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What's a good bass in the $2k or lower range?

R

rcadble

May 12, 2008
80
0
#1
Hello friends,
I was wondering what you guys would have to say about this. I started bass back in October and haven't put down my instrument since; I absolutely love playing. I play an Ibanez GSR200, a decent starter bass, but it has some cons, like its sound and neck. I play jazz and rock, usually just by plucking but occasionally by slapping.

I currently have about $1100-1200 money I'd be willing to spend on a bass, but by the end of the summer I could have about $2000. I was wondering if anybody here has a recommendations for a bass to buy that I'd be able to afford by the end of the summer. I need a versatile bass, that I could play rock with my friends and jazz at school with. I need something that looks slick but over the top, since it would just be stupid to play smooth walking basslines on a death metal bass guitar. I've only looked at (online) fender jazz basses, music-man stingrays, and rickenbacker 4003s so far. I want my bass to be 4-stringed and fretted.

Thanks for your help.
 
#5
Lakland 44-02 is a good versatile bass. I've got a Valenti J5 on order and it's running me about $2000 new, however there are some less expensive ones for around $1500 on Nino's website in the "in stock" section. For versatility I'd go with some sort of PJ set up.

Also, look in the TB Classifieds section. I've gotten several great deals on basses that would cost me hundreds more in a music store or from an online instrument dealer. The TB Classifieds are filled with some of the most trustworthy people you could deal with IMO. I've never had a problem in there.
 
#6
stingrays are great basses. I have been gassing over one for a while now. No other basses can match the tone of that stingray. Fenders are great too I love my jazz bass and my squire vm p bass. Heres an idea buy the squire vm p or j bass for under 300 and then the rest of your money spend it on a halfstack. For the price the vm series is amazing.
 
#11
For that kind of money you could have yourself two really nice used basses. I got my Peavey Millennium Plus 5 for $500 shipped:

Picture021.gif

Picture024-1.gif


Made in USA
Alder body with 1/4" flamed maple top
Quatersawn maple neck with carbon fiber rods for stiffness
Pau Ferro fretboard with maple position dots
Hipshot USA Ultralite tuners
Hipshot USA type "A" brige
Tusq artificial bone nut
Active J/MM pickups
18v 3-band active preamp with sweepable mids

These sold for around $1400 new - mine is in almost mint condition eight years later. I'm sure you could find a 4-string version for less than $500.

G&L USA L2000's regularly sell used for around $800.

Both of these basses are extremely versatile!
 
#12
spaz21387 said:
stingrays are great basses. I have been gassing over one for a while now. No other basses can match the tone of that stingray. Fenders are great too I love my jazz bass and my squire vm p bass. Heres an idea buy the squire vm p or j bass for under 300 and then the rest of your money spend it on a halfstack. For the price the vm series is amazing.
Click to expand...

+1.... You should be able to find an amazing used instrument for less than half that much money. My 3 favorite basses cost me 1500, 400, and 200... and I love them all equally. I've also had instruments that cost less or more than I didn't like.

Cost is only what you're willing to pay to have it, not what it is worth.
 
#13
#16
Between now and then check out every bass you can, regardless of price range. I mean actually put your hands on them if you can. Don't rule ANYTHING out, regardless of price, high or low... because you never know what might blow you away until you actually play it. The bass for you coud be a new or used $2k bass, it might be a $2500 one that really connects with you, it could be a $300 one. Keep an open mind... the only person who can decide what's best for you is you.

My personal suggestions would still be too many to list because IMO that's how many options you have. When you're checking out one of those basses, don't make the rookie mistake of not understanding that a particular bass' setup is not permanent:D. I've seen people dismiss great basses because the neck needed a tweak, the action was high or the strings were old. I own a lot of those basses and it does indeed suck to be them. Don't let that be you.
:smug:
 
#17
Brad Johnson said:
Between now and then check out every bass you can, regardless of price range. I mean actually put your hands on them if you can. Don't rule ANYTHING out, regardless of price, high or low... because you never know what might blow you away until you actually play it. The bass for you coud be a new or used $2k bass, it might be a $2500 one that really connects with you, it could be a $300 one. Keep an open mind... the only person who can decide what's best for you is you.

My personal suggestions would still be too many to list because IMO that's how many options you have. When you're checking out one of those basses, don't make the rookie mistake of not understanding that a particular bass' setup is not permanent:D. I've seen people dismiss great basses because the neck needed a tweak, the action was high or the strings were old. I own a lot of those basses and it does indeed suck to be them. Don't let that be you.
:smug:
Click to expand...

+1 to this.

There are loads of basses that are under $2000 - and just because it is more expensive it doesn't mean that you will like it more. There are people on here with years of experience who playing sub-$200 basses!

Personally I would be looking for a used Warwick SSI, but that is because I love Warwicks (don't own one though :crying:). You might fall in love with a $2000 Super-Jazz or a $120 SX Jazz! Just get down to a shop, and play absolutely everything. Even if you aren't sure on first sight, give it a try. I wasn't sure about the looks of Warwick Streamers, but then I played one, and fell in love. I hate being a poor student!
 
#20
Mmm sweepable mids. I love sweepable mids.

+∞ to the advice of actually PLAYING the instruments. I'm of the "Don't buy it unless you play it and fall in love with it" school.

All of the basses in this thread are good recommendations.

My money is on the MM Stingray HH. I hear nothing but good things about the Laklands & Sadowskys. I'd love an MM HH with sweepable mids. Is anyone at Ernie Ball listening to me? MM HH with sweepable mids!
 

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