Newbie needs help!

You could get a nice Squier or Fender for that price. I have also loved my Schecter bass, too.

 

Welcome, Brother Sharkbait!
Sharkbait Ooh Ah Ah!!

I'll say right off the bat, I am biased when it comest to suggesting basses, but in this case I can think of some valid reasons to back it up. My first bass was a used Fender Aerodyne and I still love it to pieces. Despite not knowing much of the ins-and-outs of bass guitars (I won't say "at the time" since I'm still learning soooooo much), I stumbled onto a [email protected] good find.

If you're coming off an Ibanez, I'm guessing you'd prefer a lighter body with a very slim neck. The Aerodyne has a Jazz neck (1.5" at the nut) but a tighter radius than most (7.25" vs. 9.5"). Also, mine weighs in at 8.5 pounds which is significantly lighter than your standard Jazz bass.

As far as tone goes, it's plenty deep enough, but can get more aggressive with the mid-tones when you start adding in the Jazz pickup. It's not a cannon like my Blacktop Jazz, but I don't think one of those would be right for the musical genres you mentioned.

One other thing I almost forgot to bring up…



…it's a sleek and sexy as all get-out!

Usually they go for about $800, but right now Fender is doing a big summer sale. The current retail price is $750, but I'm sure you could find a used one for significantly less, just like I did.

 

Passive bass - can't go wrong with a Jazz or Precision. The Aerodyne is a sweet bass too!

 

You must be leaving the cord constantly plugged into the insttrument. Anyway if ya gotta have passive might look at used import version warwick corvette with passive electronics.

 

Yeah, if you leave a cord plugged into an active bass it'll keep chipping away the battery.

 

+1

 

Let us know what you decide to get. That, or at the very least, if you start building up a short list.

P.S.: I sent you a Personal Message…something that might catch your interest.

 

Since you are a noob, we'd better tell you that the battery switch is when you plug the cord into the BASS. If you unplug the cord at the amp it will still drain the battery!

If you really want passive (real reasons for a battery have to do with using the EQ and driving long cables without losing highs) In actives, Ibanez is one of THE classics.

For passive, Fender is also a classic and the Aerodyne is an EXCELLENT suggestion! As note it would not be much of a transition from an Ibby. And I'd urge a P/J (which it is) for a first Fender bass. While Jazz basses are more popular I love my P/J squire to pieces. But P-basses (and P/J basses) tend to have a fatter and especially wider neck than others. And be aware that Normal Fender basses tend to be rather heavy compared to what you are used to. Usually 10-11 pounds.

I think Aerodyne. Especially think about keeping the Ibby. That gives you TWO classic tones. I know a couple of pro bassists who gig with two basses: an Ibanez and a Fender. They do it all.