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What bass should I buy?

Luad

Guest
Jun 4, 2017
8
0
Hello everyone, Im recently looking for a new bass with a budget of $1000 or so. Ive been playing 5 years with a GSR 200. I love this bass because i feel free while playing it, its really light. Im looking for a lightweight bass with a great sound for recording and can be with me for another 5 more years. I like the Fender PJ sea foam pearl but i want to ask you if you could recommend me some other basses. Thanks.
 
A Sire M7 would be well under your budget, very light, very flexible. Always better values available used, too, of course, but if you're looking for new, Sire and Ibanez seem to be the value leaders in the under-$1K market these days.
 
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Instead of asking everybody else what you should and shouldn't get, go to a music store and try everything regardless of the name on the headstock, number on the price tag, color or shape.

Get what feels good in your hands. You cannot change the way something feels as easy as you can change the way it sounds or looks.
My problem is where I live there arent music stores (I know, its terrible) . I must travel to USA if I want to buy a bass or any other instrument.
 
My problem is where I live there arent music stores (I know, its terrible) . I must travel to USA if I want to buy a bass or any other instrument.

The last time I checked out an instrument, I drove 1.5 hours (one way) only to find out that when the store I contacted said they had it in stock, they meant the distributor had it in stock. While it was a disappointment because I traveled all that way for a specific thing, I used the time wisely and tried everything else in the store.

I found a place that has it in stock but it is a 6 hour round trip. I think that it is better to spend the day trying out the instruments in person than wasting a couple of days with the hassle that goes with online ordering and returning.
 
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If you like light and you like Fender and you like a PJ configuration, check out the Fender Aerodyne Jazz – well within your budget.

While the Aerodyne suggestion has merit, especially in light of it meeting @Luad criteria (lightweight, P/J, fits his budget), it's worth mentioning that the neck will probably feel radically different. It'll be much curvier compared to the Ibanez, but who knows? Maybe it'll be just as good a match in their hands.
 
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Agreed with 5544: asking everyone on the site is only gonna get you 100 different responses, usually centered around the usual brands that fill up 95% of the threads on this site. Get out there and find what sounds and feels best for you.

I will also agree with iTzPrime: SHOP USED. there's a sea of used basses out there... at every price point... and most of them have been kept in the closet with minimal wear. Go find yourself a bargain today on the TB classifieds or Craigslist in your area.

My only advice would be to get something that holds its value. Classic, reputable American basses are a fantastic place to start.
 
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I don't consider resale value when buying new or used but that is because I won't buy something if there is a shred of doubt that I won't like it.

Buying new has its advantages - knowing nobody gutted the electronics, if the frets are uneven they get fixed for free.

When I check out used instrument, I will always bring a fret rocker with me. 9 out of 10 times I won't even pull it out of my pocket because I don't like the instrument once it is in my hands.
 
If you feel at home on the Ibanez, I would get the SR750. It has the P/J Nordstrand pickups that sound awesome! I owned the SR650 and it was a great bass.

SR750 ($850.00)
1_Full_Straight_Front_NA-40d36b1a3fe6bc18170a293d0403bb0d.jpg


SR650 ($700.00)
ibanez-sr650-abs.jpg


I would suggest buying from Sweetwater. They are great people to deal with! Both bass are the same (same pickups, neck wood, and hardware), they just use different woods.
 
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If you feel at home on the Ibanez, I would get the SR750. It has the P/J Nordstrand pickups that sound awesome! I owned the SR650 and it was a great bass.

SR750 ($850.00)
1_Full_Straight_Front_NA-40d36b1a3fe6bc18170a293d0403bb0d.jpg


SR650 ($700.00)
ibanez-sr650-abs.jpg


I would suggest buying from Sweetwater. They are great people to deal with! Both bass are the same (same pickups and hardware), they just use different woods.
Those sure are some pretty Ibbys, particularly the second on. I love my older ones, and they're very well regarded here in general. On the other hand, if PJs are the comfortable thing, I'll just toss out there that Sire also has the P7 PJ now available for order for delivery beginning in July. Nice to have choices. :D

Some more PJ bass p0rn courtesy of Sire:
Link Removed
drool
 
Those sure are some pretty Ibbys, particularly the second on. I love my older ones, and they're very well regarded here in general. On the other hand, if PJs are the comfortable thing, I'll just toss out there that Sire also has the P7 PJ now available for order for delivery beginning in July. Nice to have choices. :D
Yeah they are really nice basses. The SR650 is my favorite looking one out of both the PJ Ibby basses.
 
My only advice would be to get something that holds its value. Classic, reputable American basses are a fantastic place to start.

My reasoning in buying something that holds its value has multiple reasons behind it:

1. (obviously) Sure -- if you ever choose to sell, you won't take as much of a hit as if you bought something else.

2. (more importantly) Products that hold their value are usually well-built and will serve you well.

There's multiple reasons why you see and read about those familiar instruments getting so much use these days :smug:
 
Im also interested in something with a fast neck and a solid color, ive only played my Ibanez and a Fender Standard Jazz but it wasnt comfortable as mine. Also I wouldnt mind if it has another pickup configuration apart from the PJ. I like the J sound too, but i dont like the P only.
 
I live in Perú, here we have terrible music stores

I live in Perú, here theres no variety in basses so i dont have where to go if looking for new basses. Also the price in stores are like doubled or more from a single instrument.
I'm pretty positive that there are custom builders in Central America and possibly in your own country. A good place to start would be looking online for people reproducing the Ampeg baby bass (electric upright bass) . These are super popular in Latin America for salsa and I know some of them also offer conventional basses as well.