What do you recommend....(for a bass "upgrade"?)

[Steve73]

As many of you know, I recently purchased a SBMM Ray 34 and after much consideration (and playing), I’m just not feeling it. I can’t “connect” with this guitar. It is awesome in almost every way but it’s just not for me. For one, I just can’t get past the unbalanced look of the maple fretboard against the neptune blue body & headstock. I rarely play it because of this. Purely cosmetic, yes, but it’s a mental block for me. Therefore, it will go up for sale.
I am seriously considering a more “passive” route and diving into the world of Fender, so my question is (without revealing my total budget ) what do you guys recommend (Fender only) in a budget of $800 or less?
As many of you know, a matching headstock was always a requirement of mine but I have since moved on from that and am now open to the best product for the money.
What do you guys think?

 

[gln1955]

A used Fender Aerodyne will click all those boxes and is a bit off the classic Fender aesthetic trail.

 

[Bass V]

not sure if you're limiting this to only Fenders but even after getting my killer playing L2KT fitted with flats making it far better sounding it doesn't hold up to my lowly $200 Epiphone Thunderbird Std. IV or Ibanez TR BASS ($30 P killer). and they both look good, the 'Bird is gorgeous plus easy to find, the TR not so easy but worth the effort.

 

[Gorn]

Mental blocks can be overcome, especially in regards to luxury purchases. I bet you could get over it if you tried.

If you have $800 and want a Fender you have tons of options. I’d go with a used Mexican one and save half your money.

 

[Wfrance3]

I am still really digging my Mex P that I got a few years ago. I put LFTs on it. It's a player...
Was around $600 at the time.
https://www.guitarcenter.com/Fender/Standard-Precision-Bass-Guitar.gc
Mine is green with tort, but essentially this is it...

 

[micahwc]

I'd buy used or look for a MIJ. The MIJ instruments are easily as good as the MIA instruments but are a bit less expensive.

 

[jd56hawk]

What do you guys think?

I think you shouldn't limit yourself, but...

 

[Yahboy]

Vintera or Japan traditional or Hybrid.

 

[Steve73]

I think you shouldn't limit yourself, but...

I actually agree with you and I do not want to necessarily just follow a "trend" but my thought process (though it may be shallow) is, if so many people use Fender as their "go to" equipment, there must be a reason. Taking into account celebrity endorsements, fan loyalty, traditional values, etc. In some perspective, it must be worthy of its cult following, or perhaps use to be.
I am still a beginner, so unfortunately I don't understand everything when I research quality & cost, so part of my influence is certainly by what I see in the majority. All in all, I am not completely "sold" on any particular brand/style. I hope that makes sense.

 

[el murdoque]

Look for a used Mexican Fender, find a good one, buy it for way less than 800 bucks and upgrade the Pickups to whatever you desire with the money left.

When it comes to looks, I can advise you to look at the ones with maple boards.
Some of them don't even have a fretboard, the neck is just a single piece of maple.
That way, there is no difference between headstock and fretboard - and the whole thing is a body and a neck, no repetition of the body theme on the headstock. IMHO that works very well.

 

[lfmn16]

I think you should save up more money so you don’t have to settle. Not that you can’t buy a nice bass for $800, but I think the $1,000 - $1,500 basses are worth the extra money.

Make a trip to a music store, even if it’s inconvenient, and try out a bunch of basses.

 

[el murdoque]

Look for a used Mexican Fender, find a good one, buy it for way less than 800 bucks and upgrade the Pickups to whatever you desire with the money left.

When it comes to looks, I can advise you to look at the ones with maple boards.
Some of them don't even have a fretboard, the neck is just a single piece of maple.
That way, there is no difference between headstock and fretboard - and the whole thing is a body and a neck, no repetition of the body theme on the headstock. IMHO that works very well.

 

[HardNHeavy]

many good basses out there for under $800, play as many as you can. I've never paid more that $450 for a bass, and that one was an 83 p bass bought in 85'...and a used MIM J for under $300 back in 05' that was in mint condition., the other three i own, all fenders parts builds, play and sound just as good as any factory made bass.

 

[hvymetallurgist]

I had a Ray35HH that I ended up returning as I never meshed with it. Replaced with a MIM Player Series Jazz V that I unexpectedly fell in love with. Apples and oranges in a lot of ways, but for me the 5 string is used on a case-by-case and I just needed something reliable with some tonal flexibility. Both fit that bill but I disliked the Ray35.

On a 4-string front, I picked up a SUB Ray4 as a beater back-up more recently and have to say it’s everything I’d wanted that Ray35HH to be for a fraction of the price. Can’t put my finger on what *specifically* it is about the SUB that’s so much better but the vibes are there and they weren’t with the Ray35, it’s so much fun. That said, if you didn’t like neck cosmetics of the Ray34, lol you will *not* like the SUB neck - mine is the most garishly white chunk of wood I’ve ever seen. Rock solid, functional, super comfy, but ugly as sin.

As many of you know, I recently purchased a SBMM Ray 34 and after much consideration (and playing), I’m just not feeling it. I can’t “connect” with this guitar. It is awesome in almost every way but it’s just not for me. For one, I just can’t get past the unbalanced look of the maple fretboard against the neptune blue body & headstock. I rarely play it because of this. Purely cosmetic, yes, but it’s a mental block for me. Therefore, it will go up for sale.
I am seriously considering a more “passive” route and diving into the world of Fender, so my question is (without revealing my total budget ) what do you guys recommend (Fender only) in a budget of $800 or less?
As many of you know, a matching headstock was always a requirement of mine but I have since moved on from that and am now open to the best product for the money.
What do you guys think?

 

[groove pump]

As many of you know, I recently purchased a SBMM Ray 34 and after much consideration (and playing), I’m just not feeling it. I can’t “connect” with this guitar. It is awesome in almost every way but it’s just not for me. For one, I just can’t get past the unbalanced look of the maple fretboard against the neptune blue body & headstock. I rarely play it because of this. Purely cosmetic, yes, but it’s a mental block for me. Therefore, it will go up for sale.
I am seriously considering a more “passive” route and diving into the world of Fender, so my question is (without revealing my total budget ) what do you guys recommend (Fender only) in a budget of $800 or less?
As many of you know, a matching headstock was always a requirement of mine but I have since moved on from that and am now open to the best product for the money.
What do you guys think?

Bit of a trick question I'd say, just because the "best" one is going to be the one that fits you well. Sort of like a "best" pair of shoes or something. And the Aerodyne option was the one that first popped into my head, too.

I know I'm going outside the Fender realm, but one label that comes to mind when looking for a lot of bang for our buck is Schecter. They put out a few instruments that are sometimes referred to around here as FSO's (Fender Shaped Objects).

 

[JRA]

I just can’t get past the unbalanced look of the maple fretboard against the neptune blue body & headstock. I rarely play it because of this. Purely cosmetic, yes, but it’s a mental block for me. Therefore, it will go up for sale.

curious: why did you snag it in the first place, OP?

@Gorn said it: post #4.

also:
on "looks" --- close your eyes when you play = they all look alike!
on "fenders" --- do you want the 'look' of the headstock logo or do you want the best fender? (rhetorical)
on costs --- if it came down to it, which is more important: your budget? or the "looks?"

do some research. google stuff. good luck!

 

[Bassiclees]

A Squier PJ is a remarkable instrument. Throw some DiMarzio pups and strings of your choice (TI Flats ahem) and it is a beast. Way under your budget. Not a prestige axe but man oh man does it sing.

 

[jd56hawk]

I actually agree with you and I do not want to necessarily just follow a "trend" but my thought process (though it may be shallow) is, if so many people use Fender as their "go to" equipment, there must be a reason. Taking into account celebrity endorsements, fan loyalty, traditional values, etc. In some perspective, it must be worthy of its cult following, or perhaps use to be.
I am still a beginner, so unfortunately I don't understand everything when I research quality & cost, so part of my influence is certainly by what I see in the majority. All in all, I am not completely "sold" on any particular brand/style. I hope that makes sense.

Oh, sure, I can't blame you for that kind of reasoning, and I sure wouldn't mind adding this one to my arsenal.
Fender doesn't get much cooler than this!
$999 new, but several used ones on Reverb for $800.

 

[Steve73]

curious: why did you snag it in the first place, OP?

@Gorn said it: post #4.

also:
on "looks" --- close your eyes when you play = they all look alike!
on "fenders" --- do you want the 'look' of the headstock logo or do you want the best fender? (rhetorical)
on costs --- if it came down to it, which is more important: your budget? or the "looks?"

do some research. google stuff. good luck!

I like your perspective, Sir! Very common sense, as it should be.
I purchased the SBMM after doing tons of research and talking with seasoned bassists here and on other forums. It fit what I was looking for (in my mind) at the time and unfortunately, I couldn't try one locally, so I didn't have any reference until I got it in my hands. Always a crap shoot buying online.

You are correct on "Close your eyes - They all look alike", but when I open my eyes, I'm reminded of my novice decisions...LOL
I suspect I'm no different than a lot of newbs when I am drawn to the prestige of owning a quality instrument with a solid reputation and I admit, I suffer from logo status syndrome more than I should, hence my request for advice from people who have possibly made similar mistakes and have become wiser than I as a result.

Costs vs Looks: In my beginner opinion (new to bass, played drums for 30 years) I feel that both clearly have a weight in the final decision but personally, I'm hoping to find "common ground" in a bass that esthetically inspires me to never want to put it down, but equally worth every dime spent on it in terms of build quality.

 

[Killing Floor]

If you don’t love it sell/trade it.

Go play as many as you can. What feels best in the fretting hand? Anything else can be changed.