Rock & Roll bass for < $500?

[mmbongo]

Gonna be hard pressed to beat a G&L Tribute L2000 for sure.

 

[stiles72]

I'd look for a P-bass variant. if you could find a good used MIJ Fender, great. Otherwise the Squires do the job as well. I'm a Gibson and Ibanez guy, but I do think every bass player owes it to themselves to have a P-bass to knock around, even if it really isn't your thing.

 

[mpdd]

fernandez and peavey might be options for rock and roll

 

[MNAirHead]

Peavey Fury... Built in USA... will outplay any of my USA fenders... very easy on the pocket book... stable.

 

[JZQuantum]

Peavey Foundation or Peavey Fury. Foundation from early 80s. My foundy is an 84. I personally have and love a fury from the early 90s. Period.

 

[BookMDanelectro]

Peavey Foundation or Peavey Fury. Foundation from early 80s. My foundy is an 84. I personally have and love a fury from the early 90s. Period.

Seconded! I purchased a 90s Peavey Fury for $100 on Craigslist a few months back and it's an outstanding bass! Best buy ever!

 

[madbassplaya]

Peavey Fury... Built in USA... will outplay any of my USA fenders... very easy on the pocket book... stable.

I agree with you, however they have VERY skinny jazz necks (thnk Geddy Lee). That's why I've never been able to keep one.

 

[Dave W]

P-bass all day.

Came in here to say this...

 

[maxiegrant]

So, finances have been rough lately and recently had to sell my Lakland to pay the rent.

You make me very sad. A Squier VMJ will be a wonderful companion. I've played a Lakland, though. I would probably have sold plasma rather than the bass. Just FYI.

I tried selling my Spector a year or so ago when we were in some trouble. My wife absolutely forbade it. Of course, that's why my wife is the most wonderful woman alive.

 

[mcnach]

IMO a severe case of you get what you pay for. But Im sure many will disagree.

Yes, in this case you get more than you pay for, so to speak.
Set one up nicely, as one would, and it punches way above its weight.
The Squier VM Jazz is a very nice bass.

 

[MNAirHead]

I agree with you, however they have VERY skinny jazz necks (thnk Geddy Lee). That's why I've never been able to keep one.

Then t20 with you comment my prior criteria still stand

 

[stambroker]

My suggestions:

MusicMan SUB (Sounds perfect for you. Made in USA, can be regularly found in the ~$450-500 range)

Ibanez ATK300 (easily the best "new" instrument in that range)

Peavey T20 or T40 (older, most of them vintage, and my main instrument. You can get them for CHEAP [I got mine for $175] and they rival MIA Fenders in terms of quality. Of course, depends if you dig the sound)

Fender Blacktop Precision (new line, and in my eyes a bit better than made in Mexio Fenders. Ridiculously good looking.)

Fender MIJ Precision or Jazz (the most preferable if you can find an affordable one, but I tend to never see these in the used market. Check the TB classifieds!)

Squier Vintage Modified Jazz (great bass, but I have never liked them as much as MIJ or the newer Blacktop line)

I own and gig a MIJ Precision, Peavey T-40, and MusicMan SUB4 (active), so I can definitely vouch for their respective awesomeness.

 

[madbassplaya]

Then t20 with you comment my prior criteria still stand

The t20 is a wonderful bass and yes, I do love the neck width on it. Finding a good one that someone hasn't messed the neck up on and getting it for a good price is a bit harder than a Fury. IME.

 

[metlman72]

Get an old made in the USA peavey. Fury, patriot, T-40...

I agree, for the money you just cant find a better bass. Set-up correctly a Fury will sound as good as if not better (imho) than any MIA Fender. You just cant understand how good these basses are until you play/own one.

 

[JZQuantum]

I agree, for the money you just cant find a better bass. Set-up correctly a Fury will sound as good as if not better (imho) than any MIA Fender. You just cant understand how good these basses are until you play/own one.

Well said, man. For 100-150 bucks...you can rival an MIA Fender...makes these older Peavey basses a no brainer.

 

[RedNeckBBQ]

i thinkt you need to gett a P-bass those are the best rock basses a round

 

[f.c.geil]

If you're looking for new, while the quality control can be problematic, the Squier CV series are as good as you'll find at that price point. They (IME) are better built than the MIM Fenders, although the pots and wiring are not as good. The pups, however, are as good or better.

In the last year, I've owned a VM Fretless Jazz, a VM fretted Jazz, a CV 60's Precision, a MIM Precision, and an American Special Precision. The American Special is the clear winner in every respect, but the CV is a very close second in most areas. If you choose carefully, you will do better with a CV PBass than with anything else in the price range, including a used MIM.

I'd stick with a PBass for your genre, too.

 

[MN_Bass]

even better deal perhaps: [Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

I had to sell all my vintage p and amp and I settled with this, great bang for the buck.

 

[klejst]

I agree Precision Bass all the way! MIM Fender's or the VM Squier's I am sure will do the trick and you can generally find them pretty cheap...especially used. Also having money left over to mod them too if you wish.

 

[bassmachine2112]

In any order
P-bass
Musicman SUB
Epi t-bird pro 4
What about an old ibanez like a blazer,roadster the P-bass shape ones-mij .American Peavey,MIJ Squier-JV can be expensive but silver series,SQ not so.