What is the best bass for a detuned low A under $1500

There is no correct answer here. Physics is not price sensitive.

 

Zon Sonus. And you could have it special ordered with 35" scale. I've had two Zon's but only one detuned. Standard tuning for us was C# F# B E.

If you cant afford that another option would to get a cheap J-bass and have a Modulus neck put on. The Modulus J-neck sells for around $560 from a retailer. I know because I ordered one 4 weeks ago.

Hope that helps.

 

all you need are the right gauge strings

 

+1 The best answer.

Any 35" scale will do, but I wouldn't use a Jbass for those kind of lows, and a Dingwall or Quake bass are out of your price bracket.

 

35" scale bass of some sort. My Modulus Q5 would be perfect and was purchased for less than that.

 

A0=27.5Hz.

You bet.

 

Please explain why you think this is true.

 

ESP LTD F Series and a set of 130s

 

I've got a 6str fender jazz bass that I tuned F#-G and the F# str sounds great.

 

Wow...what size is your top string?

 

They're killin' 34" B string I personally keep a full step downtuned

Cheers,
Wallace

 

6 string Fender jazz? Pics or no bass...

 

A good friend of mine used to tune to A# and it was on a G&L ASAT 4 string. He gigged regularly with it and sounded great. He had no complaints about the way it handled.

 

A used Stingray with heavy, heavy strings (like .145+ on the A) would do just fine.

 

Checkout the Warwick Vaympre Rock bass. $900, same electronics and hardware as it's German big brother at 1/4 the cost! Plus they come tuned in like F or F#

http://www.zzounds.com/productreview--WRWVAMP4

Pretty neat bass for $900.

 

I've played many downtuned 34" basses with a solid low A. It has a lot to do with your strings and how much tension they have. PERSONALLY, I prefer 34" scale since I've had more options when it comes to strings as opposed to 35" scale which was more restrictive IME.

 

That's where I'd start. A detuned light-gauge B is going to flop (albeit slightly less on a 35" than a 34").

Check out Circle K's tension chart to get an idea what sort of tension different gauges would give you when tuned to A.

 

Any bass with big enough strings. I every now and again have occasion to tune down to B or A, and I'll generally use one of my Carvin 4's strung up with the heavier four strings from a standard five-string set (toss the lightest string). Sounds great.