So, out of these basses.......

[rayzak]

.

 

[jmattis]

He's totally gonna see this. My vote-

G&L L-2000. I've never played one of those Spector's though, and that could be a pretty cool bass. You'll probably get a lot of Lakland love too. G&L MFD pickups are just awesome though.

 

[kevsatthebeach]

The Lakland is a wonderful instrument. I absolutely love mine. Wouldn't trade it for any of the others.

 

[RTL]

Some Lakland love right here!

I had a 55-01 before being stupid and selling it and then going through about 6 other basses. To this day, it's really the only one I wish I had kept. I don't think there's anything in that price range that competes with the 44-01 and 55-01.

 

[excane]

You are quite the awesome father.

Tribute L2000.

 

[Kevin_BlueBASS]

I wouldn't buy him a bass lol, instead I'd bring him to a GOOD music store, maybe a few and tell him to play everything and what feels right, get that.
just my two cents.
Peace

 

[The Ethanator]

id love to have one of those sr400's. amazing basses. you can never really go wrong with an ibanez, theres just so much variety. id say go with one of those. then again, ive got an ibanez sr400qm myself, so maybe im just biased . that l-2000 is a great playing bass too, though. but if you REALLY want to get him something he likes, give him a price range and take him to a few stores. spend a day letting him make the decision. after all, if youre going to spend that kind of money on a bass, it would be wise to make sure that both you AND him know hell be happy. go to the stores, give him time to play the basses in that price range that he thinks look interesting, then make the purchase

 

[Jim Carr]

Some Lakland love right here!

I had a 55-01 before being stupid and selling it and then going through about 6 other basses. To this day, it's really the only one I wish I had kept. I don't think there's anything in that price range that competes with the 44-01 and 55-01.

+1

I still miss the 44-01 I sold to a friend, and IMHO there is no better 5-string for the money than a 55-01---outstanding neck, very upgradeable! That said, the G&L is nice, too.

Have you considered an MIM 60's classic Jazz? You can find them for less than $500. Sweet, and also very easy to upgrade pickups and bridge, nut, strings, etc.

 

[DRN-PWNS]

^^ being 16 i find my jazz bass[(Squier affinity jazz V) yes its a peace o ****] allot of fun especially compared to my Ibanez SR400

 

[Jim Roseberry]

I've thought about a good J bass too. Already having a P it seems to be a no-brainer. But at 16 is a jazz just too boring?

I'd say that depends on the Jazz Bass.
If your son likes the sound, feel, looks... it certainly won't be boring. You can't go wrong with a good Jazz.

You might also look at an Ibanez ATK.
Similar to a MM Stingray/Sterling.
4-string is ~$500
5-string is ~$550

 

[J. Crawford]

Man, I wish a got a bas for my 16 birthday!

Im agreeing with the G&L.

 

[Stealth]

G&L Tribute or that Bartolini-powered Lakie. Failing that, I'd second whatever people said on the Jazz bass - it'd be a perfect complement to the MIM P.

 

[Jo6Pak]

G&L Tribute or that Bartolini-powered Lakie.

Ditto...

 

[hrgiger]

Only letting him have 4 strings?

 

[phall2112]

My vote is for a spector. They are diffirent in tone. and sound more like an active bass. Much more than more Geddy bass even though there both passive.

 

[superfunk47]

I wish my dad would buy me a bass. Gonna have to show him this thread.

I'd go G&L or Lakland, they're both the cream of the crop in that price range, IMO.

 

[rayzak]

Only letting him have 4 strings?

What? Are their more options? I could get him that one string-on-a-stick things that Les plays

 

[J. Crawford]

What? Are their more options? I could get him that one string-on-a-stick things that Les plays

I was going to say that!

 

[bassman03]

I'm 16... can you adopt me please? I'll take the Lakeland

 

[cheesemaster]

Lakland! Lakland! Lakland!

P.S. did I mention Lakland?