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Rock & Roll bass for < $500?

G&L SB-2 Tribute

No doubt. You got your answer in the first response. I have a USA SB-2, and it is a phenomenal rock bass with an extra heavy-duty variant of classic split-coil tone. It makes a straight up Fender P sound weak. I absolutely love my MIA Precision with a Fralin, but I've barely used it since I got my SB-2. The Tribute has exactly the same electronics as the USA version.

That said, if you're going used and want max value, the various Peaveys are great basses that can be found really cheap. I used to have a Patriot, which is an excellent P-like axe, and you could probably score one for under $150.
 
I started playing on a Squier many years ago. Back then, it was a great sounding bass with some less-than-perfect components. Id be lying to you if I said I wasnt counting down the days till I could upgrade. For $200, I wasnt complaining.

The relevant opinion here is yours. Some people maintain with these new CV and vintage modified squier basses the build quality has improved. All I can say is I own a higher end MIM Fender Jazz (deluxe active) and the hardware on my bass feels much more solid. your best bet is to go with what sounds and feels better to you.
 
So, finances have been rough lately and recently had to sell my Lakland to pay the rent. I need something to replace it with. The project I have going on right now is a straight up rock and roll 3 piece. Sort of Queens of the Stone Age, The Hives sort of stuff. I strictly play with a pick. Which bass would you recommend? Playing through a Markbass Little Mark II. And a Tech 21 VT Bass. I've been looking at:

Epiphone Ripper RI
Epiphone Thunderbird Pro IV
Squier VM or CV


Other ideas?

Thanks.
Well you should still have the Peavey Foundation I paid for 2 1/2 years ago and you never shipped me, so as I see it you shouldn't be looking for another bass but paying for the one you obviously have sold twice.
 
Going from a lackland to a "regular" brand bass that sells for $500 or less new thru internet stores is gonna be little harder to be happy with. Then going from more common brands upper end to mid price. Cause of the extra qaulity of work put into Lacklands even at their lower end. Imo.

That said, Id reccomend searching for upper end used ESP Ltds, Ibanez Sr's, and Schecters. Yes try the epi pro thunderbird. But pay extra attention to its fit for you physically, balance wise and how reach to nut feels while playing standing. If you can be comfortable with the tbirds fit then proceed to testing its sound with both pup blending variations and eq setting monekying about. If you also like its sound. It could be a bass youd be happy with. You might decide instead that the tbird is the clumsiest thing ever made compared to your lackland.

Of the basses you listed the Squire classic vibe would prob be my pick for both sorting thru several to find the one you like best. And for pup upgrade ability choices if wanted.