Need a decent bass for a lower price

[benedictallen]

I've been playing bass for about 5 years and I've mostly been using poor quality basses, so I decided it's time to get something decent for at most £800/$1500 cause I haven't got much money. I've looked around on the internet but I can't find anything that fits what I want: 24 frets (at least 22); preferably passive (active wouldn't be the end of the world but I'm the type of guy to get paranoid over batteries); simple tone control, nothing too fancy, something to just plug in and go; 4 or 5 string it doesn't matter. I play fingerstyle (occasionally pick) in a funk rock band so that should give you an idea of the tone I need.

Any ideas guys?

 

[buldog5151bass]

Carvin has lots of options, and you could build pretty much what you want for that price, including P and J styles - I assume you are in England, so not sure if the shipping is an issue.

 

[rumblinbass]

IME, best bang for your buck (or pound) - look for something used.
Passive? Tone control? hmm.

 

[rumblinbass]

Passive instruments typically just have a tone knob that rolls off high frequencies.
Tone control, like bass & treble boost & cut, is typically offered on basses with active preamps. I am not aware of any passive instruments with what I would consider tone control.

 

[benedictallen]

Passive instruments typically just have a tone knob that rolls off high frequencies.
Tone control, like bass & treble boost & cut, is typically offered on basses with active preamps. I am not aware of any passive instruments with what I would consider tone control.

Yeah I put the part about tone control in case anyone was going to suggest an active bass

 

[coughingskunk]

There are so many good used instruments for under $1500. I picked up a German made Warwick Corvette 5 for $750 shipped and put in a new preamp that had treble/mid/bass plus a passive tone control and active/passive switch. I just recently bought a 55-02 from a member on this forum for around the same price. Again, it has the active/passive switch.

 

[Mosfed]

OK - no one flame me for this - but I would suggest a Fender Road Worn that go for right around that price in the UK. I have one that I ended up getting refinished on Denmark Street. I bought it because it had a really amazing neck.

If you don't like the finish, check out the Classic series Lacquer.

 

[raventepes]

I'd have a look at a Fender Blacktop Jazz

 

[Red Four]

Used (or maybe even new) EBMM Sterling. Active, but the battery lasts forever. (I don't usually go for active electronics, but I really like this one.) 22 frets. Different pickup configs available. Tone controls are simple but provide lots of tweakability. Great for fingerstyle rock & funk. Tons of used ones on eBay. I've had mine since '95 and it's been a complete workhorse.