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What bass should I get

#21
Maxdusty said:
Given a choice between a Squier or a Fender MIM, I would choose the latter if I can find one used within my price range. That would likely be a used bass though. A Fender MIM is a step up from the Squier models. I bought a Squier MB5 a couple of days ago, while good, the Fender MB models are noticeably better in sound and quality- just couldn't find one to buy as it's a discontinued model.
That being said, Squier basses are a good option if you have your heart on something new. I would probably get the Jag. Pretty nice!
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My top choices are the fender mim or the jag

Is the mim active max?
 
#22
The made in Mexico Fender basses should be like their US counterparts, ie. mainly passive for the standard Jazz bass or P-bass models. (unless modified by the owner of course).
The Deluxe Jazz bass model is active.

I guess the way I think about it is that the Fender MIM basses (Jazz bass, P bass) are Fender basses and labeled as such. So quality is going to be worthy of the Fender name. Not quite the quality of the US made ones, but pretty darn close.
Squiers are the budget line of instruments made by Fender - specs designed by Fender.
 
#24
Rather than getting the squire or other cheaper models. Grab the used Fender mim jazz bass for $249 then you can get some new Fralin pickups and you’ll have something close to a american.
This bass will also will hold it’s resale and will be definite step up from the others imho, while the others not as much.
If you find one used at GC it’s just as safe, because you have a return policy.

Best,
 
#25
I haven't tried one to be honest with you. I've had a few other Dean basses in the past though. Not really into them as I find the neck on the ones I've owned to be on the wide side. Not sure about the Hillsboro models though. Also, the proprietary Dean pickups are not as good either. The basses (and of course the zany shaped guitars) look great- (even had the all green Custom Zone at one point lol) but it's playability and quality as a bass, I've moved away from them.
Once again, not sure about that particular model, but I would get a Fender MIM over Dean basses in general. Actually, I'd even opt for a Squier over the Dean basses.

Edit: Matty brings up a good point, a purchase of a used instrument at GC has that return policy.
 
#26
Maxdusty said:
I haven't tried one to be honest with you. I've had a few other Dean basses in the past though. Not really into them as I find the neck on the ones I've owned to be on the wide side. Not sure about the Hillsboro models though. Also, the proprietary Dean pickups are not as good either. The basses (and of course the zany shaped guitars) look great- (even had the all green Custom Zone at one point lol) but it's playability and quality as a bass, I've moved away from them.
Once again, not sure about that particular model, but I would get a Fender MIM over Dean basses in general. Actually, I'd even opt for a Squier over the Dean basses.

Edit: Matty brings up a good point, a purchase of a used instrument at GC has that return policy.
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I agree about the neck wider then other basses but a dean edge 09 was my first bass I got it with an amp and that amp was terrible nails on a chalk bored sounded better lol
 
#27
Nova221 said:
That's what I was leaning towards but I never owned an active bass before dose it suck up the battery?
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Just remember to unplug your cable from the bass when you are not playing - the battery is activated when cable is plugged in. I've used only active basses for decades - when playing several hours per week it should last a year as someone mentioned. I'd suggest getting a voltmeter or battery tester - just test your battery every time you change strings to be safe.
 
#28
Nova221 said:
I agree about the neck wider then other basses but a dean edge 09 was my first bass I got it with an amp and that amp was terrible nails on a chalk bored sounded better lol
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You mentioned you wanted a smooth sounding bass, I now know why lol.
Fender basses (and Squier) sound like the basses that'll suit what you want. Active basses generally have more well, bite for lack of a better word, passive basses sound smoother and more natural- just a personal observation and the subject of many, many discussions here on TalkBass. I have a number of both and have had over 40 basses the past two years- now down to 13 (process of buying and reselling as a hobby with the goal of trying as many different basses during that time ). Hard to go wrong with a Fender, they're consistently good- there are some other good brands and models of basses out there- but you're talking about personal preference at that point.
 
#31
RBS_Johnson said:
Ah, that is less than ideal. But, it`s not the end of the world. I bought my fist bass used online(ebay actually) for $250 and I still love it. It is the only bass I have now that isn`t vintage or some other oddity.

Yamaha`s can be good basses, but I would really research that one hard. J`s are classic, while the Jag should give you a good variation in tone. I have little to no personal experience with these specific models though, so not too much help.
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I like the yamaha's but in my experience with them, they are some of the noisiest single coiled. had one, and i had to replace the pick up for bartolini noiseless, problem solved :smug:
 
#32
Maxdusty said:
I haven't tried one to be honest with you. I've had a few other Dean basses in the past though. Not really into them as I find the neck on the ones I've owned to be on the wide side. Not sure about the Hillsboro models though. Also, the proprietary Dean pickups are not as good either. The basses (and of course the zany shaped guitars) look great- (even had the all green Custom Zone at one point lol) but it's playability and quality as a bass, I've moved away from them.
Once again, not sure about that particular model, but I would get a Fender MIM over Dean basses in general. Actually, I'd even opt for a Squier over the Dean basses.

Edit: Matty brings up a good point, a purchase of a used instrument at GC has that return policy.
Click to expand...

i also had a hillsboro j-bass. i loved that thing, but the pickups were, again, very noisy/humming, sold it, i do regret having done that. the active electronics give this bass some presence and certainly plenty of power and tone flex. the neck is very slim and fast, but unfinished, not a big deal though. fairly light too.
.... now, taking this opportunity, if anyone can help, i need some help with a dilema. i got myself a set of bartolini split coil, hum cancelling pups. problem is that the seller sent me the 5 string(59j1) instead of the 4 string (9j1). the bartolini website says they're the same dimensions. i want to buy another hillsboro j in trans blue, 4 string. will they fit, and if they do, will there be any issues?
 
#33
Musician's Friend is better than GC, even though GC owns Musician's Friend (literally). All of MF's stuff is kept new in a warehouse, and I don't trust GC. At GC, you never know if it's been demo'd/played in a showroom.

My personal choice, though, for a big chain, is Sweetwater. I just grabbed an Ibanez 6'er from them, and I was able to pick the EXACT one I wanted, not sight-unseen with a catalog piece. You choose by serial # (if they have more than one), and their warranty, customer care (or tech care), photos of your instrument, choice of carrier, etc. are all superior to MF, imho.
 
#35
Have you considered G&L Tribute? You can find these used on GC's website for just a little over your price range (like $350-400). That little bit of extra money buys you into a whole new realm of versatility and build quality. I have had USA and Tribute G&L's... I actually toured with a Tribute L2500 and it never gave me any issues. The only thing I would take care in picking on of these up is to ensure that you get one that is a translucent or natural finishes. These ones are made of swamp ash while the solid color Tributes are typically Basswood with few exceptions (there is one that is mahogany if I am not mistaken). By and by, if someone is looking at Fender, I always recommend they look into G&L.
 
#36
I would look on the Talk Bass Classifieds and see if you can find a used Fender P bass or Fender Jazz bass. It make take a little while to find one in your price range, but it would be worth it. Squires are really inconsistent. Some of them are pretty nice, and other ones are awful. I used to work at Sam Ash, and I was always surprised about how different each low-end bass was. Occasionally one would come in that was really nice, but most of them sucked. The Fender basses are much more consistent.
 
#37
songwriter21 said:
Musician's Friend is better than GC, even though GC owns Musician's Friend (literally). All of MF's stuff is kept new in a warehouse, and I don't trust GC. At GC, you never know if it's been demo'd/played in a showroom.

My personal choice, though, for a big chain, is Sweetwater. I just grabbed an Ibanez 6'er from them, and I was able to pick the EXACT one I wanted, not sight-unseen with a catalog piece. You choose by serial # (if they have more than one), and their warranty, customer care (or tech care), photos of your instrument, choice of carrier, etc. are all superior to MF, imho.
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GC is only good for their used inventory... I would NEVER buy a new instrument from them.... Recently, I was looking at a gorgeous 1964 USA Re-issue Jazz in Lake Placid Blue with a matched headstock. Absolutely beautiful instrument and sounded amazing. Upon inspection, I noticed a miserable ding on the bottom-side under the that was so deep that you could see wood. When I brought it to their attention they told me that they would not knock any off of the price and that it wasn't a big deal because, if I were to buy it, I would eventually put dings in it from use.........:scowl:
 
#38
cv115505 said:
Have you considered G&L Tribute? You can find these used on GC's website for just a little over your price range (like $350-400). That little bit of extra money buys you into a whole new realm of versatility and build quality. I have had USA and Tribute G&L's... I actually toured with a Tribute L2500 and it never gave me any issues. The only thing I would take care in picking on of these up is to ensure that you get one that is a translucent or natural finishes. These ones are made of swamp ash while the solid color Tributes are typically Basswood with few exceptions (there is one that is mahogany if I am not mistaken). By and by, if someone is looking at Fender, I always recommend they look into G&L.
Click to expand...

I second that. It would be worth every extra penny spent.
 

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