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new setup help (Aussie!!)

Obstacle 1

Obstacle 1

Sep 13, 2005
476
0
Australia
#1
Hey all,

Ive decided to take up bass (again, I sold all my stuff).
I am looking at a budget of about $1000AUD for bass and amp..

Amp will be Adshown 5/15 for $400AUD, its the best bang for buck in terms of 100W amps that I have seen. Nothing on Ebay for me at the moment.

That leaves ~$600AUD for a bass. I am not a beginner so most Squiers would be a waste of time. I am looking for a P or J Fender or a decent copy preferably.

Current possibilities:

- E-bay AUS: sometimes there's something worth buying.. recently a MIM P went for $475AUD though it had too much damage for my liking :p An option is just scanning that until something comes up like another MIM. Though atm there's like 20 fenders on there and about 12 actual fenders within that.

- Squier Vintage Modified 70's Jazz Bass - $550AUD + postage which wouldn't be much. The only problem is its a Squier and you can get an used MIM for that much.. unless its that good

- Essex P (no idea what model probably the $89) from [Invalid or Expired Link Removed] $249AUD though its obviously a beginner one

- Anything else worth looking at in this price range?
 
#2
I'd look to spend about $350-400US on a used bass here on TB and get it shipped to Australia. Shipping, if you remove the neck and body and ship them separately, is about $100US. If the bass is worth $400US there will be no import duty payable on it or GST, that means you will get a much better bass for you $$$ than buying on in Aus. I have imported about 7 basses to Australia using that method and never had a problem. I would look for a MIJ Fender jazz, a MTD Kingston Heir or something along those lines used right here on TB.
 
#3
Hey Mark, thanks for the suggestion. I would have never though of it otherwise!

Its something to consider that's for sure. Its great how I only realised that what you suggested = $600AUD :p
I will check out the selling forum to see what is going.
 
#6
Hey Eversuns,

I have been watching e-bay for the past 3 days or so which isn't very long compared to the last time I bought a bass. I agree there are a few USA ones that look good and a couple MIJ's though i think they are overpriced (the MIJ's) :p

Thats a pretty nice buy you go though and its good you like it :bassist:
 
#7
#10
DaRK_CaRNiVaL said:
lol sweet, everyone is coming down.

Yeah needmoney I recon if it was a 4 it would be gone, I would have considered it then, but good luck selling it
Click to expand...

Thanks mate.

If you're interested in the Squier VM, you should talk to Luke_73 on this forum, just look him up and send him a PM. He owned that bass for a while and said it was definitely higher quality than the MIM J's.
 
#11
Cheers ill do that. I think the VM looks pretty damn good.. its just the thing I put that it is going to cost more than a 2nd hand MIM which is a negative. But at the same time it comes with a warranty (I would think) and it would be brand new so I wouldn't worry about having to spend money to fix things and just play.

I had a jazz before but it was a parts bass with Dimarzio Model J pickups. I shouldn't have sold it lol then I wouldn't be having this dilemma now..
 
#12
I think I will end up waiting for a good deal on E-bay AU after some consideration (a good deal is like a perfectly fine MIM P or J for ~$400AU..)
It could take a while I know but it will be worth it. And as a student more money saved = awesome :p.
 
#13
Paul Christie rekons the Monterey jazz basses are great for the money....

He gigs with one rather than take a beauty out to a minor gig...

Myself, id hang round the Bass Player and learn the ancient art of patience....

Good Luck. Luke


Stoopid me you r in Adelaide, anyway call the Bass Player here in Syd, and ask them to keep an eye out for you.
If you want a second opinion, i go in there regular and happy to give a report.
 
#17
DaRK_CaRNiVaL said:
I think I will end up waiting for a good deal on E-bay AU after some consideration (a good deal is like a perfectly fine MIM P or J for ~$400AU..)
It could take a while I know but it will be worth it. And as a student more money saved = awesome :p.
Click to expand...
This is by far your best option. Bargains come up regularly, and the Japanese lawsuit are and othe Matsumoku basses are great.
If you're not stuck on the idea of a Fender or clone, there are some other superb instruments out there. At the moment on Oz ebay is an Ibanez RB850 which is a great bass (I have one), a Korean Ibanez ATK305 (had one) and one of the early Ashton AB1105 5 stringers (have 2) which are very good for the money , if you were interested in a 5. Usual disclaimer - none are my auctions.
 
#18
I would give a recommendation to the squier vintaged modified. i just bought one for my son and can't put it down, much better than my mim 5 string. The neck is excellent and the duncan designed pickups are sweet. looks fine to boot!

Cheers
 
#19
Thanks for the replies everyone :D

lukaas - thanks for the offer, if I find anything I like ill let you know for next time you go in:D . The Bass Player actually has quite a few basses on E-bay but im not sure if its all of their 2nd hand stuff. too bad a lot of the stuff in my price range is 5 string bah! :p Like the SR405.. i liked the 4 string version when I played it.

rusty66 - Sure will! nice looking Jazz :bassist:

unbeliever - thanks man, If you know anyone selling anything decent let me know :p

A9X - Yeah im going to wait a couple weeks, something should show up by then. There are some nice 5 strings but I want to go with 4.

puffer33 - Thanks for the recommendation. Its still one of my options and if I find out anyone in Adelaide is selling it I will go check it out.
 

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