. It's the only one I have played though; maybe it was a good one?

 

I don't really like Dean basses. Sure, they're pretty, but I'd say at least half aren't even close to the asking price for the quality that you're getting. I second the MTD. You could also go for an Ibanez Ergodyne or used BTB. Have you thought about LTD at all?

 

You do realise that 7 string basses normally come with a high F above C don't you??? Also, strings are not that hard to find now that the "Greater than 6" string bass has become more common.. Sure you might not be able to find them at the corner Mom~n~Pop Fender/Peavey hock, but there are several online sources including Musician's Friend and Just Strings..

 

Get an essex jazz and drop in DiMarzio Model J's DP123's. Spend a little more for a kick butt setup. Prob. under $250 total. Save your parents the extra cash.