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What are my options, Made in the USA!
- Thread starter coastie72
- Start date
I live on the East coast and they are on the West coast. I would like options that I can at least put my hands on, before I buy it!
C'mon up to Greensboro, NC and play a Roscoe Century Standard. Can be wired/switched for passive. $2199 USA handmade functional art w/ a gig bag. Use Rocket Music as your dealer. Fuhgetaboudit.
I stopped by Sam Ash in Charlotte yesterday on the way to hear Skynyrd and Kid Rock, Great show by Skynyrd!. I'm a longtime huge fan! I played some Lakelands, they felt great but I don't like the scale. The sting spacing is still an issue with me and the Ibanez, tried a few of those also. They didn't have an American made Fender or Lakeland in stock, but I played a MIM 5 string Fender Jazz. Surprisingly, the feel of the neck is what I am looking for. What else can I find that has a neck similar? If I buy a Fender, it will be a made in the USA version, tell me why I should or shouldn't. 
If you can, check out the Marcus Miller signature Fender. I'm not certain about where the 5 string is made, but the 4 is made in Japan. It is one of the nicest Fenders I've ever played, and I even prefer the MiJ Fenders to the MiA's.
...but I played a MIM 5 string Fender Jazz. Surprisingly, the feel of the neck is what I am looking for. What else can I find that has a neck similar? If I buy a Fender, it will be a made in the USA version, tell me why I should or shouldn't.
I would like to stay under $2500.00, but for the right bass I might stretch that a bit.
$2500 budget and your favorite so far is a clumsy Fender Jazz neck???
Oh, you poor guy, you really don't know what you're missing from some of the other USA luthiers mentioned so far.
+1 on the older Peaveys. There's a used TL up here, I can put you in touch with the owner (not me).
I've enjoyed working with Pete Hanewinckel on my new bass. I would suggest contacting him and telling him what you want in your bass. He was always very helpful when he answered my questions.
My bass should ship tonight...
My bass should ship tonight...
EBMM Stingray 5 (H, HH or HS).
it's made in the US, has a 34" scale (and is heralded as one of the best sounding and playing 34" B strings on the market), can be had for a funny price on the used market and EBMMs are the best production basses you can get IMHO.
it's made in the US, has a 34" scale (and is heralded as one of the best sounding and playing 34" B strings on the market), can be had for a funny price on the used market and EBMMs are the best production basses you can get IMHO.
$2500 budget and your favorite so far is a clumsy Fender Jazz neck???
Oh, you poor guy, you really don't know what you're missing from some of the other USA luthiers mentioned so far.
+1 on the older Peaveys. There's a used TL up here, I can put you in touch with the owner (not me).
I have'nt made a decision, that is for sure. I have never been a Fender person. All I am saying is of the choices at Sam Ash in Charlotte yesterday, the neck on the MIM Fender just felt better to me than anything else they had to choose from. The Lakelands all felt great, but I have short arms and little hands, the 35" scale just won't work for me.
Music Man may be an option, I have not played one! Fender will be my last choice if I can find others that the neck appeals to me. As I stated before, having one built I might consider, but I want to play one first! IE Carvin, I have read some good and some bad on Carvin. I don't buy a car before I drive one, I'm not buying a bass until I can at least hold it and feel the neck even if unamplified!
Most Musicman basses don't have active/passive switch like the OP was looking for. IMO G&L fits the bill nicely, but if you could mod an SR5 that would be cool.
The only one that has stock a active/passive switch that I could find is the Big Al, but it looks like it only comes in a 4 string.
Bingo! That's all I was sayin'!
I don't buy a car before I drive one, I'm not buying a bass until I can at least hold it and feel the neck even if unamplified!
My heart breaks for you that you've got $2500 to put toward a new bass and unless you feel like traveling, you're going to be at the mercy of no-selection, beginner central Sam Ash.
I would seriously take a drive up to Rocket Music in VA or TPB in LA before you bought anything. Otherwise you'll never know what you're missing out on -OR- you'll be in a perpetual state of gear flux. I've been both places, so I'm talking to you as if I "know" what I'm talking about. You'll have to decide what's best for you though.
