I have had great experience with Ibanez basses, having two of them. I think their sound is great for how much I paid for them (not much!). I have played some really good Fenders as well. While I don't own a decent one, I have played decent models (the one I enjoyed playing the most thus far is the Marcus Miller Signature bass, great sound and feel) and I can say I'd buy a Fender if I was going to go out right now and buy another 4 string. I have recently started playing a Warwick Corvette Fretless, and the sound is exceptional. So those are probably my 3 favourite brands, depending on what you're asking for.