• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

What if you had $400

#21
:laugh: Geez, a lot of people unwilling to play along with the first post here.

If I had $400 to spend on a bass, I'd get an SR305.
If I had $1000 to spend on a bass, I'd probably still get an SR305. Love those basses. So I'll vote for that.

Then again, I think of the Jackson brand about the way I think of the Dean brand, and I accidentally fell in love with a Dean earlier this year and brought it home to be my one & only for the foreseeable future. And that Jackson is gorgeous. So all things considered, I'd find that mighty tempting as well.

In any case, you probably can't go wrong with any of them, so no worries, just have fun! :thumbsup:
 
  • Like
Reactions: JRA and HarveyRobertson
#22
HarveyRobertson said:
I have $400 in reverb credit. Ready to spend it all on a $400 bass.

I don't want a.used bass, don't need someone else's dr'd up bass..

So if you had $400 which would you buy?

1. Jackson Spectra 5
View attachment 3901007

2.Ibanez SR305E
View attachment 3901010

3. Sterling Ray 5 HH
View attachment 3901016
Click to expand...
Ray HH. Hands down. And I don't even like stingrays. It'll sound the best, play the best, be the best quality, and it looks pretty darn nice for 400 bucks. "Classy" nice, not "compensating" nice.
 
Last edited:
#25
Out of the three, I would pass on the Jackson (I tried one and tbh, while it wasn't bad, it wasn't all that good either). Which of the remaining two depends on what kind of sound does it for you, I owned an Ibanez SR300E and found the powerspan pickups pretty versatile, couple that with a slim neck, light weight and that would personally be my pick.
 
#26
I could not sell my SR306 fast enough after I bought one by accident one late night last year, so I would definetly not vote for the Ibanez.

Although if I were that close moneywise and wanted a new Ibanez I'd go for the Ibanez Talman 505 with roasted maple neck and the licensed Nordstrand pickups (or I'd rather prefer the 4-string version).

Out of the 3 you mentioned it would be the Sterling Ray 10 out of 10 (the last one is so far away from what I'd gig with that I'd rather turn up to the gig naked with a mandoline).
 
#30
Meh on all those. Just not very good looking basses IMO.

I'd spend the $400 on an accessory for, or upgrade to, an instrument I already have...rather than on an entire instrument that will need upgrades. Do you have a good low pass filter? A good outboard e.q. unit? Quality straps and cables for all your instruments? A hard case for every instrument you already own? Enough cargo shorts and go-aheads, or other douchey gigging attire?
 
  • Like
Reactions: Lobster11
#31
Used is great, there is fender jazz (2015) Mexican Model with and amp on Craigs List. My friend who went to an elite school for music and gigs at a $1000 a night has a Squire CV Jazz bass among is 10 basses and loves it. They go for $399. Some of the GL Tributes come in a $500
 
#33
#34
Out of those, I like the Ibby the most. In that price range, new, also consider the Sire M2 or V3:

m2_4st_title.png


Of course, I agree with others, saving a bit more, and checking the used market, can of course both get you more bass for your money. Lots of great choices right now though.
 
  • Like
Reactions: HarveyRobertson and tyohars
#39

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back