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What if you had $400

#61
That Jackson and the Ibby are really functionally similar. I love Rays but at that price point the Jackson punches above its weight. Plus that violet is a really cool color. I'd rock that.
Like I just said, Rays are one of my favorite things but the Ray is the outlier among those 3, different tone profile. So if you like the aggressive mid punch of the Ray tone, that's the one. If you like the other 2, grab that Jackson.
Any of those will take good care of you for the money.
 
#65
Money of the above. I would find a 1980's Ibanez Roadstar II bass with P&J and be very happy.

This one is on Reverb now for $415. Excellent choice.

Screenshot_20200712-140047_Reverb.jpg
 
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#66
Dragan said:
The other day l was in shop and they had exact sr305 model. Looked rather nice so l tried it and it was g'damn awful. The end.
Click to expand...
Oftentimes, the difference between a horrible bass and a wonderful bass is how it was set up. Just a few turns of a truss rod and/or saddle height screws, and/or some new strings and it becomes a completely different instrument.
 
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#67
xnewyorka said:
Oftentimes, the difference between a horrible bass and a wonderful bass is how it was set up. Just a few turns of a truss rod and/or saddle height screws, and/or some new strings and it becomes a completely different instrument.
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definitely true but hopefully a lot of us are able to spot these things when trying a new instrument. That would completely change your definition of a horrible bass to all the other things that can be truly horrible: unlevel frets, a crooked neck, garbage electronics and hardware, etc. :laugh:
 
#69
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
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While I agree that you should both save more and make your money go farther by buying used gear, your parameters seem to be:
1. bass
2. 5 string
3. New, not used
4. <$400

I'm saying that's not much to go on. What type of music? What is your level of playing? Is there a player who "does it" for you?

Cheers!
 
#70
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...
TrustRod said:
I'd rule out the Jackson solely on taste. I don't like the color and I prefer the narrower spacing of the Ibanez & SBMM. Which one of those 2 I'd pick will depend on when exactly you ask. I'd want to mod the sterling to be a bit more flexible and I'd want to rip out the preamp on the Ibanez.

Ignoring your choices the 30" Ibanez Talman because I want to get some time on a 30" before building a fancier one.
Click to expand...

I’d buy a longhorn jazz bass, active pickups, 5 string, USA made. Last one I bought was $380.

You do have to watch and catch them on sale....
 
#74
2F/2F said:
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?
Click to expand...

Self correction: *high pass filter
 
#78
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...
If I had to choose one of those 3, it'd be the Sterling Ray 5 HH...

If I had my druthers, I'd most likely buy something else. Maybe a pair of Broncos, or an Epi (EBO or Thunderbird).
 
#80
I don’t think I would ever spend less than $1k on a brand new bass. If that was my budget there’s just so much good stuff out there in the used market. For example, I recently acquired a 1984 Ibanez Roadstar II P-bass for under $400, and I’m working a deal right now to get a USA SUB Stingray for under $300. Don’t waste your money on a new bass for less than $400.
 

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