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Need help. A good bass for $300

#21
After playing all kinds of basses, 4-6, active and passive, cheap and expensive I am going today to get a Squier CV P and I have a CV J on order. They play and sound great and no one but me seems to notice any difference.
 
#23
Neon Scribe said:
If you buy used in person you should be able to tell if there is anything seriously wrong. If you buy a fairly priced popular model from a private party you should have no trouble selling it later for close to what you paid. Whether you buy used or new you should include $60 or so for a setup in your budget, unless you have the skill (or a friend) to do one.
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Not necessarily. A beginner is not really going to be able to tell if something is seriously wrong because they have no experience to base it from.

I bought my first bass used without any prior experience and it was a huge piece of junk with a twisted, warped neck and bad wiring. I was 16 years old at the time and now, 14 years later, if I were to go back and see that bass and the guy's price of 250.00 he wanted for it, I'd have laughed and turned right back around.

Buying new is usually a better bet for a beginner because - as someone pointed out - you can often return it and get a refund or exchange.

I don't recommend buying used until you know some basic things to look for and have enough experience to tell a piece of over priced junk someone's trying to rip you off on or a truly good deal on a well cared for used bass.
 
#25
Hutzbordello said:
Squier CV looks to be good and only 49 bucks more man. theres a video on youtube of them compared to the more expensive models and they really stand up to them. plus new PUPs and youd be good to go.
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I hate to keep harping on this, but it's not a given that you will absolutely need to change out the pups on these basses. I love the sound of the Pups on both my VM basses and wouldn't think of changing them out.
 
#26
C.Linton said:
I hate to keep harping on this, but it's not a given that you will absolutely need to change out the pups on these basses. I love the sound of the Pups on both my VM basses and wouldn't think of changing them out.
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I agree. The CVP I'm buying today sounds almost exactly like the American P that hangs right next to it at the store.

The reason I'm buying Squier CV basses is to keep it cheap. I don't want to go an mod right away - or ever. I'm one modding. I want simple and easy.
 
#27
Exactly. The only mods I've done to my VM's have been (apart from straplocks) purely aesthetic. Fundamental stuff like hardware and electronics/pickups I will only change IF they break down. What's on there now works excellently as is. Why should I change it just because it's "the thing to do"?
 
#29
Keep all four on the list, go play all four and make sure that they get set up right first. Spend at least an hour bouncing back and forth between them.

In the end, you won't pick the right one... it'll pick you.
 
#30
gjbassist said:
Of those the Squier would be my first choice. The Peavey would be second.
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+1
Also, be sure to check out your local pawn shops. I've scored a couple of really nice basses at pawn shops including a like-new Peavey (retailed over the $300 mark) for less than $110.

P.S. Are we assuming the OPer is a beginner? Because I didn't see that specified in the OP. If you're a beginner and you are going to buy used, take a friend who knows how to shop for guitars/basses or ask your teacher if he/she will meet you at the store and check out the instrument with you.
 
#31
Thank you all for your opinions. It looks like the Fender and the Ibanez are standing out. Don't know if because they're more popular or because the Yamaha and Peavey are really at a lower level. I'll try to drive to the store and give them a try or just order it on the web.

Thanks again... :smug:
 
#32
Thank you all for your opinions. It looks like the Fender and the Ibanez are standing out. Don't know if because they're more popular or because the Yamaha and Peavey are really at a lower level. I'll try to drive to the store and give them a try or just order it on the web.

Thanks again... :smug:
 

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