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What if you had $400

Going by the strict $400 for NEW guideline, I would probably get a 32" medium scale Squier Jaguar in black.

NOT going by the strict guideline I would consider...
  • a used short scale Squier Jag and put better pickups/electronics in it
  • Saving a few extra and buying the newer short scale Sterling Sting Ray
  • Saving a few extra and buying a used Mustang P/J and put a hum cancelling bridge in it
 
Going by the strict $400 for NEW guideline, I would probably get a 32" medium scale Squier Jaguar in black.

NOT going by the strict guideline I would consider...
  • a used short scale Squier Jag and put better pickups/electronics in it
  • Saving a few extra and buying the newer short scale Sterling Sting Ray
  • Saving a few extra and buying a used Mustang P/J and put a hum cancelling bridge in it

I had both the Squier Jaguar and I modded that with EMG’s and it was still lacking in the tone department for me. I currently use the Sterling SR5 H/H and I like it a lot; use it often
 
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One thing I've learned in this post is, you can set perimeters but very few will read them or just skim over and make it their post.

Been playing for quite a few years now, working band last 8 years. Own mainly Jazz and P basses. I wanted something with humbuckers, string spacing makes no difference to me, neither does weight, scale length 34"-35" preferred, have no desire to play a short scale.

I have tried used on reverb and has never worked well.. tip* always use PayPal, otherwise you are not protected by reverb.

I'll be going with the Jackson in Alien green burst.

Thanks for the help... I recommend that people read before answering.
 
$400 is a crappy price point for new basses
Don’t waste your money on a new bass for less than $400.
:wideyed:

All three of those are butthole ugly.
:jawdrop:


per the OP: i think any one of them could work if the ax had the feel and balance you want/need. if it was my $400 i'd buy a glarry and modify it to be killer!

no flash front.jpg front2.jpg
 
About 95% of my preferences will require extra money on top of the $400.

My first priority for 2020 is a new amp, so I would look for a used Bergantino Forte which often appear between $600-650.

If the $400 must go toward a bass, I'd look for a used walnut Rickenbacker 4003sw, which sometimes appear between $1250-1400.

There are not many options for me if I must buy something with a limit of $400 only. For basses, that limits me to either a used Orange O Bass, Hofner Shorty or Pignose PGB-200. Maybe a used Lucida Guitarron; they intrigue me and I've never tried one.
 
FLRT 8.JPG Well... I'm sure it ain't what you want to hear, but...
Sadly, $400 won't come anywhere close to buying any kind of music-related thing I want... or need. For example; priced an Alembic Stanley Clarke Signature Bass lately? That's the kind of thing I'm Jonesing for these days. However... $400 would make this month's payment on this thing; and let me pig out at Jack In The Crack for lunch, too...:whistle:
 
To answer the question, I’d probably buy the Ray 5HH.
I own a Frankenstein Ray and 2 Ibanezes and the Ray just sounds better. The Ibanez has the thinnest neck profile and the Ray will be rather thick so if that’s your thing there’s your answer.

I don’t trust Jackson non-USA models anymore since the Fender takeover. Jackson used to be exquisite, top quality instruments where even the “inexpensive” import models were made in Japan and rivaled the US models in quality. The quality and playability has fallen pretty far (hence why they're so cheap now when they used to be a more premium brand) since Fender took over. Now they’re all just pointy Squiers.
 
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