Need to hear the expert's opinion...

[Nihblokk]

Hey you guys, so, as stated in the title, I've been having a big GAS attack and I'm all out for a new bass. As you're the experts and I'm relatively new to this world (I'm mostly a guitarist and piano player) I want to ask you what you consider to be the best bass with the following characteristics:

MUST:
Around $1,000
4 Strings
Active Pickups
24 Frets
Matching Headstock

NICE TO HAVE:
Thin Neck
Active Preamp

Sound: Punchiness, Agression, Clarity. Able to cut through a heavy Black Metal mix.

I know there's no such thing a "best bass for ______" but it would be nice to hear, or rather read all your opinions.

Thanks in advance!

 

[mmbongo]

Having active pickups AND and active preamp is going to severely limit your choices basically to something with EMG active pickups. So, look at LTD and Spector basses.

 

[Raoul_Duke]

Ibanez is always a safe bet when looking for a great bass on a budget, and the necks are usually pretty slim. If you buy used then you can get a LOT for $1000.

 

[deff]

I even made the picture black to cut through the black metal mix better. You'd have to change out the pickups to active as the Pre works with both and these are passive. It checks all of the boxes except the pickups.

 

[Nihblokk]

View attachment 4312359
I even made the picture black to cut through the black metal mix better. You'd have to change out the pickups to active as the Pre works with both and these are passive. It checks all of the boxes except the pickups.

Nice! What model is it?

 

[Blackjac97]

View attachment 4312359
I even made the picture black to cut through the black metal mix better. You'd have to change out the pickups to active as the Pre works with both and these are passive. It checks all of the boxes except the pickups.

Nice! What model is it?

Looks like a Schecter Stiletto Studio 4

Bass : Stiletto Studio-4

 

[Bryan R. Tyler]

Your options will increase greatly if you’re willing to use passive pickups with an active preamp, as very few basses have active pickups. If you’re worried about cutting through, remember that most of the other players in this genre don’t have both active pickups and an active preamps.

 

[Nihblokk]

Your options will increase greatly if you’re willing to use passive pickups with an active preamp, as very few basses have active pickups. If you’re worried about cutting through, remember that most of the other players in this genre don’t have both active pickups and an active preamps.

You're right. I might consider passive pickups as long as they have clarity and note definition.

 

[deff]

Nice! What model is it?

The one I have is actually purple. You can find them in trans black if that's your thing. As I stated before, it checks all of your boxes. If you don't like the pickups they are easily swappable to a different EMG set. I personally think they are more than fine. I would say that the best thing to do is to play one and see. The most easily playable and comfortable bass at that price point IMO. Solid, strong and cuts through very well and I play in a hardcore band.

 

[Yellow Bang66]

Looks like a Schecter Stiletto Studio 4

Bass : Stiletto Studio-4

I vote Stiletto, cool Bass!!

 

[micguy]

An active bass has some benefits in terms of a defined sound that doesn't change with cable loading. Whether it's done with active pickups or an active circuit and passive pickups (the difference is where the circuitry is located) is purely academic, and you certainly don't need both in one bass.

EMG's "active" pickups are just passive pickups with a tiny bit of circuitry in the housing. Moving that circuitry a couple inches into the electronics cavity behind the controls doesn't fundamentally change things much, except......if you put the electronics on a circuit board (not potted in the pickups), you can, if you want, change how things work by modifying the circuit parameters. Putting circuitry in the pickups locks you out of that option.

 

[Nihblokk]

Thanks for the explanation. It seems I don't really need active pickups. Now I have a lot more options Which can make things harder or easier lol.

 

[Nihblokk]

The one I have is actually purple. You can find them in trans black if that's your thing. As I stated before, it checks all of your boxes. If you don't like the pickups they are easily swappable to a different EMG set. I personally think they are more than fine. I would say that the best thing to do is to play one and see. The most easily playable and comfortable bass at that price point IMO. Solid, strong and cuts through very well and I play in a hardcore band.

Is it a Stiletto Studio though? I really like the Riot 4 in Aurora Burst, that thing is beautiful

 

[makanudo]

Spector basses fit your list but I think are a bit higher than 1k used

 

[Warpeg]

Ibanez. You're welcome.

 

[mikeswals]

Active pickups and preamp:

Look for a used Spector Euro or even better a Spector Czech (NS4CR/NS4CRFM), which is what it was called before the Euro.

 

[MasterG]

Plain and simple. Ibanez.

 

[Benj-jammin]

My Ibby SR800 - well under a grand, this one's about 4 years old, Bart pups, very powerful and loud, nice slim neck. A lot of great newer choices as well, Prestige and Premium lines, etc. I'll tell you another nice one, is the Ibby SR500, all mahogany body - $650 new, lower used, of course. That's another killer Ibby. Just my two cents.

 

[MrLenny1]

Fender Jazz bass is popular for guitar players to transition to.
As stated active PU's are noy used much. The active Pre-amp
will do the job.
Happy hunting.

 

[deff]

Is it a Stiletto Studio though? I really like the Riot 4 in Aurora Burst, that thing is beautiful

https://www.guitarcenter.com/Schect...7LT3gUvoKfOcyzPNVsCpfaGAOugUgW5MaAtNKEALw_wcB
Yes. I didn't like the Riot as much, but it is also a nice bass.